Infinity Stereo Upgrade

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THRobinson

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Hey guys... picking up an '03 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 5.7l Hemi this weekend, which has the Infinity setup.

I went to Crutchfield, they had an article on the 3rd Gen Dodges and said if you have the Infinity system you need a special adapter to connect to the amp. I clicked the link and it said does not fit the vehicle. So I emailed them up and told them what I had and asked if the article was incorrect or the product page. They said all I need was a basic $15 adapter plug not the $90 interface module. So I replied back asking if they're sure because it has the Infinity amp inside. They replied asking if I had the infinity amp... so... obviously kinda useless and not even reading the emails.

Looking to replace the CD/Cassette deck with something newer with USB. I own no CDs or Cassettes anymore. I assume probably low end Infinity speakers but suspect probably pretty decent.

Has anyone upgraded their factory radio with Infinity?

Did you need a special module? or just the wire adapter dongle?
 
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If you want to keep the Infinity amp you need this adapter: Metra CHTO-02 Select Chrysler/Dodge 2002-2008 Amp Data Interface. I used that in my 04 and have no issues. I also added the steering wheel control interface.

If you want to bypass the Infinity amp and power the speakers via your headunit there is a bypass harness which is significantly cheaper. I haven't used one myself, but I've listened to a truck that has. It isn't as good as keeping the Infinity amp, but it's significantly cheaper so it comes down to what is more important to you.

Another option is getting a remanufactured stock radio from 1FactoryRadio that has had either an aux input or Bluetooth (or both) added. That is plug and play and looks stock.

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bulrid8

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If it is an early 03, you just need the plain connector harness. It will feed through the amp. When I did my 02, it was a $12 plug.

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THRobinson

THRobinson

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If you want to keep the Infinity amp you need this adapter: Metra CHTO-02 Select Chrysler/Dodge 2002-2008 Amp Data Interface. I used that in my 04 and have no issues. I also added the steering wheel control interface.

That's the problem though... Crutchfield is saying if 2002-03 I don't need that which is about $100 at Crutchfield (Canada)... they're saying if 2002-03, it needs the Metra 70-6502, which is about $15. If I go to Amazon.ca, it says I need the Metra 70-6512.

METRA website itself is what I think I'll go by... it shows both the Metra 70-6512 and Metra 70-6502, difference seems to be that the Metra 70-6512 is an "amp bypass".

Tested the speakers yesterday and sounded pretty good IMO... and because a few speakers are subs only, I don't want to bypass the amp because (I assume) it has some sorta corssover/filter or whatever knowing which speakers are tweeters, full rang or sub.

So, Metra 70-6502 wins... and probably something basic like the PIONEER MVH-X381BT.

Thanks
 
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THRobinson

THRobinson

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So, may as well ask... since this model doesn't seem to have the Infinity Amp... how does it work for stuff like, the sub-only door speakers... just an inline resistor or something? no proper crossover stuff?

Just worried if I toss in an aftermarket, without a crossover/filter I'll get full-range through all speakers, regardless if the speaker is full-range or not.
 

bulrid8

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So, may as well ask... since this model doesn't seem to have the Infinity Amp... how does it work for stuff like, the sub-only door speakers... just an inline resistor or something? no proper crossover stuff?

Just worried if I toss in an aftermarket, without a crossover/filter I'll get full-range through all speakers, regardless if the speaker is full-range or not.
If you have the infinity 7 speaker system, you have an amp. Only front door speakers are bass only. They are controlled by the amp.

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THRobinson

THRobinson

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So, just 2004-08 amps need the $100-$150 interface, but the 2002-03 amps just need the $15 adapter then.

I can live with that. :D

Next is to find something that can connect and work with the steering wheel controls. Discovered those on the back of the wheel on Sunday while I was cleaning the interior. Pretty handy, especially if can use for skipping tracks and volume when playing MP3's since I tend to skip a lot.
 

Neurotix82

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The factory speakers are decent, but basic. They work well because they require a lot less wattage.

From personal experience, I would leave all dash speakers alone, let the factory amp handle those.. then upgrade the front and rear door speakers and power them with an aftermarket 4 channel amp.

Infinity Kappa is what I'm swapping mine with, but only because I'm hell bent on Kappa. The low impedance will allow you to use the thin factory wiring already ran.. and with a decent head unit you can even get away with not using an amp (though you're missing out on a lot of performance by not).

So far I have installed 5.25 kappas in the rear doors with adapter oam cup shaped inserts to help push more sound into the cab rather than door space. At the moment, they are connected directly to my head unit with the factory wires and still sound good. I'm wanting to cut holes in the panels, slip the foam inserts through and mount the Kappa grills right on the panel. More clearance for the basket/magnet.

