Radio stack Late model Durango..

[giguchan]

Hey Gang,
Anyone here have a Havis box with some radio goodness installed in their Durango? Pro/cons? ease of installation? difficulty?
I will be changing vehicles and are considering this truck.Like chevy I think that havis has boxes that will accommodate the stick shift.
I'm starting to see more and more public service vehicles made out of the Durango- so i am thinking that it won't be that difficult.
Thanks!

 

[mmckenna]

The Durangos were in use locally for a while. They were generally disliked due to vehicle wiring problems. That wasn't aftermarket radio/light issue, it was the stock vehicle having a lot of issues with the factory wiring. They've all been removed from service and no longer on the road.

The products are still out there, and installing should be easy. Just make sure the vehicle you buy gets checked out for issues.

 

[AK9R]

This console from Havis is designed for installation in "retail" Durangos. It accommodates the console shifter.

In my area, a few agencies have tried Durangos, but the numbers are small compared to the Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer) and Dodge Charger Pursuit. My local PD is almost exclusively Ford PIUs with a few Chevy Tahoes. Conversely, my local sheriff department is almost exclusively Dodge Chargers with a couple Durangos and Tahoes, but no Fords. Indiana State Police seems heavily biased towards Chargers with a few Tahoes.

One quirk about the Durango...Do you know where the battery is? It's in a well under the front passenger seat. There's a carpeted plastic panel that covers the well.

 

[giguchan]

Thanks for the replies,
All of the information you have provided is VERY helpful. I thought about the BIG Tahoe but it's kinda big To tell you the truth the previous body style Tahoes were perfect.Lots of FD'S around here on Long Island used them. I would've fount a new body style Tahoe but(call me very petty) I cannot stand the beam running down the middle of the Roof!! Thats where antennas are supposed to go!!

Instead i see those little tiny low profile antennas that every installer is mounting to the rear of the roof I guess they don't require a ground plane.It also makes it easier for the installer..I don't know how these would work as well for Amateur use Most machines dont have multiple sites all over the place.

I have a little while to go before i am ready.. I should also mention that i tow a small bass boat and a jetski. The Chevy i'm sure has a better towing capacity than the Durango. I am going to have a look at the console also.


NOTE: This console currently does not have provisions for relocating OEM rear controls or extending ductwork in Retail or SSV console.
THIS might be an issue...

Thanks again!!

 

[TGuelker]

wiring problems

As a retired mechanic, I can verify this. When I was working, most Chrysler products used a TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) that everything interfaces with. There was an issue with the non-replaceable fuel pump relay inside the TIPM. Instead of replacing the $$$ TIPM, Chrysler offered a bypass kit that required cutting and soldering wires at the TIPM.
The TIPM is a high failure part and most dealers stock them. What better place to mount it than under the hood.

 

[AK9R]

This console currently does not have provisions for relocating OEM rear controls or extending ductwork in Retail or SSV console.

I think that's a CYA note from Havis. In the Durango, the rear HVAC controls are in the ceiling above the 2nd row, not in the console. There are also HVAC vents in the ceiling for 2nd and 3rd row passengers.

 

[giguchan]

Thanks again
These replies are very helpful.. helpful in steering me away from this truck and looking for another solution Maybe another older tahoe
I haven't heard too much about them.

 

[giguchan]

Hey guys,
I had to take my Company Cherokee in for service. I asked about the TIPM situation -and not that i doubted you guys for a Nano second They confirmed pretty much what you said. I wasn't able to pin down an exact year but i was told the very current models are not affected.
I am not looking on spending that kind of money anyhow. It's either going to be another older tahoe(not the current body shape but the series before)
I still see plenty of them on the road and in fair shape. I also know that they're easier to install also.

