2003 Dodge RAM install?

I just got a 2003 Dodge RAM, it came with the Infinity system, not my choice it was there already. So until I upgrade, does anyone know if the Dodge Infinity head unit has RCA outs or a way to connect the empeg to it for the time being?
There is a space that may be big enough to accomodate the empeg with some professional (read not me) modification. and a head unit in the original DIN slot in the future... (see attachment)

Congrats! I should be getting my 2003 Ram this week, after almost 4 months of waiting. I too got the infinity system (intentionally) to use with my empeg. I currently had my empeg in my 2001 ram with infinity, and used the PAC (www.go2pac.com) OEM-1 adapter to install it. I think (hope) that they haven't changed the infinity stuff for 2003, but I guess I'll find out this week. It really is a nice setup if you don't want to re-do the entire audio system, the empeg + PAC is totally plug and play and can be installed or removed in about 15 minutes. Check out the installation photo albums on www.riocar.org and check out the one Tony did on a Dodge Durango with infinity - almost everything should apply.

Oh, and I'm installing my empeg where the head unit is, picked up an adapter plate (if they don't have 2003 Ram in their books, get one for a Jeep liberty, or even a PT cruiser). Looks very nice.. I'll post some details once I get the truck and get it installed.

I'm in the same situation with a Mitsubishi/Infinity OEM system... I haven't actually hooked it up (the HU) because I'm lazy and I never listen to the radio anymore. So I'm basically just using the Infinity amp, but it was a quick install...

Ah I did not know the amp is seperate from the head unit and all that other good info! Thanks sooooo much! The Infinity is nice but I'm used to my old 400 watt system. If it's this easy, I'll turn down the volume, I need to anyways...
Bye bye CD/cassette player... Hello my beloved empeg! I've missed you for the last 3 days!

edit
OK here's a silly question, which type of radio would the empeg be considered for the OEM-1 part? Universal RCA or Universal speaker? Or does a certain brand work? Here's the page that asks the info.

I'd imagine Universal RCA would be the best option. The empeg hasn't got the plug from any other radio, and it uses line level signals on RCA connectors - not speaker level signals.

/Michael

Correct, Universal RCA is what the Empeg was when I installed it in Tod's Durango. Details including part numbers in the photo gallery at riocar.

Something to know, though:

The output from the OEM-1, at least the one we got, is a little lower than I would have liked for the empeg. When cranking the empeg volume, it was not as loud as the factory stereo when cranked.

Tod says that even though the output level is lower, his empeg sounds better than the factory stereo ever did. So I think he's still happy with it.

Wondering what else is out there that solves the same problem as the OEM-1, but which has a bit more ouput power...

Universal RCA. As far as Tony's point about the loudness of it, he's probably right. But my 2001 Ram is a diesel, and one with very little muffler at that, and it goes plenty loud for me. I did have to turn the gain all the way up on the OEM-1 though. Sure is a slick installation though.. Took me 15 minutes to replace the empeg with the original head unit a couple days ago so it's ready to trade in, and since it's all plug and play, no one could ever tell I had the empeg in there..

I got the deisel too, the new Cummins is much quieter than the previous models. I've ordered the OEM-1part, I never knew it was this easy to swap out HUs on Infinity systems... And I totally missed the part number in Tony's album for that Durango install. Thanks everyone, I'll create an album of the install when I get it done.

Cool. I'm going nuts waiting for mine.. Might show up today. BTW, if you got the steering wheel controls with your radio, Soundgate will be coming out with an adapter in first quarter 2003 to adapt them to a Sony stalk interface, so they'll work with the empeg if you have a tuner.

