Stereo Install Pictures

[Red Ramrod]

I just finished posting pictures of my stereo install for anyone interested. If you have any specific questions about what I found behind any of the panels or how to remove let me know. The truck came apart and back together well. Easy to hide all the wiring also. I am very pleased with the end result. We replaced the stock Infinity system and it is night and day difference in sound quality. We can now clearly hear every word in songs that we could never understand before.



Here is my album and click on the "stereo install" gallery.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displaygallery.php?userid=19138

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by Red Ramrod

If you have any specific questions about what I found behind any of the panels or how to remove let me know.

More of a fit and finish question: How well did the oval plug (that surrounds the stereo unit) fit the oval cut-out in the dash? I don't want to replace my stereo until I can get something that looks as good as a factory install.

 

[Red Ramrod]

Crunch,



I updated the "stereo install" gallery with a picture of the finished product of the deck. I am picky to and was pleased with the outcome. The finish on the fill in plate to cover the factory hole matches the a/c control plate pretty close. Let me know if want a high quality picture emailed to you.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Off Topic

VERY COOL seats Ramrod



#ad

 

[Red Ramrod]

Thanks HEMI®Dart,



We were looking for a Larmie leather package truck and stumbled across the 03 model. It already had most of the Laramie upgrades that I would have wanted anyway. Got such a good deal on the truck since it was a 03 that we could not pass it up. The dealer gave us his cost to send it out for the leather package. It came out great and we still saved a lot of $'s on the truck. It was the wife's idea for the bright red. The company installing the leather came out and let us pick from their color samples. Only took them 2 days in their shop.

 

[fraserrj]

how much did it cost to get to have your seats done like that

 

[Red Ramrod]

At the dealer when signing the deal we were quoted $1200. When we met with the company to do the install they would do it for that price for standard colors but the bright red leather is more expensive for them. We ended up paying $1400 installed out the door. This included heat in the front two seats (high/low/off switch). The shop that did ours is in Renton, WA and did a excellent job - "Classic Soft Trim". They had a lot of upper end cars their - jags and bmw's. My truck looked a little out of place, but they did a excellent job. They appear to have installers across the US. Here is a link to the website.



http://www.classicsofttrim.com/index.html

 

[StephenThomas]

Very nice work Ramrod. I'm always impressed by you guys that not only do your own installs, but add some creativity to it at the same time.



I also did a custom stereo (had someone else install though). I wanted to include JL Audios stealth sub, but did not want to give up the metal floor. I would have been willing to give up the smaller metal floor (as you did), but JL's sub only fits the larger side. Your custom made enclosure fits nicely on the small side. You should sell your enclosure... . i'm sure there's quite a few here on TDR that would buy it -- I'd be one of them i'm sure, but would want a JL Audio sub



Nice work!

 

[jlasich]

Wow Red Ramrod. That looks like it was a lot of fun to do. Definitely worth it. Nice job on the pod under the dash with the gauges and switches in it. Looks factory. The stereo install looks fantastic. I like your selections. How do you like the Music Keg? I love MP3's and would like to go that route. I've got too many CD's to carry around anymore. Plus, I could keep the original CD's in their cases at home for safekeeping. Is that Kenwood the X659? How do you like it? Again, nice job and great looking seats. I sure hope red is your favorite color.

 

[CIverson]

Are you getting any noise through your amp?



I seem to be collecting alot of noise from my install and have tried everything to get rid of it all. I got rid of most of it, but not all yet.

 

[Red Ramrod]

Thanks Stephen,

I looked at JL box and it gave me the idea. I also did not want to lose the larger section of the load floor. It was not to difficult and did not take long to build the box - probably around 4 hours. Hmmm. I could possibly use mine to make a mold. The box I built is deep enough and has enough air space for the JL audio. I went with the Diamond Audio as it was on sale half price and specs are very simaliar.



Thanks jlasich,

I enjoy this kind of work in my spare time. The Kenwood Music Keg I have is KHD-CX910. When I bought mine it was in November and they were phasing out the 10GB version and going to expand it to 20GB but keeping the same part #. After sale price and a large rebate I only paid $200 for it - instantly I ruled out the CD changer I was contemplating. It works great. The software they provide is easy to use, works well and plugs to the computer via USB. I have not played with it to much as we find ourselves in aw of the satellite radio. I will have it fully loaded by summer when we are camping out in the trees (blocked satellite). I could not tell any sound quality difference between the satellite radio, cd's or the music keg though. If you already have a lot of mp3's I think you would love it. You create your own playlists and the names of the artist, song and playlist can be displayed on the deck. You could find more info on this site

