Replacement radio for '03

[gbraden]

My '03 Dodge has the factory am/fm/6 cd radio. However, I mostly listen to XM sat. radio programs. The factory radio does not have an aux. input, thus I tune the truck radio to the fm freq. of the portable XM receiver. This works OK until you get interference from a station on the same frequency. Unfortunately, it happens a lot.



Does anyone know of a direct replacement am/fm/cd radio that has an aux. input (the factory radio does not have an aux. input)? I would like to still be able to control the radio from the steering wheel controls. In order for the new radio to look nice I suppose it would need to fit beneath the factory trim piece (a bezel I think it is called).

Thanks for any info.

Glenn

 

[bighammer]

I bought a little box to connect my iPod to my stereo in my 03. I'm pretty sure it has an extra set of RCA type inputs for another Aux source. I can't remember the brand or much else, but I was skeptical if it actually would work. It does pretty well and I can even use the steering wheel buttons to skip or back up.

 

[MFalkinham]

I like listening to my XM radio as well, and replaced my factory stereo with a Sony Xplod receiver from Crutchfield. I don't have steering wheel controls in my truck, but have had them in other vehicles and I never used them much.

My model Sony has been discontinued, but the following one has the same features. I love using the front USB input for a flash drive loaded with MP3 music. I then plug in my XM receiver to the front aux input jack. It will also play MP3/WMA CD's, so it's a very versatile unit.

Crutchfield includes the mounting kit and a wiring harness for your truck; you just have to connect the stereo wires to the harness and plug it in the truck (I recommend soldering the connections). Installation was very easy.

Sony CDX-GT630UI CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Also, it appears the following add-on kit will allow you to use the steering wheel controls with this unit... .

PAC SWI-PS Steering wheel control interface for Pioneer, Jensen, and Sony at Crutchfield.com

 

[gbraden]

Thanks for your replies.

1. Bighammer if you think of the name or brand of the device you have, please let me know.



2. MFalkinham I have some questions about your new Sony radio;



A. How does it look? Does it look like the truck came with it? Did you have to cut or otherwise modify the factory trim (bezel I think it is called)?



B. The factory radio serves as my timepiece while driving. I don't wear a watch. Does the Sony display the time when the radio is OFF? When the radio is ON does it display the mode, frequency, cd track, etc. for a few seconds and then revert to displaying the time?



C. The rear view of the Sony shows output jacks. I assume those jacks can be used not only to feed the speakers but I could plug in a headphone? No, I don't wear a headphone while driving, but, since my ears are not what they used to be, I would like to use a headphone to better hear when I'm parked or my wife is driving.



Glenn

 

[bighammer]

Not certain this is the brand, but very similar if not.

ttp://indashpc.org/new/ipod_adapters/grom-ipod-chr.html

 

[FOXY005]

I purchased a FM Modulator from C. Crane on the internet, it is a lot stronger FM Signal than my Sat Radio puts out. Pluges into cigarette lighter for power and the output jack of your Sat Radio.



You can check out the unit at the C. Crane website.



And it's easy to move from one vehicle to another.



If you purchase one and really want to pump it up visit the website of "xmfan.com" and search for a thread by Wireman titled "CCRANE FM Transmittter MOD" easy mod and as stated in the thread it increases the range of transmission by about 5X

 

[HLewallen]

You have so many options here it is silly. You can go aftermarket and get whatever you want. If you like the look of the factory unit, you can either get an aux input adapter (as long as you don't have factory Uconnect - I never could get mine to daisy-chain) or there is a mopar radio with front mounted RCA inputs (actually video, left and right) that you might be able to find. I think it is out of a minivan, but same form factor. As a bonus it plays DVDs (no monitor, you would have to add a monitor to the factory outputs at the rear of the radio). Bottom line, go do your research. Start on Crutchfiled (aftermarket radios with inputs, aux inputs to factory radios).



I had an audiovox FM modulator hardwired into my dash. FM modulators just can't compare to an aux input.

 

[mtnram]

I canned the factory unit for This JVC unit. I do not have steering wheel controls, but the thing works like a charm with both a removable hd (via usb) or my cell phone (via bluetooth) for tunes.

One could contact the manufacturers to see if the controls are compatible.



Edit: I checked the features tab and it says it is steering remote control ready...

 

[LesStallings]

An inexpensive way out is to ditch the use of the FM modulator and go to the direct connection to the antenna. Crutchfield sells a little box that plugs into the radio's antenna connection and then the antenna plugs into it (adapters needed for Chrysler). You then plug in your XM receiver directly into this box. When the XM is on, the box basically disconnects the antenna and you will not get any interfeerence. I found that interfeerence when driving across country was a real pain and once the direct connection was made, it never was a problem again.



Everything will fit in the space behind the radio.