OK, I know I've seen threads but couldn't locate - I'm trying to find a remote starter or at least some options. I walked into BestBuy thinking it would be cheaper than the stealer (need to call them tomorrow for a estimate) and they told me $275 just for install plus whichever remote starter/alarm I choose. So I was looking at around $600 for the install. He said it required like 3 bypasses and was a pain to install

Ideas on more reasonable options?

 

not true and way too high of a price...go to circuit city and get a Python remote start, that's what I have, first just search for it on their website then if they have it then go there. When I bought mine it was like $200 I THINK but definitely not over that and installation was included in the price. I've had no problems with the remote starter before.

 

Steve, Remember that the new trucks have the chip in the key, so you have to trick the truck into thinking there's really a key there. I don't think your 2002 has that. The new trucks are also more reliant on the computer system than the old ones.

Mike, I called the dealer where I bought my truck and the "factory" system was in the $675 range. If other places are charging the same, I think I would go for the factory one, since then there's no way the dealer can blame the starter for any problems down the road.

 

i was looking for a remote start as well and was quoted by a local custom audio shop "audio dynamics" farmington, mo, $175 installed, and may require a device to trick the computer into thinking the key is in the ignition, and if i needed that device it was $100 extra.but they said with an 02 i probably wouldnt need it.
i know these guys so they wouldnt lie to me
plus it comes with a warrenty, i think 1yr but dont remember.

 

that's right I didn't read that was an '08, I know they checked to see if I had a chip in the key but I don't think there was one they didn't ask for an extra copy of the key

 

Dealer wanted $550 including parts. Dealer doesn't need the bypass, just a reprogram of the ecu, however with the factor start, your range is very limited. Like 100ft max!
My aftermarket remote start works up to 1mile and 1/2mile between buildings. It was the same as the dealer price if I paid for the install (I didn't) and I have a 2-way paging remote. It's an alarm combo. There's really no extra wiring involved to get an alarm/remote combo!

You should be right about $250-$300 installed for a descent combo.

I bought an SRT-9000 which had step-by-step instructions, very easy to do from AutoAlarmpro.com It was $375 total for the alarm/remote start assembly and the bypass which doesn't require any spare key which is a bonus! Took me 3hours beginning to end. The 08's are easier than the older one's becuase there are fewer wires on no relays invloved. Easiest starter I ever installed. They have cheaper basic one's as well. Check'em out. You realy don't have to know everything to install one of these. Derek does a great job with preparing the kit specifically for your vehicle and gives you a test light and vehicle specific directions like: splice the green wire on the main harness of the alrm to the white wire with a pink trace which is located under the steering cloumn next to the ignition switch. And tells you how to check it before you tap into it. He gives all the butt connectors and zipties. I will def but from them again. Check out their Installer Testimonials by people like me. i made the first comment in there..hehe http://www.autoalarmpro.com/remote_car_starters

 

ooo.. the 08's are much worse than just a "chip in the key" that's only the beginning. the truck has two starter wires, one of them being activated not by 12volts but actually by ground through a resistor. the accessory wire is exaclty the same way. all in all if you do it the hard way it will take like five relays. not to mention the door locks are all done through ground and resistance as well.


funny thing is tho directed electronics makes a bypass module called the XK532 that literally makes everything a cake walk. automatically takes care of the ground resistance second start and accessory and resistance in teh door locks as well as the factory chipped key.

go to ccity they'll set you up with it all. you need the bypass and the remote start. labor will cost you about 150 and the remote start probably 80 and the bypass is like 50 bux. some circuit city stores don't have the xk532 tho. but just get it on the ebay and ur ready to rock and roll.

but for the quote best buy gave you if they were doing it without a bypass that does all the weird stuff in the ignition system that quote was right on. i did one of these trucks the hard way and it took me and someone else four hours. considering i can normally bang out a remote start in two hours or less.

i'll be throwin a alarm/remstart combo in mine here soon and i'm hoping with DEI's bypass it takes me about an hour or less.

just for fun here's the doorlock diagram if you don't get the bypass...

http://64.85.6.129/extrainfo/diagram...RT%20UNITS.GIF

 

I'm sure mine would also cause more problems for an aftermarket installer since I have the factory alarm system... probably means another interface module.

 

nope the xk532 automatically arms and disarms the factory alarm when remote starting and other functions in the aftermarket alarm/remstart are being done. when i say xk532 does it all i mean it lol. that 50 dollar box is a friggin godsend on the new chryslers.

 

Why would I want an aftermarket alarm if I already have a factory alarm? Does it have that annoying auto-arming "feature" like my aftermarket alarm on my old truck had?