| 1997 Dodge Dakota Interior Electronics dodge Dakota Interior Cabin
As the pages over the last year of Sport Truck illustrate, Dodge's midsize Dakota is rapidly gaining wide acceptance as a platform for increasingly wild sport truck buildups. There are many reasons for this. First is the wide availability of the current generation to choose from, with some models dating back to '97, making them very affordable. Second, there's the wide variety of models to choose from: standard cab, Club Cab, and since '00, the Quad Cab with four full doors. They are also available in 2WD and 4WD versions and best of all, a high percentage of Dakotas are V-8-equipped, including the high-output 5.9L Magnum. All of this adds to the Dakota's growing popularity among sport truck enthusiasts.
The Dakota's popularity has not been lost on the mobile electronics aftermarket as there are several application-specific products available, especially speaker enclosures that make upgrading the A/V system exceptionally easy. While there are not as many options as mainstream fullsize pickups, the number of components available compares favorably with those available for compact Ford Rangers and the GM S-twins.
Since the Dakota falls squarely in the affordable category, this month, we're going to concentrate on selecting components that typically fall on the budget side of the price spectrum whenever possible. Given that we're assembling this list just prior to SEMA 2003 for publication early in 2004, some of the models selected will be replaced shortly, meaning that if you shop carefully, you'll be sure to pick up some great deals.
Audio Source Units and Satellite Radio2003 will go down as the year satellite radio busted out of the niche category and into the mainstream. XM Radio now has more than 1 million subscribers, and Sirius, by the time you read this, will be nearing 1/4 million. This means that you should only consider source units that are XM- or Sirius-capable. Thankfully, from most manufacturers, that means all but the most entry-level units will offer this capability, meaning that adding an external tuner - normally $200 before activation rebates - will get you tuned into 100 channels of near-CD-quality digital sound; most music channels sans annoying advertising; and on those channels that are supported by advertising, it's less than five minutes per hour on XM (music channels on Sirius are 100 percent commercial-free, thus justifying its $12.95/month subscription fee as opposed to XM Radio's $9.95 monthly subscription fee.)
Since our focus this month is on budget units, we're seeking out units with the best balance of features and performance at the best possible value. This eliminates both the entry-level units as well as the top-of-the-line units offered by most manufacturers. Fortunately, the $250 to $400 sweet spot is populated by a wide variety of units with a bewildering array of features.
Before we go into specific units, it should be noted that the GM/Chrysler-style 1.5-DIN head units have been discontinued by Alpine and Pioneer, meaning that all the units we've selected this month are conventional single-DIN units that will require an installation kit for proper installation. Also, when buying your head unit, inquire about a universal-to-Chrysler wiring harness. This will simplify installation by eliminating the need to cut off the factory power and speaker plugs.
If you think you have no interest in adding an integrated satellite radio system down the road, but are willing to spring for $370 for a unique head unit that allows you to upload your own images for the unit's front-panel display, take a look at JVC's KD-LH3150 AM/FM/CD, part of the company's high-impact Arsenal line. Not only does it feature MP3 playback, it also provides an AUX-in, great for inputting the audio from an external video source.
Over the last several years, Panasonic has made substantial inroads into the head unit category with a series of slickly styled and full-featured units in every price category. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the Panasonic CQ-HX1083U (MSRP $350), a Sirius-ready unit that features a seven-color faceplate that completely blacks out when not in use. Called Ghost, it conceals from prying eyes a unit that features MP3/WMA playback capability.
While it's at the absolute top limit of our budget category, Alpine's CDA-9813 (MSRP $400) is one feature-packed unit. It is an XM-ready system that features V-Drive, a hybrid MOSFET amplifier section that pumps out a claimed 27 watts per channel. With Alpine's Bass Engine Pro, the unit features six-channel digital time correction, a six-position digital crossover, and a five-band parametric EQ, adding up to an unprecedented level of system sound control from a traditional in-dash unit, levels of control traditionally associated with sophisticated external processors.
We have two self-contained satellite radio solutions for 2004. If your preference is for the lower monthly cost of an XM subscription, take a look at the Delphi Roady (MSRP $120). While it lacks some of the home and portable versatility of the popular SKYFi unit (MSRP $130), it makes up for that by including a car cassette adapter and a tiny antenna as part of its very attractive package. Its small, flat control panel offers maximum installation flexibility, and its display features seven colors to choose from.
On the Sirius front, Kenwood's Here2Anywhere KTC-H2A1 (MSRP $100) offers the basic module that can be combined with the in-car KPA-H2C car-docking kit (MSRP $70) or the KPA-H2H home-docking kit (MSRP $70). Its four-line, 26-character LCD display makes it easy to find your favorite Sirius programming from the 100 streams (channels) offered. Its small size makes it easy to locate a suitable mounting point in your Dakota's interior.
