Bought a new radio

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Just bought a used alpine X-108U 8" radio. Got it for $1,000. New its $1800. New factory 8.4 is $1500 and then you have to pay for gps, constantly download updates, and buy expensive adaptors just so you can run an amp. And even then, doesnt have good sound because the amp adaptor uses noisy speaker level inputs.
This radio is insane compared to the stock 8.4 radio. Has everything except carplay. The new X208U has carplay, but i have no use or need for it.
With this radio, you can download an app to your iphone so you can adjust custom frquencies to each spaeaker, along with hook up a microphone and have the radio adjust itself to your cabin for the best possible sound.
Radio can read and clear vehicle diagnostic codes. Pretty sweet option! Also has high and low pass built in adj crossovers. Dual zone AV output. Has sirius XM and HDMI output, 6 channel pre-amp outputs, 4 volt front/rear/sub. Another benefit over the 8.4 is having a nice remote.
Radio can control up to (3) different cameras, has siri eyes free, navigation has 3D representations of buildings, lane assistance, free lifetime here traffic service in meteopolitan areas, and also can turn on/off aftermarket lights and other accessories on the touch screen and displays engine performance data on the screen with idatalink maestro harness (not sure I will need that on my 2010 ram)

 

[Eddywardo]

That's awesome! hope you enjoy it.

 

[clay282]

Very nice! I'm probably the minority here but I like the factory 8.4.

 

[Jimmy07]

I sure hope you can get that thing to fit. I briefly looked at that one until I found out it doesn’t fit our RAMs and doesn’t even have CarPlay or android auto. Ended up getting the iLX-107 with wireless CarPlay.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

I sure hope you can get that thing to fit. I briefly looked at that one until I found out it doesn’t fit our RAMs and doesn’t even have CarPlay or android auto. Ended up getting the iLX-107 with wireless CarPlay.

X208U has carplay, but I honestly have no want for carplay. Really doesn't interest me. The alpines GPS is a lot better than google maps. Only thing I will be using my iphone for is to play music, and the bluetooth option is fine for me.
Alpine sells a cheap universal install adaptor for this 8" radio.

 

[adrianp89]

X208U has carplay, but I honestly have no want for carplay. Really doesn't interest me. The alpines GPS is a lot better than google maps. Only thing I will be using my iphone for is to play music, and the bluetooth option is fine for me.
Alpine sells a cheap universal install adaptor for this 8" radio.

Their dash kit is only for '13 and up trucks, you will need to get something custom made.

 

[Jimmy07]

Their dash kit is only for '13 and up trucks, you will need to get something custom made.

Now I see the dash kit they have.
https://www.pacificstereo.com/alpine-ktx-rpu8.html
$400, that’s a big pill to swallow on top of the price of the radio. Still need a maestro, too

 

[adrianp89]

Now I see the dash kit they have.
https://www.pacificstereo.com/alpine-ktx-rpu8.html
$400, that’s a big pill to swallow on top of the price of the radio. Still need a maestro, too

Yea there is nothing cheap about this install. OP will end up paying more than $400 for their trim ring to be fiber glassed into the bezel. Add in $200 for Maestro accessories, probably looking close to $1000 for install. Also the OP mentioned many features of the radio that require add-on modules, such as Sirius XM, Camera switching, and auxiliary control. The Sirius Module is relatively cheap at $70 but the camera interface and aux interface are a few hundred each.

I wonder if manufactures will begin to switch to "modules" that interface to the factory screen. For example, you would buy a Kenwood module that takes over the factory screen, but the module includes all outputs/inputs and a better processor.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Now I see the dash kit they have.
https://www.pacificstereo.com/alpine-ktx-rpu8.html
$400, that’s a big pill to swallow on top of the price of the radio. Still need a maestro, too

Yeah no way in hell im spending $400. Alpine sells a $40 universal face place adaptor so it will fit in the factory 2013+ bezel. Thats what i will be using

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Their dash kit is only for '13 and up trucks, you will need to get something custom made.