Egads! I can't get a straight answer from tune-town.com or PAC on whether or not I do need the OEM-1 adpater. The guys at tune-town.com sent me an email saying they didn't think the OEM-1 was right so I called them. I appreciate that! They said to call PAC, the techs at PAC say they haven't seen an 03 Infinity deck yet so they can't say for sure. They say to try with a harness first, that they'll usually work like that. So I can't do it tonight, too much rain, I'll try this wekend. I got the trim ring and a harness and antenna adapter.
BTW no radio controls on the wheel for me. I got this truck from the overstock, not what I would have ordered, but it's pretty much loaded for cheaper than I was expecting. I couldn't bear to wait on an ordered truck. My boat took 8 weeks from order, that just about killed me... I hear RAMS can take up to 6 months sometimes... I looked at the RAMs on Wed before T-day, bought on Friday... I upgraded from a 1998 Quad 1500 360ci 4wd... I love the smell of diesel in the morning!

If you can manage to wait a few days for me to get my truck, I've already got the OEM-1 sitting here and waiting to go. I think it will fit.. But there's only one way to find out.

I ordered my OEM-1 from tune-town too.. Worst online shopping experience I've ever had. I'd say to avoid them like the plague but they do have a good price. Just don't expect to get it quick from them.. Took a few weeks to get mine, between them loosing my order, insisting that I didn't know my own address, and other general rudeness and incompetence. Most new rams seem to take a month or so, I just got unlucky and had a whole string of bad things happen to my order.. I am 3 days away from 4 months since I ordered. But the truck is on a car carrier somewhere in this corner of NY..

If you can manage to wait a few days for me to get my truck, I've already got the OEM-1 sitting here and waiting to go. I think it will fit.

I can wait, I still can't figure out how the dash panel comes off to pull out the radio...

The 1500s are on hold but the 2500's should be in within 6-8 weeks, I have about 4 weeks left until mine gets here, cant wait to try out the new Hemi

I can wait, I still can't figure out how the dash panel comes off to pull out the radio...

You need a Crutchfield Master Sheet, then. Call them.

Don't assume that you'll figure it out by prying at plastic bits. Some cars hide their panel connection points very cleverly. If I hadn't had the master sheet for my Accord, I would have seriously damaged the door panels when I was replacing the speakers.

Crap, no info yet they said. I poked around a bit and I am afraid of ruining it. Crutchfield suggested I check with some local insallers to see if they have had one yet.
It has dawned on me that I have never bought a model year car that is later than the current year. I can't find a damn thing that fits this truck yet, (stepbars, brush guards etc) except the empeg!

Crap, no info yet they said.

Ouch, too bad!

What about the prior model year? Sometimes you can get the master sheet from the prior year and the disassembly instructions will work or at least give you a good hint...

In reply to:

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in this corner of NY

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Hello Neighbor!

I love the smell of diesel in the morning!


You're weird
In my school years I had a 6 year stint that involved waiting 20-30 minutes every morning in a badly ventilated yet windy and cold bus station (yes I know that sounds paradoxical, but it's true). Spending winter mornings freezing my nuts off whilst being intoxicated by heavy diesel fumes from the engines that the drivers left running has permanently scarred my psyche.

According to the blurb on the sheet that came with my adapter plate, "Unclip the top edge of the knee bolster panel under the steering column (it is NOT necessary to remove the panel). Remove one Phillips screw under the right vent. Unclip the dash bezel and remove (the bezel is just from the vent on the left of the radio to the vent on the right). Remove 4 phillips screws securing the factory head unit."

Hope that helps, I haven't gotten my factory service manual yet. BTW, if you need info on these trucks or where to get accessories (they do exist), and aren't a member of the TDR, check out www.turbodieselregister.com.. Extremely valuable info there in the 3rd Gen forum.

Howdy!

I signed up for TDR last night, been checking out some of the forums.

Does this page look like the way to remove the dash? 2002 1500 is the same interior... Now I need the correct wiring harness adapter, the one the guy at Best Buy insisted ws right doesn't appear to be.. Chrysler end to open wires, I thought the empeg had an ISO connector of some known type that I could get, Anyone? I lost my manual, and my extra sled is misplaced, DOH!

