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...