[99ishvr4]

I have a 2006 Nissan Frontier king cab truck with the most basic factory radio and no aux input. I would like to install a radio from a newer Nissan Frontier that has an auxiliary input option or even bluetooth. I don't mind paying the prices for the newer stereos, but I do want to make sure that I can hook it up with relative ease. I would like to keep the whole system as OEM as possible. Has anyone swapped their old basic radio to a newer one and can point me in the right direction?

Here is my current radio (I do have a king cab truck and I have read that the amplifier is built into the stereo in these models so I assume I will need another stereo with a built-in amplifier)
I honestly love the simplicity of this radio but really would like to have an aux input.

Thanks.

 

[TWX]

I believe that the factory service manual for your truck is available, and it should have pinouts in the wiring diagrams for what pins on your radio serve what functions. If you look at both other radios your year and other years you might be able to find a radio that has the same pinout but has populated pins that are empty on yours for an aux input. You could consider sourcing the in-center-console aux input harness and plastics from a later model (my '15 has 'em as a case in point) and then run the wiring to the harness that plugs into a new radio.

At least that's what I would do in your shoes.

 

[raine]

I have a 2006 Nissan Frontier king cab truck with the most basic factory radio and no aux input. I would like to install a radio from a newer Nissan Frontier that has an auxiliary input option or even bluetooth. I don't mind paying the prices for the newer stereos, but I do want to make sure that I can hook it up with relative ease. I would like to keep the whole system as OEM as possible. Has anyone swapped their old basic radio to a newer one and can point me in the right direction?

Here is my current radio (I do have a king cab truck and I have read that the amplifier is built into the stereo in these models so I assume I will need another stereo with a built-in amplifier)
I honestly love the simplicity of this radio but really would like to have an aux input.

Thanks.

Considering your specific situation - question #1: what's your budget, realistically?

 

[phatB]

From what I understand, the bluetooth module isn't part of the stereo, so that wouldn't be included in a swap over. Not sure how compatible a newer one would be either, and they might cost a pretty penny. have you checked ebay?

 

[99ishvr4]

I believe that the factory service manual for your truck is available, and it should have pinouts in the wiring diagrams for what pins on your radio serve what functions. If you look at both other radios your year and other years you might be able to find a radio that has the same pinout but has populated pins that are empty on yours for an aux input. You could consider sourcing the in-center-console aux input harness and plastics from a later model (my '15 has 'em as a case in point) and then run the wiring to the harness that plugs into a new radio.

At least that's what I would do in your shoes.

Thats a good idea. I have the service manual for my truck year but I can find the rest of the years online and try to match them up. Just wanted to see if anyone else has done it already so I can save some research. I do plan on adding the OEM auxiliary input from the newer frontiers. Thanks!

Considering your specific situation - question #1: what's your budget, realistically?

Well I'm seeing the newer 2015-2016 stereos on ebay for about $200 so I planned on spending up to that.

 

[murphy]

From personal experience, definitely check the pinouts of each radio. I have a 2005 Xterra with the Rockford Fosgate radio. No AUX, no Bluetooth. I tried swapping in the stock 6 disk non-Rockford head unit in from my 2007 Frontier, as it did have an AUX input. The pinouts are drastically different. The same pin numbers did different things in the two models.

Definitely do not get a Rockford Fosgate model. The FSM’s are available on NICOclub. That’s where I found the pinouts for the two models.

 

[raine]

Thats a good idea. I have the service manual for my truck year but I can find the rest of the years online and try to match them up. Just wanted to see if anyone else has done it already so I can save some research. I do plan on adding the OEM auxiliary input from the newer frontiers. Thanks!



Well I'm seeing the newer 2015-2016 stereos on ebay for about $200 so I planned on spending up to that.

If the budget is $200 I would go with a much better aftermarket head unit. You'll get bluetooth and better sound and don't have to chase pinouts. If you need some aftermarket head unit suggestions, I can help, just let me know... personally I wouldn't think of OEM replacement if it's more than $100, there's just too many nice aftermarket head units with more features out there even at a $100 price point.

 

[99ishvr4]

If the budget is $200 I would go with a much better aftermarket head unit. You'll get bluetooth and better sound and don't have to chase pinouts. If you need some aftermarket head unit suggestions, I can help, just let me know... personally I wouldn't think of OEM replacement if it's more than $100, there's just too many nice aftermarket head units with more features out there even at a $100 price point.

I may take your advice with this. I know I can get many more features with an aftermarket stereo and it would be cheaper but I have never personally had one that I liked. They always look like they belong in sci-fi movie, they are not intuitive at all to operate, the text on the buttons is usually very small and generally wears off after a short period of time.

HOWEVER, if you could recommend me some options for an aftermarket unit that doesn't look too out of place and is made decently well, I would be very interested in your recommendations. I see that there are a lot of cheap android touch screen head units from brands I have never heard of but I feel like the quality will be hit or miss.

