Installed Alpine X108U in place of premium Alpine system

Ive struggled with the sound quality of my aftermarket system for 8 months after installation and came to the conclusion I needed to replace the head unit. There were some great choices out there, but didnt want to go with a much smaller screen that most of the double din radios had. In addition, I didnt want to lose the functionality of the steering wheel controls, and head unit controlled HVAC, etc. The functions I was most determined to find was one with a parametric eq, versatile crossover slopes and time alignment.

I chose the Alpine X108U which had all of these options (as well as a steep price tag). I also ordered the Idatalink Maestro, URAM module (keeps factory USB port location in tact), SAT1 module (uses factory siriusXM antenna), and ebrake override (can use the unit while in motion).

I originally ordered the KTX-RPU8 perfect fit kit from Alpine, but decided not to use it as doesnt work with my HVAC controls. Instead, I ordered the Scosche CR1297DDB bezel and widened the opening for the radio. I actually plan on getting another one of these and making a tighter opening, then finishing it up with some automotive molding.

Even before I began to tweak the settings, the sound was leaps and bounds better than I was ever able to get it using the stock radio with an Audio Control LC8I, LC2I and an EQS.

I was especially surprised at how many of the stock settings the new unit was able to utilize. Auto climate control, heated/cooled seats, even uses the stock volume and browse controls (thanks to the Idatalink).

In all, it was a very good experience. I only wish there was a kit made especially for our trucks with an 8" opening for this unit.

It definitely sucks that alpine doesn't make a perfect fit for 8.4 trucks yet. It must be the 9" units you modify the existing bezel to fit. But with a little work you'll never no the difference

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Fixed your attachment
Looks good, Thanks.

a little rough on the edges but hey looks good and its a 'prototype' haha

Ordered a second Scosche bezel last night as well as a tool that looks like a soldering iron and a utility knife combined. Should help get much better edges. Ill also recess the head unit into the dash a bit more.

does that head unit come with a trim ring?

if so i would cut the hole to fit the trim ring then mold that in place with some epoxy to bond the dash kit to the trim ring and then some bondo to smooth it out. re-paint/texture and call it good.

in the business that is how most of us would do it. or we would make our own trim ring with either abs or a think piece of mdf and mold it into the bezel.

Looks good. Wish I had the money to spend for one of these.

As far as cleaning it up, you could tape up the edges and face of the radio and use body filler right to the edge, and then paint.

Does the EVIC function as it should ,what about the factory microphone? Is there any functions that are lost doing this upgrade. Looks good

HemiJames said:

Does the EVIC function as it should ,what about the factory microphone? Is there any functions that are lost doing this upgrade. Looks good

Click to expand...

The head unit has a microphone built into it; so far it seems to work great. I cant find one function that Ive lost. EVIC works just as it should...actually, when I play songs from the USB drive, it now shows the song name on the EVIC, something I wished it would do before.