Hello All,
I have recently purchased a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Crew Cab. And I am investigating my options for upgrading the stereo speakers and a tailgate lock. Any help would be appreciated.

I have read many post about the stereo, but have not found any definite answers to some questions. I am pretty sure I have the base stereo.
Is this this the correct figuration for the speakers:
dash l/r; front door l/r, and back door l/r (I have viewed the wiring specs linked in a post)
If so, are the front dash speakers and front door speakers separated with a crossover. If so I would like to put in some component speakers, but stay on dodge's crossover. If not, just add some 6X9's to the front doors and back doors and possibly some 31/2 to dash (although I have read they are 2".) What is the total power going to all the speakers. (I think I read there is 398 watt amp in there). What have you done? Ohms? I read a post and zoomed in on their speaker photos, and the photo showed a stock speaker with 4 ohm, but some say it is only 2. I will also be, hopefully, putting in a sub, so the experiences with the PAC would be useful as well. Does it pass through to the current speakers as well as rca outputs? I am trying to find a place for the sub/s that would take up the least amount of space.

Second, I need a tailgate lock. I do not want to come to my truck and see the tailgate missing. My friend had his taken, although it sounded funny, I know it sucked. I just want a key lock. I have found a couple of sites with a lock listed as compatible with the 2009 for around 35 USD, but wanted to know if anyone had the exact model for key only. Most post I have read are geared to remote.

Will continue searching here and there, if anyone is having similar thoughts.

thanks,
Wade

 

The dealer can hook you up with the key lock....You get a new handle with a key. You can get power too, I would think you have to have power locks already but that would be a question for the dealer ..LOL good luck there. Better to ask that question here. I have read and post about tailgate locks but mine is power and has no key and is aftermarket but was super easy to install.

 

Go with the power lock. It's easy to install.

 

I have the St Quad cab and it came installed on mine...it is always locked....its a manual one but I love it...especially nowthat you say people steal these.....

Dario

 

maybe I can help, I did the lock/handle swap. There is a good post on here that walks you through the whole process. You need to order three parts from the dealer. The handle, which comes with the lock cylinder. the two rods, they are shorter and the non locking tailgate ones. Then the piece that ties everything togeter, I forget its name. it takes about 10 min to do. There is no new key that comes with it, the lock will cut to your key of your truck the first time you place it into the lock itself.

 

Dealer wants too much money. Find out if you have to bring it in for a starscan after you install it, if so expect another hour or labour. They just can't believe some of us backyard mechanics are actually and probably more talented than some of the techs. I laughed at one kid who obviously worked in the garage, full of grease, coveralls with name tag (wont say the name) he asked me if my truck was one of the new style. He has worked there six months and this was in September.

 

A little more than 10 minutes to wire it for power....more like an hour for sure.

 

If you have the "base" stock stereo without the premium (crap in my opinion) upgraded stereo, then you do not have an Amplifier. The amp is located under the dash if you have it. The dash speakers are linked into the front door speakers. The speakers in the dash are 2 OHM. OHMs refer to the amount of resistance the speakers present the stereo. Because there is very little additional load being placed onto the circuit, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I kept the stock dash speakers in place because they sound decent and they don't impede the circuit much. The stock 6 x 9s are all 4 OHM so any decent 4 OHM replacement speakers will due well in the stock speaker's stead. I have a write-up on what to expect if you decide to swap the speakers. You can find my thread here: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/4th-gen...xperience.html

Hopefully you can find some answers there. If not, feel free to PM me with your questions and I will try to help you. If you plan to replace the rear speakers, there is no depth restriction to speak of. However, the mounting depth for the front door speakers is approximately 3 1/4". Kenwood KFC 6982ie 6 x 9s fit perfectly in there. Make sure you follow my wiring schedule on the second page of my thread or you risk placing the speakers out of phase which I did to one by accident and it sounded like $h1t. The stock speakers aren't marked so pay attention to the colours. Good luck!

 

The Locking tailgate is super simple to do yourself. Here is the tread that walks you thru the entire process with part numbers for the items you need.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/4th-gen...-walkthru.html