The sled itself has an ISO connector, and there should also have been a mating ISO plug-->wires adaptor. With the [car brand]-to-wires adapter it's then just a question of matching up the wires in the middle... Described it the FAQ, here , specifically the part on "ISO Wiring connector confusion"

/Michael

Ah I missed that section about the ISO connector, and I think I left it in the trade-in... DOH! I'd rather use the connector vs cutting the empeg sled connections and soldering the connects. If I dothis though, what does the yellow "MEM" wire connect to, that's the one that puzzles me...

Anyone know where can I find another ISO adapter? I can't locate anything on the web for a part number... I'll stop by the pro install place with the empeg and see if they have one in the meantime... Thanks for all the help folks!

IIRC, and understand you correctly, you need one of;
Metra 71-1784 or Scosche VW-01R.

If I don't and got the wrong end, you need one of;
Metra 70-1784 or Scosche VW-01B

Try http://www.audioonlineoutlet.com/harness.html who stock Metra.

[edit]
Look under 'Volkswagen' (VW's use ISO connectors).. it doesn't appear as though they have the 71- side in stock though.

Excellent! Thank you! What I need is the side to go from the empeg ISO the harness connected to the sled to bare wires so I can connect to the Chysler adpater that plugs into the car. I assume the 71 and 70 are one side or the other then... I'll take the numbers to the man at the shop and hopefulyl I can get the empeg in before the weekend... Thanks again!

Yep, the 71- or the -01R depending on manufacturer, sometimes known as 'reverse' harnesses.
These can be a bitch to find in the US.

These can be a bitch to find in the US.

Yes I am discovering that! I called a place said he had it, I go there and he says no we don't carry Metra but we have the equivalent. It didn't look even remotely like what I need. I told him I'd bring the sled in tomorrow... Arg!!! Maybe I need to call the dealership and ask if I can go into my old truck and get the damned thing...

Dave,

I think I have one that I am not using, I can check in about an hour when I head home to take the Mrs to the airport. If I do have one I can send it you, but not until early next week. Let me know if you are interested and I will see if I can find it.

Mark.
20GB MKII 090000916

Mark, thanks, I'll post here on my success or failure on obtaining one. After all this it'll probably turn out that I need the OEM-1 part I was orignally seeking then told I didn't need by PAC themsleves...

what does the yellow "MEM" wire connect to, that's the one that puzzles me...

This is 12-volt permanent ("always on") power. It is the main primary power feed to the empeg car player. All of the power the empeg needs to get its job done comes from this wire.

On most aftermarket adapter harnesses, it's called "mem" because most other stereos get only the power to memorize the clock and radio station presets.

This should not be connected to the same wire as the ignition-switched wire (red on most aftermarket harnesses, orange coming out of the empeg). That wire should be 12 volts only when the car's ignition key is on.

Yep, that page looks just like it. It sounds like you're all set with what you need to hook the empeg up.

In other good news, my truck came in! And I love it. In other bad news, I can't pick it up till probably the middle of next week, because it may have a defective check valve in the automatic tranny cooling system (50 cent part crippling the whole truck), and I refuse to take it till they swap it out. If you have an auto and a diesel in your truck, make sure to read the couple threads on the TDR in the 3rd Gen forum about a possible 2003 recall (it's not a recall yet though).. If that valve gets stuck closed, your tranny gets no cooling and will melt. So it'll be sometime next week (I hope) until I can check the stereo connectors for you. sigh..

Heh, I got a call from the dealership about the TSB for that this morning, going in Monday for it... I'll be attempting the swap of the HU with the empeg Sunday I think with or without the elusive Metra 71-1784 harness...

In reply to:

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with or without the elusive Metra 71-1784 harness...

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Well I had a quick look yesterday, and it appears the harness is not where I thought it was, but I checked with she who knows everything and she confirmed I do have one, it's just we don't know where.

So it looks like my task for the weekend is tearing the apartment up looking for it, so I know where it is if you decide you do actually need it.

