Selecting Head Unit + Speakers

[BinaryData]

Hey Chaps!

I've been non-existent, working tons, and enjoying life. Recently I've been having some issues with my Stock Head Unit, audio in cable creates some nasty static, radio stops working, volume control stops working or the display no longer works. The way to fix it, turn my truck off, smack it, and turn it back on. Super annoying when your jamming to a song, and towing horses to a rodeo.

I've been looking for head units to replace it, I've got some requirements and I'm hoping you guys can help me out because I'm super clueless. I made another post about speakers, but the ones listed aren't available anymore. Here's what I'm after,

1. Bluetooth
2. SiriusXM
3. Voice Calling (if possible, family is notorious for talking on the phone and with mom towing 75k in horses, I'm not risking it)

I'm primarily after 1 & 2, 3 would be a massive bonus.

https://www.newegg.com/p/0N0-0009-002X7

This is what I was "looking" at, but like I said, I don't know what I'm looking for. My goal is to replace all speakers, and Head Unit. Not sure if I'll include a sub or not because my mom will be driving my truck starting in August. I'll have my Diesel by then, if all goes as planned.

Thanks for the help everyone.


Here's the post about speakers;
https://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-to-swap-out-speakers.17999/page-6#post-1532118

 

[TomT]

I’m partial to the Kenwood radios but Pioneer is equally as good. You should look at something with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The newest models allow those through Bluetooth.

I would highly suggest finding a good local stereo shop and having them set you up. This way it’s on them to make all your controls work with the new radio.

 

[BinaryData]

I’m partial to the Kenwood radios but Pioneer is equally as good. You should look at something with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The newest models allow those through Bluetooth.

I would highly suggest finding a good local stereo shop and having them set you up. This way it’s on them to make all your controls work with the new radio.

I was asking one of my colleagues if he knew anyone, turns out, one of my colleagues used to install them professionally. I'm a bit skeptical of shops because I've heard stories of people getting units installed, and then stolen weeks later. Not sure if this is still a thing but I'll probably end up taking it to a shop in another city to be on the safe side.

 

[TomT]

I’m active on some SQ competition forums. If you want to post a city I can ask them for recommendations. I haven’t heard of any ripoff schemes like you described.

 

[Ramitiner]

It's definitely not an easy install.. I did it myself and there are so many freaking wires to splice it's ridiculous

 

[Graygoose]

I was asking one of my colleagues if he knew anyone, turns out, one of my colleagues used to install them professionally. I'm a bit skeptical of shops because I've heard stories of people getting units installed, and then stolen weeks later. Not sure if this is still a thing but I'll probably end up taking it to a shop in another city to be on the safe side.

Have you been into some of the Car Toys up there?

 

[BinaryData]

I’m active on some SQ competition forums. If you want to post a city I can ask them for recommendations. I haven’t heard of any ripoff schemes like you described.

I live in Southern Washington, Tri-Cities to be more precise. I can go anywhere in Washington State, essentially. Portland is a couple hours away, but I'd prefer not to do that unless it's a 1 day installation type of deal.

It's definitely not an easy install.. I did it myself and there are so many freaking wires to splice it's ridiculous

I was going to have it professionally done, it's worth the money to be spent. I'm looking at $250 - $300 for the deck, and about that for the installation cost.

Have you been into some of the Car Toys up there?

Honestly, Graygoose, I just recently got into truck "modding". I've always been against it but seeing how this truck is going to be in my life for the next 3 - 5 years, I want my family to be comfortable in it. I've got a long list of mods I want to do, not even sure if some are possible.

My current ones I'm looking at doing now are;
Airbags (I've got the money, just waiting for my brothers health to stabilize before I do this)
Replace my rear bumper with an after market one. Something that's heavy duty.
Clean / Sanitize my bed + carpet cover for the canopy.
KC Lights + Light Bar + Canopy Lights, and LED flood lights for sitting on the tailgate.
Backup Camera linked to my Stereo System (Didn't know this was a thing!)
Brakes (This is the highest priority right now. My brother has MS, and he's lost the feeling in the rest of his body, and he's recovering from the flu. He's pretty much bedridden right now)

I try and not do my own work unless I'm 100% confident I can do it right. Most of these I can do on my own, and the stuff I can't do, I'll ask you guys about. This place has been a godsend to me, unlike the Ford forums where I've asked for help and haven't gotten a single response. Sorry for the long winded answer. I'm trying to set my mom up with a vehicle that will allow her to do all the things she enjoys, and not have to worry about her. The car she drives now is approaching 500k miles, sounds like a cat being strangled, and the brakes are about as good as the Titanic can float right now.

 

[Graygoose]

Car Toys has many audio ideas to look at, plus exterior lighting. Chain in these states, WA, OR, CO, Texas, etc.

 

[rotwiler]

I was asking one of my colleagues if he knew anyone, turns out, one of my colleagues used to install them professionally. I'm a bit skeptical of shops because I've heard stories of people getting units installed, and then stolen weeks later. Not sure if this is still a thing but I'll probably end up taking it to a shop in another city to be on the safe side.

Funny you say that, I live in WA state(Tacoma Area) and there was a install and steal ring going around years back, Foss car audio was one that I know people's stereos vanished days after install more than normal. I went there and was going to get a stereo, they had my credit card on file and a few weeks later someone used my card to test it by making long distance calls. Only place I used my card in past year was Foss.