I want to buy a navigation system but I want it to mount in the dash. Where should I go to find one and what model should I buy?
Would it be possible to get one that I can transfer into an 08 if I decide to get rid of the 04 in the next year?

 

This is the stock navigation system my truck came with.

http://www.rb4navigation.com/support.asp

 

There are a pile of aftermarket In-dash units. Clarion, Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, Eclipse just to name a few. The biggest "in" thing is that the nav info stuff is located on an internal hard drive instead of begin on a DVD. This allows more room for map info such as Points Of Interest and such. Also a lot of these manufacturers are using name-brand gps's. Meaning companies like Garmin, and Navteq provide all the GPS info, so they are very good quality units. Then there are the other features like dual zone sound support, Ipod support, DVD movies, backup-camera, bluetooth and so on.

Personally, i like the looks and features of a couple of the Clarion models, but check em all out.

 

Don't buy a combination nav, radio, cd player, etc. You won't be happy when they won't create any new maps for the 1500+ unit and it becomes more and more worthless as time goes on. Just buy a separate and inexpensive stand alone unit, then when it become obsolete you won't have to replace, the radio, cd-player, etc too.
These combo units remind me of the 1960's and 70's when people bought those big clunky entertainment centers. You know the TV, radio, tape player, phono player in one unit. A big piece of furniture than when one item when out on it, you had to throw the whole thing out.

Try and get a in dash unit with video, then use a remote GPS that will plug into the video. Best of both worlds and you can replace the GPS when it goes obsolete. Same with the in dash radio, video unit too, just replace the radio/video unit when it goes out and keep the GPS. Think components and you'll be good to go.

P.S. the RB4 is not update able anymore. i.e. not more maps or software updates. yes, it is a combo unit that came from the factory.

 

Where would I find such a unit? As you can see, I'm a little technically challanged (I can swing a mean hammer though)

 

Really the only advantages of the in-dash system are the clean look, it ties into your radio and bluetooth to auto mute, and in Minnesota and California it is illegal to mount the GPS units to the windshield or on the dash (yep, can you believe it?). Owning both types of units the stock in dash system was a waste of money. The windshield mounted unit, NUVI 350, that I have is more user friendly, has way more options, was way less expensive, can be used in any vehicle, and is easy to update (and the update is free).

 

Yours is a UNVI 350, what brand is that? Who sells it? How big is the screen?
the main reason I wanted an in-dash model is clean looking and moreover, a bigger screen. I don't want to be squinting at a 3 or 4 inch screen all the time.

 

Your going to have to do some custom fab work to get a in dash nav unit to fit in an 04 but if you go up to an 08 it will fit like cake with acouple of parts from the dealer. There are acouple of people around here that have put double din nav units in there 04-06, here is a pic of how mine turned out.

Im not fully done with it, I plan on pulling off the carbon fiber vynil and using body filler to smoth out the top part and paint to match, but that wont happen tell I get a lot more free time.
JW

 

I found because of the location of the windshield mount the 3.5-4 inch flatscreen they come with works fine. The NUVIs are a very popular brand, they are sold at Best buy, Circuit city, even Walmart. They have newer models out with even larger screens, some come with blue tooth wirless for your phone and a ton of other options). They cost $300-$600 or so....

 

I've had the factory units and would not go back with them. Either the RB1 or the REC. Both have many problems and are not cheap to begin with. I'll go with a stand alone next time, or just use my laptop with a Garmin program.

Chris

 

I've had a pioneer Avic-n2 in my truck since I bought the truck. pioneer has upgrade dvds that they release every year. I'm gonna run mine til it dies, and so far no problems.