Radio replacement

[ViperBobZ]

I am getting an '05 and would like to replace the indash radio with one that has XM Radio, a USB port, etc. - is there a plug-n-play unit? Maybe something like this?

https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item-182721-Jensen-CAR910W.html

[ViperBobZ]

Or how about the Navigation unit - will that fit in the dash of one that did not have the optional radio?

[01sapphirebob]

There is a company out there called "Joying" I believe that makes an 8.8" "wide screen" unit that looks pretty good. I've seen in installed in a Viper on one of the Facebook groups. It has Apple car play, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a host of other features. I believe this is it here (https://www.joyingauto.com/single-din-car-radio/8-8-inch-single-din.html). From what I gathered the owner is pretty happy with it.

[ViperBobZ]

Thanks, I would like to find one the supports XM radio if possible.

[RedDogOhio]

ViperBobZ...

Seen a few owners who use / used this (Pioneer 3500 - link below), and looks great in the Viper-dash and a great plug and play option...albeit a touch spendy for the slightly older tech.

But in odd sense, I still like as it’s an older car too*.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130AV3500/Pioneer-AVH-3500NEX.html

Crutchfield is temporarily out, but Amazon and Best Buy still have head unit. You can buy the backup camera and / or XM-Radio unit to pair with this...which the latter is a minor cost upgrade, but know XM was important to you.

Per VOA member Steve M, you can finish filling out this space (since single-DIN) with Metra 99-6503 Dash Kit (Black).

If you type Stereo or Double DIN in search bar (via this VOA Website) you can see extremes talented members have gone to make these others fit, but think this saves a bunch of that hassle...and major refinish of dash after DD-installs.

Things I also like per my review as well...as I am leaning towards this change ahead myself :

You can close screen and still listen to music (and frees up A/C vents)
Apple and Android compatible, but you do need a WIRE which not ideal, but functional still and gives you full access to tech, navigation, podcasts, etc.
Labor and time savings to be able to use existing slots and this piece SteveM found to make flush / filled around single DIN slot. (OEM was like a 1.5 DIN from what I gathered)
LED Color can be changed on head unit
Can still rock (physical) CD and DVD with this unit too

Hope this helps and sure SteveM would have filled in these blanks, but do that search (...if not done already) to see the Double DIN option and weigh against this one.

Good luck and post whatever you decide to do!

Will see if I can find an image I saved of this and post later

[ViperBobZ]

ViperBobZ...

Seen a few owners who use / used this (Pioneer 3500 - link below), and looks great in the Viper-dash and a great plug and play option...albeit a touch speedy for the slightly older tech.

But in odd sense, I still like as it is still an older car too*.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130AV3500/Pioneer-AVH-3500NEX.html

Crutchfield is temporarily out, but Amazon and Best Buy still have head unit. You can buy the backup camera and / or XM-Radio unit to pair with this...which the latter is a minor cost upgrade, but know XM was important to you.

Per VOA member Steve M, you can finish filling out this space (since single-DIN) with Metra 99-6503 Dash Kit (Black).

If you type Stereo or Double DIN in search bar, you can see extremes talented members have gone to make these others fit, but think this saves a bunch of that hassle...and major refinish of dash after DD-installs.

Things I also like per my review as well...as I am leaning towards this change ahead myself :

You can close screen and still listen to music (and frees up A/C vents
Apple and Android (but you do need a wire which not ideal, but functional still
Labor and time savings to be able to use existing slots and this piece SteveM found to make flush
LED Color can be changed on head unit
Can still rock (physical) CD and DVD with it too

Hope this helps and sure Steve would have filled in these blanks, but do that search (if not done already) to see the Double DIN option.

Good luck and post whatever you decide to do!

Cool, this seems exactly what I am looking for, a plug-n-play unit that I can get XM Radio through...thanks! Now I just need to get the car!

[Fatman2006]

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXF509/Alpine-Halo9-iLX-F509.html

[ViperBobZ]

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXF509/Alpine-Halo9-iLX-F509.html

Thanks for another option - do you have it? I wonder why these all have rear USB ports - what if I want to listen to a stick with music?!

[Steve M]

Thanks for another option - do you have it? I wonder why these all have rear USB ports - what if I want to listen to a stick with music?!

You run an extension to somewhere you don't mind plugging in your USB drive or phone:

https://i.ibb.co/xfkSbWC/USB.jpg

[Fatman2006]

Thanks for another option - do you have it? I wonder why these all have rear USB ports - what if I want to listen to a stick with music?!