 

[radioman2001]

My first choice was for a new Tahoe SSV, but I was never able to find one from all the dealers I contacted (pre Covid), and didn't wan't to order one since I needed the vehicle now.
I have heard from an agency that I worked with that complained about wiring issues with the Durango, but the agency's fleet manager couldn't determine if it was because of the dismantling of the vehicle to install all the emergency equipment or not. His take on it was the installation or installers.
I have a purchased new (2020) Durango Pursuit, and have had zero issues with the vehicle. It's interesting that this Pursuit came with the center console, so I installed an O-5 and then an O-9 head which I can switch to 1 of 4 radios via a switch box. The battery under the seat to me is an asset as you don't have to punch holes in the firewall. Not an easy task these days, and there is more than plenty cubby space in the truck for all kinds of equipment if you don't intend to install an equipment rack of some type.
My only complaint was that the interior panels are designed/installed IMO upside down. You have to take them all out to get into the roof space. I do like the roof panel as it is a heavier guage that my Explorer Utility.
As far as choice in PD vehicles, it usually comes down to price and then preference. Where I moved to down South almost all cars are Chargers, as opposed to Explorers/Tarus (NLA) utility vehicles is a mix of all 3 brands. In the years I have been purchasing these type of cars, one year you will find a lot of "free" options or better interiors in a particular brand to lure you over. So YMMV.

 

[AK9R]

The battery under the seat to me is an asset as you don't have to punch holes in the firewall. Not an easy task these days, and there is more than plenty cubby space in the truck for all kinds of equipment if you don't intend to install an equipment rack of some type.

Is there a similar cubby opposite the battery under the drivers seat? I haven't been able to confirm whether it exists or not.

 

[BoxAlarm187]

I'm the fleet manager for our department (fire) and we have four Durangos in service, two 20's and two 22's. The sheriff's office also has about a dozen in service. Both agencies would add more, but they're getting incredibly scarce to find, so we purchased some Ford F150's instead (the SO went to Explorers). Hell, when we got our very first one a couple of years ago, I liked it so much, I got one as my POV, which I still put about 20k a year on. Anyway, back to the discussion, aside the scarcity of the Mopar product now, we've been very pleased with ours.

We use Havis consoles in ours and are very pleased with them. We don't load ours up with a ton of stuff (standard install is a Harris XL-200P tri-band mobile and a Whelen Core or Cencom siren amplifier and controller). I'll get some pics in a little while.

 

[radioman2001]

Quote"
Is there a similar cubby opposite the battery under the drivers seat? I haven't been able to confirm whether it exists or not.

Yes on the 2020 big enough for a mid power radio.

 

[giguchan]

Hey all,
Thank you so much for all of the replies. I am still in the shopping stages. I am tossing this up (still) between a semi late model Durango and the previous body shape Chevy Tahoe.
My company truck gets serviced at the local jeep/dodge dealership so i always hang around and ask questions.

When the time comes The Install will be 2-3 CDM heads( and a Scanner). I was also thinking of a dedicated Aviation (yeah, i'm one of them) radio but since i have no need to be transmitting i figured a Scanner will do what i need to do and save on console/roof real estate for antennas.

Lynbrook PD and Port Jeff Constables(NY) both utilize the Durango. I can get a look and see how everything is situated.
I assume that they have more equipment that will have when all is said and done.

Speaking of Antennas.. i like the idea of those low profile models. Not sure of how well they'll work in the fringes.. with an NMO topside
and a spare Rod antenna i'll be good to go when needed.
Thanks

 

[giguchan]

My first choice was for a new Tahoe SSV, but I was never able to find one from all the dealers I contacted (pre Covid), and didn't wan't to order one since I needed the vehicle now.
I have heard from an agency that I worked with that complained about wiring issues with the Durango, but the agency's fleet manager couldn't determine if it was because of the dismantling of the vehicle to install all the emergency equipment or not. His take on it was the installation or installers.
I have a purchased new (2020) Durango Pursuit, and have had zero issues with the vehicle. It's interesting that this Pursuit came with the center console, so I installed an O-5 and then an O-9 head which I can switch to 1 of 4 radios via a switch box. The battery under the seat to me is an asset as you don't have to punch holes in the firewall. Not an easy task these days, and there is more than plenty cubby space in the truck for all kinds of equipment if you don't intend to install an equipment rack of some type.
My only complaint was that the interior panels are designed/installed IMO upside down. You have to take them all out to get into the roof space. I do like the roof panel as it is a heavier guage that my Explorer Utility.
As far as choice in PD vehicles, it usually comes down to price and then preference. Where I moved to down South almost all cars are Chargers, as opposed to Explorers/Tarus (NLA) utility vehicles is a mix of all 3 brands. In the years I have been purchasing these type of cars, one year you will find a lot of "free" options or better interiors in a particular brand to lure you over. So YMMV.

