Radio Replacement

[JDunmyer]

I have a 2001 Ram/CTD with a faulty radio; the display comes and goes. This thing has a CD and Cassette player, neither of which I use. In fact, I use the truck very little, only for towing my travel trailer and the occasional actual truck needs.

Most weeks, I "shop" at a scrap yard with a couple of friends and see the occasional Ram truck sitting there where I can easily pick parts; all are newer than mine. The thought has crossed my mind to remove the radio and replace mine.

Two questions: How difficult is it to remove rhe radio, bearing in mind that I don't have my roller cabinet full of tools with me? I do carry some basic stuff: Adjustable wrenches, pliers, wire cutter, screwdriver, etc. I can bring additional tools if I know I might need them.

Is the radio somehow keyed to the VIN, ECM, or...?? I ran into that some years ago with a swap of a Pontiac minivan drive line into a Chevy. The Chevy radio didn't work, and it would have cost something like $150.00 for a Chevy dealer to unlock it. It was my wife's car, and she didn't care, so we didn't bother.

There is no concern about whether the scrap yard radio will work, as it won't cost over a dollar or 2.

Two alternatives are to just forget about it, as I have the appropriate presets memorized or, go to a car sterio place and get a whole new outfit installed, perhaps one that includes a backup camera.

What say you?

TIA: <<Jim>>

 

[BigPapa]

It's not a big deal. The bezel pulls off, just drop the steering wheel as low as it will go. The radio is held in by screws.

 

[JDunmyer]

Thanks! I'll see what I can find on my next trip to the 'yard. Vehicles aren't usually sitting in one place for long, so it's catch as catch can.

 

[BigPapa]

You can even put in a Double Din unit if you want....

 

[Road Dog]

The bezel is mounted with metal clips and pulls off. There may be a Philips screw in the top right hole. With an automatic it helps to shift the lever to 1st to get it out of the way. If you have an Infinity sound system (little speakers in the A-pillar) then there are amplifiers mounted on the speakers in the front doors. I assume the connectors are different between the regular radio and the infinity system.

 

[Matt42]

Thanks! I'll see what I can find on my next trip to the 'yard. Vehicles aren't usually sitting in one place for long, so it's catch as catch can.

I was at a local self-serve wrecking yard about 10 days ago looking for some interior parts for my 2001 PT Cruiser. I found exactly what I needed in another 2001 PT Cruiser, in nearly identical trim. The car looked like it had been subjected to recent blunt force trauma in front. But it had otherwise been garaged for its whole life. Even the clear coat and seat leather were still good, which is rare here. It had an OEM AM/FM radio with a 6 CD changer. I would have bet money that it would be in working condition. That should be a direct plug-in for a 2001 Ram, if I had one. But not for my 1996. I think that the yard gets maybe $30 or less for them.

 

[JDunmyer]

Road Dog,
Thanks for the info on the Infinity vs. the others. I think that's what I have, as there are little speakers on the 'A' pillars. I'll have to pay attention to what I find at the 'yard.

Matt,
It's interesting to see what comes into the 'yard and observe the condition. Some vehicles are actually driven in, others look good until the crane with the big claw picks them off the trailer. The vehicles are a great source for spare fuses, relays, windshield washer pumps, tires & wheels, and batteries. Many batteries are only a year old and in fine condition; I carry a Harbor Frieght DVM in my "tool kit" (a 5-gallon bucket) to check them. They often have bunches of gel-cell batteries, presumably removed from emergency exit lights, medical equipment, etc. on a PM basis. Pretty much all their stuff is sold by the pound, so a radio would be classed as "shred" for $.15-.25 per pound.

 

[Hoopster]

Chrysler used that radio in many vehicles from 1997-2002, Durango's are always a good bet to find a nice one. as stated most Chrysler vehicles of the same vintage use the same electrical plugs on their radios but faceplates can differ (rounded corners vs square).

Radios are held in place with either a 10mm or 3/8" bolts (2) and sometimes a phillips screwdriver to remove the bezels and a small flat blade to assist with removing the clip on the electrical plugs.

