I recently sort of inherited a 1992 Dakota LE, one of the first things I want to do is upgrade the sound system so I can listen to my ipod w/ good quality, so first a new head unit then maybe speakers later. I should probably address things like the broken shift indicator, horn and fuel gauge, but I've never been good with priorities.

I'm pretty much just looking for pointers and examples, I've found some dash kits that should work but I really want to know what they look like installed, and if they fit correctly. Metra comes up a lot, I've seen others that look different.

Am I going to need any antenna adapters or anything else special (besides a harness and dash kit), any problems with installing new radios in 1g Dakotas?

Pics if you got them? Thanks

 

I'm looking for a decent but cheap head unit, I think I found a Pioneer I like for $60, also been looking at Sony. There are way too many

 

i got a nice cheap JVC stereo with aux/usb input for around $120 i think. youre welcome to go with a cheaper one if you need to. for speakers i went with a set of Sony's and they work great.

 

I bought this from Walmart about 7 years ago for $99.99

http://www.carstereo.com/classifieds...20Car%20Stereo

- CDA/CDDA / MP3 Compatible
- USB Reader
- Flash Reader
- Aux Port
- Features controls for bass, tremble, volume, left and right speaker balance and more, including a "Loud On" which turns up the bass pretty good

So far I have installed it in:
- 92 Buick Regal
- 99 Sebring LXi
- 98 Buick Regal GS
- 85 Ford Ranger XLT
- 95 Dodge Dakota SLT


Still works like new! Although, it's a common issue that the flash reader or flash slot stops working.

If mine ever stops working I'd probably ebay for the same model in new condition.

eBay currently has one, for starting bid of $79.99.
Includes brand new stereo, new dash kit, new wiring harness

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-*******-...item2c63d8da09

 

Just go to Walmart and pick up the wiring and kit, might cost you $30. I've got one from there that is 15 years old and been through 6 vehicles. Really isn't a whole lot to these kits.

 

Just remember, stereos have different lengths so if you want one to fit "good" in your Dakota, measure what you have available. My stereo sticks out in my Dakota because there's a plate or something in the back of the dash, but the back is at a downward angle, so it won't fall out.

 

I bought a Metra kit from the local auto parts store last year when I replaced my dead tape deck. It was junky and cheaply made, but with a little fighting I was able to make it work. The kit was necessary because the old stereo was 1.5 DIN (which means that it is 1.5 times the height of a 'standard' stereo).

I forgot to put the metal frame in and never got around to fixing it, so my new stereo sort of floats around in there. If you do yours, don't forget the frame.

I can post a pic if you're interested.

I did the rear speakers at the same time and it ended up being a full day job because I didn't know how to take the panels off. Unfortunately I didn't take any pics.

Good luck.

 

As you could probably tell, I haven't done this before, but from research I know it should be simple as long as everything fits. My only concerns are abnormal circumstances in Dakotas and the looks of how the dash kits fill 1.5 din hole.

I was worried about having a little radio in the middle of big hunk of blank plastic (and whether I should pay more $$ for the dash kit with a cd pocket to fill the space), but I found a picture of a aftermarket radio in a 1st g Dakota and it looks fine. I just don't want it to look cheap or botched.

As for speakers, the sizes are 5-1/4" in the front and 5x7" oval in the rear? Looking at Sont xplods on crutchfield. I also saw somewhere that bigger may speakers fit? Can the stock grilles be left off or do they expose a lot around the speaker

 

If you care about the radio make sure the antenna input is on the same side as factory as well. The antena cable is extremely short.

Get a name brand head unit. They're cheap enough now that there's not a lot of reason to go off brand anymore.

 

You've only got a 1/4 inch of space on either side, you can barely tell.

Yeah, sizes are right. The door speakers (front) have enough recess the stock covers fit with room to spair. Annoyingly so actually imo because I wanted my aftermarket covers.

The rear don't have covers. They're inside the moldings on the side where the seat belts are. There's not much to screw to either. I had to zip tie mine in place as well because my truck is a base model and didn't have stock speakers, just the wiring for them. The space for them holds 5x7 but the brackets for the stock are slightly smaller. I could only get 2 opposing screws in place on mine.

I'm a total audiophile and rattling or anything would bother me to hell, but even afro-engineered in there they're fine to me.