 

[raine]

I may take your advice with this. I know I can get many more features with an aftermarket stereo and it would be cheaper but I have never personally had one that I liked. They always look like they belong in sci-fi movie, they are not intuitive at all to operate, the text on the buttons is usually very small and generally wears off after a short period of time.

HOWEVER, if you could recommend me some options for an aftermarket unit that doesn't look too out of place and is made decently well, I would be very interested in your recommendations. I see that there are a lot of cheap android touch screen head units from brands I have never heard of but I feel like the quality will be hit or miss.

Personally I'm not a fan of those "off brand" head units so I wouldn't recommend one of those... I know you want bluetooth and aux, I also noticed you don't have the audio/hands-free controls on your steering wheel but this might actually simplify things for you. Anyhow, before I make a recommendation, tell me what your other needs are:

1. Do you have an Android or iOS phone?
- These days, this is an important question for car audio.

2. Do you want to add a back-up camera?
- Very useful (especially in a truck), this will also decide if you need a single or double-DIN head unit.

3. Do you want to be able to use your mobile device for GPS?
- Related to question #1, because this will tell me if I need to look for CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility.

4. Do you like a volume knob or are you okay with up/down buttons?
- Some people prefer the speed of a volume dial, some prefer a cleaner stereo face.

5. Do you need to play CDs (audio) and/or DVDs (video)?
- People still use CDs... store-bought or mp3 compilations.

 

[99ishvr4]

Personally I'm not a fan of those "off brand" head units so I wouldn't recommend one of those... I know you want bluetooth and aux, I also noticed you don't have the audio/hands-free controls on your steering wheel but this might actually simplify things for you. Anyhow, before I make a recommendation, tell me what your other needs are:

1. Do you have an Android or iOS phone?
- These days, this is an important question for car audio.

2. Do you want to add a back-up camera?
- Very useful (especially in a truck), this will also decide if you need a single or double-DIN head unit.

3. Do you want to be able to use your mobile device for GPS?
- Related to question #1, because this will tell me if I need to look for CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility.

4. Do you like a volume knob or are you okay with up/down buttons?
- Some people prefer the speed of a volume dial, some prefer a cleaner stereo face.

5. Do you need to play CDs (audio) and/or DVDs (video)?
- People still use CDs... store-bought or mp3 compilations.

1. I have an android phone and I am very familiar with the android interface. This was one of the reasons I was looking into the off-brand head units, since they often run android. But I did assume that they were too good to be true for the price.

2. I don't need a backup camera but I wouldn't mind having one if it came with it. I do definitely want a double-din head unit though.

3. I have always used my phone as a source of navigation, but if it is easy to sync from my phone to the head unit, then again, I definitely wouldn't mind having it.

4. Definitely a volume knob.

5. I don't need it to play CD's

Thanks for helping me out. I have been doing some shopping around but there are tons of options.

 

[raine]

Thanks for helping me out. I have been doing some shopping around but there are tons of options.

Okay, I have 2 options, one at the suggested price point, one a little more but IMO worth the extra cost for the convenience of Android Auto (see details below). I quoted the lowest prices I could find from eBay or Amazon Prime:

1. Kenwood DDX374BT, $200 @ eBay
DDX374BT | Navigation and Multimedia | CAR ENTERTAINMENT | KENWOOD USA

This covers your initial needs, plus adds a little more features to the mix for $200. Simple face with only 3 controls - volume knob, telephone, and rear camera. This has Bluetooth streaming, hands-free calling with an external mic, and rear camera input. It does play DVDs (just in case), but it does not have Android Auto. Background (wallpaper) is customizable, and the button color can be set to amber to match the Frontier's dash lights.

2. Sony XAV-AX100, $320 @ eBay
https://www.sony.com/electronics/in-car-receivers-players/xav-ax100

If you can up the budget a little more, this is the head unit I'd tell you to go with for the price. It also has a simple face with only 3 controls - volume knob, rewind/fast forward. Like the Kenwood above, this also has Bluetooth streaming, hands-free calling with an external mic, and rear camera input. It is digital media only, meaning it does not play DVDs, but most importantly with this price you do get Android Auto - so just plug in your phone and you get all your Android features (GPS, music, etc.) on the head unit screen.

You'll also need some installation gear, everything you'll need for the basic install is under $25:
Dash kit (Metra 95-7619), $9 @ Amazon Prime
Main wiring harness (Metra 70-7552), $7 @ Amazon Prime
Nissan antenna adapter (Metra 40-NI12), $5 @ eBay

Finally, if you opt to add a rear-view camera, I personally use a Pyle PLCM38FRV for my second rear view camera (see here), it's only $14 @ eBay and does the job quite well.

