How To: Install a 2018 4C (UAQ/UAS) Radio in 2013 - 2017 RAM

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jazzyjavaz

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Good catch, I assumed he was talking about hardware swap, not firmware upgrades...
Actually you were right and I think I just wrote it out to where you could think I was refering to the firmware. I tried the firmware but the unit will not recognize the update for some reason after trying several usb sticks and different formats nothing worked it just noticed there were no song files. I actually bought a 4C radio out of a 2019 with very similar bezel and features as mine, well except all the updated hardware and firmware. I just wanted to make sure it would work without a heck of a lot of modifications to the compartment area. I just need to source the needed USB ports and patch cables or Just build them.
 

Mpgrimm2

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Actually you were right and I think I just wrote it out to where you could think I was refering to the firmware. I tried the firmware but the unit will not recognize the update for some reason after trying several usb sticks and different formats nothing worked it just noticed there were no song files. I actually bought a 4C radio out of a 2019 with very similar bezel and features as mine, well except all the updated hardware and firmware. I just wanted to make sure it would work without a heck of a lot of modifications to the compartment area. I just need to source the needed USB ports and patch cables or Just build them.
What's the actual year, model, and PN of radio?
 

Mpgrimm2

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2019 68331635AK VP4RAC ...
So I've skimmed this thread, but I may have missed it. I have a 2013 2500 with 8.4 uconnect V15.26.1 firmware thats going crazy at times. Im wondering if a similar 2019's 8.4 will work. I haven't verified anything on the radio except it comes without Nav.

So that 68331635Ak Panasonic 4c UAS no nav radio is technically a 2018 PN.
They go by the "Application version" (Not fw version).

Q: What application version is on your UAS radio?

The last official TSB release version was application version v22.6.x , however new replacement units are coming from factory with v39.6 (& warranty repaired units from United Radio in Peachtree Ga).

You can find links to the last official v22.6 version in the OP of the following thread along with a link to ClearlyStable's unofficial release thread that has v39.6.

- INFO- 2013-2018 8.4 FW Notes (RA4/VP4 & UAx NA)
 

jazzyjavaz

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So that 68331635Ak Panasonic 4c UAS no nav radio is technically a 2018 PN.
They go by the "Application version" (Not fw version).

Q: What application version is on your UAS radio?
The part i gave you was built Aug 2019. Its enroute to me. My current is an VP3 with 17.43.01 application software update. I am trying to get carplay inside my truck and I hope for now the buggy restrarts go away, which usually happen at engine start.
 

SitKneelBend

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The part i gave you was built Aug 2019. Its enroute to me. My current is an VP3 with 17.43.01 application software update. I am trying to get carplay inside my truck and I hope for now the buggy restrarts go away, which usually happen at engine start.
I'd be interested to know if you're restarts persists after replacing your current radio.
 

jazzyjavaz

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I'd be interested to know if you're restarts persists after replacing your current radio.

I actually finished this morning updating my existing radio app upgrades to V18.45 on my vp3. No more restarts, but first thing this morning before the last update before starting the truck wouldnt start just a clickedy click. Any guesses? Well I will tell you, first cold snap here in coastal georgia area and it killed one of my Mopar Batteries. A cell busted and shorted. I'm now looking at replacing it. It was dated 2017, so it lasted 5 years and for a battery thats pretty good I'd think. Especially now adays... I am now going to look to see what is the best option at batteries.
 

Mpgrimm2

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The part i gave you was built Aug 2019. Its enroute to me. My current is an VP3 with 17.43.01 application software update. I am trying to get carplay inside my truck and I hope for now the buggy restrarts go away, which usually happen at engine start.
If your 8.4 equipped 2013 truck doesn't already have Auto Temp Control, your going to have to add it when doing the UAS radio upgrade to fix HVAC Temp Blend door issues.
 

jazzyjavaz

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If your 8.4 equipped 2013 truck doesn't already have Auto Temp Control, your going to have to add it when doing the UAS radio upgrade to fix HVAC Temp Blend door issues.
ooogh... Mine does not. I only have the up and down control not a set temperature. Not sure how the software handles that as I would imagine it would have some type of feedback device for cabin temp. If mine is not equipped with cabin temp how will it know how to automatically control temperature? Maybe there is a manual temp or blend door positioning in there some where. I cant code that, but i have a friend who is a diesel technician with connections. So maybe that will help? Thanks for the heads up. I've seemed to put too many forks in the fire at one time. If this was as easy as my automation controls at work I'd be okay, cause i can code that.
 

