2014 8.4N vs 2015 8.4N

Just curious .

I have noticed a couple differences between the two.


The 2015 has a little different layout on the satellite radio. And, the Back up Camera is a lot more "colorful". Is it just a software update or is they're someone different between the two?

I have a 2014 big horn with the 8.4A with no camera originally. Truck had all the other things I wanted so added the back up camera. Are the guidance lines more colorful.. or is the overall image sharper? Wondering since apparently no 2014 updates are available. Yet anyway.

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From what I understand.. The software is different for sure. The hardware was taken apart by someone and found to be identical, at least that's what was said. The 2015 software includes a model year and part check validation in the "system_check" module that will not allow you to install the 2015 software on a 2014 radio, or any radio that's not in the parts list below. The radio will function, just wont update. I have re-written the System_check module to bypass this, but unless I find a way to sign the .iso update file, ill never get to install it. Don't know this will ever happen..

I have a part# 68238619AA (From Jeep Grand Cherokee) and it wont let me update it.

Here is the system check module code..

system_check =
{
name = "SYSTEM CHECK",
installer = "system_module_check",
market_env_name = "VARIANT_MARKET",
variant_market = "NA",
product_env_name = "VARIANT_PRODUCT",
variant_product = "VP4",
model_year_env_name = "VARIANT_MODELYEAR",
model_year = "MY15",
iso_full_hash_type = "sha256"
}

And here are the part numbers listed (mine is the Bold one so i know its supported)

-- MY14.5 UF V2
ecu_part_number["68190253"] = "68190253AH" -- MY14.5 VP3 MEX
ecu_part_number["68190259"] = "68190259AH" -- MY14.5 VP4 MEX
ecu_part_number["68190256"] = "68190256AD" -- MY14.5 VP3 NA
ecu_part_number["68190260"] = "68190260AH" -- MY14.5 VP4 NA
ecu_part_number["68190264"] = "68190264AH" -- MY14.5 VP3 CAN
ecu_part_number["68190263"] = "68190263AH" -- MY14.5 VP4 CAN

-- MY15 LA V2
ecu_part_number["68206389"] = "68206389AH" -- MY15 VP3 NA
ecu_part_number["68206388"] = "68206388AH" -- MY15 VP4 NA
ecu_part_number["68206391"] = "68206391AH" -- MY15 VP3 MEX
ecu_part_number["68206392"] = "68206392AH" -- MY15 VP4 MEX
ecu_part_number["68206393"] = "68206393AG" -- MY15 VP3 ROW
ecu_part_number["68206390"] = "68206390AG" -- MY15 VP4 ROW
ecu_part_number["68206395"] = "68206395AH" -- MY15 VP3 CAN
ecu_part_number["68206394"] = "68206394AH" -- MY15 VP4 CAN
ecu_part_number["68212744"] = "68212744AE" -- MY15 VP2H w/SDARS
ecu_part_number["68212745"] = "68212745AE" -- MY15 VP2H w/o SDARS
ecu_part_number["68212746"] = "68212746AE" -- MY15 VP2H ROW

-- MY15 DS/WK/KL V2
ecu_part_number["68238621"] = "68238621AG" -- MY15 VP3 NA
ecu_part_number["68238619"] = "68238619AG" -- MY15 VP4 NA
ecu_part_number["68238624"] = "68238624AG" -- MY15 VP3 MEX
ecu_part_number["68238625"] = "68238625AG" -- MY15 VP4 MEX
ecu_part_number["68242384"] = "68242384AF" -- MY15 VP3 BUX
ecu_part_number["68242385"] = "68242385AF" -- MY15 VP4 BUX
ecu_part_number["68242382"] = "68242382AF" -- MY15 VP3 ROW
ecu_part_number["68242383"] = "68242383AF" -- MY15 VP4 ROW
ecu_part_number["68238627"] = "68238627AG" -- MY15 VP3 CAN
ecu_part_number["68238626"] = "68238626AG" -- MY15 VP4 CAN

-- MY15 WD V2
ecu_part_number["68239115"] = "68239115AG" -- MY15 VP3 NA
ecu_part_number["68239117"] = "68239117AG" -- MY15 VP4 NA
ecu_part_number["68239114"] = "68239114AG" -- MY15 VP3 MEX
ecu_part_number["68239116"] = "68239116AG" -- MY15 VP4 MEX
ecu_part_number["68247593"] = "68247593AF" -- MY15 VP4 ROW
ecu_part_number["68245058"] = "68245058AF" -- MY15 VP4 ROW
ecu_part_number["68239119"] = "68239119AG" -- MY15 VP3 CAN
ecu_part_number["68239118"] = "68239118AG" -- MY15 VP4 CAN