Mark.
20GB MKII 090000916

I decided to pick up the truck this afternoon, I am pretty convinced mine was built with the revised part.. Though we'll change it out next week just to be extra sure. So I'll see if I can get the dash apart tomorrow, and let you know how it goes.

For any more info on your truck check out dodgetrucks.org or dodgetalk.com, tons of useful info, I just sold my 2001 dodge and am waiting on my 2003 2500 Hemi, so I have been getting all the info I can so I can put my empeg in as soon as possible

Got the truck and I love it, but I'm not going to have time to try installing the empeg until Sunday. I'll post how it goes though.

..It went badly. Got the dash apart and the connectors have changed. Instead of the 2 connector setup there was in the 2001's with infinity, now it's a single high density connector, and some different type of antenna plug too. So now to see if PAC has a different pigtail for these..

Doesn't look good so far. Here's a page about the 2002 Ram 1500 (should be the same as ours):

http://www.tune-town.com/Cars/stuff/Dodge/2002%20Ram%20Pickup%201500%20car%20stereo%20installation.htm

Lists the OEM-1 adapter as unavailble. They do have the antenna adapter at least. I'm going to talk to PAC this week and see what they have planned..

Talked to PAC today, they have a solution but it's not an easy one. Here's what he had to say:

Unfortunately we have not had the time to update the 2003 Infinity system as of yet. We are aware that the harness is different though. If you are looking for an integration piece, our universal OEM-2 will work just fine.......but is NOT Plug and Play. So a strong installation background is critical.

So I asked if/when they will have a 2003 infinity harness out. He said:

Unfortunately, we have no plan for a new production just yet. But, if I had to guess, I would say early spring if at all. Sorry.

So we can either wait and hope, or switch to the OEM-2 which is universal, but not plug and play. I've got to give it some thought, but I am pondering going with the OEM-2.

What does "strong installation background is critical" mean? Is it trimming, matching and soldering wires together?
Seems like a simple enough solution, or is there something more involved here? (Damn I asked that question earlier in this thread...)
I mean is it just matching the correct wires on the empeg to the OEM-2 and the same for the car side then setting the OEM-2 gains?

edit
Crutchfield has the OEM-2 for $29.99 plus 3 days shipping for 3 bucks. If it's as easy as I think it is, I'm doing it.

It seems that simple to me. I did notice that the pinout of the new infinity connector is printed on a sticker on the backside of the factory head unit.

You'd also need an adapter for the antenna (if you have a tuner module) and a pigtail for the new infinity plug.. I think I'm going to go with the OEM-2 also. I miss my empeg.

What I would do is just get some colored tape and when you identify each wire, mark it. Once that is done if you need to reconnect for any reason, all your wires are premarked.

I ordered the OEM-2 from Crutchfield. I'll give it a go this weekend... I, too, miss my empeg.

Well I got it in with the OEM-2 adapter. The face plate adapter to fill in the hole looks terrible. The empeg sits about 1/4" back in it and it's not a clean, tight fit in the opening. I even made sure I put it in the right way as the curves are different on top and bottom. And getting all the wiring and a tuner module in there was like putting 10 pounds of crap in a 2 pound bag!
I ended up breaking the rear connections off the sled on accident and that pissed me off enough to go find the extra sled I had laying around somewhere, well I found it in two minutes! (Looked for 3 days previously to find it.) Then I lost the tuner moduel for a bit as I was going to loan it to a friend but never got it to him. Go figure I found it immediately after I put the dash back on... All is well now and all I need is a better faceplate ring. How'd your install go?

I haven't ordered the OEM-2 yet, though I'm sure I will this week. But my faceplate looks pretty good I think, it's a Metra 99-6503. I haven't put it in the dash yet but the empeg sits in the faceplate quite nicely.

So, what did you get besides the OEM-2? An antenna adapter and a pigtail to go to the new infinity plug I assume? Any chance you could post the part numbers if it's Metra stuff? Thanks..