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I actually finished this morning updating my existing radio app upgrades to V18.45 on my vp3. No more restarts, but first thing this morning before the last update before starting the truck wouldnt start just a clickedy click. Any guesses? Well I will tell you, first cold snap here in coastal georgia area and it killed one of my Mopar Batteries. A cell busted and shorted. I'm now looking at replacing it. It was dated 2017, so it lasted 5 years and for a battery thats pretty good I'd think. Especially now adays... I am now going to look to see what is the best option at batteries.
Happened to me too but our cold happened in November...
 

jazzyjavaz

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Happened to me too but our cold happened in November...
I usually lose batteries in the winter here during the extended cold snaps. Lived upstate NY for a while have no desire to do that again as my blood has thinned being down south. Im curious about some of the ancillary functions of the radio that may be a bugger. Ive seen talk of the modules and temperature controls issues but hadnt put much into it as I thought it may not neccesarily be an issue. Im hoping with the right connections this Mod will turn out good.
 

Mpgrimm2

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ooogh... Mine does not. I only have the up and down control not a set temperature. Not sure how the software handles that as I would imagine it would have some type of feedback device for cabin temp. If mine is not equipped with cabin temp how will it know how to automatically control temperature? Maybe there is a manual temp or blend door positioning in there some where. I cant code that, but i have a friend who is a diesel technician with connections. So maybe that will help? Thanks for the heads up. I've seemed to put too many forks in the fire at one time. If this was as easy as my automation controls at work I'd be okay, cause i can code that.
I do build the add-on harnesses for ATC, setup is different for 1500 vs 2500/3500 & 2013's.
See ... M2 Mods at Ramforum
Or www.M2Mods4Ram.com

Take a look at the following to get an idea ...

How to Add Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) to a Manual Temperature Control Truck

AlfaOBD (for activating factory features yourself. Dual Zone ATC first, wait for it to show on radio, then Single Zone ATC)

NOTE: Single Zone ATC is an unofficial Ram HVAC mode and is dependent on 3rd party vehicle BCM programmers ( AlfaOBD.) to function correctly after programming.

Additional wiring to support factory mode, Dual Zone ATC, is available as an option and requires additional parts/dash removal/blend door install which is also dependent on the end user/owner. See the following RamForum thread for details:
Adding dual zone atc to a tradesman.

** Additional info in post 5 of this thread too.

I usually lose batteries in the winter here during the extended cold snaps. Lived upstate NY for a while have no desire to do that again as my blood has thinned being down south. Im curious about some of the ancillary functions of the radio that may be a bugger. Ive seen talk of the modules and temperature controls issues but hadnt put much into it as I thought it may not neccesarily be an issue. Im hoping with the right connections this Mod will turn out good.
IMO, the hardest part is getting a compatible 4c UAQ or UAS radio. The rest has been pretty much figured out, just don't want you to run into unexpected issues. It's easier for some people vs others because of the truck Year/model/features they started with and not always as straightforward as some make it seem.
 
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jazzyjavaz

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IMO, the hardest part is getting a compatible 4c UAQ or UAS radio. The rest has been pretty much figured out, just don't want you to run into unexpected issues. It's easier for some people vs others because of the truck Year/model/features they started with and not always as straightforward as some make it seem.
Thats why I tried to get a truck's radio that had similar truck features as mine. I guess I will see when it gets here and starts the process.
 

Jsil5484

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Just curious if anyone else has had this issue and was able to fix it. I recently converted my 8.4A to the 8.4 4C in my 2017 2500. I got it from infotainment. Infotainment has been no help. Everything works but for some reason at start up a message pops up and says "device not supported" with nothing plugged into the USB hub. If I plug in, let's say an iPod to the USB hub, it says "connect device" but music still plays no music info shows. Then when I go to select the USB under the source tab it says "device not supported". It appears that the new USB isn't fully communicating with the radio. Any fixes?
 