Music Keg

 

[Red Ramrod]

CIverson,



No I am not getting any noise at all at any speed or volume. I was a little worried about that before I started though and took all precautions I could. It is extremely important how the amp power is connected. I have the +12V run straight to the battery w/8 guage wire. I went through a gold plated 30amp fuse and then a lug right to the battery. I bought high quality wire from a stereo shop which also helps. It does not cost that much as you do not need very may feet of wire. 8 guage is usually good for up to 500W which is what my amp is. The ground wire should be as short as possible. I have 1' of 8 guage wire grounded on the truck floor right next to the amp. Be sure to scrape through the paint to get a good connection on the ground. I also kept my power wire separated as much as possible from the other wires. If you have tried this to no avail post again and maybe someone else will have some other ideas. Good luck.

 

[CIverson]

Before I reply, the install looks great, and I wish I could build a box like that for my pass. side.



As for my noise, It was horrible at first. I re-routed all of my wires, the battery is 4guage to a dist block in the center console, and then 8 guage to the amp under the drivers seat. I went to a 4 guage ground to try and help out w/ the noise also, and had to use a ground loop isolator on the RCA's as it would pop every time I turned it on or change sources.



As it sits like that I have a slight hiss, and I can hear my remote control for my plow through the speakers, which is weird. The noise coincides w/ the blinking light on the remote when I press a button. I used good quality speaker and power/ground wire, a short ground, and some RCA's from my old truck that worked well (stereo shop as well).



The only thing w/ the ground is I have it grounded on the seat belt bolt. I did take the paint off of the contact areas though. I don't really want to put a large screw through the floor as I'm trying to keep any hole drilling to a minimum (at least through sheet metal), and so far only have the holes for the screws holding the amp

 

[Red Ramrod]

CIverson,



A few things you might try (if you already haven't):



Disconnect everything (on the +12V) except the amp from the dist block you mention and see if the noise goes away.



Another thing to try, take even just a 14 guage wire and connect at the amp with your current ground (leave current ground in place for now). With the stereo on you could touch the other end of the 14 guage wire to a few other spots on the truck that you know are a good ground. It the noise goes away you know your ground is suspect and you may need to drill that hole through the floor. I know my seat bolts were real gummed up and would not make good contact.



You might want to start your own post with stereo noise problem as the header to get some more opinions. Good luck.

 

[CIverson]

Thanks for the tips. The dist. block dosen't have anything else hooked to it right now so that's not it, although I think I may try running my power off of the pass side battery to see if that helps at all.

 

[evldsl]

There are also buffers that are used inline to keep the dreaded noise out of the radio ,stereo,etc. . I beleave it's a cap with wire wrapped around it.

 

[StephenThomas]

CIverson... .



I'm not getting one single bit of "engine noise" from my system. I have no clue how my installer grounded the system, but I do know that they did not use any ground loop isolators. I guess my point is to not give up on your efforts, because it can certainly be done.



My 2001 had problems with engine noise and we used ground loop isolators to fix the problem -- some would call this cheating, but I didn't care as long as I didn't get the noise.



All... .



There's a finished pic of my aftermarket Alpine head unit in my gallery if any care to see. I didn't take pics of the amps installed under the seats yet, but the amps look very similar to Ramrods under there. I have two MTX amps - one installed under each front seat. I haven't solved my efforts for a subwoofer yet, so in the meantime I have a 12" JL Audio powerbox temporarily mounted on the metal floor behind the drivers seat. I don't like the way the sub looks there, but it sure sounds nice

 

[Prairie Dog]

Those seats are gorgeous Ramrod. I'd like to hear that stereo as well so If you ever see a patriot blue 3rd gen waving wildly at you while driving through Monroe, it's just me wanting to take a better look at your rig!



Scotty

 

[daytripper63]

Does anyone know if the stock infinity stereo is satellite ready? or do I need to change entire stereo?

 

[Red Ramrod]

Yes the stock Infinity unit is Satellite ready. It requires a satellite tuner (separate box) and satellite antenna. Dodge asks around $400 for theirs but you should be able to do it a lot cheaper yourself. Go to this website Soundgate and look at the KNCR2V4. This is the adapter to use a Kenwood satellite receiver. The Kenwood satellite receiver was being offered for free (I think it still is - check the Sirius website). Then just buy the $50 satellite antenna and hook it all up. You will love the satellite radio. It will also solve the problem my deck had of poor fm reception as you will not listen to it anymore.

Has anyone else used the soundgate interface? You could also verify with soundgate (they have a tech email button). Probably save about $300. Good luck.