Retain REF and hook up amps?

[Peter K]

Guys, great forum here.
I have a red 2007 quad cab duelie diesel.

I would like to retain my factory (REF) radio and connect a Kicker sub amp & a Kicker amp for the doors speakers (which are Kickers too).
It is a base radio, 4 speaker, no factory amp, no steering controls.

I bought a cheap 14.99 interface but does not work. Does not power up and seemed a couple of wires missing in the harness.
Then I start reading (and learning) about REF and CAN BUS.

Is there a way to hook these up?
Or, do I have to replace the radio? Or be better off replacing.
If so, should I consider a unit that already has 6 RCA outputs i it? Or would I still need some sort of interface?
One person told me the only way is a high/low converter with a door speaker.
But I really just want to retain the factory radio.

PS, I went through 20 pages of topics but there were just bits and piece of an answer.

 

[Peter K]

Any help would be appreciated.

In my quest, so far, I have 2 scenarios:

1 The truck is an 2007 with a 5.9. Was told it was built in 2006 before the motor change of Jan 1 2007 (plus they made other changes as well. Could they have made changes to the radio or the CAN bus?)).
Therefore, theoretically according to some sellers of the interface, the C2R-CHYNA will work. Even tho REF it is not factory amped. Told them (the installer) their ad say only when removing REF.
"Your factory radio is REF therefore this interface will work. If it wasn't you would need the amplified version."

PAC has an interface for stock radio but they say it is up 2006.

2. PAC say use C2R-CHY4 and go with an aftermarket radio.

So, a one or two installers say the C2r-CHYNA will work with my factory REF radio.
Pac says no.

Any thoughts?

 

[Peter K]

Again Pac says C2R-CHY4. But that is to retain the factory amp. But even if I replaced radio, this vehicle has no factory amp.

 

[Graygoose]

So the PAC isnt working?

 

[Peter K]

I do not know, I have not bought an interface yet. An email from PAC said they have nothing for my Ram.
But, as I stated, a few ebay sellers have said certain ones(s) will work as they have sold them. It's, supposedly because the REF is just a cd/radio not factory amped or nav.

So, frickin lost with this.

 

[Peter K]

My truck.

 

[Graygoose]

Which Kicker amp, the IX lineup has a FIT feature to where you can add right to any stock radio without PAC...there's got to be a module, contact Metra as well.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

The correct interface is the AOEM-CHR2. I have the same radio and recently did an upgrade myself. I installed 2 planet audio amps, 4 Hertz 6.5 component speakers, and using the above adapter it worked perfect.

 

[Peter K]

Educate me. That interface states for 2002 and up non CAN bus. Isn't the REF radio part of the CAN bus system? Or does tying in the AOEM-CHR2 have nothing to do with the CAN bus signal? The signal still goes back and forth with the radio?

Graygoose, I have the KX series.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

Using the correct harness it will work. The one that is included will not work unfortunately with some of the 07 RaMs. It took me a bit too find the correct harness for it and I will look for it for you as soon as I can. There are actually 3 of the ones that are similar. The AOEM-CR2 which I use, the AOEM-CHR3 which uses a different harness and is not compatible with the REF radio at all, and the AOEM-CHR1 which is used on non can bus vehicles. Just gotta make sure you get the correct one and the correct harness.

Also Metra makes a unit that does the same thing. The CHTO-02. Here is a link to METRA for you:
Metra Online | Welcome to Metra Auto Parts Online Warehouse
The page above ahs everything to install whatever you want into your truck.
I added 2 Planet audio amps:
AC1600.4 and AC2400.4 to my truck using the pac AOEM-CR2 and it worked without problems. Big thing to worry about is if you have the 20 pin 0r 24 pin plug. That is the difference between the CHR2 and CHR3.

 

[Peter K]

Thank you.
I have the AOEM-CR2 on the way. While having the radio out I will count the pins as well.

And yes, if you could check on which harness.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

Ok this is the C2A-CHY link: Pac-Audio.com Product Details | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future

Look at the picture of the grey plug. That is the one that is for my radio which is also the REF radio. Looking at the literature for this it says to get the AOEM-CHR2 if you do not have the amplified factory system. The newer ones they manufactured have the correct plug for the REF radio. Now if your radio ahs the other plug style you will need the AOEM-CHR3. Stupid dodge changed plugs halfway through 08 if I am not mistaken from one to the other.

 

[Peter K]

Thankfully, the AOEM-CR2 works great. Why the company says will not work is beyond me. All functions work too.

Now, to hook up my door speakers with an amp.
I assume there are 2 ways:
1) Cut the factory harness speaker wires and run speaker wire.
2)Run new wires from each speaker to amp.

Is that it? Any other way?

 

[MegaMouseGW]

If you replace the old speakers then you will not have to cut any wires. Just run new ones from the new amp and leave the old ones in place. If you have the stock speakers still then realize that on some of the trucks they used 2 ohm speakers, and will blow with to much power sent to them.
Running new wires is always the best option that way you do not run into any problems with the stock wiring being too small. Use 12 or 14 guage wire when running the new. Run the new wires under and through existing trim and grommets and you should be fine.

 

[Peter K]

Yes, fortunately I have replaced the stock speakers with 4 Kickers. One or 2 were blown when I bought the truck a few years ago.

Will run wire and report back.

Thank for all your help.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

Yes, fortunately I have replaced the stock speakers with 4 Kickers. One or 2 were blown when I bought the truck a few years ago.

Will run wire and report back.

Thank for all your help.

Tape off the old wires to keep them from shorting out on the body. Best to be safe instead of sorry.