Installing CarPlay in 2014 1500

knightjp · Nov 24, 2021

I'm thinking of which route I want to take in terms of upgrading my Ram's infotainment. I want something that I could easily use Apple CarPlay with.
The biggest issue is where I live. I have to order everything online and hope I get the right thing. |
Probably the best, would be to do the swap with factory stuff and I think there is a company called infotainment that have a kit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roEqDSHAKt8
However looking at swap of the media hub in the center console, I'm not too happy with that. Its going to make my OCD run wild.
I like the idea of the Android unit and the large screen, however I don't think that it works well with USB media hub in the center console. My OCD will act up with that as well. Apart from that I believe that this unit has its own mic and stuff, which is fine. I was assuming that it used the mic that is in the Ram already.
https://autotecpro.com/product/dodg...a-touch-screen-android-navigation-gps-system/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOEqRi5eixA

It would appear that both options do require quite a lot more work than is apparent in order to work as a factory fit.

Is there a 3rd option to have the factory head unit and a large screen?

Neil E · Nov 24, 2021

I would stay away from the Android head units. If you're worried about cost, you could go namebrand aftermarket, Kenwood, Sony, Pioneer, etc. That's the route I would take as it would save money from the OEM unit. If money was not an object, I would upgrade to the newer 8.4 head unit.

audiophile · Nov 24, 2021

Neil E said:
I would stay away from the Android head units. If you're worried about cost, you could go namebrand aftermarket, Kenwood, Sony, Pioneer, etc. That's the route I would take as it would save money from the OEM unit. If money was not an object, I would upgrade to the newer 8.4 head unit.

I concur. I personally prefer Pioneer. But many aftermarket unit offer Car Play and Android Auto. Look at Crutchfield. You can get everything you need for under a grand depending on the head unit.

Ryno1500 · Nov 24, 2021

Biggest problem right now is supply. I ended up going to the 8.4 because all the radios with iDatalink and CarPlay are sold out.

knightjp · Nov 24, 2021

Ryno1500 said:
Biggest problem right now is supply. I ended up going to the 8.4 because all the radios with iDatalink and CarPlay are sold out.

So you went for a 8.4 from something earlier than 2018?

As much as the Android units get quite a bit of hate and rightfully so, to a point, their newer units are getting good reviews. I was just told by someone who put one of the 10 inch units into his 2014 Ram and has had it for over 1.5 years with no issues.

Looking through the forums, I see that there are people who are having issues with the Uconnect systems from 2015 and upwards. My friend who used to have a Charger said that he constantly had issues whereas I didn't. He attributed it to this little known fact.
https://www.autoguide.com/auto-news...C2pgLVgs.OxgMIOxBoQ4-1637789067-0-gaNycGzNB2U

Having a background in IT, and now knowing this fact, since the Android system is sort of open sourced / Linux based, I would have a more easier time rectifying the issues of the Android unit over the factory one that is completely closed source.

Ryno1500 · Nov 24, 2021

I am going to the UAS 8.4 out of a 2018. I was really wanting to go with an Alpine system, but like I said, sold out with no ETA. I've considered the Android units, at the end of the day, I just not a big Android fan.

knightjp · Nov 24, 2021

Ryno1500 said:
I am going to the UAS 8.4 out of a 2018. I was really wanting to go with an Alpine system, but like I said, sold out with no ETA. I've considered the Android units, at the end of the day, I just not a big Android fan.

I'm not a fan of Android either. I choose to use an iPhone over any Android device. But I will state that they have gotten better over the years, and I'm not a fan of Microsoft seeing what they have done with Sync...

Maybe this would be more your speed.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

I would certainly consider it, if there was a way to use the backup camera on the iPad and connect it to the stock USB ports in the console.

Ryno1500 · Nov 24, 2021

Looked at that idea as well, but they don't make that mount to sell. It's for custom installs at their shop only.

knightjp · Nov 25, 2021

Ryno1500 said:
Looked at that idea as well, but they don't make that mount to sell. It's for custom installs at their shop only.

