Please help me with upgrading my radio

[RamRodTodd]

Hello everyone! I am new here but have owned my '13 RAM 1500 Express, with the crew cab and full size back doors. Beautiful copperhead pearl paint. I owned a 2018 BMW before this and have always wanted a truck like this. Unfortunately I am a tinkerer and always need to change something with my vehicles to make it better. My wife hates it. I bought an android radio off of Phoenix Automotive and paid around 1000 for it. It was awful. It was cheaply made and nowhere nearly worth what I paid. I took it out after less than a week. I have the manual 4 speed air conditioning and my back up camera comes through the radio screen not the rearview mirror. I have been having a hard time finding the answers I needed from any forum so I am posting in hopes someone can help me.

I am wanting to upgrade the stock 5.0 radio. The sound quality out of my new door and dash speakers is awful. They need alot more wattage than what my poor radio can produce and so my speakers are extremely quiet and have little to NO bass in music and its depressing. I really want to add a subwoofer under the rear seat and eventually an amp to power the door speakers I just need help with the process on it. I have ADHD badly and always start a project and move onto something else if it feels to hard. But I also have a two year old and work full time as a systems admin at a childrens hospital. 45+ hours and I have a hard time finding 2+ hours to do anything lol. We do not have any reasonable car audio places around that dont charge an absolute arm and leg to do literally ANYTHING for you. I need to know where the backup camera connection is in the wiring harness that connects to the back of the radio. I really need to keep the backup camera, I do not care about keeping the factory bluetooth mic because its AWFUL as is. Is there anything I should know before swapping to another radio? I really want to stick to uconnect and wanted to also know if I could use a radio from the 2019-2024 classics in my 2013 with no issues? Do I need a wiring harness adapter? There are so many things. But I do not mind going aftermarket double din radio as I religiously use Android auto. Id also love for someway to keep my charging in the center console and possibly upgrade it to a newer USB C version??? If there is anything you need from me PLEASE let me know!

The only thing I have done to this thing so far is upgrade all speakers with 6x9 Kenwood speakers each are 150 watts, New transmission PAN with a drain plug (I about let the jackstands go during that it was such a PAIN) and a new K&N CAI. Next thing up is swapping out and replacing the driveshaft with a new one as I live in the good ole rust belt here in central ohio.

Thank you again in advance! Cant wait to see suggestions.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Hello everyone! I am new here but have owned my '13 RAM 1500 Express, with the crew cab and full size back doors. Beautiful copperhead pearl paint. I owned a 2018 BMW before this and have always wanted a truck like this. Unfortunately I am a tinkerer and always need to change something with my vehicles to make it better. My wife hates it. I bought an android radio off of Phoenix Automotive and paid around 1000 for it. It was awful. It was cheaply made and nowhere nearly worth what I paid. I took it out after less than a week. I have the manual 4 speed air conditioning and my back up camera comes through the radio screen not the rearview mirror. I have been having a hard time finding the answers I needed from any forum so I am posting in hopes someone can help me.

I am wanting to upgrade the stock 5.0 radio. The sound quality out of my new door and dash speakers is awful. They need alot more wattage than what my poor radio can produce and so my speakers are extremely quiet and have little to NO bass in music and its depressing. I really want to add a subwoofer under the rear seat and eventually an amp to power the door speakers I just need help with the process on it. I have ADHD badly and always start a project and move onto something else if it feels to hard. But I also have a two year old and work full time as a systems admin at a childrens hospital. 45+ hours and I have a hard time finding 2+ hours to do anything lol. We do not have any reasonable car audio places around that dont charge an absolute arm and leg to do literally ANYTHING for you. I need to know where the backup camera connection is in the wiring harness that connects to the back of the radio. I really need to keep the backup camera, I do not care about keeping the factory bluetooth mic because its AWFUL as is. Is there anything I should know before swapping to another radio? I really want to stick to uconnect and wanted to also know if I could use a radio from the 2019-2024 classics in my 2013 with no issues? Do I need a wiring harness adapter? There are so many things. But I do not mind going aftermarket double din radio as I religiously use Android auto. Id also love for someway to keep my charging in the center console and possibly upgrade it to a newer USB C version??? If there is anything you need from me PLEASE let me know!

The only thing I have done to this thing so far is upgrade all speakers with 6x9 Kenwood speakers each are 150 watts, New transmission PAN with a drain plug (I about let the jackstands go during that it was such a PAIN) and a new K&N CAI. Next thing up is swapping out and replacing the driveshaft with a new one as I live in the good ole rust belt here in central ohio.

Thank you again in advance! Cant wait to see suggestions.

You can upgrade to the newer 8.4 radio. I recommend contacting @M2Mods ( @Mpgrimm2 ) for necessary conversion harnesses.

As for an amp, get a Kicker Key 200.4 and bi-amp the front speakers. Easy DIY install IMO with the hardest part being running new speaker wires.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Closed for the holidays but May I suggest....

Do the 8.4 radio/hvac conversion as if the truck came with a factory 8.4 radio, and swap out the OEM radio to an aftermarket idatalink Maestro compatible radio and idatalink interface harness set.