Yep, that's the radio I have. And, it's single DIN so the install is massively simple compared to converting to a double DIN opening.

As mentioned by Steve M, you run a USB extension

[ViperBobZ]

Yep, that's the radio I have. And, it's single DIN so the install is massively simple compared to converting to a double DIN opening.

As mentioned by Steve M, you run a USB extension

Does it fit without a kit to adapt it to the opening? I was thinking of taking it somewhere, maybe even Best Buy if I can talk to the tech doing the work first.

[Old School]

Does it fit without a kit to adapt it to the opening? I was thinking of taking it somewhere, maybe even Best Buy if I can talk to the tech doing the work first.

This is what you need

https://www.ebay.com/itm/361355880630?fits=Year%3A2003%7CModel%3AViper&hash=item54227d28b6:g:iuwAAOSw5dhbqVXc&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8JzRnow9h4ZPTv9RNTcCMwEE3sd5I 4XW8w%2FuSpQ%2B%2FW6fnMeUFYYJ8qVSHr0C2vsMSFbqgLerL I5iL5pkfr%2BoJ5Vjp8bwqkJpkjVpyvBEDiYiTSFpJFVfa8OTN u1EbRjyadaNoGOiNVGVQe0nON8a4nxfyRSvFAOaw%2FlMozEl3 PjZFoC3TR922%2BD8iMcT9oKfmaAVKn2M8jqfghFym0P7vTVyx pnquUW4TzsGkvhBriJ2JLI5uFD%2FiyfsZAHBcKLNkGViwDmwT teyVL5xBuE5CRmDONjAMudITF0%2FX%2F7Z3BltwQBcPGaBeO0 3ktwJQzlcww%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9DuotukYQ

[ViperBobZ]

This is what you need

https://www.ebay.com/itm/361355880630?fits=Year%3A2003%7CModel%3AViper&hash=item54227d28b6:g:iuwAAOSw5dhbqVXc&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8JzRnow9h4ZPTv9RNTcCMwEE3sd5I 4XW8w%2FuSpQ%2B%2FW6fnMeUFYYJ8qVSHr0C2vsMSFbqgLerL I5iL5pkfr%2BoJ5Vjp8bwqkJpkjVpyvBEDiYiTSFpJFVfa8OTN u1EbRjyadaNoGOiNVGVQe0nON8a4nxfyRSvFAOaw%2FlMozEl3 PjZFoC3TR922%2BD8iMcT9oKfmaAVKn2M8jqfghFym0P7vTVyx pnquUW4TzsGkvhBriJ2JLI5uFD%2FiyfsZAHBcKLNkGViwDmwT teyVL5xBuE5CRmDONjAMudITF0%2FX%2F7Z3BltwQBcPGaBeO0 3ktwJQzlcww%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9DuotukYQ

Thanks much. I guess it would help if I tried to take things apart for them first, just so they do not damage things. I am sure I can find out online how to get the console apart, etc. - I found one last night for the seat lowering kits.

[Steve M]

Thanks much. I guess it would help if I tried to take things apart for them first, just so they do not damage things. I am sure I can find out online how to get the console apart, etc. - I found one last night for the seat lowering kits.

I'm sure you can find the info on here.

Start here, ignoring the part where I modified my dash: https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/27849-My-Double-DIN-Head-Unit-DIY-Install?p=431386&viewfull=1#post431386

And if you want soup-to-nuts on how to remove most everything else (in a coupe at least), you can go here: https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/29087-Post-your-interior-upgrades?p=455298&viewfull=1#post455298

[icetraxx]

So I had a single din pioneer that had a built-in bracket for a phone to connect via bluetooth. Hated it so much I started looking for another Pioneer 7600nex(have one in my '17 Ram) that I absolutely love. Integrated with the canbus via an idatalink module and I can pull up anything that an obd reader can. I thought that it would be too big for my 05 and idata does not make a module or firmware flash for a viper. So I went with the Joying 8.8 its a floating screen and fits almost perfect without blocking anything. Best thing is that I have an obdlink mx + bluetooth dongle and the radio recognises it. So I downloaded the Torque app to it and it works great for adding 6 digital gauges and with a slight up swipe I have 6 more. I have pics in my album in my profile.

[J TNT]

That looks Great , Thanks for sharing !

Your Red Vents on your Hood , are they Stock ones painted ?

