RA4 vs UAQ

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Guiselman

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2020
Posts
18
Reaction score
2
Location
Grand Prairie Texas
Ram Year
2017
Engine
6.7 Cummins
I know the UAS UAQ comes with Apple Car and Android Auto. I'm curious if the screen quality is different between the RA4/RA3 and UAQ models.
 

chopperman1

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Dec 26, 2013
Posts
1,230
Reaction score
1,189
Location
Peoples Republic of Massachusetts
Ram Year
2018 Rebel
Engine
5.7L HEMI
I've owned both and would say they are the same as far as picture quality goes. There is a manuafacturing issue with the 2018 UAQ's that cause the screens to delaminate.
 
OP
OP
Guiselman

Guiselman

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2020
Posts
18
Reaction score
2
Location
Grand Prairie Texas
Ram Year
2017
Engine
6.7 Cummins
Thanks. I recently added a 8.4 UAV to my fathers 2019 Ram (had the 5 inch) and the screen is IMO is outstanding. I was considering the UAQ for my 2017 (currently has RA4) But now actually looking at adding the UAV. I've seen a few threads on people installing them on older trucks and the UAQ are the same price if not a little higher right now.
 

SitKneelBend

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Posts
9,022
Reaction score
4,694
Location
St. Louis
Ram Year
2014
Engine
3.6 Pentastar
Thanks. I recently added a 8.4 UAV to my fathers 2019 Ram (had the 5 inch) and the screen is IMO is outstanding. I was considering the UAQ for my 2017 (currently has RA4) But now actually looking at adding the UAV. I've seen a few threads on people installing them on older trucks and the UAQ are the same price if not a little higher right now.
I believe the consensus is to stick with UAQ/UAS on the classics but I could be wrong. @Mpgrimm2 and/or @Jimmy07 might be able to clarify the logic (or tell you I'm wrong).
 

Atcer2018

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Posts
949
Reaction score
1,188
Location
Virginia
Ram Year
2018
Engine
3.6
The screen resolution is higher on the 2018+ radios, but in such a small format it may be difficult for many to notice.
Does this hold true for pre 2018 radios that have been remanufactured using the new LG screens because of delamination? I know from other threads that you are familiar with this whole delamination fiasco. My 2018 BigHorn screen delaminated quickly this past summer. It was out of warranty but the dealer did a good faith replacement using a reman radio. When I registered it with Sirius it showed as a 2016 Jeep Liberty radio. The replacement radio does have slightly different font than the original but looks just as high definition. I’m not complaining cuz the truck was out of warranty, just curious.
 

SitKneelBend

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Posts
9,022
Reaction score
4,694
Location
St. Louis
Ram Year
2014
Engine
3.6 Pentastar
Does this hold true for pre 2018 radios that have been remanufactured using the new LG screens because of delamination? I know from other threads that you are familiar with this whole delamination fiasco. My 2018 BigHorn screen delaminated quickly this past summer. It was out of warranty but the dealer did a good faith replacement using a reman radio. When I registered it with Sirius it showed as a 2016 Jeep Liberty radio. The replacement radio does have slightly different font than the original but looks just as high definition. I’m not complaining cuz the truck was out of warranty, just curious.
Hard to say. I don't know what year they started putting the newer generation in Jeeps. I can say if it has Apple Carplay and/or Android Auto it is the newer Panasonic radio with better resolution.

To be clear, an older generation 8.4 will work in newer trucks too so without knowing the specific features or model number, I couldn't say.
 

Atcer2018

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Posts
949
Reaction score
1,188
Location
Virginia
Ram Year
2018
Engine
3.6
Hard to say. I don't know what year they started putting the newer generation in Jeeps. I can say if it has Apple Carplay and/or Android Auto it is the newer Panasonic radio with better resolution.

To be clear, an older generation 8.4 will work in newer trucks too so without knowing the specific features or model number, I couldn't say.

Thank you. It does have CarPlay. Just surprised me that it was a radio out of a 2016. They are nice radios for sure although the replacement looks slightly different and does sound different. The old one had better highs and less bass. I do have the Mopar performance/Kicker speaker upgrade and a Kicker Key amp so adjusting the sound was an easy fix.
 

