DIY: 2013-2017 RA3/RA4 8.4" Radio Upgrade/HVAC Conversion
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OP
OP
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2014
- Posts
- 6,095
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- 4,174
- Location
- SC
- Ram Year
- 2022 Ram 1500 (5th Gen)
- Engine
- 5.7L
Ready for prime time ....
True universal 8.4 primary conversion harness (v4)... with:
- 4spd/7spd support in same harness
>> Just add our plug n play fan harness for 2500/3500 4 speed fan trucks
- Single Zone ATC part 1 built in
>> Just add our ATC part 2 harness if needed (for 14+ 1500's/classic)
- Support for Dual Zone ATC ... For those wanting to add extra blend door.
>> Will have to custom build rest of blend door wiring into add-on harness
Will be same price as current harness with ATC Pt1 built in.
M² Mods.
True universal 8.4 primary conversion harness (v4)... with:
- 4spd/7spd support in same harness
>> Just add our plug n play fan harness for 2500/3500 4 speed fan trucks
- Single Zone ATC part 1 built in
>> Just add our ATC part 2 harness if needed (for 14+ 1500's/classic)
- Support for Dual Zone ATC ... For those wanting to add extra blend door.
>> Will have to custom build rest of blend door wiring into add-on harness
Will be same price as current harness with ATC Pt1 built in.
M² Mods.
Last edited:
Hound Dog
Member
I just completed this conversion. I had to upgrade the software on radio to 18.45.01 to be able to upgrade the maps, I did buy from u connect and had to use the donor vin to get an activation code to install version V12 it did take a long time to load.
I want to thank M2 mods for all the help and advise.
I want to thank M2 mods for all the help and advise.
Ramcummins
Junior Member
ok, I am trying to figure out which HVAC control module to get. I thought it was 68105017Ax, but I have read that it is for 2013 and not working for some. I have a 2016 2500 Tradesman with a 4 speed fan. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks!
OP
OP
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2014
- Posts
- 6,095
- Reaction score
- 4,174
- Location
- SC
- Ram Year
- 2022 Ram 1500 (5th Gen)
- Engine
- 5.7L
..
Someone gave me a harness they got from elsewhere (before replacing it with ours to fix their problems) ...
Ours (see above):
- factory/FCA rated automotive wire
- Proper crimps/splices/harness protection
- Actual support before/after the sale
Compare the difference.
Theirs:
- thin stand/brittle generic 22awg hook up wire breaks easy.
- Taped splices (did solder them though)
- pins crimped correctly. I've seen worse.
* Can't fix this one.
'Someone' is apparently selling the original style 4 to 7 Speed fan /resistor harness' for 2500/3500's with poor crimps/small wire that's melting/burning up terminals at the i32A-7 connector behind the passenger kick panel. Be careful. (Would be great if that person with problem would post pictures)
M² Mods.
Ready for prime time ....
True universal 8.4 primary conversion harness (v4)... with:
- 4spd/7spd support in same harness
>> Just add our plug n play fan harness for 2500/3500 4 speed fan trucks
- Single Zone ATC part 1 built in
>> Just add our ATC part 2 harness if needed (for 14+ 1500's/classic)
- Support for Dual Zone ATC ... For those wanting to add extra blend door.
>> Will have to custom build rest of blend door wiring into add-on harness
Will be same price as current harness with ATC Pt1 built in.
M² Mods.
Someone gave me a harness they got from elsewhere (before replacing it with ours to fix their problems) ...
Ours (see above):
- factory/FCA rated automotive wire
- Proper crimps/splices/harness protection
- Actual support before/after the sale
Compare the difference.
Theirs:
- thin stand/brittle generic 22awg hook up wire breaks easy.
- Taped splices (did solder them though)
- pins crimped correctly. I've seen worse.
* Can't fix this one.
'Someone' is apparently selling the original style 4 to 7 Speed fan /resistor harness' for 2500/3500's with poor crimps/small wire that's melting/burning up terminals at the i32A-7 connector behind the passenger kick panel. Be careful. (Would be great if that person with problem would post pictures)
M² Mods.
Last edited:
Ramcummins
Junior Member
A month ago, I purchased the harness and a few other items for this upgrade from Mpgrimm2. It all installed with no problems and has been working great! Wanted to say thanks to Grimm, highly recommended!
TerryH
Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2020
- Posts
- 99
- Reaction score
- 144
- Location
- Springdale, AR
- Ram Year
- 2017 Ram 3500
- Engine
- 6.7 turbo
Huge shout out to @Mpgrimm2 for the fantastic harnesses and the help with getting the RA4 conversion in my '17 3500 Tradesman Dually. Also a shout out to @78Staff for the great deal on the screen and HVAC panel. Install took all of 40 minutes including the cabin temp sensor. I'll be programming for ATC later. Very cool upgrade and could not have been easier! Now I can see to hook to my trailers.
