Dash Kits and Radio Interfaces Explained: Metra, iDatalink Maestro and PAC (Keep Your Steering Wheel Controls)

A new stereo usually needs three things besides the radio: a dash kit so it fits the opening, a wiring harness, and often an interface that keeps the steering wheel controls and factory features. Metra dash kits like the 95-3305 (GM) and 95-5812 (Ford) fit a 4-inch-tall receiver. An iDatalink Maestro RR or RR2 keeps steering wheel controls and can show vehicle info on compatible screens. PAC RadioPRO interfaces keep the factory amp and steering wheel controls on select GM, Volkswagen and Audi vehicles. Which parts your car needs depends on the year and trim, so we confirm them before the install.

Car audio · October 7, 2026 · Audio MotorSports, Carson

The parts behind a stereo install

The dash kit fills the factory opening around the new radio. The harness connects the radio to the car's wiring without cutting it. An interface talks to the car's data network so features like steering wheel controls, chimes or the factory amp keep working. Some kits, like the Metra 99-5839CH for the 2010-2014 Mustang, include the interface and harness, per their listings.

Every part here is on our listings, and we install stereos in our own bay at 22025 S Avalon Blvd Ste A in Carson. Shop by vehicle names the Metra kit for many cars; pick your year to see it.

Side by side

This table is built only from our own product listings. "Select" means the listing covers some models and years, so we confirm your car.

Dash kits and radio interfaces on our listings, with the vehicles and features each listing names.

Part	What it is	Vehicles per the listing	What it keeps or adds
Metra 95-3305	Double-DIN dash kit	Many 2006-2023 GM vehicles	Fits a 4-inch-tall receiver; harness and antenna parts separate
Metra 95-5812	Double-DIN dash kit	Many 2004-2019 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles	Fits a 4-inch-tall receiver; harness and antenna parts separate
Metra 95-5820B / 95-5820HG	Double-DIN dash kit (matte black or high gloss)	2009-2014 Ford F-150 Regular Cab, SuperCab and SuperCrew	Fits a 4-inch-tall touchscreen receiver; harness and antenna parts separate
Metra 99-5839CH	Dash kit with a touchscreen for climate	2010-2014 Ford Mustang	Includes antenna adapter, Axxess interface and wiring harness
Metra 99-5838CH	Dash kit with a touchscreen for climate	2015-2023 Ford Mustang with the factory 4.2-inch screen	Keeps the steering wheel controls; climate info and driver menus on the touchscreen
iDatalink Maestro RR	Radio replacement interface	Needs the vehicle-specific Maestro harness	Keeps steering wheel controls; can show gauges, tire pressure and vehicle info on compatible screens
iDatalink Maestro RR2	Radio replacement interface (second generation)	Coverage for more recent vehicles; needs the vehicle harness	Keeps steering wheel controls and factory features
iDatalink KIT-MUS2	Maestro vehicle kit	Select Ford Mustang models	Dash and harness parts that pair with a Maestro RR or RR2
iDatalink KIT-CAM1	Maestro vehicle kit	Select Chevrolet Camaro models	Harness and parts that pair with a Maestro RR or RR2
PAC RP5-GM11	RadioPRO interface	Select 2000-2014 GM Class II vehicles, including many Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe and Yukon models	Keeps OnStar, chimes, the factory amp and steering wheel controls
PAC RP5-GM31 / RP5-GM51	RadioPRO interface	Select GM vehicles	Keeps the factory amp and steering wheel controls
PAC RP4-VW11	RadioPRO interface	Select Volkswagen and Audi vehicles	Keeps steering wheel controls and factory functions
PAC AP4-GM61	AmpPRO amplifier interface	Select GM vehicles with a factory amplified system	Lets aftermarket gear work with the premium system
PAC AP4-CH41	AmpPRO amplifier interface	Select Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles with a factory amplified system	Lets aftermarket gear work with the premium system
PAC RPK4-FD2101	Radio replacement kit (radio sold separately)	2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Super Duty	5.2-inch control screen for climate, cameras and settings; keeps factory cameras and steering wheel controls
PAC RPK4-CH4101	Radio replacement kit (radio sold separately)	2013-2018 Ram and 2019 Ram Classic	5.2-inch screen for climate, camera selection and vehicle settings

Keeping steering wheel controls and vehicle info

The Maestro RR2 is the second generation, with coverage for more recent vehicles. Both are flashed for your car and need its Maestro harness, and kits like the KIT-MUS2 (Mustang) and KIT-CAM1 (Camaro) add the vehicle-specific parts.

Receivers on our listings that list iDatalink Maestro compatibility include the Pioneer DMH-2000NEX, and JVC KW-M695BW, KW-M875BW, KW-V960BW and KW-Z1000W.

Factory amps, premium audio and trucks with big screens

PAC RadioPRO interfaces keep the factory amp and steering wheel controls: the RP5-GM11 for select 2000-2014 GM Class II vehicles also keeps OnStar and the chimes, and the RP4-VW11 covers select Volkswagen and Audi. PAC AmpPRO interfaces, the AP4-GM61 for GM and the AP4-CH41 for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, connect at the factory amplifier so new gear works with the premium system.

Some trucks moved climate and camera controls into the factory screen. The PAC RPK4-FD2101 for 2015-2019 F-150 and 2017-2019 Super Duty and the RPK4-CH4101 for 2013-2018 Ram and 2019 Ram Classic add a 5.2-inch control screen so a new radio can go in; the radio is sold separately. For cameras, see our backup camera guide.

How to get it right

Text us with your year, make, model and trim, and whether you have premium audio or a factory screen, and we will list the dash kit, harness and interface your car needs with the stereo.

Everything is bought and installed at the shop at 22025 S Avalon Blvd Ste A in Carson, and you can ask about our Payment Plan. Stock moves, so call us to confirm the parts are on the shelf before you drive over.

In the shop