I found out alpine sells a $40 surround piece that fills the gap around the 2013 bezel.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Yea there is nothing cheap about this install. OP will end up paying more than $400 for their trim ring to be fiber glassed into the bezel. Add in $200 for Maestro accessories, probably looking close to $1000 for install. Also the OP mentioned many features of the radio that require add-on modules, such as Sirius XM, Camera switching, and auxiliary control. The Sirius Module is relatively cheap at $70 but the camera interface and aux interface are a few hundred each.

I wonder if manufactures will begin to switch to "modules" that interface to the factory screen. For example, you would buy a Kenwood module that takes over the factory screen, but the module includes all outputs/inputs and a better processor.

Whoever had my truck before me installed a 2013 dash bezel so the 6.2" kenwood radio that was in my truck fit.
All i need is a $40 alpine radio surround piece to fill the gap.
I sm only hooking up one reverse camera, so I will not need the camera switching module.
The acessory switch module is $200. That i will need to be able to turn on/off lights and accessories. I wont be buying maestro. I csnt see spending $200 just to be able to view gauges the truck already has on the dash. Seems kinda stupid. I also wont be adding XM radio so i will be able to save a lot of money not buying all of these adaptors.
From what i gathered all i will need to spend to install the radio is $260. $200 for acessory switch module (worth every penny) $40 radio surround universal adaptor plate, and $20 E-brake adaptor so i can watch videos while driving and have full access to all of the audio features.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Yea there is nothing cheap about this install. OP will end up paying more than $400 for their trim ring to be fiber glassed into the bezel. Add in $200 for Maestro accessories, probably looking close to $1000 for install. Also the OP mentioned many features of the radio that require add-on modules, such as Sirius XM, Camera switching, and auxiliary control. The Sirius Module is relatively cheap at $70 but the camera interface and aux interface are a few hundred each.

I wonder if manufactures will begin to switch to "modules" that interface to the factory screen. For example, you would buy a Kenwood module that takes over the factory screen, but the module includes all outputs/inputs and a better processor.

$30 universal adaptor

 

[Jimmy07]

Is this going into the 2010 in your signature, or a 2013+ truck?

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Is this going into the 2010 in your signature, or a 2013+ truck?

Radio is going into my 2010 ram but I already have a 2013 radio bezel installed.

 

[Jimmy07]

Radio is going into my 2010 ram but I already have a 2013 radio bezel installed.

When you say 2013 radio bezel, I take that as meaning one of these... https://www.infotainment.com/products/factory-ram-truck-8-4-radio-bezel-upgrade-kit
Is this what you have in your 2010?

 

[adrianp89]

$30 universal adaptor

View attachment 126389

How do you think that is going to install? Your factory opening is the size of a standard double din, this is larger. To do it correctly you need to cut your dash, fiberglass that bezel in and mount the radio to line up with it perfectly.

EDIT: Do you have a picture of your dash as it is now?

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

When you say 2013 radio bezel, I take that as meaning one of these... https://www.infotainment.com/products/factory-ram-truck-8-4-radio-bezel-upgrade-kit
Is this what you have in your 2010?

No i have a factory 2013 bezel. This is the one i have. Im guessing the radio opening is 8.4"?

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

How do you think that is going to install? Your factory opening is the size of a standard double din, this is larger. To do it correctly you need to cut your dash, fiberglass that bezel in and mount the radio to line up with it perfectly.

EDIT: Do you have a picture of your dash as it is now?

Im out of town, and my truck is at home. I believe my radio bezel is from a 2013 with the 8.4" factory radio opening. Pretty sure previous owner swapped it in to fit the kenwood 6.2" radio in the truck now. Wont know till i get home. Anyone know how many inches wide my factory opening is?
Picture of my radio dash bezel is above this post.

 

[Jimmy07]

That is not a 2013 radio bezel, it is your standard one for a 2010. I hope you have enough height to cut that bezel before you hit that rectangular row of buttons.

 

[adrianp89]

That is not a 2013 radio bezel, it is your standard one for a 2010. I hope you have enough height to cut that bezel before you hit that rectangular row of buttons.

He should be fine for the Alpine bezel to fit, it still is a good amount of work to make it look good though. The video does a good job providing the basics for it... but Alpine makes it look a lot easier than it actually is.