Best android auto aftermarket radio

[Soaringcook]

Has anyone here replaced/ upgraded their radio, I have the uconnect 5 and I find it lacking features. I wanted to hear from other ram owners experiences in upgrading it with aftermarket equipment.

 

[regal81455]

I've got the new Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX and couldn't be happier. Does everything I need, has wireless AA & CP, and then some.

 

[dwhutch]

I just checked crutchfield.com and when I put my truck in it says it doesn't ft???? Looks like you made it fit yours.

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[regal81455]

It will fit. You will need Scosche CR1297DDB ( or similar that provides a double din opening ) and American International UPT900 Dash Kit ( or similar ) to fit it to the dash.

 

[OnSale]

Has anyone here replaced/ upgraded their radio, I have the uconnect 5 and I find it lacking features. I wanted to hear from other ram owners experiences in upgrading it with aftermarket equipment.

Loving my née 12.1” android radio. Has Android Auto & Apple CarPlay plus has the android Play Store so any apps I want.












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[rotwiler]

I like the Kenwood stereos, can get last year's high end or 2 years old high end model new for 1/2 price of new version. Look on Amazon. The 9906XR is the high end audiophile with HD screen(last I looked, only Kenwood's best have HD) unless since last year other manufactured added hd screen. Looks fantastic. I have 2 of the 9905s, is basically the previous year 9906xr. The 9906xr is $499 on amazon. Depends on price u want to spend. Also pac audio makes a install kit that is full of features and can show engine data etc and looks really good. I added a newer 8.4 RA4 radio to my truck and now really wanting to do this pac kit.

 

[78Staff]

I just did the PAC kit last week... or more correctly my audio shop did. I also upgraded to the AVH-W4500NEC and yanked out a problematic Metra DSP.

Radio first - the W4500 is one of Pioneers higher end series, without NAV. It's Wireless AA, DVD/CD, etc so has the deeper body, so you have to cut out some metal. The non-wireless/non DVD/CD models are shallower and no cutting is required. But I wanted wireless, and also XM Tune Start which for some reason is only in the larger chassis versions. But mainly wanted wireless AA, and really didn't care about DVD/CD. Also has some crossover control and position/delay adjustments that the lower priced models don't have. Also have tilting/removable screen, which I also likely won't use.

It's different and taking some getting used to. Screen is a bit smaller, so Back up Cam view is smaller, but it keeps factory guidelines that move with steering instead of generic lines. It also has no volume knob, which I didn't think I would are about since I use steering wheel controls most of the time, but I catch myself reaching for the vol knob quite a bit lol. Minor annoyance is you can only change channels if you are on the source screen. (except for when using AA). So if you are playing Sat radio but have radio on the main screen, hitting the steering wheel control to switch to another sat station won't work. You have to change the radio screen to the Sat screen. Super annoying so far, but I suspect I will get used to it.

Generally, shop sells Pioneer, Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, and Blaupunkt head units - but generally prefers to work with Pioneer and Alpine for hu's (not Amps .

As for the PAC kit, it's kinda spendy, but it's one of the few ways to replicate all the vehicle settings you loose when replacing the 8.4. It actually took me over a month to finally decide to pull the trigger, b/c I was afraid of loosing some settings. But everything is there. Actually, I should say, everything you have available is there. Ie, if I have added something that was not original from factory (like, folding mirror/tilt in reverse and the associated settings checkboxes), they will show up. But, b/c I don't have heated seats, there is no entry for heated seats. So it appears to read your BCM and pick up whatever is available there.

Install was less than strait forward, but not difficult they told me. I was in and out working with them on a few things and there is more wiring than a typical replacement setup. But the panel looks factory, has matching HVAC controls/buttons/knobs, and add the small screen below for vehicle settings as well as adding screens for cameras, basic monitoring (tire prs, volts, gear) as also gauge screen and a screen for 1/8-1/4 mile, splits, timing etc that I will never use. The one thing I have noticed - it's setup to work with both Auto and Non-auto hvac setups. In my case (non-auto) it seems like I have to run the temp lower than I would expect for good cooling/ac. My assumption, in the oem non-auto hvac, there is just the slider up/down for hot to cold. The Pac setup uses temperature, even if you don't have auto. So my guess is the temp numbers aren't exactly synced up, and I usually run the ac temp at anywhere from 60-64 which would represent the slider being at the bottom of the scale, if that make sense. But that's a total guess on my part. If you have an auto setup, where you already use the temp numbers to adjust, it may not be an issue.