Thank you very much.

I have heard about the pursuit. I am also glad to hear that the Roof is sturdy enough for antennas! I think the Battery in my company Cherokee is also located under one of the seats. I guess that make for an easier power connection.

I am curious to know whether the wiring issues were a factory thing or if the installers were the cause.
Going to keep an eye and ear out.
Thank you.

 

[mmckenna]

Speaking of Antennas.. i like the idea of those low profile models. Not sure of how well they'll work in the fringes..

Low profile UHF and higher antennas can work well. 1/4 wavelength on UHF is only 6" long, so shrinking that down into a pepper shaker size antenna isn't too much of an issue. It is less than ideal if you venture out unto the fringes, but not by a huge amount.

However…..

VHF? Don't waste your money.
They suck.

— and here goes my explanation of how bad they suck --

Everyone, and I do mean everyone, that I know who has purchased one of those has regretted it. I mean they hate them so much they throw them FAR away. They are very narrow in their useable bandwidth, like 1MHz. Horrible performance. Plus, you gotta drive around like a huge dork with a black soup can sitting on top of your vehicle. People that don't know what it is will point and laugh. People who do know what it is will point and laugh. The only people who will not point and laugh will be people that didn't notice you driving by, but they'll be ready next time.

Did I mention they suck? Seriously. The only application where they work:
You only need one frequency or very closely spaced frequencies.
You don't need to run much power
You have an extremely overbuilt radio system that will make up for the horrible antenna performance.
Or, you want people to point and laugh.

but seriously….
They do suck, and they cost a lot of money to suck that bad. You actually pay MORE for the suckage than a less sucky antenna. Why those things are still on the market is beyond me.

A 1/4 wave VHF will outperform it by a long shot and people won't point and laugh. Plus, the 1/4 wave is way lower profile. And they don't suck.

 

[mmckenna]

Did I tell you that they suck?

 

[AK9R]

I can get a look and see how everything is situated.

I wonder how they configure the rear hatch area. Civilian Durangos have a storage compartment below the floor of the rear hatch area. I don't have exact dimensions, but it appears to be about the size of a couple boot boxes.

 

[jhooten]

Quote"
Is there a similar cubby opposite the battery under the drivers seat? I haven't been able to confirm whether it exists or not.

There is one. In my SRT it was crammed full of electronics.

 

[radioman2001]

When I was still working the battery under the seat had become a common thing. All the Chevy vehicles we got had them.
I use low profile for 800 and 900 mhz antennas as the hi-gain antenna hits the garage door frame, and being as stiff as it is I worrry about bending the roof panel, and for VHF and UHF I use standard unity antenna's. Still not confident enough of the panel thickness to put a low band on the roof.
A few pics, sorry if they are a little dark as it is dark here right now. I couldnt get a decent pic of the roof line too dark. It also appears the double stick for the fuse panel came loose. I havn't been in that cubby since Dayton in May.

 

[wema628]

When I was still working the battery under the seat had become a common thing. All the Chevy vehicles we got had them.
I use low profile for 800 and 900 mhz antennas as the hi-gain antenna hits the garage door frame, and being as stiff as it is I worrry about bending the roof panel, and for VHF and UHF I use standard unity antenna's. Still not confident enough of the panel thickness to put a low band on the roof.
A few pics, sorry if they are a little dark as it is dark here right now. I couldnt get a decent pic of the roof line too dark. It also appears the double stick for the fuse panel came loose. I havn't been in that cubby since Dayton in May.

are you running all 4 radios through the 09 ?