I have a 99 Dakota Sport Ext. Cab and I want to save a few bucks by installing my stereo on my own. I know what goes where and how to put everything in but I'm a bit hesitant about taking the dash and door panels off. I want to put my 5.25 component speakers in the front or rear panels and install a cd player and sub/amp. I guess im just wondering if it's a serious hassle to take the dash and panels off. I do have an uncle who has worked at Dodge for a number of years and I imagine he knows how to do those things but i just would rather do it on my own time rather than get him to do it for me when he's at work. Any info would be appreciated, thanks

 

You picked a good vehicle to try on. It's easy as pie. The dash simply snaps off. The entire area around the gauges and radio just pulls off. It may come a little hard if it's never been off, but just take your time and it will come off. Door panels are equally easy. There is 1 screw behind the door handle, one behind the handle you grab to shut the door, one in the top corner near the rear view mirror,and two along the bottom. (if you have manualwindows you'll need topop the retaining ring off from behind the handle. They make a tool, but you can do itwith a flat head screwdriver and some patience.) After those are all out, just pull UP on the door panel, not straight out! It will just fall right off, then unclasp the door handle rod from the handle. If you have power windows and/or locks, push the whole panel out from inside the door by pushing from underneath it, it will pop right out the top and it's easier to unplug the wiring. Now you're all set.

Only thing is, the front door speakers are 6.5", not 5.25" And you'll also need adpater plates for new speakers, even the 6.5's

Good luck. Just remember, ANYONE can hook up a system, not everyone does it RIGHT. Take your time, no wire nuts, no twist with electrical tape only type connections, no wrapping wire around bolts, ect. And you'll be all set.

 

Thanks man, I just have to find the time to do it now... I do have a couple of mounts which were used in my old car (Sunfire) to used the 5.25's in the doors of that car. I guess i will find out if they'll fit when I get the doors off. There is a set of older Kenwood speakers in the front doors right now and they sounds not bad, do you think I will have better luck putting my Alpines in the rear spots or should i swap the Kenwoods out of the front to the back, and try get the Alpines into the front. The alpines are a component system so maybe put them in the front cause they are higher quality??

 

Ok well everything is hooked up now. Sub works, cd works, souds soooo much better! The only thing ididnt do was put my components in the doors. As I mentioned before they are 5.25s with the seprate tweeter, anyone out there had to mount a component system in their truck? How did you do it? I know they were mounted in a piece of speaker box material when they were in my car, so is that my best option?? Or am i better off to try and sell those and buy a nice pair of 6.5s without the seperate tweeter?