Stereo interchangability - will 3rd Gen work in 2nd Gen? Need to improve sound!

[Rhondasway]

I need to get better sound in my truck but am on a strict budget. I don't like the style of most aftermarket stereos; it's like having a UFO on the dash and they're very complicated to use. I'm no techie and don't want to have to read a manual to use it every time!!
My speakers are pretty shot so could I just replace those as a start? Can I use 3rd Gen ones (even non-diesel models would be the same), and maybe get them from a scrapyard?
My folks' '04 has an outstanding stock sound system, so I thought maybe I could do that setup, and save myself a lot of money if I can salvage it. I don't know if their stereo itself is of a higher quality than in my '98. How big a difference does that make?
I know if I go into a stereo store they'll try to sell me everything on display...

Thanks for any input.

 

[BarryG]

You might try going to Crutchfield.com and go to car audio tab and try their what fits my car. It will give you what will fit for speakers, stereos etc at least of what they sell but the speakers for example it will give you the sizes that will fit. I have found it to be fairly useful over the years. If I recall the 3rd gens switched from a 1.5 din size in the 2nd gens to a double din size in the 3rd gens. If in fact the case then they wont physically fit. And I do not think anyone still makes a 1.5 din size stereo any more. I think Pioneer (which I have in mine) who I believe was the last one to do so dropped now only makes single and double din sizes. You can easily put in a single din size but a double will not fit. Something else I seem to recall was that third gens while not an audiophiles dream by any imagination did add more speakers or at least the option to and the trucks were quieter which may be why your folks sounds so much better.

 

[Rhondasway]

Wow, that is all excellent information, Barry! Thanks! I'll start there and see what I can find out.

 

[Ozymandias]

Take Care, the 3.Gens are BUS Radios.

But what you can do is search for every Radio out of the Chrysler Group from the Time your Rig was built, they all fit in it.
So you can choose the best available Radio/CD/Band Unit that was available that Time.
So do I use a Radio/Nav Combo in my Ram that was out of a Jeep Grand Cherokee - and it changed its Welcome Screen from Jeep to Dodge at the first switch on - that's why I know it must be BUS.

 

[Wayne M.]

I thnk Ozy is right that 3gen radios are on the BUS. This means that newer vehicles have a network that all the vehicle computer components talk on- kinda like the USB network on your home PC. I don't think the 2 gen (your) trucks radio on on a BUS. On our '98 Durango (similar electrical to yours) I installed a neat sony stereo that has phone connectivity and all and it works great. Don't be afraid of the aftermarket stuff- especially speakers. The factory RAZ code setup in my 04 does sound excellent but is complicated with a seperate amp and complex wiring.
I think the crutchfield plan is good for research and for the eventual buy. Do your research at bestbuy to see what you like then spring at crutchfield. You can do well on a stereo for about $125 and maybe that plus a bit more on all your speakers. More $ spent on speakers is better than on the stereo itself IMHO.
I think you'll spend $100 on questionable salvage stuff.

 

[Extreme1]

My input (and it's worth exactly what I'm charging you for it): I really dislike aftermarket stuff. I like being able to reach over and grab a knob or a slide and make an adjustment without having to scroll though screens using only tiny pushbuttons.

 

[BigPapa]

I got a double DIN to fit in mine..........

 

[JR]

:-laf:-laf

 

[Ozymandias]

My input (and it's worth exactly what I'm charging you for it): I really dislike aftermarket stuff. I like being able to reach over and grab a knob or a slide and make an adjustment without having to scroll though screens using only tiny pushbuttons.

Then look for the best available Stereo that Chrysler had in this years, including the Amp and the Speakers and by fine.
I for my think the Infinity System in my Granny 98 Limited is awesome.
Ten Speaker, 150W Music, it's nice.

 

[Ozymandias]

http://www.allpar.com/stereo/infinity-guide.html

 

[BigPapa]

:-laf:-laf

I built that when my stereo was stolen. 300 miles a a day without some tunes gets old. I had that unit laying around and used it a few days until I could replace the stolen unit. The mount is for sale if anyone needs it................

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Crutchfield

 

[inlinesix3million]

You're door speakers are 6x9 's. Changing them to most any aftermarket version in this size will be a huge improvement. Go with at least a co-axial or tri-axial to keep things simple.

Later, you can upgrade the in dash unit to a simple, quality, aftermarket single-din Radio/ CD player. There are inexpensive adaptor kits to make the install easy. Walmart has them.

Down the road you can add an amp and a pair of 10" subs that fit under your rear seat. There are aftermarket enclosures made to fit under the rear seat in your truck. I had a similar
system in my 98 and it really sounded good.