The biggest issue I'm having is the front doors. Not only is the Kappa a lot more depth, the basket is much larger and will not come close to fitting.

Even if you took a cutter and made the hole larger (can cut everywhere except the bottom edge), your window gear will hit the magnet when rolling the window down. A spacer with proper thickness for magnet clearance will not fit behind the panel due to its shape.. which leaves only the option to cut a hole in the panel and mount the spacer on the exterior of the panel.

This was when I discovered that the factory grill mold isn't lined up with the hole in the door frame.

Long story short, it's a giant headache for the front doors and will result in very bulky spacer mounted on the panel. If I could do it over and haven't already purchased everything, I'd mostly likely get 6.5" component speakers for rear doors mounted to panel.. install tweeters from the kit up towards the front by dash, then go shallow mount infinity reference or shallow punch 6x9 for front door standard installation.

I do still plan on running a thicker gauge wire to all 4, though.
 
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THRobinson

THRobinson

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Bit more than I want to invest. :D

But, I did the upgrade... kinda miss the old stereo, this one does a few things that I'm not a fan of.

I used the $15 basic wire adapter not the $150 one, plus the Axxcess steering wheel control adapter.

Had a few issues making it work at the start. Axxcess part has the worst all-over-the-place instructions. I took the ground wire from it, the ground wire from the JVC deck I bought and connected to the ground wire of the wire harness. Would not work at all. Contacted Axxcess and they said it doesn't like when you do that. Attached to a part of the metal frame and worked fine.

Sound good... but the fully programmable steering wheel adapter is well, maybe half-programmable. Some stuff won't let me reprogram, and it has a few quirks. If I skip forward or back too quickly after about 15 tracks it jumps back to track 001. Not a great thing to have when you have 1000 songs and trying to skip through to track 500. Also wanted to switch the volume controls with the track skip controls and won't seem to let me.
 

MarcK

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Hello!
I am looking to upgrade my son's radio on his 2003 with the Infinity Sound system. When we went to the first Best Buy store and spoke to the installation technician we assumed that the truck did not have the Infinity system and I received an estimate a non-Infinity system which included a $15-$20 wiring harness.
Once I checked out the truck again, I noticed that it does indeed have the Infinity sound system.
I went to the Best Buy close to home and bought a Pioneer (model DEH-S6010BS) radio and the antenna adapter and the dash kit. When the technician asked this time about Infinity system, I told him we do indeed have Infinity and he priced out the wiring harness at $100...I decided to wait to buy that until we get the unit installed in a week.
I am wondering if I am going to need this more expensive wiring harness; I would prefer to continue to use the amp and not bypass it.
Just looking for any additional info on this upcoming upgrade.
Thanks!
 
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THRobinson

THRobinson

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I just upgraded my '03 with the Inifnity system, and used the $15 adapter.

Should read the thread, because the $15 vs $100 adapter was half the point of the thread and less than a dozen posts long. :D
 
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THRobinson

THRobinson

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Here's a list of what I installed... from what I've read, this works for Infinity systems in 2002-2003 only. 2004+ needs the more expensive wiring harness.

- JVC KD-X350BTS Media Reciever
- Axxess ASWC-1 Steering Wheel Control module to retain use of the buttons
- Metra 40-CR10 Antenna Adapter
- Metra 70-6502 Receiver Wiring Harness
- Metra 99-6503 Dash Kit for Single DIN

If using the Axxess ASWC-1, mine didn't work the first time. I took the ground wire from it, the ground from the JVC stereo harness, and connected both to the ground wire on the METRA 70-6502. It didn't like that. I had to add another 8" of wire to it, and connected it to a metal screw on the frame of the truck just behind the climate control module. Once I did that it worked fine.

The Axxess is ok... but a bit misleading and instructions were really poorly done. Remapping is a pain and says can remap the buttons, but some can't be remapped like the volume +/-. Works fine now, except the centre button on the left side, when pressed it jumps the MP3s back to track001 and can't figure out how to remap that one button.
 

MarcK

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Thanks for the additional details.
The estimate we received included the following:

Pioneer Model DEH-S6010BS (bought already)
Metra 99-6503 Dash Kit (bought already)
Metra 40-CR10 Antenna Adapter (bought already)
Metra 72-6514 Wiring Harness (did not buy yet) (this may be a wiring harness for the speakers as we also asked to provide estimate for the speakers)

They also listed:
Scosche CH-6001 Speaker Harness
The Metra 72-6514 is actually listed twice so I wonder if it is (1) for front speakers and (1) for rear speakers
 
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THRobinson

THRobinson

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Mine has the 7 speakers and I tested the fade/balance from front-to-back, left-to-right, and had no wires from the stereo left over using just the single harness.