 

[shift_RUSH]

Boom?

I have a '15 SV OEM head (OEM backup camera compatible w/ CD player) unit that worked perfectly before it was pulled for a custom aftermarket system install this last September. Does not include backup camera or anything else...JUST head unit.
$100 shipped.

OP, PM me if interested. OP has automatic first dibs. After Jan 10th - it goes to whomever else might be interested.

 

[99ishvr4]

Okay, I have 2 options, one at the suggested price point, one a little more but IMO worth the extra cost for the convenience of Android Auto (see details below). I quoted the lowest prices I could find from eBay or Amazon Prime:

1. Kenwood DDX374BT, $200 @ eBay
DDX374BT | Navigation and Multimedia | CAR ENTERTAINMENT | KENWOOD USA

This covers your initial needs, plus adds a little more features to the mix for $200. Simple face with only 3 controls - volume knob, telephone, and rear camera. This has Bluetooth streaming, hands-free calling with an external mic, and rear camera input. It does play DVDs (just in case), but it does not have Android Auto. Background (wallpaper) is customizable, and the button color can be set to amber to match the Frontier's dash lights.

2. Sony XAV-AX100, $320 @ eBay
https://www.sony.com/electronics/in-car-receivers-players/xav-ax100

If you can up the budget a little more, this is the head unit I'd tell you to go with for the price. It also has a simple face with only 3 controls - volume knob, rewind/fast forward. Like the Kenwood above, this also has Bluetooth streaming, hands-free calling with an external mic, and rear camera input. It is digital media only, meaning it does not play DVDs, but most importantly with this price you do get Android Auto - so just plug in your phone and you get all your Android features (GPS, music, etc.) on the head unit screen.

You'll also need some installation gear, everything you'll need for the basic install is under $25:
Dash kit (Metra 95-7619), $9 @ Amazon Prime
Main wiring harness (Metra 70-7552), $7 @ Amazon Prime
Nissan antenna adapter (Metra 40-NI12), $5 @ eBay

Finally, if you opt to add a rear-view camera, I personally use a Pyle PLCM38FRV for my second rear view camera (see here), it's only $14 @ eBay and does the job quite well.

I really like the look of the Sony head unit so it looks like I should keep saving my pennies. Thanks a lot for all the help.

I have a '15 SV OEM head (OEM backup camera compatible w/ CD player) unit that worked perfectly before it was pulled for a custom aftermarket system install this last September. Does not include backup camera or anything else...JUST head unit.
$100 shipped.

OP, PM me if interested. OP has automatic first dibs. After Jan 10th - it goes to whomever else might be interested.

I appreciate it, but from what I am reading, it likely wouldn't be very "plug and play" and if the bluetooth antenna is really a separate module, then I think it is more trouble than I am willing to go through.

 

[raine]

I really like the look of the Sony head unit so it looks like I should keep saving my pennies. Thanks a lot for all the help.

I had a feeling you'd like that one, after your "sci-fi movie" comment.

 

[shift_RUSH]

I appreciate it, but from what I am reading, it likely wouldn't be very "plug and play" and if the bluetooth antenna is really a separate module, then I think it is more trouble than I am willing to go through.

No prob. Will say you are heading in the right direction w/ an aftermarket head unit.
I trust raine's audio knowledge.

______

And wow, surprised a used OEM '15 SV head unit is possibly fetching $200 on ebay? Thanks for sharing this.
If anyone reading this is interested, will make mine available for $100 shipped. PM me. First commitment takes it.
Otherwise, I'll post in the For Sale section later this month.

 

[Dal72]

Personally I'm not a fan of those "off brand" head units so I wouldn't recommend one of those... I know you want bluetooth and aux, I also noticed you don't have the audio/hands-free controls on your steering wheel but this might actually simplify things for you. Anyhow, before I make a recommendation, tell me what your other needs are:

1. Do you have an Android or iOS phone?
- These days, this is an important question for car audio.

2. Do you want to add a back-up camera?
- Very useful (especially in a truck), this will also decide if you need a single or double-DIN head unit.

3. Do you want to be able to use your mobile device for GPS?
- Related to question #1, because this will tell me if I need to look for CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility.

4. Do you like a volume knob or are you okay with up/down buttons?
- Some people prefer the speed of a volume dial, some prefer a cleaner stereo face.

5. Do you need to play CDs (audio) and/or DVDs (video)?
- People still use CDs... store-bought or mp3 compilations.

Andriod
Yes back up camera
GPS YES
Doesn't matter
Maybe, not a huge factor
Fit and easy install is important

 

[raine]

?

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

I just picked up this thread. Even though it's old.... these recommendations still hold. thanks for looking up all of those part numbers. I might just go aftermarket w/ one of those two recommendations myself, but aim for the slightly newer Kenwood DDX376BT .