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Gordo2212

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Just curious if anyone else has had this issue and was able to fix it. I recently converted my 8.4A to the 8.4 4C in my 2017 2500. I got it from infotainment. Infotainment has been no help. Everything works but for some reason at start up a message pops up and says "device not supported" with nothing plugged into the USB hub. If I plug in, let's say an iPod to the USB hub, it says "connect device" but music still plays no music info shows. Then when I go to select the USB under the source tab it says "device not supported". It appears that the new USB isn't fully communicating with the radio. Any fixes?
I upgraded my 2018 3500 5’’ radio to an 8.4” with CarPlay and was told that the device not supported error is a quirk of the newer versions of the software on the radio. Apparently nothing we can do about it.

In regards to the USB hub did you upgrade that? I know there are certain versions of the USB hub that won’t work if you have an older vehicle than 2018. Even in my 2018 I had to get a 2018 premium USB hub to be able to have CarPlay to work. I think for your 2017 you might have to get a 2018 USB hub and a harness that connects to the newer hub.
 

Jsil5484

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I upgraded my 2018 3500 5’’ radio to an 8.4” with CarPlay and was told that the device not supported error is a quirk of the newer versions of the software on the radio. Apparently nothing we can do about it.

In regards to the USB hub did you upgrade that? I know there are certain versions of the USB hub that won’t work if you have an older vehicle than 2018. Even in my 2018 I had to get a 2018 premium USB hub to be able to have CarPlay to work. I think for your 2017 you might have to get a 2018 USB hub and a harness that connects to the newer hub.

I upgraded my 2018 3500 5’’ radio to an 8.4” with CarPlay and was told that the device not supported error is a quirk of the newer versions of the software on the radio. Apparently nothing we can do about it.

In regards to the USB hub did you upgrade that? I know there are certain versions of the USB hub that won’t work if you have an older vehicle than 2018. Even in my 2018 I had to get a 2018 premium USB hub to be able to have CarPlay to work. I think for your 2017 you might have to get a 2018 USB hub and a harness that connects to the newer hub.
Yeah, Infotainment sent me a hub with a harness with the radio and I installed it. I'll double check the part number on the hub. I just assumed the one they sent me would have to be a 2018+ hub. The one they sent is only a single USB and Aux not double. So I'm not sure what would be causing the issue.

If you don't mind me asking do you have a link to the one you got that worked?
 
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Gordo2212

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Yeah, Infotainment sent me a hub with a harness with the radio and I installed it. I'll double check the part number on the hub. I just assumed the one they sent me would have to be a 2018+ hub. The one they sent is only a single USB and Aux not double. So I'm not sure what would be causing the issue.

If you don't mind me asking do you have a link to the one you got that worked?

This is the one I used, but I have a 2018 and it was plug and play for me.

@Mpgrimm2 is the resident expert on these radio upgrades and might have more info for you but since you went through infotainment it might be harder to figure out what the deal is.
 

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Just curious if anyone else has had this issue and was able to fix it. I recently converted my 8.4A to the 8.4 4C in my 2017 2500. I got it from infotainment. Infotainment has been no help. Everything works but for some reason at start up a message pops up and says "device not supported" with nothing plugged into the USB hub. If I plug in, let's say an iPod to the USB hub, it says "connect device" but music still plays no music info shows. Then when I go to select the USB under the source tab it says "device not supported". It appears that the new USB isn't fully communicating with the radio. Any fixes?
As Gordo indicated...

UAQ or UAS? What pn is your radio?

What "application version" is your radio on?

It appears to be a radio SW driver version with the USB Hub. a radio SW update appears to fix it. Panasonic radio SW goes by the"application version"

v39.6 is the latest, some have bricked their radios doing the updates... Not sure if they did something incorrectly.

InfoT should be able to give you a link to DL SW update for your radio
 

Jsil5484

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So oddly enough I tried just for the hell of it to plug back in my original media hub and boom it works. It's reading everything and I was able to connect Android auto and Carplay briefly but then says it disconnects. But when it comes to the iPod or any music from my phone all info appears
 
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Gordo2212

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So oddly enough I tried just for the hell of it to plug back in my original media hub and boom it works. It's reading everything and Android auto and Carplay work. The "hub not supported" message shows at start but that's clearly not the case
Curious how your original hub works with carplay considering it wasn't even a thing back in Ram trucks in 2017? As I understand it you need a 2018 premium USB hub (there are a few different versions) for the carplay function to work.
 
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