Here's an example, Sony XAV-AX8500ES stereo install with a flush kit from Prolific Car Audio ... Ram Truck 2013-2018 OEM 8.4″ Screen Prolific Audio Sony XAV-AX8500ES Full plug and play kit)

(Their kit requires/assumes the Ram Truck has an OEM 8.4" stereo/bezel/4 or 7-speed AC controls.)

... And RamForum install post by user "Dissent".

.

 

[Fake-Account27]

If you decide not to stick with uconnect crutchfield.com is your friend. I upgraded the stock radio in my 2018 Tradesman and kept all of the factory features. Including the backup camera, and access to some extra modes with my factory air suspension.

They will sell you the head unit and all the correct cables to make everything work.

 

[PdPuNOme]

you could go all in and really change it up with a knockoff 5th gen 12" designed for the 4th gen. I tried it out, was cool, definitely different. Plug and play literally nothing needed to setup etc. Expensive but nothing else like it out there for this specific design:

14.5" Tesla Screen For Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 2013-2018 Car Radio GPS Navig 4G | eBay

These special features include support for 3G and 4G networks, ensuring you can stay in touch even in remote areas. The device also supports Carplay and Android Auto, providing a convenient way to access your smartphone's features without taking your hands off the wheel.

www.ebay.com

 

[Daw14]

Visit crutchfield.com

 

[SitKneelBend]

you could go all in and really change it up with a knockoff 5th gen 12" designed for the 4th gen. I tried it out, was cool, definitely different. Plug and play literally nothing needed to setup etc. Expensive but nothing else like it out there for this specific design:

14.5" Tesla Screen For Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 2013-2018 Car Radio GPS Navig 4G | eBay

These special features include support for 3G and 4G networks, ensuring you can stay in touch even in remote areas. The device also supports Carplay and Android Auto, providing a convenient way to access your smartphone's features without taking your hands off the wheel.

www.ebay.com

View attachment 577454

View attachment 577455

Nothing like it?

 

[PdPuNOme]

Nothing like it?
New.

Yes aftermarket plug and play wise. Factory wise you and I both have a uc4/5 12" solution but not exactly plug and play. Sticking with factory uconnect 5th gen swaps into 4th gen is the only way to go, just involved so not for everyone. I see your really dialing in the setup!

 

[SitKneelBend]

Yes aftermarket plug and play wise. Factory wise you and I both have a uc4/5 12" solution but not exactly plug and play. Sticking with factory uconnect 5th gen swaps into 4th gen is the only way to go, just involved so not for everyone. I see your really dialing in the setup!

I get it...in my case a few more plugs and a lot of play but super solid! Never going back although someone might be talking me into modeling the 14.5" UC5 now that o hot my feet wet, got a second 3D printer too for some engineering filament.

 

[seems fishy]

Why not just bring your truck somewhere that does this professionally,pick out a unit you like the look of , get advice on components like amps,dsps,speakers ,subs etc. and let them do it.More than one person has buggered up their truck attempting to add a system and ended up not knowing where to start fixing it afterward.You sound like your a busy dude and YES,it is an expensive way to do it,but its maybe more complicated than
you may think.There is actually alot to this.Nothing worse than hoping to do an upgrade on your own and screwing it up and then not having the time to fix it afterward,after already spending 16hours. Worse having it sound like sh×t,after buying and mismatched everything.You have some good advice from everyone,but in the end you will be building a system,and everything needs to be matched and installed correctly.
You already said you have ADHD and that is a bad combination for picking and installing an entertainment unit.You already tried a few things and are not happy.Take my advice.I know you love your truck .
Asking advice for stereosystems on this forum is a crap shoot because each person you get advice from isn't always on your wavelength.They know what they like but Audio is personal,and the market is full of equipment and you can narrow it down going to a pro instead of starting by advice here.I am not even going to tell you what I have done to my truck,just so I don't steer you off in a different direction.Mine includes a Mechman 370amp alternator and a Big 3 upgrade.NO TWO PEOPLE on this forum,have the same idea of what it is what you want,if you are reading the posts.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Why not just bring your truck somewhere that does this professionally,pick out a unit you like the look of , get advice on components like amps,dsps,speakers ,subs etc. and let them do it.More than one person has buggered up their truck attempting to add a system and ended up not knowing where to start fixing it afterward.You sound like your a busy dude and YES,it is an expensive way to do it,but its maybe more complicated than
you may think.There is actually alot to this.Nothing worse than hoping to do an upgrade on your own and screwing it up and then not having the time to fix it afterward,after already spending 16hours. Worse having it sound like sh×t,after buying and mismatched everything.You have some good advice from everyone,but in the end you will be building a system,and everything needs to be matched and installed correctly.
You already said you have ADHD and that is a bad combination for picking and installing an entertainment unit.You already tried a few things and are not happy.Take my advice.I know you love your truck .
Asking advice for stereosystems on this forum is a crap shoot because each person you get advice from isn't always on your wavelength.They know what they like but Audio is personal,and the market is full of equipment and you can narrow it down going to a pro instead of starting by advice here.I am not even going to tell you what I have done to my truck,just so I don't steer you off in a different direction.Mine includes a Mechman 370amp alternator and a Big 3 upgrade.NO TWO PEOPLE on this forum,have the same idea of what it is what you want,if you are reading the posts.

Killjoy...