2021 Tradesman regular cab inexpensive retro audio build (with photos)

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akrausz

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Joined
Nov 21, 2021
Posts
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Location
USA
Ram Year
2021
Engine
3.6
Before this, my last install was in a new '98 Ram, so it's been awhile. Fast forward to today, I considered keeping the factory 5” head unit, but ultimately ditched it. While everybody is increasing their screen size, name brand double-din head units with HD Radio were too expensive for me, so I decided to forego the backup camera and go with a single-din. Here is my inexpensive audio build:
Also bought a ferrule crimping tool and a hammer crimping tool for the 4 AWG ring terminal to connect to the battery. Summary of how I wired it:
  • 16 AWG from head unit to dash speakers.
  • 16 AWG from amp to factory door speaker wiring.
  • 4 AWG (fused) from amp under driver’s seat to battery (overkill, but I already had it).
  • 4 AWG (ground) from amp to middle seat attachment bolt in floor. Factory bolt with black coating replaced with stainless steel bolt.
To install the head unit, some metal in the dash had to be cut out (where the white lines are):

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Could not find a radio wiring harness for my truck that had good reviews. Instead, I tapped into the factory wires without cutting them. Ran the head unit ground to the amp ground point. Could not find a dash kit for my truck, so had to go with the older version. Fits perfectly after some surgery to shorten the depth:

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The dash speaker mounting location will need some improving:

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The amp under the driver’s seat:

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Replaced the clutch plate with the firewall boot and mounted the fuse holder:

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Crimped a 90-degree ring terminal onto the 4 AWG wire:

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The head unit’s 22 watts RMS powers the dash speakers that are high passed at 250Hz. The door speakers are high passed at 40Hz. I was somewhat concerned about the amp’s low signal-to-noise ratio, but I don't think I've heard any noise. Rear speakers in the pillars are disconnected.

So how does it sound so far? It's plenty loud. I chose silk dome tweeters hoping they would be laid back. Well they're not, so I turned the treble down and everything sounds more balanced. On the plus side, I'm hearing details in songs (when the truck is parked) I've never heard before. While the factory door speakers produce decent all-round bass (for cheap speakers in doors), next up is replacing the door speakers and most likely some door treatment as well.

I’m impressed with the sound so far (especially for what I paid), as it is a significant upgrade over the crappy factory sound.
 

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akrausz

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2021
Posts
20
Reaction score
8
Location
USA
Ram Year
2021
Engine
3.6
Update:

So who the heck puts a single-din unit in their vehicle nowadays? With my truck, I can't fit a deep double-din headunit without more surgery in the dash than I was willing to attempt. A deep headunit will only fit in the top half of the double-din opening (and that is only with some cutting).

There were some things I didn't like about the JVC headunit, like the bluetooth app never worked correctly. So I replaced it with a Pioneer MVH-S720BHS. It has a 31-band EQ (when you use the app), which is better than the JVC for smoothing out the in-vehicle frequency response curve. And the Pioneer's HD radio tuner brings in stations better than the JVC, even though the JVC has better tuner specs. And lastly, the JVC screen was so dim I couldn't see it in daylight.

Also swapped out my 2-channel Jensen amp for a 4-channel Alpine BBX-F1200. Nothing wrong with the Jensen, but I decided the dash speakers needed more power than the headunit was putting out. I selected the Alpine because of the crossover. I am now able to cross over my 6x9 woofers and 3.5 coaxials at 500 Hz, which I feel is superior to the 250 Hz and 1 KHz options available before.

And worked on the doors. Put sound deadening on three surfaces in each door. And cut some Rockwool to size, wrapped it in plastic and put it inside the door cavity.

Much better now.
 

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