Overall, so far I am happy. No vol knob is taking some getting used to, and the source screen deal is kina annoying. But Android Auto works well, I use Google Maps, Pandora, Amazon Music, and of course texting/etc via AA. It also supports waze but that doesn't seem to work as well, every time I try to run Waze it tells me I need to complete setup on my phone, which is already done. So you have to exit on AA, open app on phone, then re-open in AA. Not sure if a bug but it's a hassle so I just use Google Maps.

Anyway, probably more info than requested, and I'm still working through the upgrade, but overall I'm pretty happy with the change so far.

A few quick pics...

 

[78Staff]

Oh, also - if you've watched the install video from Five Star on YT, they mention PAC is working on the replacement USB hub for the center console, and they expected to be shipping by now. But mine still did not come with them, you have to contact the company. I haven't called them yet so don't know if they are actually shipping them yet or not. But you will loose the upper center console UBS hub initially. They supply a nickle USB dongle for the time being that you can bury in the glove box. But I do need to call them and get an update.

 

[regal81455]

Your review makes me glad I went with the idatalink and schosce route. I can change channels, sources, etc from the steering controls and the original knobs/buttons are retained on the center stack. When you adjust temp my radio automatically changes to a separate screen that shows all the same things the original 8.4 did.

All settings and some additional readouts for the vehicle exist including the ability to clear codes.

I have literally lost no functions but gained several.

 

[vhmike73]

Loving my née 12.1” android radio. Has Android Auto & Apple CarPlay plus has the android Play Store so any apps I want.


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@OnSale How does this thing work with a trailer brake in the cluster (Factory)? Also, I think I see ONE row of the factory buttons on the top of the unit, but I have 2 rows: heated seats/wheel, traction control, and front and rear ParkSense buttons (no air ride or vented seat buttons). I also have the automatic climate (my truck is a '16), so my climate controls are vastly different.

How long have you had the unit? How well does it handle Android Auto? Does it allow an SXM tuner to be connected? Any RCA outputs (specifically for a sub)? Can you share a link to where you sourced it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[78Staff]

Your review makes me glad I went with the idatalink and schosce route. I can change channels, sources, etc from the steering controls and the original knobs/buttons are retained on the center stack. When you adjust temp my radio automatically changes to a separate screen that shows all the same things the original 8.4 did.

All settings and some additional readouts for the vehicle exist including the ability to clear codes.

I have literally lost no functions but gained several.

I might have not explained it well - I can change sources, vol, etc from steering wheel controls like normal/oem. It's just to change a channel ie radio or sat chanel, the HU needs to be on that source screen. With the 8.4 it didn't matter, as you were always on the same screen essentially no matter if radio or sat or whatever, but the Pioneer displays a different screen for each source. So it's a Pioneer thing, not a PAC thing, if that makes sense.

The PAC's selling point I guess is the additional screen that allows vehicle settings as well as the addtional stuff like the heads up display, monitoring screen, cameras (supports up to 5 - although I don't know who needs 5 freaking cams though... useful for a trailering rig I suppose), hvac, etc but I don't believe I lost any functions. TBH, on the backend, the PAC, Scoshe, and Metra "kits" are all probably very similar, either using idatalink, metra or pac interace module for controls, just different on how they interface with the driver I suppose .

Metra's integration kit is similar to the PAC, but the PAC looked more OEM to me with the knobs and buttons matching up to factory look, so I went with it. Here's the metra kit for comparison...

 

[rotwiler]

My Camaro SS (2010) I had a metra kit, was ugly for the Camaro, worked ok but some minor issues. Then I changed to pac kit, much better, looked oem. Then the maestro kit came out and now that's in the car, works great, I would say not as oem looking, but has lots of cool features so happy. My Ram(2013) came with Alpine system and 8.4 ra3. Bought 8.4 ra4 on eBay from 2015 truck. Added jbl gx302 up front, jbl 6x9 in back, sound deadened doors, added layer of closed cell foam and bought homemade fiberglass dual 12 inch box on here from member. Added 2 kappa 1200w subs, 1600 watt rms 1ohm soundQubed amp. Sound is excellent now. Took me a year to get the subs sounding right, used loc, sounded like crap, used a better pac converter and never sounded right, then a ax dsp, sounded great, but never would with the stock amp, issues with software reverted the ax dsp to only work with truck with no alpine amp. So found open box amp pro ch41 on Amazon for $140 and all issues fixed, no issues whatsoever. Love the amp pro and if I want, can add a amp to run the other speakers if I want. Is before the amp, so no bass lowering as you turn up volume and sounds clean. Would be great to do a dsp, but sound I think is so good, I don't feel the need, is crisp, clean sounding at 29 volume and bass is tight and clean sounding.

 

[OnSale]

12.1” Radio Install



Will be doing a review and overview of the radio next week.

