Truck Stereo Head Unit

[Grant H.]

So, I haven't bought a new stereo head unit in more than a decade, and the Kenwood I have in my Dodge has died.

So, for anyone on here that has done something with car audio more recently than me, I would appreciate some guidance on finding a new deck for the truck.

Looking for the following:
- Double Din, Touch screen - capacitive preferred
- Bluetooth Streaming Audio
- Bluetooth Phone Calls - needs an external microphone as my truck didn't come with BT originally
- Needs at least one pre-amp out to feed the sub, if it has a dedicated sub pre-amp out, that's even better

I have played with a Kenwood touch screen from ~2016, and the Bluetooth functionality is janky at best. Connecting, streaming audio, etc is all haphazard and difficult. I don't want that kind of headache. I just want it to be functional. Autoconnect to the phone as long as I have bluetooth on, etc.

Anyone have a recommendation?

[BPTactical]

I had a Kenwood DDX unit in my F350 and loved it, don’t recall the number but I snagged it from CarToys in 2018 as an open box unit for $200. I do know it was a higher end unit and I was very happy with it.
Connectivity was great when I did use BT but I hard linked most of the time.
Navigation was great and the HD radio wasn’t bad, it was great traveling across Wy to see Mom and when HD dropped out Pandora picked up well. The only place it dropped out was about a 20 mile spot between Muddy Gap and Lander.
With the Maestro link it linked in very well with the trucks systems, I was able to select through 2 different truck function screens with features such as EGT, actual tranny temp, actual volts etc. it was a really great system. My only gripe was occasionally I would have to “re pair” the unit with the truck systems. No big deal just a matter of shutting the truck off and re linking it but when your blazing down the highway at 80mph you really don’t want to turn the truck off.

I pulled it out when I traded the truck in for my ‘19.
I re installed it into my camping trailer and i have audiophile quality sound in my camper.
Give Kenwood another look.
If it wasn’t for the amount of integration with the entire truck I would put another Kenwood in my ‘20.

[Great-Kazoo]

Touch screen brand is your choice. As for microphone, all the aftermarket's have external mic's now, along with a port for a sd card.

[ChadAmberg]

Give Kenwood another look.
If it wasn’t for the amount of integration with the entire truck I would put another Kenwood in my ‘20.

Yeah I put in a Kenwood DDX396 in my truck, works great, bluetooth is perfect in it. I even play movies, got Blazing Saddles on it now.

[TheNash]

Have you considered looking at crutchfield. https://www.crutchfield.com/
Call them if you have questions and they will give you the best options in the price range you want. Also they will let you know what you need to have and install the head unit with and there are options for that also.

[Little Dutch]

Have you considered looking at crutchfield. https://www.crutchfield.com/
Call them if you have questions and they will give you the best options in the price range you want. Also they will let you know what you need to have and install the head unit with and there are options for that also.

Their website is excellent and will tell you which units fit your dash, what you may need for harnesses and other wiring, tools, etc. Crutchfield is where I’d start.

[BPTactical]

Crutchfield for the win.
I have bought all of the speakers for our vehicles from them, the soundbar for the house as well.
They have been extremely helpful and knowledgeable when I have spoken with them.
I just put FOCAL speakers in my truck yesterday from them, considering a small amp next.

[ray1970]

I have used Crutchfield a bunch in the past and highly recommend them.

Been a while but back when I bought from them they always threw in the installation kits and wiring harness adapters for free.

I might actually be in the market for a head unit or two in the near future myself. The one in my truck quits working on really hot days and if we don?t get my wife a new vehicle soon then I might just upgrade hers.

[Grant H.]

Yeah, crutchfield is where I have spent most of my time browsing HU's and then looking elsewhere for reviews/hands on/etc.

I'm glad to hear that Kenwood has likely fixed their BT issues. The one in the old work truck was a serious PITA.

Currently the truck just needs a new head unit. In my previous truck, I had a full system with Infinity Kappa Surrounds, Infinity Kappa 5 channel amp, and a JLA W3 in a custom box, blah, blah, blah... On and on and on it went. It sounded great, but it was way the hell too much work. Especially in this truck (diesel, turned up, Dual Disk Clutch, etc) bothering with that isn't necessary.

I should actually only need the HU and mounting solution as I already have the vehicle wiring harness and antenna adapter, which is nice because Crutchfield is now trying to sell me on $170 worth of install gear to maintain steering wheel controls that I never had.

I appreciate the input!

[newracer]

Check Amazon before you buy, the unit I bought was significantly cheaper than Crutchfeild.

[Martinjmpr]

Another upvote for Crutchfield. It's been 4 years since I had to install a car stereo but I've always been impressed by Crutchfield's customer service. They were always able to walk me through the process and didn't laugh at me for making a dumb mistake. IMO it's worth paying a few bucks more for Crutchfield vs Amazon or eBay just because you know if you get into trouble you can call them (I think up until 7:00 PM MST) and they will walk you through every step in order to get installed, even if it means they're on the phone with you for 45 minutes.

[Grant H.]

Welp... I bought a Kenwood...

Crutchfield had a DMX706s Scratch/Dent that was in stock and 50% off. Apparently it's only missing the factory box and the remote. I never use the remote for my current HU, so that wasn't a big deal.

The sad thing is, it's going to make it home before I do... One more project on top of the Router and everything else that I have to get moving on again.