After driving my truck for a year or so and moving to a new town, I decided that I liked having GPS assistance and my satellite radio. I also liked the HDD storage for MP3s and Bluetooth hands-free calling that in my wife’s van. So, I wanted to know if I could get that in my Dakota. All of that, with an auto-dimming mirror, had been an option on the prior year models. But, it was even offered on the 2011. To further complicate things, FCA updated their navigation radio and transitioned the 730N to the RHR variant.
My aftermarket options were slim. No aftermarket head unit that I could find had Bluetooth, SiriusXM, HDD storage, and GPS navigation all built into a single unit. To find all three, I would need at least two parts. Even the Mopar options could include two parts if I wanted to step down to the 430N for navigation, HDD storage and satellite radio. To go with Mopar’s 430N option would require getting the Bluetooth module and a trip to the dealership to get the sales codes updated.
So, to get what I wanted, I would need to go either aftermarket with multiple pieces or get the 730N with auto-dimming mirror combination. (Mirror comes with built-in microphones for the hands-free calling and voice control.) Unfortunately, no one could confirm that this would work because it seemed that no one had done it yet.
It does work, quite well actually. So, here's my how-to. I'll post it in a series of entries.
My aftermarket options were slim. No aftermarket head unit that I could find had Bluetooth, SiriusXM, HDD storage, and GPS navigation all built into a single unit. To find all three, I would need at least two parts. Even the Mopar options could include two parts if I wanted to step down to the 430N for navigation, HDD storage and satellite radio. To go with Mopar’s 430N option would require getting the Bluetooth module and a trip to the dealership to get the sales codes updated.
So, to get what I wanted, I would need to go either aftermarket with multiple pieces or get the 730N with auto-dimming mirror combination. (Mirror comes with built-in microphones for the hands-free calling and voice control.) Unfortunately, no one could confirm that this would work because it seemed that no one had done it yet.
It does work, quite well actually. So, here's my how-to. I'll post it in a series of entries.