Deciding to go for a 2013 ram 1500 radio upgrade will be honestly one associated with the best moves you can create if you're still driving this traditional truck. As the 2013 model was a massive step forward for your Ram brand in terms of interior quality and that smooth coil-spring ride, the infotainment tech didn't exactly age group like fine wines. Whether you have the tiny 3-inch basic display or the older 8. 4-inch Uconnect system, it probably feels like a relic from a various era. Today, all of us expect our trucks to play nice along with our phones, display us high-res maps, and maybe actually give us a decent backup camera see that doesn't resemble a pixelated mess.
Why the Share Radio Just Doesn't Cut It Anymore
Let's end up being real: back in 2013, having any kind of kind of touch screen was a huge deal. But by today's standards, the particular original hardware will be slow, the Wireless bluetooth connection is frequently flaky, and the particular navigation maps are likely years outdated. If you've ever tried to make use of the voice commands on a stock 2013 unit, you understand the struggle associated with screaming "Call Home" three times only for it to try and beat the radio to a random AM station.
The particular biggest motivator to have an upgrade is usually Apple company CarPlay and Android Auto . As soon as you get accustomed to having your Spotify, Google Maps, and text messages right there on the particular dash, there's zero going back. Much more the truck sense ten years more recent instantly. Plus, the particular 2013 Ram offers a pretty decent cabin, and a modern screen really surface finishes off the appearance of the middle stack.
Choosing Your way: The Main Upgrade Options
When you start researching a 2013 ram 1500 radio upgrade, you'll see you will find three major directions you can go. Each offers its advantages and disadvantages based on your spending budget and how much of a "factory look" you want to keep.
1. The Name-Brand Two times DIN
This particular is the traditional route. You buy a head device from a trustworthy company like Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, or Sony . These devices are incredibly dependable and sound amazing. To make this work, you'll need a dash kit that replaces the particular factory trim plus a wiring harness. The benefit here is longevity; these types of brands identified forever and their software program is polished. A person won't have in order to deal with odd crashes or buttons that don't work.
2. The particular "Tesla-Style" Vertical Displays
You've possibly seen these just about all over YouTube and Instagram. They are massive, 12-inch or even larger vertical displays that replace nearly the entire center bezel. They appear futuristic and certainly have a "wow" aspect. Most of these run upon the Android operating system, which indicates you can fundamentally install any app from the Have fun with Store. However, the word of extreme care: the software program can end up being a bit hit-or-miss. Some users enjoy them, while other people see them a little bit buggy in comparison to the Sony or Alpine unit.
3. The OEM+ Uconnect Swap
A few guys choose to keep everything strictly Mopar. It is achievable to swap in a newer Uconnect system from a 2018+ Ram that includes CarPlay. This particular is often the particular most expensive plus complicated route since it requires specific transformation harnesses and sometimes a bit associated with computer programming to have the truck to "recognize" the new radio. It looks 100% factory, though, which is a big plus for a few owners.
The Maestro RR: Your own New Closest friend
If you go with an aftermarket radio (like a Master or Kenwood), you absolutely have to look into the iDatalink Maestro RR . This small black box will be the "brain" that allows your new radio to talk to your pickup truck.
The particular 2013 Ram is "smart"—the radio often controls things like your climate configurations, heated seats, plus steering wheel buttons. If you just crack in an inexpensive radio without a proper interface, you'll lose those features. The Maestro RR keeps your steering wheel controls functioning and can actually display engine data, tire pressure, plus battery voltage perfect on your brand-new display. It makes the particular installation feel integrated rather than like an afterthought.
Dealing with the particular Climate Control Head ache
One issue that catches people off guard during a 2013 ram 1500 radio upgrade is the weather control situation. In some trim levels, the particular AC and heater controls are literally built into the radio bezel or managed through the screen.
If you have got the 8. 4-inch screen, your AIR CONDITIONING controls are likely digital. What this means is you need a mind unit that facilitates on-screen climate regulates. Most high-end aftermarket replacement radios do this now, but you have got to make sure your dash package (like one from Scosche or Metra) includes the required buttons or that the brand-new screen is big enough to manage the interface. Don't overlook this, or you might find your self unable to switch on the defroster in the middle of winter!
The particular Installation: DIY or Pro?
Could it be hard to set up a new radio in a 2013 Ram? Not really, however it requires endurance. The dash arrives apart fairly very easily with just the few screws (mostly hidden behind the particular "12V" and "USB" tabs or beneath the rubber mat along with the dash).
The real challenge is the particular wires . If you buy from a place that provides pre-wired harnesses, it's mostly plug-and-play. In case you're splicing cables yourself, it may get overwhelming quickly. In case you aren't comfy pulling panels off your dash or even managing a dozen different colored wires, there's no shame in taking it to a nearby audio shop. These people can usually hit it out within a couple associated with hours.
Boosting Your Sound Whilst You're At This
If you're already tearing the dash apart regarding a 2013 ram 1500 radio upgrade, it's the perfect time to believe about the loudspeakers. The factory loudspeakers within the 2013 versions are okay, yet they're often produced of cheap papers cones that dry out over time.
Also a mid-range place of 6x9s in the doors and several 3. 5-inch dash speakers can make a world associated with difference. A brand-new head unit usually provides more energy and better equalization than the share radio, so your music will noise cleaner and punchier even without incorporating a massive subwoofer box under the back seat.
Essential Features to Look For
Whenever you're shopping regarding that new head unit, keep the checklist of such "must-haves": * Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto: Have faith in me, not getting to plug your own phone in every time you leap in the pickup truck for a five-minute drive is worth the extra $50. * Capacitive Touchscreen: Look with regard to "capacitive" rather compared to "resistive. " This feels like the smartphone screen (glass) instead of an older GPS (plastic that will you have to press hard). * Back-up Camera Input: In case your pickup truck didn't have a camera, now is the particular time to add one particular. You can get a camera that will integrates into the tail gate handle for any very clean look. * Multiple USB Ports: One with regard to your phone and maybe one for a passenger or the thumb drive full of music.
Final Thoughts on the Upgrade
Spending the money upon a 2013 ram 1500 radio upgrade is one particular of those rare adjustments where you feel the particular benefit all the time a person drive. It gets rid of that "old car" frustration and supercedes it with modern convenience. You get better navigation, better security through hands-free getting in touch with, and significantly much better sound quality.
The 2013 Ram 1500 is a fantastic truck that still appears great on the highway today. Giving the interior a tech facelift ensures that you'll be happy behind the wheel another 100, 000 miles. Just do your homework around the wiring harness and the climate handle compatibility, and you'll be golden. It's a weekend project that completely transforms the driving experience.