Hi, I bought a Pioneer AVIC X930BT Navigation System including all necessary things to fit the Indash of the Van (such as chassis extender, the antennae adaptor and the navigation security plus I also bought an Alpine Universal Rear View Camera.

This will be my first time to replace the old AV system (original) of the Dodge Caravan and I would like to ask this forum if there is a video which I can use as guide for the uninstallation of the old AV system of the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan or maybe step by step instruction (with photos) will do.

Thanks.

 

Here's an excellent video on removal:


For installation details (and parts)! Check out Crutchfield:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130AVIC...IC-X940BT.html

According to that site, you will need some adapters:


Please Note: Your vehicle is equipped with a factory sound system that requires a special adapter to install a new car stereo. We strongly recommend that you purchase one of these adapters, and you'll save 50% if you buy it with any car stereo.
PAC RP4-CH11 Chrysler Radio Replacement Interface Lets you install a new stereo in select 2004-up Chrysler vehicles while retaining steering wheel audio controls $149.99† $74.99
The Crutchfield harness makes the connections between your new receiver and your car's electrical system. A detailed instruction sheet comes with the Crutchfield harness.
This upgraded factory adapter package allows you to retain all the factory options in your Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep vehicle, including steering wheel audio controls, vehicle entertainment system, and factory amplifier. This unit also provides data bus outputs such as retained accessory power, vehicle speed sensor, illumination, reverse trigger, and parking brake. This interface DOES NOT retain uConnect.
PAC Chrysler Radio Replacement Interface Allows aftermarket radio installation in select 2004-up Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mitsubishi, and Volkswagen vehicles (model C2R-CHY4) $99.99† $49.99
The Crutchfield harness makes the connections between your new receiver and your car's electrical system. A detailed instruction sheet comes with the Crutchfield harness.
When this adaptor is used to interface with the factory amplifier, you will not be able to fade your speakers front to rear.

 

Aftermarket systems don't play well with Caravan wiring, even with all the adapters known to man. Better off with a factory system, even with a higher cost.

 

b1lk1,

In what way do aftermarket systems not play well with Caravan wiring? Crutchfield tells me their adapter for the 2013 Caravan AVP preserves all functions, including steering wheel control. I haven't asked about the other models. I've been a Crutchfield customer for years and they have never steered me wrong. If you're going to make that claim, please back it up. The factory systems are incredibly overpriced, so cost-conscious customers like myself really like the aftermarket option.

 

In the way that my friend in his 2011 had to have his radio removed because the module that was supposed to adapt the steering wheel controls did not work right with his Clarion deck (brand new) and that it would randomly turn the volume all the way up or down with no input. 3 modules were tried.

ANother 2012 I know of had slightly better luck, but the van randomly erases all stored memory in his Pioneer radio.

Cost conscious and aftermarket radios are words that should never mix. Properly installing wrecking yard high end radio is not going to cost more than a good aftermarket deck and factory decks are quite good as of late.

There are going to be LOTS of cars/trucks/vans out there that just don't play with these modules well and the more we rely on the canbus for everything brings close the day we are not going to even be able to uninstall a factory radio.

 

So you discard an entire industry just because of a few inevitable bugs? What kind of computer are you typing on? Bug free? I think not.

Buy junkyard radios? That will serve one tenth of one percent of the market, my friend. Aftermarket AV thrives because it delivers features and value. Factory gear is overpriced and poorly designed. Price gouging compounded with mediocrity.

And as an embedded systems engineer I can assure you that canbus and other digital interconnects are making things more, not less, interoperable. Canbus is a standard and a/v makers are exploiting it as an aid to compatibility for advanced features such as remote digital speakers, NAV integration, and hands-free controls. The only requirement is that technicians have to know their stuff. They can't stay in the analog dark ages.