Video Source Units and MonitorsWhile there's no such thing as a truly affordable single-DIN in-dash AM/FM/DVD player with a retractable LCD monitor, prices are coming down, albeit slowly. At the time of writing, the distinction of being the lowest-priced unit from a major manufacturer falls to the feature-packed Pioneer AVH-P6500DVD (MSRP $1,600). This XM-ready unit puts control of the entire system at your fingertips, and its 6.5-inch widescreen display ranks as one of the best around. Its Sound Focus EQ lets you center and raise the sound field of your system to just the right spot, especially important if you're using integrated two-way speakers mounted in the Dakota's factory door locations.
If you're happy with the audio system in your Dakota and want to add DVD capability, the Blaupunkt powerful and versatile DVD-ME2 stand-alone DVD player (MSRP $300) is a great way to get there without breaking the bank. While not a traditional DIN-sized component - at just 6-7/8 inches wide, 2-3/8 inches tall, and 7-7/8 inches deep - and given that it can be mounted either horizontally or vertically, making center console installations a possibility as well as under a dashboard or behind the seat, the DVD-ME2 offers maximum installation versatility. The player's side panel features a second set of RCA inputs for a dedicated AUX source, such as a back-up camera or other device. A single 14-pin harness on the side panel provides simplified connection of power, ground, AUX input, IR input, A/V output, and digital audio output. And it is compatible with DVD, CD, CD-R/RW, and MP3 discs. If you want to add a built-in TV tuner, consider the DVD-ME3 for just $50 more.
Signal ProcessorsThose last little tweaks can mean the difference between sounding good and sounding insanely great, and for maximum control over the shape of your sound, look at the Kicker KQ30 30-band Equalizer (MSRP $480). A sophisticated device that offers 30 bands of 12dB cut or boost at 1/3-octave spacing means ultimate frequency control in stereo or mono. A scorching 9-volt output lets you drive any amplifier to maximum output without stressing it out. The frequencies controlled run from bass: 25Hz-80Hz; midbass: 100Hz-320Hz; lower midrange: 400Hz-1.27kHz; upper midrange: 1.6kHz-5kHz; and treble: 6.4kHz-20kHz.
AmplifiersBecause of the space issues found in almost every Dakota upgrade opportunity, we're going to deviate from past practice in suggesting space-efficient five- and six-channel amplifiers, opting instead for the added installation flexibility gained from a matching pair of a four-channel main amplifier mated to a single-channel mono amplifier. A great choice in the budget four-channel category is Audiobahn's A4004T 200-watt, four-channel amplifier (MSRP $280). It's a thin-line amplifier with a fan-cooled air intake, important when you're forced to mount the amplifier under the seat where ventilation might be an issue.
A matching powerhouse to the A4004T is the A8000T (MSRP $370), delivering 400 watts RMS, more than enough to power the most inefficient subwoofer system. Best of all, it is styled to match the A4004T and can be mounted under the seat or, space permitting on standard cab applications, on the inside rear wall of the cab. Like its companion A4004T, it too has built-in fan cooling, keeping this monster cool when driving your subwoofers to ground-shaking output levels.
Integrated and Component SpeakersThere are more 6.5-inch speakers in the marketplace than can be imagined; after all, it's probably the most popular-sized speaker, fitting a multitude of domestic and import applications. While a Chrysler-style 6.5-inch speaker is something of an odd duck, with a few application-specific examples available, in reality almost any 6.5-inch integrated two- or three-way speaker will work fine. While Bazooka is best known for its tube-style subwoofers, it has become a force in the mainstream speaker category, offering several series of speakers. Since we're focusing this issue on value components, a great-sounding suggestion in the drop-in category is the company's EL6502 6.5-inch, two-way integrated system (MSRP $70) as you'll be able to afford upgrading front and rear speakers, giving you better sound and increased power handling capabilities compared with their OEM counterparts.
While a high percentage of Dakotas come factory-equipped with the up-market Infinity premium sound system, and it balances better than average sound with a reasonable price, one look at the OEM speakers, comparing their construction and materials with better aftermarket components, quickly illustrates that there is no comparison between the two. And while they are priced at the higher end of the price spectrum, Infinity's Kappa 60-5cs 6-inch separates (MSRP $300), they are a logical choice to make a meaningful upgrade from the factory setup. While relatively efficient and able to be driven by a high-powered head unit, they will make your Dakota really sing when driven by a meaningful output, at least 50 watts per channel provided by an external amplifier.
