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

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Luisp22

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debating on putting a 2017 or a 2018 radio on my express 2015. I’m adding the limited seats with all the heated/ventilated and heated wheel options. Seeing some notes that it will Have issues on the 2018 radios that it will show grayed soft key for those that added factory seats/wheel? Will it be smart to have the 2017 or 2018? I really want to have those soft keys on the radio. I saw a 2018 for sale 68331635AJ . Will that be a good choice or have the 2017 68270661AE with navigation?
 

Mpgrimm2

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debating on putting a 2017 or a 2018 radio on my express 2015. I’m adding the limited seats with all the heated/ventilated and heated wheel options. Seeing some notes that it will Have issues on the 2018 radios that it will show grayed soft key for those that added factory seats/wheel? Will it be smart to have the 2017 or 2018? I really want to have those soft keys on the radio. I saw a 2018 for sale 68331635AJ . Will that be a good choice or have the 2017 68270661AE with navigation?
Note: you will need 13-18/classic 4th gen seats. Not 5th gen, not 09-12 seats.

If you add the hardware seat buttons below the radio, those will still work with either radio... But if you want guaranteed working on screen controls, a 13-17 Harmon RAx radio is the option.

For your 13-15 truck... The on screen seat controls will very likely not work with the UAx upgrade. The Infotainment '4c Seat Interface module' sometimes fixes it, and the CustomTronix Enzo module may also correct it if it occurs.)
 

Luisp22

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Note: you will need 13-18/classic 4th gen seats. Not 5th gen, not 09-12 seats.

If you add the hardware seat buttons below the radio, those will still work with either radio... But if you want guaranteed working on screen controls, a 13-17 Harmon RAx radio is the option.

For your 13-15 truck... The on screen seat controls will very likely not work with the UAx upgrade. The Infotainment '4c Seat Interface module' sometimes fixes it, and the CustomTronix Enzo module may also correct it if it occurs.)
Thank you! Sounds like a gamble there. I think I will go with the 2017 W/Nav. One last question. I keep seeing on eBay that the 68270661AE comes out from a Cherokee as well. Does that mean I won’t have the Ram themes and boot up on the display? Or is there a specific radio model
That comes out from a 2017 Laramie/limited with Nav? I’m also waiting for the open window to get the harness you make. I just want to add the memory seats on it but you noted until the end of the note. I can’t wait to add my seats!
 
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Mpgrimm2

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Thank you! Sounds like a gamble there. I think I will go with the 2017 W/Nav. One last question. I keep seeing on eBay that the 68270661AE comes out from a Cherokee as well. Does that mean I won’t have the Ram themes and boot up on the display? Or is there a specific radio model
That comes out from a 2017 Laramie/limited with Nav? I’m also waiting for the open window to get the harness you make. I just want to add the memory seats on it but you noted until the end of the note. I can’t wait to add my seats!
The same pn Harmon radios where used in 13-17 Ram, Cherokee and viper vehicles. Splash screen/features will updated when the radio configures itself from the BCM settings it reads from the truck once installed. (Send me a message about the radio/ seats)
 

GaryDS

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I have a 2017 Ram Rebel. I went to a salvage yard and got the 2018 radio, console tray with media hub and the cable that connects to the media hub and the main cable under the console.

All plugs right up and works great with no modifications. The only glitch is the seat heaters will not come on with a remote start nor when starting the truck. I can turn them on after starting. I went into the setup screen but didn't help.
 

GaryDS

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I have a 2017 Ram Rebel. I went to a salvage yard and got the 2018 radio, console tray with media hub and the cable that connects to the media hub and the main cable under the console.

All plugs right up and works great with no modifications. The only glitch is the seat heaters will not come on with a remote start nor when starting the truck. I can turn them on after starting. I went into the setup screen but didn't help.
 

GaryDS

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This morning they come on with the remote start. Does outside temp dictate if they come on or not?
 

JKG33

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Hey ya'll, signed up just because of this thread. I've got a 2017 Sport (Canadian, if that matters). Just got t-boned the other day, unsure if it'll be a write-off. But I've been driving my parents 2018 sport and looking at a few new 2022's. Getting hooked on this android auto thing, really cool stuff. If my '17 can be saved I'll likely upgrade the unit.

Now here's my question. Has anyone purchased a unit from carplaynav (not sure if linking them is against the rules)? It looks like they've got an entire kit for $2000 CAD, and it ships from Canada which would save me a few dollars. Or am I better off getting the unit (68331631AO) from allmoparparts and piecing together a kit myself?

My parents 2018 has that de-lamination issue as well, ideally I'd like to avoid that. Does anyone know if that issue is fixed in newer units?
 

tron67j

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2019 and up fixed the delamination issue. I would read through the thread, there is a lot of necessary information. For example, on your 2017 you will need a wiring harness to allow your 2017 to fully utilize a 2019+ (again, 2018 has the features but had delam problems) uas or uav. M²Mods makes and sells them, check Vendor section. Good luck.
 

Mpgrimm2

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Hey ya'll, signed up just because of this thread. I've got a 2017 Sport (Canadian, if that matters). Just got t-boned the other day, unsure if it'll be a write-off. But I've been driving my parents 2018 sport and looking at a few new 2022's. Getting hooked on this android auto thing, really cool stuff. If my '17 can be saved I'll likely upgrade the unit.

