[gtpskip]

since I'm pretty satisfied with the sound (not an audiophile by any means) got a question for all you experts out there, if I could obtain a newer head unit with the navigation etc in it how much trouble would in be to install in an older truck?
Or is it just easier to swap to an after market head unit?
thanks in advance::smile::

 

[wiloz32]

Boy oh boy I would honestly swap to an aftermarket HU hands down. I wish I didnt had the RF headunit so I can install an nice aftermarket one without cutting features that comes with my factory one ( Like backup camera). I know other features like bluetooth, navi and even steering wheel controls can be retain but not the camera and I'm not willing to wire a new one. So take advange of that and get a nice head unit like the Pioneer Appradio or something like that. If you want to add an amp later it will be a breeze. Right now Im having a hard figuring out how to wire a new amp for my speakers and make a clean install out of it.

 

[raine]

since I'm pretty satisfied with the sound (not an audiophile by any means) got a question for all you experts out there, if I could obtain a newer head unit with the navigation etc in it how much trouble would in be to install in an older truck?
Or is it just easier to swap to an after market head unit?
thanks in advance::smile::

Go aftermarket, much easier than chasing wires to match up old OEM and new OEM. Also, even if you're not an audiophile, an aftermarket HU might convert you since the sound clarity will vastly improve over the limited OEM head unit.

 

[wiloz32]

since I'm pretty satisfied with the sound (not an audiophile by any means) got a question for all you experts out there, if I could obtain a newer head unit with the navigation etc in it how much trouble would in be to install in an older truck?
Or is it just easier to swap to an after market head unit?
thanks in advance

Go aftermarket, much easier than chasing wires to match up old OEM and new OEM. Also, even if you're not an audiophile, an aftermarket HU might convert you since the sound clarity will vastly improve over the limited OEM head unit.

Im considering this option myself. I know I can probably get a new head unit with bluetooth and navi but Is there any easy way to integrate with truck factory hardware like back up camera, microphone for bluetooth, steering wheel controls, XM antenns, ect?

 

[raine]

Provided that the new head unit supports steering wheel controls, has bluetooth hands-free, backup camera, and is XM ready, it's fairly easy to get everything working. It's pretty much done using adaptor harnesses to get everything connected:

1. Bluetooth mic: Remove the OEM one (it's trouble trying to splice into it) and install the mic that comes with the head unit in its place.

2. Steering wheel controls: You'll need an ASWC-1 to link the head unit and factory bluetooth (for phone controls); you'll need to bypass the OEM bluetooth module for the phone steering wheel controls to work.

3. XM radio: You'll need a simple XM adaptor to plug the factory XM antenna into your new head unit.

4. OEM backup camera: With a non-RF system, you use an Axxess AX-NIS32SWC adaptor harness to plug into the OEM camera with an aftermarket head unit. If the RF uses a different camera harness, you could most likely splice into it but I haven't done it myself (my truck wasn't RF equipped).

5. OEM radio antenna: Again, with a non-RF system the Metra 40-NI12 adaptor harness connects the OEM antenna to the aftermarket head unit. I don't see why they'd change this for the RF setup, but I haven't actually seen the connections on the RF to be sure.

6. USB audio port: if you have one, you'll need an Axxess AX-NISUSB-2 harness to connect to the aftermarket head unit.

Keep in mind with the RF system you have an external amplifier driving all of the speakers. Because the amplification is separate, you'll have two choices:

A. Use a Scosche CNN03 to connect the aftermarket head unit to the OEM RF amplifier, or
B. Bypass the RF amplifier and splice speaker wire from the aftermarket head unit's outputs to the output side of the RF amplifier

 

[gtpskip]

thats what I'm really concerned about, retaining all my factory functions, just hate that crappy garmin, won't update anymore for gosh sakes

 

[matt30]

I got as far as putting a head unit from a 2014 (no navi) into my 2011. Found wire harness adapters that would convert from the 2011 to 2013+ harnesses. Unit powered up but there was no sound. I have double checked my splices, but no audio. Might be a ground issue, it would only turn on when the metal frame was touching the metal frame of the dash.

Other issue is finding a trim piece for the unit, a regular after market kit isn't wide enough for the OEM head units.

 

[dmwhiteman]

I got as far as putting a head unit from a 2014 (no navi) into my 2011. Found wire harness adapters that would convert from the 2011 to 2013+ harnesses. Unit powered up but there was no sound. I have double checked my splices, but no audio. Might be a ground issue, it would only turn on when the metal frame was touching the metal frame of the dash.

Other issue is finding a trim piece for the unit, a regular after market kit isn't wide enough for the OEM head units.

Were you ever able to get your stereo working? Been thinking about upgrading my 11 to newer hardware as well.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[MEDEL514]

Provided that the new head unit supports steering wheel controls, has bluetooth hands-free, backup camera, and is XM ready, it's fairly easy to get everything working. It's pretty much done using adaptor harnesses to get everything connected:

1. Bluetooth mic: Remove the OEM one (it's trouble trying to splice into it) and install the mic that comes with the head unit in its place.

2. Steering wheel controls: You'll need an ASWC-1 to link the head unit and factory bluetooth (for phone controls); you'll need to bypass the OEM bluetooth module for the phone steering wheel controls to work.

3. XM radio: You'll need a simple XM adaptor to plug the factory XM antenna into your new head unit.

4. OEM backup camera: With a non-RF system, you use an Axxess AX-NIS32SWC adaptor harness to plug into the OEM camera with an aftermarket head unit. If the RF uses a different camera harness, you could most likely splice into it but I haven't done it myself (my truck wasn't RF equipped).

5. OEM radio antenna: Again, with a non-RF system the Metra 40-NI12 adaptor harness connects the OEM antenna to the aftermarket head unit. I don't see why they'd change this for the RF setup, but I haven't actually seen the connections on the RF to be sure.

6. USB audio port: if you have one, you'll need an Axxess AX-NISUSB-2 harness to connect to the aftermarket head unit.

Keep in mind with the RF system you have an external amplifier driving all of the speakers. Because the amplification is separate, you'll have two choices:

A. Use a Scosche CNN03 to connect the aftermarket head unit to the OEM RF amplifier, or
B. Bypass the RF amplifier and splice speaker wire from the aftermarket head unit's outputs to the output side of the RF amplifier

This is great info! What head unit would you recommend that works with steering wheel controls? I have a 2006 Frontier.

 

[raine]

This is great info! What head unit would you recommend that works with steering wheel controls? I have a 2006 Frontier.

There's a ton of head units that support steering wheel controls. I don't have one recommendation because it depends on what you need and how much money you want to spend.

Go to Crutchfield.com, then to head units, then filter "steering wheel controls" and see what's available.

 

[matt30]

Were you ever able to get your stereo working? Been thinking about upgrading my 11 to newer hardware as well.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I gave up for a while on this, I tried again for a little bit today but still no audio. I can't figure out what's wrong. I'm going to find a 12v power supply and make sure this unit I have actually works by testing the audio with a speaker.