Subwoofers and EnclosuresWhile there are literally hundreds of available subwoofers, finding just the right one - typically a 10-inch model that can be mounted in a small sealed enclosure, wedged behind the seats on a standard cab pickup or under the rear seat in Club and Crew Cab models - is another story all together. And while its name is synonymous with high-priced, extreme subwoofers, Rockford Fosgate offers several series of subwoofers and its Punch HE2 dual voice coil RFP4110 (MSRP $175) is a great balance between performance and price, able to work properly in a ready-made or custom enclosure as small as 0.375 cubic feet.
For space-challenged standard cab Dakota applications, an alternative to the custom enclosure route is a ready-made box, and the wedge-shaped Q-Logic QLT-CS10 ($70) is a great choice and gives you the choice of a single or dual enclosures, and it's a perfect match for the Rockford RFP4110, running you less than $250 for the combo.
If you don't want to go the route of a custom-made box, but you also don't want to sacrifice any cargo area, and you have a Club Cab, we have another cost-effective solution that will work great and not break your budget. Sony's Xplod L81P5 8-inch subwoofer (MSRP $80) is a perfect match for the Q-Logic Q-Customs ($250) molded enclosure for Club Cab applications. It represents an application-specific approach that will give your Club Cab some serious bottom end without compromising the utility of your cargo area or make it any more difficult to access your tools as it fits right under your rear seat.
If you're looking for a complete, easy-to-install solution to get great bass in a Dodge Dakota Club Cab, the next logical step is JL Audio and its SB-D-DAKEXT/8W6/MG Stealthbox (MSRP $500). It allows Dakota owners to retain full use of the back seat while delivering incredible bass performance, and it even improves the rear seat's comfort by raising its front edge slightly. A clever side-firing porting scheme extracts maximum output and low-frequency extension from the 200-watt, 8-inch subwoofer loaded in the box. The 'woofer is protected by a metal grille should you want to fold the seats up and haul cargo over the Stealthbox.
An alternative is offered from MTX and even includes a built-in amplifier: the popular Thunderforms, offered for both Club Cab and Quad Cab models. The DDXP201A (MSRP $550) is a model for the Club Cab and mates two 10-inch subwoofers with a 100-watt digital amplifier. For '00-and-newer Quad Cab models, choose the DDQC10A (MSRP $450), which takes advantage of the space available to house a 10-inch subwoofer to its 100-watt digital amplifier.
AccessoriesIf you're considering a multi-source A/V system and are not sure how to integrate multiple components, such as an external DVD player along with a game console, Blaupunkt has the solution, the IVSC-3302 In-Vehicle Signal Controller (MSRP $380). It's an intelligent control device that unites as many as three independent sources and three monitors into a seamlessly integrated in-car entertainment system. This handy component gives installers the ability to put together a complete plug-and-play audio/video system with full integration as simply as a comparable home theater system. With the IVSC-3302, independent control of power, audio, and video signals is available locally at each of as many as three monitors. In addition, the included infrared remote provides centralized control of each monitor either individually or as a group.
If your Dakota isn't a trailer queen, and even if it is, you should consider the purchase of a top-flight radar detector, and according to our sister publication Motor Trend, you can't do any better than the Passport 8500 (MSRP $300). It's immune to radar detectors, and with its optional laser shifter, you can effectively jam most laser guns, giving you increased levels of protection from this insidious threat to your driver's license, to say nothing more about increases in your insurance rates. It's a worthy investment.
Buying TipsWe can't emphasize this enough: Buy your components from reputable, authorized dealers. Many manufacturers are cracking down on servicing products purchased from and installed by non-authorized retailers, some going as far as policing Internet Web sites such as eBay and Yahoo in an attempt to squash the unauthorized retailing of their products. If you're offered a great price with a third-party warranty, pass it by; you're saving yourself grief down the road.
Well-known Internet retailers, such as Crutchfield, offer all the best-known brands with the full assurance that if they list it online or in their extensive catalog, they're authorized to sell it by the manufacturers. The selection now rivals those of the national and regional chains and local specialists. Some manufacturers, such as speaker manufacturer JL Audio, are coming down hard on unauthorized retailing of distribution of their products. If you have any questions about the selling status of any outlet, call the manufacturers directly or visit their Web sites. We've listed all of the information in the source box at the end of this article.
AT A GLANCE Year: '97-'04 Make: {{{Dodge}}} Model: {{{Dakota}}} standard, Club, and Quad Cabs In-dash: {{{Chrysler}}}-style, 1.5-DIN
opening, requires installation kit Front doors: 6.75-inch Chrysler-style
round speakers (6.5-inch
speakers work as well) Rear doors: 6.75-inch Chrysler-style
round speakers (6.5-inch
speakers work as well) Amplifiers: Under the front seats, under rear seats, on back
wall of cab (standard cab applications)