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[OnSale]

@OnSale How does this thing work with a trailer brake in the cluster (Factory)? Also, I think I see ONE row of the factory buttons on the top of the unit, but I have 2 rows: heated seats/wheel, traction control, and front and rear ParkSense buttons (no air ride or vented seat buttons). I also have the automatic climate (my truck is a '16), so my climate controls are vastly different.

How long have you had the unit? How well does it handle Android Auto? Does it allow an SXM tuner to be connected? Any RCA outputs (specifically for a sub)? Can you share a link to where you sourced it?

Thanks in advance!

Most of your buttons and HVAC would move to your screen so you would control them on the radio screen.

There are a ton of RCA’s in the wiring for subs, speakers, etc. my radio didn’t come with many but the 13+ comes with 6-8 audio inputs for aftermarket sound systems, aswell as a bunch for cameras all over the truck.

Sirius works on this unit but it’s not like the oem unit. You would just have to download the Sirius app from the google play store and install it like you would on an android phone or tablet and then it works. Doesn’t need the oem Sirius antenna with this unit.

You don’t lose any factory features at all with this unit. As a matter of fact, I actually gained more features then my truck originally had. A ton of new features.

I got mine through Phoenix Automotive but I highly suggest you do NOT use them. They are a horrible company to deal with. Since you have a 13+ I would go with one of the many other company’s who sell these units like Linkswell or anyone at all other then Phoenix.

But here is where I bought mine: https://phoenixautomotiveinc.com/pr...or-dodge-ram-2009-2018?variant=32213225832494


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[regal81455]

I might have not explained it well - I can change sources, vol, etc from steering wheel controls like normal/oem. It's just to change a channel ie radio or sat chanel, the HU needs to be on that source screen. With the 8.4 it didn't matter, as you were always on the same screen essentially no matter if radio or sat or whatever, but the Pioneer displays a different screen for each source. So it's a Pioneer thing, not a PAC thing, if that makes sense.

I guess I don't recall the operation with the 8.4 but you still had to change sources ( ie from FM to XM ) to change channels on any given source, didn't you?

Anyways, yeah the PAC integration was my second choice but after reading the HU manual before ordering realized it was redundant and I wanted to keep as much of the OEM stuff as possible.

Sirius works on this unit but it’s not like the oem unit. You would just have to download the Sirius app from the google play store and install it like you would on an android phone or tablet and then it works. Doesn’t need the oem Sirius antenna with this unit.

So how does it pull XM signal then? Using hotspot from your phone?

Those units do look nice and I hee hawed on one several times but I couldn't pull the trigger on something that from most reviews has a lot of bugs and no real name behind it's manufacturing, design, and service.

For both of you - Both look good in your dashes though and if you're happy with them that's all that really matters! Just glad their are options out there to fit everyone's tastes!

 

[farmallboy]

I just did the PAC kit last week... or more correctly my audio shop did. I also upgraded to the AVH-W4500NEC and yanked out a problematic Metra DSP.

Radio first - the W4500 is one of Pioneers higher end series, without NAV. It's Wireless AA, DVD/CD, etc so has the deeper body, so you have to cut out some metal. The non-wireless/non DVD/CD models are shallower and no cutting is required. But I wanted wireless, and also XM Tune Start which for some reason is only in the larger chassis versions. But mainly wanted wireless AA, and really didn't care about DVD/CD. Also has some crossover control and position/delay adjustments that the lower priced models don't have. Also have tilting/removable screen, which I also likely won't use.

It's different and taking some getting used to. Screen is a bit smaller, so Back up Cam view is smaller, but it keeps factory guidelines that move with steering instead of generic lines. It also has no volume knob, which I didn't think I would are about since I use steering wheel controls most of the time, but I catch myself reaching for the vol knob quite a bit lol. Minor annoyance is you can only change channels if you are on the source screen. (except for when using AA). So if you are playing Sat radio but have radio on the main screen, hitting the steering wheel control to switch to another sat station won't work. You have to change the radio screen to the Sat screen. Super annoying so far, but I suspect I will get used to it.

Generally, shop sells Pioneer, Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, and Blaupunkt head units - but generally prefers to work with Pioneer and Alpine for hu's (not Amps .

As for the PAC kit, it's kinda spendy, but it's one of the few ways to replicate all the vehicle settings you loose when replacing the 8.4. It actually took me over a month to finally decide to pull the trigger, b/c I was afraid of loosing some settings. But everything is there. Actually, I should say, everything you have available is there. Ie, if I have added something that was not original from factory (like, folding mirror/tilt in reverse and the associated settings checkboxes), they will show up. But, b/c I don't have heated seats, there is no entry for heated seats. So it appears to read your BCM and pick up whatever is available there.