If your truck has steering wheel controls then you will need to find a radio with the additional 2 pin plug (likely will need to come from a 2000-2001 or newer car)

 

[JDunmyer]

Hoopster,
Thanks for the additional info, especially on the 2-pin plug. I'll add 3/8" and 10mm sockets to my tool kit for tomorrow's visit to the 'yard.

My truck does have the steering wheel controls; it was pretty much "deluxe" when it was purchased new, heated leather seats, power on both sides, HO engine w/6-speed manual transmission, etc. I bought it in '07 from the owner in Austin, TX. It had only 46,000 miles on it at the time and was advertised as "like new". Wife & I drove the Jetta to Austin, picked up a U-Haul car trailer in the morning, loaded up the VW and came home. The owner actually had the original window sticker, which he gave me.

Wife & I did a lot of traveling during the next 12 years or so, including a trip to Alaska and many antique engine/tractor shows. Since the pandemic and her entry into a nursing home with Alzheimer's, my travels are down to almost nothing. I changed the oil a year ago this spring after 3 years and only 2500 miles. I did have to replace the transmission in August of 2021, that was a bit of a disappointment. Mileage now is only about 125,000 and the body is quite good, very little rust anywhere.

 

[Matt42]

Road Dog,
Thanks for the info on the Infinity vs. the others. I think that's what I have, as there are little speakers on the 'A' pillars. I'll have to pay attention to what I find at the 'yard.

Matt,
It's interesting to see what comes into the 'yard and observe the condition. Some vehicles are actually driven in, others look good until the crane with the big claw picks them off the trailer. The vehicles are a great source for spare fuses, relays, windshield washer pumps, tires & wheels, and batteries. Many batteries are only a year old and in fine condition; I carry a Harbor Frieght DVM in my "tool kit" (a 5-gallon bucket) to check them. They often have bunches of gel-cell batteries, presumably removed from emergency exit lights, medical equipment, etc. on a PM basis. Pretty much all their stuff is sold by the pound, so a radio would be classed as "shred" for $.15-.25 per pound.

Something I would like to do--someday--is retrofit the steering wheel from a circa 2004 to 2007 Ram or Town & Country on to my 1996 truck. This would be mostly for the easier to use cruise control buttons and the horn button that's integrated into the airbag overlay. The 1996 horn buttons get dusty and stick, and the cruise control buttons are out of view and the pilot light is pretty dim. Radio control buttons would not be useful.

I have wiring diagrams for all the years I mentioned, so this might be theoretically possible. The later steering wheels are a physical match to the 1996. I tried them at a `yard. It's the wiring for everything to and from the clock spring that matters. Also, the PCM for the 1996 is rudimentary compared to the later models, so if signals are controlled there, it'd be problematical. Still, it would be fun to have a Chrysler marked steering wheel in my Dodge truck. Passengers who were paying attention used to look at me oddly after I retrofitted a 5 speed manual into my into my old Mazda GLC RWD that came with a 4 speed. I kept the original shift knob, and called it a mystery gear. The young woman that bought it appreciated the humor.

 

[Walker111]

I went thru this company.

https://www.1factoryradio.com/

They have factory radio’s and add Bluetooth capabilities. If it says out of stock, send them an email. They were able to get me a radio within the week. I have a stock cassette radio if you want it…just pay shipping.

 

[Matt42]

I went thru this company.

https://www.1factoryradio.com/

They have factory radio’s and add Bluetooth capabilities. If it says out of stock, send them an email. They were able to get me a radio within the week. I have a stock cassette radio if you want it…just pay shipping.

I have used them. Twice. They did good work both times. Once they refurbed a 6 disc changer for a 2004 PT Cruiser. The other time, they cleaned and rebuilt the remote 6 disc changer that I use with my 1996 CTD. It works with the AM/FM/Cassette radio from a 1997 that was given to me. When the remote changer isn't in use, it sits on a shelf in a closet.

Edit: I used them three times. The third time was when they repaired an AM/FM/CD radio in the work truck owned by my employer. Disc 1 of All Things Must Pass had gotten stuck inside and that was all that I had to listen to for three days across three states.