Cablefed
Full Access Member
I am in the physical process of updating my sound system in my 05 RC SRT-10. I purchased an RB-1 to replace my RB-4 so that I can still have NAV and use of an IPOD using the Mopar IPOD integration kit while still keeping a factory look at the dash. I have also planned on using two after market amps to power a new set of componets up front (Door and Dash) and another to power a sub in the rear. I have a total of 5 speakers (Two door, two dash, and one sub).
I removed the stock amp (very small and a pain in the ass to remove I must say) and am in the process of doing my homework on the wiring coming out of the RB-1/RB-4 that follows the factory harness to the factory infinity amp. To my surprise there is only two speaker outputs that come out of the RB-1 and RB-4 (Right rear and Left rear) that go into the factory amp. That tells me that the amp controls all the fade control and balance control from the head unit, I assume the PCI bus wire somehow sends data to the amp to control fade and balance. I will be losing my ability to fade since the amp controls those features and it no longer exists, no biggie read on.
I am adding a low level converter (Converts high level signal out of the radio to a low level signal that comes out of an RCA jack) to the two speaker outputs that would have gone into the amp. From there I will be splitting the signal at the converter via 2 RCA "Y" adaptors that will then go to my external amps mounted under the seats. Each amp will have to be tuned via the gains to allow for proper sound fill for the front components and the rear sub.
I wanted to post this as I have done alot of research on our stock systems to find out the best way to still keep the stock head unit and incorporate a better sound. I will say that this whole process is more in depth than I expected out of a simple radio and amp install and would recommend that you stick with the stock system or replace the entire system using an aftermarket unit.
I still don't know how its going to sound so I will keep everyone posted, it should sound 10 times better than the stock even with a reduction in speakers. My goal here is to have better sound and still keep the factory unit while using as much of the stock wiring as possible.
FYI.....If you plan on just upgrading from an RB-4 to an RB-1 and want to keep your RB-4 Nav antenna in one piece you must remove the lower glove box plastic assembly that goes from the passenger side of the truck to the drivers steering column area. After that you must remove the stock amp to gain access to three clips that hold the RB-4 Nav antenna wiring up in the dash. One clip toward the front of dash took me over an hour and a few bloody knuckles to remove. Once the RB-4 Nav antenna is out the RB-1 antenna is a breeze to install.
I removed the stock amp (very small and a pain in the ass to remove I must say) and am in the process of doing my homework on the wiring coming out of the RB-1/RB-4 that follows the factory harness to the factory infinity amp. To my surprise there is only two speaker outputs that come out of the RB-1 and RB-4 (Right rear and Left rear) that go into the factory amp. That tells me that the amp controls all the fade control and balance control from the head unit, I assume the PCI bus wire somehow sends data to the amp to control fade and balance. I will be losing my ability to fade since the amp controls those features and it no longer exists, no biggie read on.
I am adding a low level converter (Converts high level signal out of the radio to a low level signal that comes out of an RCA jack) to the two speaker outputs that would have gone into the amp. From there I will be splitting the signal at the converter via 2 RCA "Y" adaptors that will then go to my external amps mounted under the seats. Each amp will have to be tuned via the gains to allow for proper sound fill for the front components and the rear sub.
I wanted to post this as I have done alot of research on our stock systems to find out the best way to still keep the stock head unit and incorporate a better sound. I will say that this whole process is more in depth than I expected out of a simple radio and amp install and would recommend that you stick with the stock system or replace the entire system using an aftermarket unit.
I still don't know how its going to sound so I will keep everyone posted, it should sound 10 times better than the stock even with a reduction in speakers. My goal here is to have better sound and still keep the factory unit while using as much of the stock wiring as possible.
FYI.....If you plan on just upgrading from an RB-4 to an RB-1 and want to keep your RB-4 Nav antenna in one piece you must remove the lower glove box plastic assembly that goes from the passenger side of the truck to the drivers steering column area. After that you must remove the stock amp to gain access to three clips that hold the RB-4 Nav antenna wiring up in the dash. One clip toward the front of dash took me over an hour and a few bloody knuckles to remove. Once the RB-4 Nav antenna is out the RB-1 antenna is a breeze to install.
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I prefer the keep the factory look to deter theft. Best Buy said I need a new unit (with audio in) and an adapter and even then I may not have full featured controls through the steering wheel. 