Install was less than strait forward, but not difficult they told me. I was in and out working with them on a few things and there is more wiring than a typical replacement setup. But the panel looks factory, has matching HVAC controls/buttons/knobs, and add the small screen below for vehicle settings as well as adding screens for cameras, basic monitoring (tire prs, volts, gear) as also gauge screen and a screen for 1/8-1/4 mile, splits, timing etc that I will never use. The one thing I have noticed - it's setup to work with both Auto and Non-auto hvac setups. In my case (non-auto) it seems like I have to run the temp lower than I would expect for good cooling/ac. My assumption, in the oem non-auto hvac, there is just the slider up/down for hot to cold. The Pac setup uses temperature, even if you don't have auto. So my guess is the temp numbers aren't exactly synced up, and I usually run the ac temp at anywhere from 60-64 which would represent the slider being at the bottom of the scale, if that make sense. But that's a total guess on my part. If you have an auto setup, where you already use the temp numbers to adjust, it may not be an issue.

Overall, so far I am happy. No vol knob is taking some getting used to, and the source screen deal is kina annoying. But Android Auto works well, I use Google Maps, Pandora, Amazon Music, and of course texting/etc via AA. It also supports waze but that doesn't seem to work as well, every time I try to run Waze it tells me I need to complete setup on my phone, which is already done. So you have to exit on AA, open app on phone, then re-open in AA. Not sure if a bug but it's a hassle so I just use Google Maps.

Anyway, probably more info than requested, and I'm still working through the upgrade, but overall I'm pretty happy with the change so far.

A few quick pics...

Such a nice looking final product. Lookin factory and neat. What did you do with your bt mic?

 

[78Staff]

I guess I don't recall the operation with the 8.4 but you still had to change sources ( ie from FM to XM ) to change channels on any given source, didn't you?

Anyways, yeah the PAC integration was my second choice but after reading the HU manual before ordering realized it was redundant and I wanted to keep as much of the OEM stuff as possible.

Hmm... I am trying to remember. And it was in the truck last week lol. I guess yeah you probably did have to swap the screens for source on the 8.4 as well. Honestly I am on Sat 98% of the time so maybe just need to get used to Pioneer UI. I am thinking that when I exit from AA it goes back to the main screen? So I'm not on the Sat screen and thus can't toggle through the channels, so have to switch to screen on HU. That's a flow that didn't occur on the OEM since I didn't have AA of course. I'll fiddle with it next time I'm in the truck.

Such a nice looking final product. Lookin factory and neat. What did you do with your bt mic?

It's at the top of the Driver A-Pillar, kinda tucked back (well, forward technically I guess) towards the windshield. You can see it, but it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb at least. Not sure why it was needed, i mean the OEM HU didn't need an external mic.

 

[regal81455]

Not sure why it was needed, i mean the OEM HU didn't need an external mic.

One is active ( the OEM ), the pioneer ( or any aftermarket that I'm aware of ) is passive. Can't integrate them. Someone needs to figure out how to provide an adapter so you can. My only major gripe with changing over from OEM.

I shouldn't say can't but my research led me to believe the outcome is less than ideal.

 

[farmallboy]

Hmm... I am trying to remember. And it was in the truck last week lol. I guess yeah you probably did have to swap the screens for source on the 8.4 as well. Honestly I am on Sat 98% of the time so maybe just need to get used to Pioneer UI. I am thinking that when I exit from AA it goes back to the main screen? So I'm not on the Sat screen and thus can't toggle through the channels, so have to switch to screen on HU. That's a flow that didn't occur on the OEM since I didn't have AA of course. I'll fiddle with it next time I'm in the truck.




It's at the top of the Driver A-Pillar, kinda tucked back (well, forward technically I guess) towards the windshield. You can see it, but it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb at least. Not sure why it was needed, i mean the OEM HU didn't need an external mic.

My truck has 4 mics on it.

 

[78Staff]

I might have not explained it well - I can change sources, vol, etc from steering wheel controls like normal/oem. It's just to change a channel ie radio or sat chanel, the HU needs to be on that source screen. With the 8.4 it didn't matter, as you were always on the same screen essentially no matter if radio or sat or whatever, but the Pioneer displays a different screen for each source. So it's a Pioneer thing, not a PAC thing, if that makes sense.

So I'll preface this with... well sometimes I am just stupid . Turns out there is no issue adjusting volume when on the "home" home screen of the W4500... I was using the wrong side steering wheel controls and I have no idea why lol.

Suffice it to say, you can control volume on any screen, and also switch sources with the middle button.