# Replace radio **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** dodge, ram50\ **Created:** [January 20, 2013, 8:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-radio/76806 "2013-01-20T08:04:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JP07](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e36b37/32.png) [@JP07](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JP07)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 8:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-radio/76806/1 "2013-01-20T08:04:04Z")
I have a 2006 Ram 1500 pick-up. The CD player is not working, it will not open. I am on a tight budget and would like to repair/replace it as economically as possible. It is a factory installed single CD, AM/FM radio. How do I remove it? Do I have to replace it with one from the Ram dealer, or can I look for a bargain somewhere else? How do I know what will or will not fit? Obviously, I know very little about this and need help. THANKS JP07 ---
**Author:** ![americar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/americar/32/42_2.png) [@americar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/americar)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 8:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-radio/76806/2 "2013-01-20T08:16:39Z")
You could probably pick up an exact replacement at a salvage yard for cheap ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 8:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-radio/76806/3 "2013-01-20T08:20:18Z")
Go to [tirerack.com](http://tirerack.com) (EDIT I meant [Crutchfield.com](http://Crutchfield.com)), they’ll have various options, and they come with instructions and adapters to hook up the replacements. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 10:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-radio/76806/4 "2013-01-20T10:38:58Z")
I would look on ebay for a factory cd player. I would look on [crutchfield.com](http://crutchfield.com) for an aftermarket unit. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 10:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-radio/76806/5 "2013-01-20T10:49:54Z")
I second crutchfield; the prices are a bit higher, but they send instructions and adapters to DIY, so that saves money. Before the era of www, I used circuit city once since they gave free installation with some of the units on sale. I believe best buy does that too. ---
**Author:** ![JP07](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e36b37/32.png) [@JP07](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JP07)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-radio/76806/6 "2013-01-26T18:48:03Z")
I am new to the site and appreciate all the help. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-radio/76806/7 "2013-01-26T19:43:22Z")
I found Crutchfield prices very reasonable when you add in the FREE wiring…FREE shipping…FREE panel kit if needed. ---
**Author:** ![oblivion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ab097/32.png) [@oblivion](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oblivion)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 11:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-radio/76806/8 "2013-01-26T23:02:01Z")
ebay for a factory unit or Crutchfield for a better replacement and wiring kit. Crutchfield is a little more expensive than some, but as MikeInNH mentioned, they generally give you free shipping, wiring, and accessories. Their staff also has pictures and measurements of most cars’ dashes and they can tell you within a fraction of an inch whether the unit you’re considering will fit and if you need to do any tricks to make auxiliary amps, etc. work with it. On most Chrysler vehicles you just pry off the trip plate and remove 2-4 screws to take out the radio. Some have security screws that make it a little more difficult, but a little creativity with a close screwdriver or pliers usually can overcome this. ---
**Author:** ![98caddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/bb73d2/32.png) [@98caddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/98caddy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 11:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-radio/76806/9 "2013-01-26T23:39:03Z")
Does this vehicle have the VIN matching feature where the factory radio won’t operate if moved to another vehicle? If so, then a used factory radio won’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 12:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-radio/76806/10 "2013-01-27T00:53:53Z")
There are no security features in these factory radios. If purcasing a used radio it must be 2006 or newer (Ram) to be CAN bus equipped, 2005 and older won’t work.