Now here's my question. Has anyone purchased a unit from carplaynav (not sure if linking them is against the rules)? It looks like they've got an entire kit for $2000 CAD, and it ships from Canada which would save me a few dollars. Or am I better off getting the unit (68331631AO) from allmoparparts and piecing together a kit myself?

My parents 2018 has that de-lamination issue as well, ideally I'd like to avoid that. Does anyone know if that issue is fixed in newer units?
CarPlayNav is a bit sketch and doesn't really understand the in/outs of what you're getting into... (They were buying harnesses from me for a bit before I had to cut ties. I won't go into details here).

Also, if you're in Canada, here's some additional PN's with Canadian version if you find one from a salvage yard, eBay, etc...

2018/19 classic 4th Gen Ram Radio: (USA)
68331631Ax (UAQ 4c Nav)
or 68331635Ax (UAS 4c non-nav)

2020/21 classic 4th Gen Ram Radio: (USA)
68461699Ax (UAQ 4c Nav)
or 68461703Ax (UAS 4c non-nav)

---------------------

2018/19 classic 4th Gen Ram Radio: (Canadian)
68331632Ax (UCQ 4c Nav)
or 68340153Ax (UCS 4c non-nav)

2020/21 classic 4th Gen Ram Radio: (Canadian)
68461700Ax (UCQ 4c Nav)
or 68461704AC (UCS 4c non-nav)
 

dmaw2308

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I've read through the first 10-15 pages and then the last 5-10 pages, 378 pages is a LOT to read through... I think I've found the correct radio on eBay, and the compass hub on mopar parts giant. My only questions at the moment are, where do I buy the harness, and can someone confirm I'm looking at the correct radio?
 

Mpgrimm2

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I've read through the first 10-15 pages and then the last 5-10 pages, 378 pages is a LOT to read through... I think I've found the correct radio on eBay, and the compass hub on mopar parts giant. My only questions at the moment are, where do I buy the harness, and can someone confirm I'm looking at the correct radio?
See above post and send me a message for details.
 

dmaw2308

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See above post and send me a message for details.
I tried messaging you on Friday, if you didn't receive it, I may be doing something wrong. I usually just read and observe on here, rarely interact. lol
 

Mpgrimm2

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I tried messaging you on Friday, if you didn't receive it, I may be doing something wrong. I usually just read and observe on here, rarely interact. lol
Sent you a message
 

GCecchetto

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Howdy Folks;

My apologies if these are repeat questions, 378 pages is a lot to read through. I did the radio upgrade in my 2014 Ram 2500 a year or more ago and have had an intermittent problem with Android auto disconnecting. Once it disconnects, it won't reconnect until the truck has been shut down, and has sat long enough that the radio fully shuts down. Recently I switched back to an iphone and am having the same problem with carplay, but it seems to be getting progressively worse. Now when I plug in, I'm lucky if carplay stays connected for 10 minutes. I have tried different cables to connect the phone to the hub, but that makes no difference. I have not yet tried an actual apple cable yet, but will the next time I'm in the truck. Curios if anyone else has had this issue and figured it out?

Next, the firmware version in my radio has the issue where the uconnect voice prompts are super loud, and when you turn down the volume it just jumps right back up. Can anyone direct me to where I can download current firmware? If I remember correctly, I can't get it through the uconnect website like I used to since the new radio isn't linked to my VIN.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 

crash

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quick question for those that have done the upgrade. anyone notice that the FM reception terrible compared to the Harman 8.4 radio? the Harman 8.4 wasn't great. this one is bad. (I'm still dependent on FM until I can find a hub at a wrecker) . Is there anyway to improve or boost FM reception?

also of note, for those in Canada, the 2017 Chrysler 200 hub that I was after (dual USB and aux) is non existent car-part.com. apparently 2017 200's weren't popular for the Cdn market.
 

jugernot

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New member of the Android auto club here and loving it (in my 2017 Ram). Installed a UCQ (68340153AH, Canadian equivalent to UAQ from 2018 Ram). Got it from a salvage yard in Saskatoon for $500 plus shipping Canadian $.

I installed a USB C hub from a 2019 Ram and all works great, minus a couple issues.

First, sxm works fine and Android auto works perfectly (wireless with Moto MA1 adapter btw), totally recommended!

My issues

- Factory navigation just shows "Loading navigation" and it never proceeds to an actual map. While Android auto is nice, I live in Colorado and there are many dead spots in cell coverage.

- My radio presets occasionally disappear after starting up the truck.

Would loading the v39 update fix these issues? I'd assume that the navigation/gps uses the same antenna as the sxm, right? My sxm which works fine.

Any ideas?
 
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Average J0e

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I have a 2017 Ram Rebel. I went to a salvage yard and got the 2018 radio, console tray with media hub and the cable that connects to the media hub and the main cable under the console.

All plugs right up and works great with no modifications. The only glitch is the seat heaters will not come on with a remote start nor when starting the truck. I can turn them on after starting. I went into the setup screen but didn't help.
Hey Gary, Do you have the part numbers for the parts you got? Also does that junkyard have more Ram parts for another radio upgrade? I'm looking to upgrade my 2017 Lone Star. I need all the same parts that you used.
Thanks!
 

dmaw2308

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Just FYI for anyone looking to do the upgrade. New radios are on backorder, only one website showed that they were out of stock, all others make it seem like they are in stock until you purchase. One website said 8 week ETA, the rest have said they are out of stock, on backorder, with no available ETA.
Don't be like me and tear your truck apart thinking you'll have a radio within a week only to find out you may never get one.
 
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