Yeah.. that is a shame.

Bmags · Apr 25, 2022

Put in a radio from a 2018. That’s the most compatible one for the 2014

UnkoBro · May 7, 2022

knightjp said:
Yeah.. that is a shame.

I can tell you from personal experience...I have a 2014 Ram Express, and I did the swap from the stock 5.0 to a My18 UAQ 8.4 Nav/CarPlay/AA unit and it was the best thing I could've done 100%. I saved a TON of money by sourcing out the parts myself; I found a used UAQ 8.4 for $800 shipped (to Hawaii, which always costs more!) and all the parts I needed for the conversion were purchased from @Mpgrimm2 (M2mods) right here from this Forum. He (in my opinion) is the expert in this conversion, and helped me out every step of the way. With his research, he's mastered all the little nuances involved in doing the conversion (where others had failed, even Infotainment...who eventually mimicked his designs). Too many details to get into, but believe me, its been a lifesaver. I love my UAQ and use Android Auto religiously. I am by no means a mechanic or technician...and as complicated as the swap seemed, I was able to do it with confidence. In order to get everything to work correctly, there are alot of steps; harnesses, sensors, conversion plugs, a/c bezel (for touchscreen climate controls), a new media hub (6-wire to 8-wire), and of course, the AlfaOBD steps. After the swap, I upgraded my 6-speaker system to Infinity Reference and I've been lovin it ever since. I also have the center seat/console, and swapping out the media hub was easy; a dremel tool to trim out the hole to snap in the new one. Reach out to @Mpgrimm2 and you won't be disappointed...I'll attach some photos to show some of the process.

knightjp · May 7, 2022

@UnkoBro Looks awesome.

Update: I got myself one of those Android units. I'm not a huge fan of Android itself. Personally I would have liked something like an iOS or iPad setup, but those aren't so easy to do and it would be a whole lot of work as compared to the Android kits that are on offer.

I'm going to make this clear. It would have been much better for me to get a factory 2018 head unit, but sadly getting one here would have been more trouble than its worth.
A friend of mine recently put in one of the new units into his Audi A7 and it works like the factory unit. I was amazed by that and decided to get one for myself.

"Tesla Style" 10.4 Android Radio Information

So I'm hearing that phoenix has worse customer service than Linkswell? The only good aftermarket android radio I've seen so far that is supported is Stinger Heigh 10. Is this from Linkswell? If so there is a Facebook group where you can find good customer service...

www.ramforum.com

Having lived with this unit for a month now, I'm really happy with it. Having a navigation screen so big and take up the full screen is so handy. I had the option of getting the 12" screen, but I did not like the look of it. I felt on the 4th Gen Ram, the 10" unit was more of a factory looking fit. When I start up the truck, it automatically connects to Apple Carplay wirelessly and I have no issues yet. There are a couple of aesthetic things that I'm not happy about and soon will have those sorted. The good thing that being an Android unit, is quite a bit of customizability for them.
Frankly even the factory USB hub in the center console worked out of the box. I didn't have to do anything specific for it to work.

"Tesla Style" 10.4 Android Radio Information

I saw in a number of videos where you first connect your phone via bluetooth and then you start up the Zlink application. It works and my Apple Carplay works wirelessly on my unit. Now whenever I start up the truck, it connects Carplay automatically. I did make a mistake and accidentally...

www.ramforum.com

Installing CarPlay in 2014 1500

knightjp

Senior Member

Neil E

Senior Member

audiophile

Senior Member

Ryno1500

Senior Member

knightjp

Senior Member

Ryno1500

Senior Member

knightjp

Senior Member

- YouTube

Ryno1500

Senior Member

knightjp

Senior Member

Bmags

Senior Member

UnkoBro

Member

Attachments

knightjp

Senior Member

"Tesla Style" 10.4 Android Radio Information

"Tesla Style" 10.4 Android Radio Information

Similar threads

Latest posts

Staff online

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page