Pigtail - Metra 40-CR10
Wire harness - Scosche CR02B
You'll also need an RCA to bare wire adapter as the RCA plugs on the OEM-2 are on the output side of the unit. I bought a cable and cut it.

I tucked the OEM-2 into the cavity on the right wires from the emepg were tucked below the unit and the tuner module up and back in the cavity on the left. It took some packing to get it all in there but it's possible.

I think I'll go look for the Metra faceplate today... Mine is an American International. Got all three parts from Best Buy, I don't know why they don't carry all Metra or Scosche, etc...

Oh yeah I used the wires with red stripes for inputs (low power) on the OEM-2, There are two input wiring options high power or low power, 20 watts and above or below 20 watts. from the HU.

Sounds good, I ordered an OEM-2 yesterday. So maybe I'll have something to report this weekend..

So, how's it working? I've finally got all my parts and am wiring things up..

It works, but I need to adjust the gain on the PAC-2, I can't get it loud enough for my tastes. I miss the 400 watts of PPI power I had in the old RAM. I think I need to go back to that set-up...

Dave,
did you ever turn the gain up? if so how did it sound?
I just got my 1500 Hemi with the infinity system and am looking at installation options

No not, yet. It was tough getting everything packed in there, and I dread doing it again. But the FM band on my tuner module is dead so I guess I should pull it out and adjust the gains at the same time... I'll try to get to it this week and post back the results.
How do you like the Hemi? That's what got my interested in a new RAM, so I went and looked at them. I had a 360 in my 98 RAM, but I wanted a diesel for my next truck. Now I won't go back to gas!

The hemi is awesome, I have a 4x4 Quadcab, and this has got to be the fastest Stock Truck I have ever driven, its got the power and sound of an old muscle car like a cuda.

finally got my Empeg in mine, its not exactly the sound I was looking for, but I still have some tweaking to do, its nice to have it back though. listening to the radio for the last month was driving me insane. Oh and Dave if you are looking to get the Metra faceplate it looks real good with the empeg sitting in it.

its not exactly the sound I was looking for,

Believe me... with the options you have for ripping and encoding files (CBR, VBR, high/low bitrates, normalization, MP2/MP3/WMA/WAV files, etc.); the 20-band parametric equalizer; the 11 different Loudness settings; fade and balance controls; your choices in amplifiers, crossovers, gain settings, and speakers; you can get virtually any type of sound you want.

As you pointed out, it's just a matter of tweaking, and the empeg has enormous tweakability, more than any other head unit you could install.

My system has been together for eight months now, and I'm still tweaking on it.

tanstaafl.

Oh I realize the ability of the Empeg, but even with the Gain of the OEM -2 all the way up, and the empeg juiced Its not that loud and not as precise sounding as the stock unit pushing the infinity system, its no big deal, it just means I will have to save my money and go aftermarket. Thats what I did with my last truck and it was the best sounding system I have ever had.

Yes, Tod and I noticed this with the infinity system and the OEM-1.

However, we did notice that the empeg sounded BETTER than the stock system, just not as loud. Note that this is the OEM-1's problem, not the empeg's problem. The PAC OEM units are just tiny little amplifiers, and it simply isn't strong enough for the infinity system, at least not strong enough if you want it as loud as the factory system was.

On the good side, Tod can cap his volume at 0db and spin the knob to crank it, and not worry about distorting his speakers.

edit: I see I already said this earlier in the thread...

Its not that loud and not as precise sounding as the stock unit pushing the infinity system

I totally agree! I saw that JL Audio has a subenclosure for the rear passenger storage bin now. But I have the fold flat floor option, won't work with that...

Yeah I saw that, but I still think Im goin to go with the new probox, it looks sweet and my JL 10s I have now will work well with it, even though it means I will have to remove the load floor.

I think with adding my subs in and some nice tweets should even the sound out, and if it doesnt, I guess its back to the blueprints