does anyone know if the 08 nav will be compatable in the 07, i want to swap them when they come out

does anyone know if the 08 nav will be compatable in the 07, i want to swap them when they come out

No, they will not be compatable.

From wkjeeps.com:

The RER navigation radio is not compatible with the following vehicles:
2006 and prior models

2007 models except Wrangler, Nitro, Sebring and Avenger

2008 models (partial list):

Chrysler PT Cruiser
Dodge Ram
Dodge Viper


http://www.wkjeeps.com/wk_nav_2.htm

I wonder why they say that you can't retrofit the head unit?
It's just a head unit.

I wonder if this means the Jeep GC is getting new interior for 2008?

No, they will not be compatable.

From wkjeeps.com:

The RER navigation radio is not compatible with the following vehicles:
2006 and prior models

2007 models except Wrangler, Nitro, Sebring and Avenger

2008 models (partial list):

Chrysler PT Cruiser
Dodge Ram
Dodge Viper


http://www.wkjeeps.com/wk_nav_2.htm

That is one bad ass navi unit i want that so bad. they would be smart to come out with a conversion kit

I wonder why they say that you can't retrofit the head unit?
It's just a head unit.

I wonder if this means the Jeep GC is getting new interior for 2008?


No, it is NOT just a headunit. It requires a completely different CANBUS bitrate. It requires almost double the bandwith than is currently availible on the 2007 and prior models.

No, it is NOT just a headunit. It requires a completely different CANBUS bitrate. It requires almost double the bandwith than is currently availible on the 2007 and prior models.

Can you explain this so the average guy will understand?

I'm dead serious.
I'm not being smart ass.

Thanks.

i think the gist of it is that the new unit is alot more tied into the car's electronics. DCX has begun using a new data network in their cars (they started with the all-new models this year... Nitro, Sebring, etc) allowing all the different computer modules in the car to communicate at higher speed

Can you explain this so the average guy will understand?

I'm dead serious.
I'm not being smart ass.

Thanks.

The internal "network" that the 2007 and prior SRT8 GC's use operates at a much slower "bitrate" or speed, approximatly 88 KB/s. Also, it is bandwith limited, meaning that only so much information can go through these "pipes" at one time. ALL of the vehicles information runs through this network. This network is called CANBUS.

In the 2008 SRT8 GC's, Chrysler is using a new CANBUS network that operates at a much higher speed, approximatly 300 KB/s. Almost 3 times the speed and with much wider "pipes" to allow more information to flow through the system. This wider, faster network is needed for the MyGig radio and newer vehicle electronics.


So the MyGig will not function on 2007 and prior models, but I'm sure it's not completely impossible if someone spent enough time, money, and effort.

I assume "My Gig" is a hard drive built into the head unit.
So, I assume that all the electronics are encased in the head unit.

I assume the only thing the head unit needs to "communicate" with is the speakers.

So why would the bit rate of the onboard electronics matter?

I assume "My Gig" is a hard drive built into the head unit.
So, I assume that all the electronics are encased in the head unit.

I assume the only thing the head unit needs to "communicate" with is the speakers.

So why would the bit rate of the onboard electronics matter?
navigation units need to communicate with various parts of the car. the GPS uses the vehicle speed sensors both to make the mapping more accurate and to confirm that you are not moving before it lets you punch in an address. not sure about the Jeep nav, but the one in my infiniti also gives me distance to empty, instant gas mileage readout, and "Service Engine" type messages on my screen, so it may need to communicate with those sensors. it needs to send the digital audio signal to the amplifier, where it is then converted to standard audio and sent to the speakers. it may also need to send the audio/video digitally to the rear seat entertainment system. the bluetooth system is integrated into the MyGig unit, so it would need to communicate with the microphone and the audio system for that as well. finally, it may communicate digitally with the Sirius antenna for the sat radio and satellite traffic updates.

not to mention, the connection itself (the physical "plug") on the back just may be radically different. you might then need to make some sort of frankenstein wiring harness to adapt it to the old 06-07 style connection. if such a harness could be made, it still might just be flat out incompatable and refuse to work.

i'm not saying it wont work, just pointing out that it might not be as simple as dropping it in and connecting a few wires. and finally, if it were a simple drop in affair, why wouldn't chrysler be introducing their amazing new MyGig as an option across the board on ALL their vehicles... why are the only models getting it the ones with the new can-bus?

...not to mention, the connection itself (the physical "plug") on the back just may be radically different. you might then need to make some sort of frankenstein wiring harness to adapt it to the old 06-07 style connection. if such a harness could be made, it still might just be flat out incompatable and refuse to work...
The new radio uses two 20-pin connectors plus a 10-pin (50 total) vs the earlier style 20+10. Internal engineering did come up with a custom harness for testing purposes (for a 2006 PT Cruiser I believe) but it also required a custom CAN conversion box. Not sure why they did this but don't believe they will come out with any sort of conversion kit for older models.

navigation units need to communicate with various parts of the car. the GPS uses the vehicle speed sensors both to make the mapping more accurate and to confirm that you are not moving before it lets you punch in an address. not sure about the Jeep nav, but the one in my infiniti also gives me distance to empty, instant gas mileage readout, and "Service Engine" type messages on my screen, so it may need to communicate with those sensors. it needs to send the digital audio signal to the amplifier, where it is then converted to standard audio and sent to the speakers. it may also need to send the audio/video digitally to the rear seat entertainment system. the bluetooth system is integrated into the MyGig unit, so it would need to communicate with the microphone and the audio system for that as well. finally, it may communicate digitally with the Sirius antenna for the sat radio and satellite traffic updates.

not to mention, the connection itself (the physical "plug") on the back just may be radically different. you might then need to make some sort of frankenstein wiring harness to adapt it to the old 06-07 style connection. if such a harness could be made, it still might just be flat out incompatable and refuse to work.

i'm not saying it wont work, just pointing out that it might not be as simple as dropping it in and connecting a few wires. and finally, if it were a simple drop in affair, why wouldn't chrysler be introducing their amazing new MyGig as an option across the board on ALL their vehicles... why are the only models getting it the ones with the new can-bus?
man, i thought I was smart.

and finally, if it were a simple drop in affair, why wouldn't chrysler be introducing their amazing new MyGig as an option across the board on ALL their vehicles... why are the only models getting it the ones with the new can-bus?

Maybe because they made/bought X amount of the old units, or have contracts with the company that bulds the head units, which they have to sell out before rolling out the new ones. Stuff like this happens with other auto manufacturers (Honda/Acura). I am sure Jeep is similar.