TerryH
Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2020
- Posts
- 99
- Reaction score
- 144
- Location
- Springdale, AR
- Ram Year
- 2017 Ram 3500
- Engine
- 6.7 turbo
And just like that a few licks on the AlfaOBD and I have single zone ATC. 
Last edited:
AustinsRam1500
Junior Member
Ready for prime time ....
True universal 8.4 primary conversion harness (v4)... with:
- 4spd/7spd support in same harness
>> Just add our plug n play fan harness for 2500/3500 4 speed fan trucks
- Single Zone ATC part 1 built in
>> Just add our ATC part 2 harness if needed (for 14+ 1500's/classic)
- Support for Dual Zone ATC ... For those wanting to add extra blend door.
>> Will have to custom build rest of blend door wiring into add-on harness
Will be same price as current harness with ATC Pt1 built in.
M² Mods.
Hey man I’m really hoping you can help me out with this. What happened was I was helping my friend change his small screen to the 8.4. We bought a radio and a hvac bezel and the hvac module from a local auto wrecker. I built him the same conversion harness that I built for my 2014 ram 1500 st. When I went to install it I realized his truck was a 2013 with the 4 speed and not the 7 speed lol. Am I able to fix this harness to work with the 4 speed?
Ramcummins
Junior Member
Ok, so I have done this upgrade and when I turn on the air it wont come through the dash vents. I read that I can turn the temp all the way down and then all the way back up and they will work, this works. But, now the window defrost wont work unless I do the same thing again. So, I have to turn the temp all the way down to change from dash vents to defrost and visa versa. Is there any way to fix this? Would it be something to do with the ATC setting? If I said forget the ATC, would the vents work again?
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!
OP
OP
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2014
- Posts
- 6,095
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- SC
- Ram Year
- 2022 Ram 1500 (5th Gen)
- Engine
- 5.7L
ManualCummins
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2016
- Posts
- 222
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- Ram Year
- 2014
- Engine
- Cummins 6.7
If anybody needs a radio unlock code hit me up and sell them for five bucks each
emyers6
Junior Member
Has anyone ever swapped the main board of a VP4 into a VP3 head unit in theory this would make it a VP4 with the NAV HD radio etc (all benefits of a VP4). Can anyone shed some light if anyone has tried it or not?
I've found some refurbished VP4 main boards on eBay for $110-$130 and that cost added to what I got my VP3 for would be cheaper than I could have gotten a VP4 for in the first place. I build and refurbish desktop PCs and laptops so I am confident with my ability to do the work I am just trying to save my self from wasted money if this won't work but I don't see why it wouldn't work.
I've found some refurbished VP4 main boards on eBay for $110-$130 and that cost added to what I got my VP3 for would be cheaper than I could have gotten a VP4 for in the first place. I build and refurbish desktop PCs and laptops so I am confident with my ability to do the work I am just trying to save my self from wasted money if this won't work but I don't see why it wouldn't work.
Ramagain
Senior Member
Just completed this mod. Great instructions Mike. This harness is a work of art, much nicer that the OEM stuff IMHO. Everything went without a hitch.
I had to wait a day to get the resistor but had everything else wired up and ready to go once the resistor was installed this morning. I installed all the components with the batteries unhooked with the exception of the resistor. I updated the BCM after that following the guidelines in the Alfa Topic. 1st set dual z atc, then single z atc. I pulled the radio fuse each time for a few min. No issues to report. I will say that when I started the truck yesterday ( before installing the blower resistor and programming the BCM my side mirror defrost button flashed for a solid min before going out. I chalked it up to being an incomplete install. All functions are operational.
Very happy with the outcome!!!
I had to wait a day to get the resistor but had everything else wired up and ready to go once the resistor was installed this morning. I installed all the components with the batteries unhooked with the exception of the resistor. I updated the BCM after that following the guidelines in the Alfa Topic. 1st set dual z atc, then single z atc. I pulled the radio fuse each time for a few min. No issues to report. I will say that when I started the truck yesterday ( before installing the blower resistor and programming the BCM my side mirror defrost button flashed for a solid min before going out. I chalked it up to being an incomplete install. All functions are operational.
Very happy with the outcome!!!
OP
OP
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2014
- Posts
- 6,095
- Reaction score
- 4,174
- Location
- SC
- Ram Year
- 2022 Ram 1500 (5th Gen)
- Engine
- 5.7L
