My truck has the original factory radio in it, AM/FM with a casette player. I want to put a cd player in, but I like to keep everything matching on the dash, so I would like to just pick one up from the junkyard that has a cd player. There are several yards near me, and they all seem to have a few in stock.
I have 2 questions:

-Is it even possible to simply unplug the casette radio and plug in the new one? I have no experience with electronics like this, and I don't want to mess anything up on my truck.

-If it is possible, how difficult is this swap? It looks like the bezel surrounding the radio and the instrument panel would have to come off, and after that, I'm not sure.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

I work at a scrap yard and did this on mine. Actually used the factory cd player out of a cherokee, but I think it is the same that came in the ram. They plug straight in. Remove bezel. Radio is held in by two bolts. Pull the old out, unplug everything, plug in the new, and bolt it back in. Is about as easy as it gets.

 

Ok, that's what I was hoping to hear. Is the bezel difficult to remove, or do I just pull on it until it pops out?

 

just tilt your column all the way down if its an automatic put on the ebrake and shift it into neutral and pull it towards the back of the truck and it will just unclip

 

Thank you for the help guys. Now I just need to get some money and hit a junkyard.

 

It's probably too late, but you'd be better off splurging on a new head unit from someplace like Crutchfield. Crutchfield is good about including the necessary adapter harnesses.

 

Why not go to walmart? You can get them the same price there. If not cheaper.

 

Does Wal Mart include the correct adapters as well as technical support after the sale? I had some issues installing the unit I bought from Crutchfield and tech support got me through with no problem.

Cheaper is not always better, so you get what you pay for.

 

Agreed. Crutchfield is great, they usually throw in all the adaption connectors for free, whether it be speakers or the head unit.

I kind of like the idea of the factory radio with the CD Player.

 

I want to get a factory radio, just because I like to have everything matching on the dash. I'm not too picky about my audio, as long as the speakers work decent, I'm good. Not looking for any upgrade in sound, just want the cd player really, for longs trips where you lose local radio signal.