-- MY15 LX V2
ecu_part_number["68257282"] = "68257282AC" -- MY15 VP3 NA
ecu_part_number["68257281"] = "68257281AC" -- MY15 VP4 NA
ecu_part_number["68257284"] = "68257284AC" -- MY15 VP3 MEX
ecu_part_number["68257285"] = "68257285AC" -- MY15 VP4 MEX
ecu_part_number["68234426"] = "68234426AE" -- MY15 VP4 EU
ecu_part_number["68234425"] = "68234425AE" -- MY15 VP4 EU
ecu_part_number["68257286"] = "68257286AC" -- MY15 VP4 ROW
ecu_part_number["68257283"] = "68257283AC" -- MY15 VP4 ROW
ecu_part_number["68257288"] = "68257288AC" -- MY15 VP3 CAN
ecu_part_number["68257287"] = "68257287AC" -- MY15 VP4 CAN

-- MY15 Asia V2
ecu_part_number["68265331"] = "68265331AC" -- MY15 VP3 China WK KL
ecu_part_number["68224021"] = "68224021AE" -- MY15 VP4 China LX
ecu_part_number["68265335"] = "68265335AC" -- MY15 VP3 Korea WK KL
ecu_part_number["68224023"] = "68224023AE" -- MY15 VP4 Korea LX
ecu_part_number["68238656"] = "68238656AE" -- MY15 VP4 Korea UF
ecu_part_number["68265336"] = "68265336AA" -- MY15 VP4 Japan WK KL
ecu_part_number["68224022"] = "68224022AC" -- MY15 VP4 Japan LX

-- MY16 RU
ecu_part_number["68232028"] = "68232028AA" -- MY16 VP3 NA
ecu_part_number["68232026"] = "68232026AA" -- MY16 VP4 NA
ecu_part_number["68232033"] = "68232033AA" -- MY16 VP3 MEX
ecu_part_number["68232034"] = "68232034AA" -- MY16 VP4 MEX
ecu_part_number["68232027"] = "68232027AA" -- MY16 VP4 EU
ecu_part_number["68232035"] = "68232035AA" -- MY16 VP3 ROW
ecu_part_number["68232029"] = "68232029AA" -- MY16 VP4 ROW
ecu_part_number["68232037"] = "68232037AA" -- MY16 VP3 CAN
ecu_part_number["68232036"] = "68232036AA" -- MY16 VP4 CAN
ecu_part_number["68234476"] = "68234476AA" -- MY16 VP4 China
ecu_part_number["68234477"] = "68234477AA" -- MY16 VP4 Korea

-- MY16 WK/KL/DS/ZD
ecu_part_number["68258671"] = "68258671AA" -- MY16 VP3 NA
ecu_part_number["68249986"] = "68249986AA" -- MY16 VP4 NA
ecu_part_number["68249987"] = "68249987AA" -- MY16 VP3 MEX
ecu_part_number["68258673"] = "68258673AA" -- MY16 VP4 MEX
ecu_part_number["68258359"] = "68258359AA" -- MY16 VP4 EU
ecu_part_number["68258678"] = "68258678AA" -- MY16 VP4 EU
ecu_part_number["68258358"] = "68258358AA" -- MY16 VP3 ROW
ecu_part_number["68258677"] = "68258677AA" -- MY16 VP4 ROW
ecu_part_number["68258676"] = "68258676AA" -- MY16 VP3 CAN
ecu_part_number["68258675"] = "68258675AA" -- MY16 VP4 CAN
ecu_part_number["68267475"] = "68267475AA" -- MY16 VP4 China
ecu_part_number["68267477"] = "68267477AA" -- MY16 VP4 Japan
ecu_part_number["68267476"] = "68267476AA" -- MY16 VP4 Korea

-- MY16 WD
ecu_part_number["68258380"] = "68258380AA" -- MY16 VP3 NA
ecu_part_number["68258382"] = "68258382AA" -- MY16 VP4 NA
ecu_part_number["68258379"] = "68258379AA" -- MY16 VP3 MEX
ecu_part_number["68258381"] = "68258381AA" -- MY16 VP4 MEX
ecu_part_number["68258386"] = "68258386AA" -- MY16 VP3 ROW
ecu_part_number["68258385"] = "68258385AA" -- MY16 VP4 ROW
ecu_part_number["68258384"] = "68258384AA" -- MY16 VP3 CAN
ecu_part_number["68258383"] = "68258383AA" -- MY16 VP4 CAN

