2013-2018 RA2/VP2-NA Radio Notes

[R.L.K.]

Odd ....my company has the small 2015-2016 Ram Van , it has an RA2 , but it's different than I've seen in the Ram's .

I'll try to get a picture of it and post it here.

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[mike19950]

Anyone have a PN for the 2017 Ram Ra2's they would care to share so I can update the OP for others?

Got this one on eBay. Installed it in my 2014 works perfectly.

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[mike19950]

Ok so as seen in the last post I installed an ra2 radio from a 2017 in my 2014 last month. Everything had been working great until this morning. I got in the truck and had no sound from the speakers. The radio turns on fine and all the screens look fine. I tried all inputs they all switch but no sound. I have tried the reboot posted here but it didn't do anything. I pulled fuses no change. I even disconnected the neg leg of the battery no change. Nothing happens when you turn the volume knob like the numbers don't show up anymore. Any ideas?

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[mike19950]

So randomly on the way home from work the sounds came back. Not sure what happened but I hope it doesn't happen again.

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[Mpgrimm2]

So randomly on the way home from work the sounds came back. Not sure what happened but I hope it doesn't happen again.

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Sorry for the delay... How cold was it outside when it stopped working? We have seen similar issues with some 8.4 radios, likely due to bad/cold solder joints. Not saying it's your issue, but it's about all that comes to mind.

M² Mods.

 

[mike19950]

Wasn't too cold today. In the 40's. It's been way colder since I installed it and it worked then. Weird.

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[kad]

I need to find out what version of software my RA2 is running. Before I mess anything up, is the below sequence to get to the Engineering Menu the best way to find that info? I've searched all over and this is the only thing I found for the RA2.

Ignition ON, Engine Off, Hold Down: Radio + Media + Browse Butttons for 5-8 seconds.

-K

 

[kad]

I need to find out what version of software my RA2 is running. Before I mess anything up, is the below sequence to get to the Engineering Menu the best way to find that info? I've searched all over and this is the only thing I found for the RA2.

Ignition ON, Engine Off, Hold Down: Radio + Media + Browse Butttons for 5-8 seconds.

-K

The above did not wok on my radio, but holding Radio + Media first, then holding Browse for 5 seconds did.

-K

 

[Jasonmos]

Thanks for all this info I will be replacing the ra1 with an ra2 in my truck this weekend

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[R.L.K.]

Thanks for all this info I will be replacing the ra1 with an ra2 in my truck this weekend

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That's what I did initially as well , it's a very nice upgrade for sure .
After I installed the RA2 radio I installed the OEM mirror with microphones and purchased the mirror header harness from my local dealer for $ 26 . Then I installed a different steering wheel that had the VR/Phone button and audio controls ... This gave me 100% function of the hands free phone use [emoji16] all of this was plug n play and a huge upgrade imo !!

I then installed the OEM backup camera ( requires the XAC code flash )

Once complete with the BU cam the RA2 is a GREAT platform !!

But even though I was really happy with the RA2 setup having 100%hands free capabilities and a nice backup camera with active gridlines less than a year later I upgraded again to the RA4 with Navigation.

The RA4 Upgrade was simple at this point as I had already installed most of the components required for the full upgrade when I upgraded to the RA2 platform .
All that was needed to complete the RA4 upgrade was :
1) Radio
2) radio bezel
3) HVAC module
4) conversion harness from( M2mods)

There's no comparison imo , the RA4 platform is super nice !

Hope this helps !

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[Codeyc]

Since I have a 2016 ram do I have to use a vp2 radio from another 16 ram or can it be from a 14 15 ect?

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Since I have a 2016 ram do I have to use a vp2 radio from another 16 ram or can it be from a 14 15 ect?

Some people have had success using any 13+ radio, others have not. If your can get a 16 or 17 radio for your 16 truck you will likely have a better chance of avoiding any issues.

M² Mods.

 

[Codeyc]

I wonder what the difference about 16 was. Not a big deal just curious.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

I wonder what the difference about 16 was. Not a big deal just curious.

Just as an example, I installed 13, 14,15,16,17,&18 Ra4 radios in the 2013 Ram I had (original RA2). The 16 radios were the only ones that didn't work in my truck (I tried 3x) & some other members (not all) had similar issues putting only a 16 radio in an earlier year truck.

M² Mods.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

2018 Ra2 radio info
2018 RA2 - PN 68365210AB

I have a 2018 RA2 radio and Bezel for sale

PN 68365210AB SOLD!!

M² Mods.

 

[Craig Muszynski]

How about the new RA2N used in the new Van's? Could these be compatible at all? I haven't been able to find a picture of the mounts. Would be a nice upgrade instead of going to 8.4

 

[Mpgrimm2]

How about the new RA2N used in the new Van's? Could these be compatible at all? I haven't been able to find a picture of the mounts. Would be a nice upgrade instead of going to 8.4

Unknown till someone tries it.

Someone posted somewhere that they tried an Ra2 from a 13-17 Ram Promaster van that didn't work correctly because they only have 2 speakers.

M² Mods.

 

[Ricks Ram]

Just as an example, I installed 13, 14,15,16,17,&18 Ra4 radios in the 2013 Ram I had (original RA2). The 16 radios were the only ones that didn't work in my truck (I tried 3x) & some other members (not all) had similar issues putting only a 16 radio in an earlier year truck.

M² Mods.

I installed a 2016 RA4 in my 2014 Ram and it worked well for about a year and then it started going blank screen on occasion like Mpgrimm2 and some others have experienced. Once I upgrade to the new 17.11.07 firmware this problem went away. My radio has had no issues since the update to 17.11.07 around a year ago. I have had others state the same thing. I am thinking it had something to do with the 16 radios old firmware and now that they came out with the new versions the radios are more compatible with other years.

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[CopperheadHemi]

I know this is a very old thread but I’m sure some guys could be possibly still interested in doing this swap. So here’s something I have discovered: It seems the 13 and 14 models with the most updated firmware (I think it’s 5.2.21) or something like that, it seems that FCA has flashed out the compass function for some reason so it won’t show up on the EVIC or the radio. My truck had the 5.0, funny thing is did a cluster swap to the 7in cluster, and boom, the compass function works on that one. So I dropped my overhead console and unplugged my truck’s compass module. The cluster still read my direction, so I almost want to assume that cluster has something built into it for a compass function. So if any guys want an operating compass, either go with a 15 and up model radio or swap to the high end cluster, I always could be wrong about this, and any input is definitely welcomed!

 

[Mpgrimm2]

There's an alternative source for compass data ...Satelite radio/GPS antenna. There's a BCM setting for it

M² Mods.