SitKneelBend

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Posts
9,022
Reaction score
4,694
Location
St. Louis
Ram Year
2014
Engine
3.6 Pentastar
I put a UAV from a Grand Cherokee in My 2016 Ram and it has been flawless.
Not saying it won't work well, only that there may be reasons to choose one over the other. Your first hand experience being one of those reasons...
Thank you. It does have CarPlay. Just surprised me that it was a radio out of a 2016. They are nice radios for sure although the replacement looks slightly different and does sound different. The old one had better highs and less bass. I do have the Mopar performance/Kicker speaker upgrade and a Kicker Key amp so adjusting the sound was an easy fix.
I've found the firmware versions on these can greatly effect the audio quality. I recently reverted my 2018 UAQ from 39.6 to 39.5 to remedy this. Immediately noticeable is the range of the volume knob. I typically listen to music at 24, on the 39.6 firmware I could go all the way to 40 and not be satisfied with the level. It also was difficult to hear all of the instruments until volume levels 30+ on 39.6.

All this to say a firmware upgrade might be in order but can result in bricks so flash at your own risk and try to find the most suitable version first.

Also, I don't have the Kicker Key so it might make all of what I just said needless. It is the last upgrade I plan to do audio wise (eventually)...
 

Atcer2018

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Posts
949
Reaction score
1,188
Location
Virginia
Ram Year
2018
Engine
3.6
Not saying it won't work well, only that there may be reasons to choose one over the other. Your first hand experience being one of those reasons...

I've found the firmware versions on these can greatly effect the audio quality. I recently reverted my 2018 UAQ from 39.6 to 39.5 to remedy this. Immediately noticeable is the range of the volume knob. I typically listen to music at 24, on the 39.6 firmware I could go all the way to 40 and not be satisfied with the level. It also was difficult to hear all of the instruments until volume levels 30+ on 39.6.

All this to say a firmware upgrade might be in order but can result in bricks so flash at your own risk and try to find the most suitable version first.

Also, I don't have the Kicker Key so it might make all of what I just said needless. It is the last upgrade I plan to do audio wise (eventually)...

Thank you for sharing the knowledge. I had no idea about firmware effecting sound quality. The replacement radio is definitely less “loud” at the equivalent volume setting than the original but with the key amp it’s compensated and given I’m using line level inputs it’s good enough for my 58 year old ears. Mom warned me decades ago about listening to loud music but I didn’t listen. Thanks for the advice about possibly bricking the radio if I change the firmware, I’ll keep what I have.
 

jerryinfo

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Posts
1
Reaction score
1
Location
Orlando
Ram Year
2020 Ram 1500
Engine
5.7L Hemi
The UAQ and UAS delamination issues is across the Chrysler umbrella starting with the 2017 Chrysler 300 then then to Dodge/Jeep from 2018 until 2020. LG has since fixed the problem and the 2nd generation U's do not have the delamination issue. Be careful with the dealers replacing with anything but the 2nd generation screens and digitilizers. They will delaminate like they are prone to do.
 

Plainbroke

Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2022
Posts
75
Reaction score
29
Location
Kansas
Ram Year
2018
Engine
Hemi 5.7
The UAQ and UAS delamination issues is across the Chrysler umbrella starting with the 2017 Chrysler 300 then then to Dodge/Jeep from 2018 until 2020. LG has since fixed the problem and the 2nd generation U's do not have the delamination issue. Be careful with the dealers replacing with anything but the 2nd generation screens and digitilizers. They will delaminate like they are prone to do.
And how do you know if the replacement is the 2nd generation, when they replace the UAS in your truck?
 

SitKneelBend

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Posts
9,022
Reaction score
4,694
Location
St. Louis
Ram Year
2014
Engine
3.6 Pentastar
And how do you know if the replacement is the 2nd generation, when they replace the UAS in your truck?
You'd have to physically disassemble the radio to confirm the revised screen assembly part number.
 

Plainbroke

Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2022
Posts
75
Reaction score
29
Location
Kansas
Ram Year
2018
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Yikes, Ok, not what I was hoping to find out. I will just have to pray that is what they installed.
Thanks for the Information...
 
Top