Modernizing the 2007 Ram truck

[skyking]

I am starting a modernization of the tow rig, replacing the factory audio with a new double DIN multimedia unit.
This is the starting point, a new dash piece.
double din dash
I am planning on making a docking slot for the phone in the remaining dash slot below the heater controls, using a magnetic USB adapter.
I got this one today and quite pleased so far. Very strong magnet, it easily picks up the phone!
round magnetic adapter
I have it hooked up between my phone and chromebook, and it works for data as promised.
I can get a lightning tip for it and I will make the docking rails easily adjustable for any phone. The goals is to drop any phone in and get either Android or Apple auto integration quickly.
I will install a camera and some better LED back up lights under the bumper, on a switch. I will also put a switch on the factory lights so I can turn them off when backing the trailer. It is worse than useless, as the lights just illuminate the bright front of my trailer and blind me to whatever is past it.
I am unsure of which receiver to get.
This is one of the possibilities, I am looking for input
Pioneer DMH-C2550NEX

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

What do you tow? Is it a 2500, 1500?

 

[skyking]

What do you tow? Is it a 2500, 1500?

3500 quad cab short bed 4x4, 6 speed manual transmission, cummins 5.9. All the running gear was refreshed in 2016-17 with new 3.42 gearing, free spin hub kit, late model reman G56 transmission, engine was overhauled .020 over .
post engine build thread
We tow a smallish 5th wheel trailer, or whatever needs towed.
Here is the combo the day I picked up the trailer.

 

[herm0016]

i put some harbor freight small square led lights on my tractor pointed at the 3 point hitch and whatever implement is on there. they are quite nice for the price. they would make good backup lights.

you could also do a remote control spotlight from a boat, a lot of the oilfield trucks around here have them.

 

[skyking]

big decision is the receiver unit. Looking at Kenwood too. Open to brand suggestions

 

[jlee]

I have a Kenwood DDX9704S and like it.

 

[skyking]

Thanks
I looked into adding a maestro RR integration unit to get some of the obd2 features and gauges on the receiver, but it is not compatible with my Smarty Touch tuner. One OBD device or another, but not both. I currently get EGT support from the Touch, and don't want to lose that.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Out of the blue of the western sky . . . It's . . . Sky King -- and his niece -- Penny! "Bdrbbbbroooom-zoom -- "

Kids today never got to see real Saturday-morning television. Today, you don't get Crusader Rabbit or Tom Terrific. I don't know what you get, but I'd probably know if it was worth squat.

I'm looking toward an upgrade of my OEM Trooper audio package which has a 12-CD changer. I'm hoping I can keep the changer. But I'd come across something like the Pioneer that not only featured GPS and all the media features, but a backup camera and monitor feature as well.

 

[skyking]

You don't want a unit with GPS, because they soak you for updates until one day, you can no longer update them. Get something that uses your smartphone's nav, like I linked above. Always fresh updates for free.

 

[skyking]

So far I have one vote for Kenwood anybody else?

 

[herm0016]

i generally like kenwood stuff, but i have not, in my life, changed out a head unit. i dont think either of those options will disappoint. i would choose based on which software seems easier to use.

 

[skyking]

Looking pretty good with this one. I am not a number chaser, but the display is fantastic, adapts to left or right drivers with a variable bias setting, and also tilts if needed. That can be handy when trying to use a backup camera on the trailer in bright glare.
Kenwood 9905s
That's the high end, and this is presumably the low end:
pioneer 2440nex

 

[jlee]

Looking pretty good with this one. I am not a number chaser, but the display is fantastic, adapts to left or right drivers with a variable bias setting, and also tilts if needed. That can be handy when trying to use a backup camera on the trailer in bright glare.
Kenwood 9905s
That's the high end, and this is presumably the low end:
pioneer 2440nex

I would go with a capacitive display over resistive any day, so between those two I vote Kenwood.

 

[skyking]

they are large dollars apart, but I think the project is worth it.

 

[skyking]

I pulled the trigger on this one, based on this extensive review.

 

[cardiac]

So far I have one vote for Kenwood anybody else?

I got my with a Pioneer AVIC-5201NEX with Nav that is awesome! In her Jeep Wrangler Willys.

 

[skyking]

OK this truck does a lot of sitting, and it is sitting in the carport with the dash apart two months later
I have the radio all wired up and working, but adding in things like a hard wired backup camera at the license plate, and a wireless transmitter/receiver on the front camera channel for the back of the 5th wheel.
Once I got the dash apart I keep coming up with things to add while I am in there.
I need to crawl the wiring through for the lights and cameras.
I will test the 7 pin trailer connection, but most times the center pin is spare. I will make that a backup camera and light circuit if it is.
Then I will order some larger LED lights for the trailer. When I switch it on, It will power the camera, transmitter/receiver, and lights,

 

[BonzaiDuck]

You don't want a unit with GPS, because they soak you for updates until one day, you can no longer update them. Get something that uses your smartphone's nav, like I linked above. Always fresh updates for free.

That was a misgiving I developed when I first looked into the possibilities for GPS. The smartphone's capabilities would seem a natural. But I'd like to have a bigger screen display, and not need to stick my phone on a cup-holder that requires me to actually move my head away from road attentions when looking at the digital map.

You can, and probably should do this for a 2007 truck deployed for towing as you have it. install a double-DIN headunit so you have all the wonderful stuff included by default. In other threads I've posted, I've shown my inclination to keep the old OEM headunit, using Bluetooth and FM-transmitter for some of the upgrades.

The backup camera and possibly GPS is a separate project. Like you, but maybe to a greater degree, the prospect of pulling my entire dashboard is an unhappy one and for me beyond practical. I'm going to limit my work to removal of the center console where the shift levers are located.

 

[skyking]

It DOES use my big double din receiver display. It just gets the info from my phone.
My new receiver has it's own GPS antenna up on the dash to get a better signal, but is not a standalone unit that would need database updates. It is a nice combination.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Surface-to-air missile launcher? That would really be bad-ass.

 

[skyking]

if it is under 3000 pounds I can pack it