One thing I noticed with the stock dakota stereo is there is not a large presence of highs. Not much treble. Anyway on my last vehicle I put some really nice 4 way pioneer speakers in the door. Boy the speakers were clear but lost a lot of the bass I had before from the stock paper speakers. The newer aftermarket speakers in the 6.? round size had more of a composite material than paper so much of the bass was loss. Sure you can crank these speakers but without much base. So I ended up installing a basslink prepowered sub under the seat. That filled in any missing bass and then some. Really no room for the basslink. I need the back seats in my club cab.

So I am hoping, although not the perfect or ideal system, that I will be able to install a aftermarket headunit that will improve the sound of the stock speakers and give me ipod input/controls in the process.

 

Here is the thread I had on this subject
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...head-unit.html

 

Actually the Polks aren't bad on bass, least not with the MyGig, off the stock head they had very little bass though. I'm running the dB's in mine for now, have plans for a lot more but I needed something relatively cheap to carry me over, those horrible factory speakers weren't cutting it. I got both pairs for $100 on sale at SoundDomain, for what I paid I'm extremely happy with them.

 

Another question. If I decide to use the cig. lighter as my power source....does the stereo turn off as it should when you turn the car off? Or does it remain on?

I bought this kit....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dodge-Dakota-05-...742.m153.l1262

I have read through lots of threads here and it seems you only need the $70 adapter if you have the infinity or Nav setup, the basic radio/cd player I have should work fine with the kit I bought, can anyone confirm?


I am pretty sure this kit requires me to find my own accessory power (even though it says zero cutting or splicing..so maybe not?), which I guess I am going to hook up through the cig. lighter power wire. But listen....I am a total newb when it comes to installing car stereos. Installing leveling kits is one thing, but this is altogether different. Does anyone have a good DIY on this forum? I searched but cant find one..

 

I put a Jensen with HD radio, USB, SD card, Aux and iPod inputs in my 05 Quad and used the OE speakers. It seems I lost a little bass but otherwise sounds about the same as original.

As I understand it, any aftermarket stereo has to have an independent power source in these vehicles because they use something called CAN bus system. I don't know what it means or how it works, but it does mean there is no direct hot wire in the harness to the stereo.

The power outlet/lighter is switched (only on when the ignition is on) and your stereo will turn off when you turn off the ignition.

On the units I have seen, the head unit dimmer does not work with your dash lights. But most head units have internal brightness controls anyway.

 

Thanks. Sounds good. Once I get all my parts I am going to put it all in, I will post some pics when its done.

 

What guage wire does a factory or pioneer harness usually use for the 12v switched accessory power?? I ask this because I need to pick up some to extend its length to run it down to the cig. lighter wiring. 16 gauge? 18 gauge? Anyone know?

 

I would use 0/1 gauge from the lighter to the radio !!!!!!!! Just kidding, 16 gauge should be more then adequate.