There are harness adapters available to install aftermarket head units in the Dakota, as well as thousands of other vehicles.

The Dak P/N is XSV-6502 or XSV-6502-NAV from Metra. Both of these adapters will take the guess work out of the wire connections in the Dakota, since the module supplies the 12V accessory connection. The -NAV module will also provide parking brake and VSS connections for video and navigation head units.

You will also need a mounting kit and an antenna adapter.

You can install an aftermarket head unit using a cheaper harness adapter, but you will need to find your own switched ignition source.

Saying any speaker is "not powered" is really a misnomer. The amplifier in the head unit is still an amplifier. It just doesn't have the same capabilities as most external amplifiers can provide. That being said, just because an amplifier is external does NOT automatically make it better than the built in amplifier.

depending on what you want out of your audio system you may or may not need an external amplifier.

When I finally get around to starting my audio upgrades in my Dak, I will be starting with just swapping out the OEM head unit for my DVD fold out head unit, mostly just to gain the Ipod connectivity. I will be running the stock speakers off the aftermarket deck, until I get more time. I have a bunch of other parts, amplifiers, subs, etc to go in, just don't have the time currently to install them, between school and work. I would like to get my Alarm/Remote Starter installed before I add too many new components.

so i just match the colored wires on there and crimp them together?

Colors on factory radios and aftermarkets are not always the same. if you get a harness kit it will be labeled as will the aftermarket head unit. take your time, follow directions. a few wires may be the same color, but usually not all of them will.

Also depending what brand headunit you get, metra (or some other manufacture) may have a "quick/easy connect" wiring system. usually consists of a dodge harnes and a Brand radio harnes that will plug together. so in essence you would get the 2 harnesses and plug them together. it usually ends up being quite long, but it would be plug and play.

Also if you haven't bought a radio yet, check with Crutchfield. they always include all needed adapters/plates/wiring as long as you tell them what vehicle its going into. I'm sure other people here will tell you they are a great company to deal with. And if you call them, they might be able to point you in the right direction for a true "plug and play" harness for your brand of radio and vehicle.

just upgraded the head unit and front speakers. i have a problem now though, what could be causing my volume to go down extremely low randomly and come back full force, seems when i first start driving itll stay consistent for about 15-30min then it will start getting really low and fuzzy at times

Thats puzzling. Does it follow any pattern? The only thing I could think of is some kind of miswiring, where voltage changes.

If you matched the wire colors from the Metra harness adapter to the new head unit connector, it should just work (the colors are Electronics Industry Association standard). No need to worry about the trucks wiring harness colors, they are specific to chrysler and the dakota.

Also, have you grounded the unit properly? That could make all the difference

Yeah.. what he said.. also lets start with a few basics.. what brand and model is the radio. did you have to cut any wires or run any extra wires??

i took it to a shop to get the head unit installed. im taking it back there today to have them look at it. they also mentioned it could be a bad ground

my new headunit has a screw terminal for a chassis ground. The factory unit I took out didnt use one. Should I run a wire from the head unit chassis ground to the truck chassis?
Also the instructions say not to have a usb thumbdrive connected when you start the truck up. Is this just to protect the drive from a voltage spike when the vehicle starts up?