It's easy, takes about an hour. It's simple:

Want to keep Sync? Use idatalink Maestro and a compatible radio.
Don't give a flip about Sync? Use the one from Pac I used in my how-to thread I linked.

It really is that easy.

You can use Crutchfield.com to make it even easier on yourself.

 

What do you do when the climate control is integrated into the stock touch screen and you want to upgrade the head unit? Specifically to update the Navigation without having to buy disks every year.

 

Maestro now makes the faceplate that has the climate controls and gives a single or double din option. You can get it from Crutchfield

 

Went on Crutchfield's website and they said that they do not recommend changing the stereo system in my truck. Bummer

 

Honestly don't really use sync but would like to keep it. Want to stay away from PAC. I just keep going back and forth on head units now! Don't wanna spend more than 300$. So since I rarely use nav I was thinking maybe a radio with hdmi so I could just plug my iPhone in and use my (heremaps) app for navigation when I neeed it. But keep going back to the pioneer x2700bs, can't decide but need to soon!