I know this was posted before, but I can't seem to find it. If I put in a new head unit, and want to keep the same speakers, do I have to by pass the factory amp? and if so how do I do that. Also, do the buttons on my steering column not work anymore?

 

Why in the world would you want to change the head unit and keep the factory speakers?

 

Redhouse, just the man I wanted to talk to. Seems you know alot about this subject. I will be changing my speakers but later on after I beat up the ones I originally paid for first. I can do that part no probl. It is the head unit that I want to change now b/c I am tired of this damn FM modulator for my IPOD and Sirius radio. I tried the PIE conector (which by the way fits the 10pin connector in the back, but is not compatable i come to find out after I bought it b/c of the bus system) and I have run out of options except to upgrade to the nav system from dodge or do my own. I am looking at the Eclispe avn2454. Kinda like the Avic N1 by pioneer except two dimmed. I will change my speakers later on when eventually rip them from pounding them too hard. Give it a month or so.

 

That sucks, man! It's listed on pie's application guide.
I have the 6 disc, and it's gotta go. I can't stand the fm modulator for xm. I have a nice pioneer hu sitting here with a pie cable for my xm.
I really don't care if I lose the steering wheel radio controls.
I don't have the cash to replace the whole system, right now.
Is it possible to swap the headunits, and keep all the factory equipment?

 

I would upgrade to something after market over the Dodge or any factory unit any day. That Eclipse is a good choice. I have not used it or checked it out but I have heard good things about it. I use Xm, one thing I did was go with a deck that had it built in. Alpine makes a few deck's that have it built in. The steering wheel radio controls can be wired to work with a aftermarket deck. Any good audio dealer should be able to pull that off. As far as keeping the factory amp and speakers, I don't know, all the installs on the Magnums and 300's I have done, has been replacing everything. You can take the radio off the bus with out any problems. It just skips right over it. Redhouse

 

redhouse,
what do u recomend for components in the 6 speaker mag?
i have been advised to go with the JL ZR 6.5
as well as JL 6x9"s
im also considering mb quart precision series 6.5 or something from boston acoustic.
i desperately need some advice here.
since ur not trying to "sell" me anything, maybe u can give me ur input?
also, i will be needing an amp to power these speakers. recomendations?
i have 2 old 12" fosgate punch 2122s that will each be powered by fosgate 800 a2 amps.
thanx in advanced.

 

I would recommend you go to your local audio dealer and demo some speaker that sound right to you. I'm an Alpine and Rockford fan myself. It really comes down to your budget and what you like. The Magnum has great acoustics and anything aftermarket will sound much better then the factory setup and way more power. I would do 3 way 6x9's or 6.5's in the rear and front doors matching speaker's, it will give you much better sound stage. Good tweeters in the dash (MB Quart all the way) a good 4 channel amp with more power then you speakers will be rated at, at least 10% more power. I'm a huge fan of the in the floor subs in the Magnum, giving it has no rattles and sound's great, leaving you all your cargo space. I installed MB tweet's in the front of my Magnum on the sides it gave the sound stage a more front and centered feel. But most people like them in the dash. Car audio is like home audio it comes done to what sounds best to you. Redhouse

 

thanx for the input redhouse.
i have a wide...wide...taste in music...from rock, metal, hip hop, a little electronic, even country!
i would prefer not to do any custom speaker allocations, i'd rather just replace the factory speakers and use those slots.
i think i will go with the mb quart precision series 6.5" components up front.
3 way 6x9s in the back, i guess the mb quart 6x9s?
should i stick with the same company? i dont know who makes good 6x9s? maybe fosgate, infinity, alpine?
i guess the last thing i need to determine, is the amp...mb quart? my novice/naive mind would think that the speaker company would know how to power their speakers the best...unless u can recomend otherwise...
as for the subs...i would love to keep my cargo area, however i think these old 12"s require a large box...so i may have to compromise a bit and build a ginormous box with the subs aimed to the rear?
i am going to request that whoever builds my box...utilize the as much space into the spare tire area as possible.
as soon as i can get all this gear together and installed i'll let you know how it comes out.

 

I also have a wide taste in music. I listen to Blues, Rock and Jazz the most. Any of the companies you mentioned will work, I'm a huge Rockford speaker and amp fan. It comes down to what sounds good to you. You don't need huge subs to have good powerful bass. I did my install the way I like to do it. I did my sub in the floor which left me with all my cargo space. I designe my systems like mine for top notch audiophile sound being clean, perfectly recreating the music as close to what it was meant to sound like as the system can get. Even sound stage all around, and above all else clean install. Coming close to looking stock, not over powering the car at all. I have seen a few Magnum owner's go way over the top with their installs leaving no cargo room. I guarantee while being loud, it's far from being audiophile. Redhouse