What do I really need ?

[Dr. Righteous]

I have a '14 Ram Express with the base model unit. XM radio, MP3 usb player, radio and that is it.
The truck doesn't have steering wheel controls, backup sensing, backup camera, none of that jazz.

I was thinking about swapping in a Nav system with all the extras but what I'm really after is good sound. I have an old single din head that was high end when purchased in 2004. Back then I remember any kind of dual din head unit with a LCD touch panel (what we take for granted today) was $1000+ at the time. I bought it for a Jeep Grand Cherokee I use to have but ended up selling it before I ever installed the head unit. The only time the head unit ever left the factory packaging was an initial inspection when I bought it.
So heck, it is old but why not use it? I bought it in 2004 so what do I REALLY need to install this head unit?
I'll get the METRA 99-6518b kit. The truck does not have any fancy extra. I would like to use the factory harness for the power and ground, but I'll run the speaker wires separately.

 

[adrianp89]

XSVI-6523-NAV or RP4-CH21 for the harness. I recommend the RP4. Also need 40-EU55 Antenna adapter.

 

[Dr. Righteous]

XSVI-6523-NAV or RP4-CH21 for the harness. I recommend the RP4. Also need 40-EU55 Antenna adapter.

Pricey adapters for features I don't have.

Will tap the harness I guess for B+ and ACC power and ground. I'm really wanting a 5 channel amp so the amp in the head unit won't be used.

Fortunately I already ran heavy gauge battery cables to the rear to power a trailer winch.
It will be easy to power a amp from that.
Anyone have experience with NVX gear?
I'm looking at a NVX JAD900.5 to power everything.

 

[autokraftgt]

I had a base unit in my 2012 2500 which made aftermarket installation a breeze. No factory amplifier to deal with. I installed a Pioneer P99 single din and I loved it. I liked the look of it too. Best of luck!

 

[adrianp89]

Pricey adapters for features I don't have.

Will tap the harness I guess for B+ and ACC power and ground. I'm really wanting a 5 channel amp so the amp in the head unit won't be used.

Fortunately I already ran heavy gauge battery cables to the rear to power a trailer winch.
It will be easy to power a amp from that.
Anyone have experience with NVX gear?
I'm looking at a NVX JAD900.5 to power everything.

There is no ACC power behind the radio, it is can bus. Not sure on the Ram, but it is possible you may loose other functions like door chimes. They are pricey because they have a module to convert the can-bus signal and retain any other safety features integrated with the radio. The only feature they offer that you don't have is Steering Wheel Controls (well only the Pac offers this)

The NVX is good budget stuff. IIRC same circuit board as the Polk amps.

 

[BadHabit2Break]

Pricey adapters for features I don't have.

Will tap the harness I guess for B+ and ACC power and ground. I'm really wanting a 5 channel amp so the amp in the head unit won't be used.

Fortunately I already ran heavy gauge battery cables to the rear to power a trailer winch.
It will be easy to power a amp from that.
Anyone have experience with NVX gear?
I'm looking at a NVX JAD900.5 to power everything.

I run that NVX amp in my truck. Its a good amp. It runs everything in my truck.

 

[Jeepwalker]

You might be further ahead looking at higher quality speakers. They typically make the biggest difference. I wouldn't want NAV. In 2 years it'll be so outdated you won't even be using it anyway. Stick with your phone.

 

[adurm]

You could probably tap a cig lighter for acc. Just make sure it's on when you want it to be. The metra nav harness was my choice and worked great for bu cam, sw control and overall ease of install. Obviously that is a little overkill for you. You will need a dash kit or course. Make sure your ram settings are to your liking before taking out the ra1, whatever options you have. Speaker wise, 6x9 coax in the back, 6.5 components up front with the tweet in the dash hole or in the sail panel. Ditch the factory dash speakers all together. My opinion.

 

[Dr. Righteous]

Thanks for the help guys. I've not done any car audio stuff in 15 or 16 years at least so I'm not too familiar with the in and outs new OEM system.
But I've missed having a system with some real power.

 

[patchelect]

I'm going to wager that your 2004 unit has less advanced features than the stock one you have now that is only 3 years old. I'm not one to get involved in stereo swaps any longer either and I improved a '02 Miata systems with an add on amp using the original Factory radio. But we're talking older tech being upgraded and you want to upgrade newer tech with older tech.