METRA site itself was pretty good for filtering out what fits in the truck.

http://www.metraonline.com/vfgapi/vehicle/195637?

Mine's a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7l Hemi 4x4 Laramie Quad (Canada) with the Infinity 7-Speaker system. Not sure if that changes things for you or not, if maybe the USA model differs, or maybe you have an SLT not Laramie? But, the parts I listed is what I got from Crutchfield.ca and seem to be working just fine. Just again, that steering wheel adapter works but was a bit of a nuisance and a let down since only half seems to be re-mappable, but since I can't reverse the skip/volume controls, I ended up not remapping anything anyways.

JVC was a bit of a let down as well... I replaced my 12yr old Sony, which I loved but started to wear out. JVC plays fine and sound fine, but, no way to jump through the files quickly (like jumping to A, B C etc...) and the time display keeps reverting back to the little EQ bouncing up/down which is kinda useless. But, was on budget, looks nice, sounded good enough and I can finally use a USB stick for music instead of a CD.
 

MarcK

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His 2003 Ram 1500 Quad Cab with 5.7L Hemi is 4x2 and is an SLT (US not Canada). So there may be a few differences with the different models. He is not interested in maintaining the steering wheel controls.
I appreciate all the info!
 
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THRobinson

THRobinson

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Ya, I kinda regret it now... for $5 I coulda gotten a remote off eBay for my stereo. My Sony had a remote and that's all I used for years. But Crutchfield when bought as a bundle, was like $50CAD off so basically bought the deck, free shipping... and the harness, steering wheel harness, dash kit and antenna adapter cost about $30CAD. Can't complain too much.... otherwise, the steering adapter alone was $85CAD and I would have been annoyed had I paid full price. :D

Hopefully it all goes well for you. I was getting mixed info about the adapters as well, but I think 2002-03 use the cheap one. Which is good, because in Canada, the pricey one was $150CAD. Cheap one was $15CAD.
 

MarcK

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Update - install is finished. Needed to buy the wiring harness...thankfully the $15 one and not the $100 one.
All is good at this time.
Thanks again for the info!
 

adamh3844

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So, just 2004-08 amps need the $100-$150 interface, but the 2002-03 amps just need the $15 adapter then.

I can live with that. :D

Next is to find something that can connect and work with the steering wheel controls. Discovered those on the back of the wheel on Sunday while I was cleaning the interior. Pretty handy, especially if can use for skipping tracks and volume when playing MP3's since I tend to skip a lot.

So just to make sure I am correct.
I want to replace my door speakers along with the head unit.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DOUBLE-2-DIN-CAR-STEREO-RADIO-NAV-GPS-DASH-INSTALLATION-MOUNTING-KIT-W-HARNESS/301241623800?fits=Year:2002|Model:Ram+1500&hash=item46236664f8:g:hCMAAOSwDk5TwdMr:sc:USPSPriority!17402!US!-1

Would this wiring be the proper fit that allows me to run through the amp?
I have a 2002 ram 1500 QC SLT (US)
 

mwardncsu

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Hello!
I am looking to upgrade my son's radio on his 2003 with the Infinity Sound system. When we went to the first Best Buy store and spoke to the installation technician we assumed that the truck did not have the Infinity system and I received an estimate a non-Infinity system which included a $15-$20 wiring harness.
Once I checked out the truck again, I noticed that it does indeed have the Infinity sound system.
I went to the Best Buy close to home and bought a Pioneer (model DEH-S6010BS) radio and the antenna adapter and the dash kit. When the technician asked this time about Infinity system, I told him we do indeed have Infinity and he priced out the wiring harness at $100...I decided to wait to buy that until we get the unit installed in a week.
I am wondering if I am going to need this more expensive wiring harness; I would prefer to continue to use the amp and not bypass it.
Just looking for any additional info on this upcoming upgrade.
Thanks!

in your follow-up post you indicated you used the cheaper adapter - are you actually using the amp now, or just bypassing it, driving via the stereo's internal amp? Are all 7 speakers firing now?
 

bulrid8

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in your follow-up post you indicated you used the cheaper adapter - are you actually using the amp now, or just bypassing it, driving via the stereo's internal amp? Are all 7 speakers firing now?
In mine, I used the cheaper adapter and am running through the factory amp. Works perfect and sounds great.

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