QuestionQUESTION: My son has a '99 Dodge Ram 3500 w/quad cab and wants to upgrade the OEM stereo system that is in it. The current head unit has no CD player. We were looking to find a newer version OEM head unit that will fit and provide a clean, factory look installation.
Can we use any of the 06-09 OEM head units? Would the 02-06 units with the oval face plate work? We have learned that the harness for the '99 is the old two plug style and the new units are the single 22-pin type. We would also like to find a unit that has the cd changer plug-in. Any advice?
ANSWER: Hi Brad,
Just about any of the rectangular Chrysler radios through '01 should be plug-and-play; you don't need to look for another Ram radio, though you do need to make sure the mounting tabs are located on the bottom edge at the left end, and on the right side at the top. The '02-'06 oval radios would work with wiring and antenna adapters, but the mounting system is completely different, as well as the dash panel design; it would be very difficult to make them look good in your truck. The newest "double-DIN" style radios are controlled through a data bus system, so they couldn't be made to work in your truck at all.
As far as I can tell, the only way to get a CD changer port in radio that fits your truck would be to buy a cassette-only head unit; it doesn't look like the models with built-in CD have a CD changer option. I'm not familiar with every factory Chrysler radio out there, however. Of course, you could buy a single-DIN head unit with an adapter plate, if you don't mind giving up the "factory" look. Pioneer used to make CD head units that are an exact fit for your truck, with no need for a kit; they're still listed as current models on Pioneer's web site, but may be hard to find. The model numbers are DEH-P47DH or DEH-P77DH.
Hope this helps!
Brian
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QUESTION: Yhanks Brian...looks like the options are somewaht limited with OEM units. The reason for the CD changer port is we want to put an iPod controller/adapter on the unit. An your thinking there was an rectangular unit made in '01. I'll research those t see if, maybe, there was one made with cd player and changer port. Does the Pioneer have this port?...or I suppose I need to start researching for a single DIN unit with that option?
AnswerHi,
There's a Pioneer iPod adapter that will work with the DEH-P47DH or DEH-P77DH, but it's a few years old, and may not be compatible with the newest iPod models like the iPhone and iTouch. Lately the trend in after-market head units is to build in an iPod-compatible USB port, either on the front or rear. This is generally compatible with the newest iPod models, but you'd have to switch to a single-DIN head unit. I don't know how important it is to you to keep the factory look, but I think your best bet is to look at single-DIN head units; there just aren't many options available in factory or after-market DIN-1/2 designs, especially if you want to use an iPod with the system.
There are many different after-market decks with USB ports that can control an iPod, but not every deck with USB is iPod compatible--make sure you check before you buy. Some USB ports are just designed for generic MP-3 players or music files on thumb drives. A front USB port lets you quickly attach and detach the iPod, but a rear port allows you to connect a USB extension cable and route it to the glove box or a storage compartment, so you can listen to the iPod and keep it out of sight. The iPod will be displayed and controlled through the head unit. Pioneer's DEH-P5100U has two USB ports--one on the front, and one on the back. You can connect two iPods, or an iPod and another device like a portable hard drive.
Hope this helps!
Brian
