Is it just me or are the pics not showing up?
REC install w/ Pictures
Yesterday I got my REC navigation unit installed works great, it was very easy and cost me $978 shipped vs the $2399 the dealer wanted. Parts came from United Radio and Shores Electronics below are the steps I took.
Step 1: Disconnect NEG batt terminal. Remove shift knob, there is a small clip at the base of the shifter that pulls down one release, the knob pulls up and off without issue (only a single hand required)
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Step 2: Once removed the lower shift bezel must be removed, I gently pried with a butter knife to raise it slightly and left no marks. A firm tug at that point released it. Prying/tugging was required to remove the main bezel but it did come off fairly easy.
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Step 3: this was probably the least fun, removal of the hazard flasher control/ HVAC controls. The HVAC controls are attached to the bezel not the dash! they are attached to the car by cables with not so much slack, the hazard assembly is held by 4 screws as are the HVAC controls, just requires patience and maneuvering to get them removed.
Step 4: Remove Radio (REF) this was nothing special, 4 screws to remove and 2 plugs plus the antenna. Once removed, inside the dash is a metal support bracket for the REF Radio its held by 4 more screws and must be removed.
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Step 5: Install REC bracket, this CAME with my bezel kit, it wasnt a mistake, the MOPAR bezel kit included it, too bad I got the bracket from the dealer first, I now have a spare, at least it was only $5
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Step 6; Install REC radio, plug and play really just the reverse of the removal of the old. only differnce is the mounting of the GPS antenna.
Step 7: Install GPS antenna, it actually can go anywhere inside the dash, it has a long cable. Orientation is very important, it needs to be mounted upright, I first put it sideways and it was all screwd up, had me on wrong roads wrong direction, etc. I put mine inside the airduct just clearing the bezel, it cant be seen and works great. The antenna had double sided tape to attach it, hopefully it doesnt come loose.
Step 8: Reconnect Neg batt terminal and powered up to test, worked fine, woohoo!!
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Step 9: Attach HVAC and Hazard controls to new bezel. I attached the hazard assembly first as it could be removed from the car. Attaching the HVAC controls was just as tedious as removing it due to such little slack.
Step 10: Reattached bezels working from top down, replaced shifter knob.
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Thats all, didnt take long even working slowly and carefully, It did a neat thing too, on first power up it showed a Chrysler logo on the screen, oh well. must have been pulled out of a 300 or something (it was reconditioned) when I cranked the car, the screen went out and came back with the Dodge emblem!! Must have pulled the vechicle ID from the ECU or something, way cool! NAV works great! Aside from that, I got some cool new features, 6 Disc MP3 player, Station/Artist/Song Title readout for my Sirius (That worked too without any reprogramming), RDS for FM radio, and my favorite part, a vehicle maintenence menu, The service interval of tasks like oil change, tire rotation, etc are entered and tracked. Once they come due, the unit will prompt that the particular maintence is necessary. Should be quite helpful
rmurad38
Step 1: Disconnect NEG batt terminal. Remove shift knob, there is a small clip at the base of the shifter that pulls down one release, the knob pulls up and off without issue (only a single hand required)
Step 2: Once removed the lower shift bezel must be removed, I gently pried with a butter knife to raise it slightly and left no marks. A firm tug at that point released it. Prying/tugging was required to remove the main bezel but it did come off fairly easy.
Step 3: this was probably the least fun, removal of the hazard flasher control/ HVAC controls. The HVAC controls are attached to the bezel not the dash! they are attached to the car by cables with not so much slack, the hazard assembly is held by 4 screws as are the HVAC controls, just requires patience and maneuvering to get them removed.
Step 4: Remove Radio (REF) this was nothing special, 4 screws to remove and 2 plugs plus the antenna. Once removed, inside the dash is a metal support bracket for the REF Radio its held by 4 more screws and must be removed.
Step 5: Install REC bracket, this CAME with my bezel kit, it wasnt a mistake, the MOPAR bezel kit included it, too bad I got the bracket from the dealer first, I now have a spare, at least it was only $5
Step 6; Install REC radio, plug and play really just the reverse of the removal of the old. only differnce is the mounting of the GPS antenna.
Step 7: Install GPS antenna, it actually can go anywhere inside the dash, it has a long cable. Orientation is very important, it needs to be mounted upright, I first put it sideways and it was all screwd up, had me on wrong roads wrong direction, etc. I put mine inside the airduct just clearing the bezel, it cant be seen and works great. The antenna had double sided tape to attach it, hopefully it doesnt come loose.
Step 8: Reconnect Neg batt terminal and powered up to test, worked fine, woohoo!!
Step 9: Attach HVAC and Hazard controls to new bezel. I attached the hazard assembly first as it could be removed from the car. Attaching the HVAC controls was just as tedious as removing it due to such little slack.
Step 10: Reattached bezels working from top down, replaced shifter knob.
Thats all, didnt take long even working slowly and carefully, It did a neat thing too, on first power up it showed a Chrysler logo on the screen, oh well. must have been pulled out of a 300 or something (it was reconditioned) when I cranked the car, the screen went out and came back with the Dodge emblem!! Must have pulled the vechicle ID from the ECU or something, way cool! NAV works great! Aside from that, I got some cool new features, 6 Disc MP3 player, Station/Artist/Song Title readout for my Sirius (That worked too without any reprogramming), RDS for FM radio, and my favorite part, a vehicle maintenence menu, The service interval of tasks like oil change, tire rotation, etc are entered and tracked. Once they come due, the unit will prompt that the particular maintence is necessary. Should be quite helpful
rmurad38
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