-- MY16 LX
ecu_part_number["68267509"] = "68267509AA" -- MY16 VP4 China
ecu_part_number["68267508"] = "68267508AA" -- MY16 VP4 Japan
ecu_part_number["68267506"] = "68267506AA" -- MY16 VP4 Korea

-- MY16 UF
ecu_part_number["68267507"] = "68267507AA" -- MY16 VP4 Korea

I noticed these changes too from my 2014 Ram and 2015 Charger. The backup camera on the Charger is more colorful, but not in a good way. I prefer the Ram's camera...

There are other changes I have noticed. Here are a coupe: My 14 big horn had the 8.4an and so does my 15 big horn. But, the screen is definetely different. There are some new features added. You can select themes like the brown longhorn theme if you want that on your screen or just a regular grey rams head, etc. There are 4 to choose from. Plus now there is a tag button on the screen for purchasing itunes stuff when there is a song u like. Of course, the climate is different cause they have the dual zone now. Settings are different, etc.

The 2015 software is only intended for 2015 vehicles for now. Maybe in the future they will merge, if Chrysler wants it. If you have a 2014 vehicle stay with a 2014 radio and SW.
The radio communicates with other modules in the car and they need to be running the same branch of SW. If you were to put a 2015 radio in a 2014 car, The radio will work but some issues could occur when the radio tries to talk with other modules.
Send me a private PM if you want more information.

Luckily I really like the brushed silver rams head and overall color scheme. . Goes well with my grey interior. Guide lines are useful as is.. I'm more of a mirror user anyway. Hard to unlearn backup behaviour learned as a kid.. - im 55 but I like the option to be able view my hitch position. Camera could be a bit sharper but I'm not complaining. Not sure I will worry about the ability for color themes but always want performance and uconnect improvements.. do u think 2013 or 14 is on the radar for updates any longer? Seems kinda crappy to be not supported and be a 2014 model year. That's how they treat phones.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

cc rider said:

Plus now there is a tag button on the screen for purchasing itunes stuff when there is a song u like. ...

Click to expand...

I noticed this yesterday, as a matter of fact. Something else is that Sirrius/XM will now show album art compared to my '13 which just showed title.

uconnect65 said:

The 2015 software is only intended for 2015 vehicles for now. Maybe in the future they will merge, if Chrysler wants it. If you have a 2014 vehicle stay with a 2014 radio and SW.
The radio communicates with other modules in the car and they need to be running the same branch of SW. If you were to put a 2015 radio in a 2014 car, The radio will work but some issues could occur when the radio tries to talk with other modules.
Send me a private PM if you want more information.

Click to expand...

I am assuming hopefully correctly that you work for uconnect based on you screen name and post. I have so many questions for you. Hopefully you will not mind answering a few questions and provide honest true answers and maybe solutions.

Ok here goes as you may or may not know a bunch of us have figured out a way to do a complete 100 percent conversion from the RA1 and RA2 radios to the RA3 and RA4 radios, though not many want the RA3 for obvious reasons. The only thing we cannot do is register with uconnect because they wont let us. When we attempt to and I had this confirmed via a canned response from uconnect the server rejects our call because the radio is mated to its original vin and our vins do not allow uconnect access because the RA1 and RA2 radios are no connect radios.

There has got to be a way around this, but it likely means changing / updating the information stored on uconnect's server. I personally and I would think very few folks want to purchase WI-FI or any of the other stuff, though I might consider some things, depending on price and whether or not it would work in my truck. That said what I really want is the via mobile apps IE Iheart, AHA, Slacker and Pandora. Since we cannot register these apps are not available to us, which is crap.

As you know once these apps are on the head unit, they use the data plan from the owners cell phone and have nothing to do with uconnect or sprint or the sierra wireless card in the radio.

There has to be a way for us to either be able to register, or install these apps via usb, just need to know how and where to obtain the software. Please do not give me the canned uconnect Chrysler answer.

What is the real reason they wont let us have this software and or register, and is it possible or has it been discussed about letting us have the software and or register.

RCFiddyOne said:

I noticed this yesterday, as a matter of fact. Something else is that Sirrius/XM will now show album art compared to my '13 which just showed title.