[icetraxx]

Yes. Thinking about doing the side rocker vents in red as well and be done with the red accents. I'll go after the interior once I figure out a modest direction to go. Son is in the Navy at the moment and its somewhat of a tribute to his service. Hopefully it will be his one day if he wants it lol.

[J TNT]

Yes. Thinking about doing the side rocker vents in red as well and be done with the red accents. I'll go after the interior once I figure out a modest direction to go. Son is in the Navy at the moment and its somewhat of a tribute to his service. Hopefully it will be his one day if he wants it lol.

That's Tastefully Executed !!! If you do the Rocker inserts , post a few pics !
Thanks !

[TheMadMachinist]

You run an extension to somewhere you don't mind plugging in your USB drive or phone:

https://i.ibb.co/xfkSbWC/USB.jpg

Steve, yet another stellar install. I want to be just like you if I ever grow up.

Great job man.........

[Steve M]

Steve, yet another stellar install. I want to be just like you if I ever grow up.

Great job man.........

Growing up is overrated.

For those wondering, the two switches in the middle are for my line lock - circuit arming switch on the left, and a momentary switch on the right to activate it. I'm not at liberty to discuss the big red button.

Full disclosure - the reason that textured ABS plate is so large is because the center console in that picture is actually out of a Gen 3. Apparently, Gen 3s had a key slot that allows you to disable the passenger side airbag. That functionality was changed for the Gen 4s - the key slot was eliminated; whether or not the passenger side airbag is active is tied to sensors in the seat. To the point, that USB extender was slightly smaller than the hole left by removing the key switch, but I was still left with the airbag lettering that looked a bit odd when paired with a USB slot. The plate is really only there to cover that lettering.

The reason I ended up with a Gen 3 console was that my original console was cracked in multiple places. I thought about repairing it at one point, but saw that Jon B had one on his website, so I went ahead and ordered it not knowing it was out of a Gen 3. The rest is history, I guess. I think I may have snatched the last one he had in stock.

And speaking of history, I remember seeing a video of the Conner Ave. assembly plant when the Gen 3/4 cars were rolling through the line - at one point in the video, it showed a worker installing the center consoles (or at least something in that area) while the car was still in go kart configuration. Her installation method was a bit suspect - she ended up sitting on the console lid with all of her weight, which I'm guessing might have contributed to the console cracks.

I'd love to see that video again, but can't seem to find it...if anyone else has seen it and knows what I'm talking about, or more importantly where it is, please let me know. I feel like I had the answer as to why my console ended up cracked, but now I can't find the proof :)

[Old School]

And speaking of history, I remember seeing a video of the Conner Ave. assembly plant when the Gen 3/4 cars were rolling through the line - at one point in the video, it showed a worker installing the center consoles (or at least something in that area) while the car was still in go kart configuration. Her installation method was a bit suspect - she ended up sitting on the console lid with all of her weight, which I'm guessing might have contributed to the console cracks.

I'd love to see that video again, but can't seem to find it...if anyone else has seen it and knows what I'm talking about, or more importantly where it is, please let me know.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3gg4ct

Or, if you prefer the DVD

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275389897373?epid=1407981750&hash=item401e845a9d:g:dRUAAOSwOq1i068F&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsDz4kS%2Fk9cdyrenPKOnqK8%2FoY RIEDhZv0R6KFwv4NE0tZB4vyXKxfRy929ihsl%2Fxrzw%2Bwia qTU%2BxezN%2BalVguyZ6dF3k1WtGOE1ZDaFLwciHi0e7u%2BY UzU7sneLBabKV14YuysLNg9sR4uQfVaGpl%2Bri20%2BSze4kE LtVuCJ%2FvHoRgajw9uAnJo0wdVNkhzL7%2BLEku%2FzBu%2Bk xh8irjk%2BwEPShFbzu%2FbNqcIX4OmM0EGFJ%7Ctkp%3ABk9S R46j_qKwYQ

[LandyAndy]

This Xtrons unit has carplay and has been working perfectly for 6 months now. Beautiful and fairly responsive touch screen. Fits and fills the existing oddly sized 1.5 din space from the factory stereo. The only negative is the smallish screen for carplay but otherwise its been a great upgrade! Not sure the long term reliability but for the price it leaves me with little anxiety.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/303317347843

[Siciliano15]

What about the factory Mopar RB1 unit? Thats a nice looking and good sounding radio. May not be the most advanced but keeps a factory appearance... Unless that was the radio viper Bob was talking about in the second post lol sorry to repeat