Click to expand...

Yes!,album art is awesome.

cptwing said:

I am assuming hopefully correctly that you work for uconnect based on you screen name and post. I have so many questions for you. Hopefully you will not mind answering a few questions and provide honest true answers and maybe solutions.

Ok here goes as you may or may not know a bunch of us have figured out a way to do a complete 100 percent conversion from the RA1 and RA2 radios to the RA3 and RA4 radios, though not many want the RA3 for obvious reasons. The only thing we cannot do is register with uconnect because they wont let us. When we attempt to and I had this confirmed via a canned response from uconnect the server rejects our call because the radio is mated to its original vin and our vins do not allow uconnect access because the RA1 and RA2 radios are no connect radios.

There has got to be a way around this, but it likely means changing / updating the information stored on uconnect's server. I personally and I would think very few folks want to purchase WI-FI or any of the other stuff, though I might consider some things, depending on price and whether or not it would work in my truck. That said what I really want is the via mobile apps IE Iheart, AHA, Slacker and Pandora. Since we cannot register these apps are not available to us, which is crap.

As you know once these apps are on the head unit, they use the data plan from the owners cell phone and have nothing to do with uconnect or sprint or the sierra wireless card in the radio.

There has to be a way for us to either be able to register, or install these apps via usb, just need to know how and where to obtain the software. Please do not give me the canned uconnect Chrysler answer.

What is the real reason they wont let us have this software and or register, and is it possible or has it been discussed about letting us have the software and or register.

Click to expand...

I do have the answers and the solutions to most of your requests. I don't work for Uconnect but I do know the RA3 and RA4 pretty well. Only Chrysler has the power to change its policy of not allowing VIN's of RA1 and RA2 equipped vehicles in their server database. As I said before the radio communicates with other modules in the car. The RA3 and RA4 embedded phone has the ability to communicate and download sensitive data from the vehicle for diagnostic purposes. The RA3 and RA4 will have issues communicating with the computer in a vehicle that was equipped with a RA1 from the factory. Even though the radio functions will work, like AM, FM Navigation, etc. The diagnostic functions would not. because the Telematics in that vehicle do not have the muscle. Also there is the Emergency service 911 assist service. It requires very sensitive data from the airbags, unlocking system and a lot of sensors in the engine that might detect overheating or even fire. The Sierra wireless card has its own GPS signal and power supplies independent from other parts of the radio. This is important if the driver has been involved in an accident. This way the authorities can locate and even control and shut off the Engine in the vehicle if necessary.
I can see Chrysler allowing registration for some features to customers that upgrade their radios. But I can also understands that some services like road assist and Uconnect care are impossible to guarantee 100% functionality. Because the vehicle was never intended to have all those services. There are lot of modules and sensors that would have to be upgraded or flash with appropriate software. Maybe Chrysler philosophy is ALL or NOTHING!
Send me a PM about the apps and WIFI.

Ok, I just recently installed a 2015 8.4AN in my 2014 tradesman. I actually have and they work the following via mobile apps; Pandora, Slacker and of course Yelp. In when I launch the assist app it opens and actually makes the phone calls to assistance, custom care etc.

The cameras is much more colorful than it was with the 2014 8.4AN, however it is not as clear and far worse in low light situations.

The themes are kind of nice the album art on XM is nice, the NAV does not really seem to me any different, I know the 2015 has updated maps but I cannot really tell the difference.

I know Pandora and Slacker are dated and others say I they Spotify, well I really like Slacker and Pandora wish I had Iheart on there weird that I have 2 of them but not the other 2. I will say this the sound quality is slightly improved on the 2015 radio and the slacker and Pandora sound quality is better than the XM or the IPOD or the even the HD radio, not sure why. Not that the other apps sound bad not at all but the via mobile apps are noticeably better.

I cannot register, weird thing is I do not have the icon in the list yet when I launch yelp or try to go to the uconnect store it asks me to register. I also do not have Wi-Fi and get an error message when I try to go to the uconnect store.

OK now for a question for the sharp tacks out there, I also have on this radio the controls soft key, when I open it, it has a settings soft key (to be expected) and a another soft key I have never seen nor can find any info on its an "ECON" soft key??? Anyone know what this is for.

Oh one other thing it will not let me change any settings while the key in on ACC, setting functions are under lit and I get a message saying settings can only be changed when inginition is in the run position, I did not have that on the 2014 radio?