Stereo replacement

BigHossRides · May 15, 2023

I'm having intermiten problems with my 8.4 not wanting to power up when I start the truck, if it does this then when I get going down the road all of sudden the radio comes. So when it won't come when engine is started I don't have back up camera, or phone call capability til it decides to come on.
Thinking of replacing it with aftermarket 10.4 in tablet style,any one ever put one in and if so how is it doing?
Had a dealer friend tell me to replace it years ago because he said factory radios are crap.

SitKneelBend · May 15, 2023

BigHossRides said:
I'm having intermiten problems with my 8.4 not wanting to power up when I start the truck, if it does this then when I get going down the road all of sudden the radio comes. So when it won't come when engine is started I don't have back up camera, or phone call capability til it decides to come on.
Thinking of replacing it with aftermarket 10.4 in tablet style,any one ever put one in and if so how is it doing?
Had a dealer friend tell me to replace it years ago because he said factory radios are crap.

I would not recommend the 10.4" radios over the factory 8.4. Have you tried any firmware upgrades or hardware resets?

GTyankee · May 16, 2023

look at this site

Software Update for Uconnect® - Check For Updates

Check here to see if your Uconnect® system is due for a software update. Simply enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) to check for any updates.

www.driveuconnect.com

CanuckRam1313 · May 16, 2023

I knew going in when purchasing my 19' new that UConnect is a flawed system with issues since they started putting them in.

I had several warranty updates, had the head unit replaced with a new one, and then updates afterwards, and still issues, like yours and others, too.

I had enough and had a new Kenwood Excelon Reference DMX957XR head unit installed and all has been perfect. No loss of any of the original factory touchscreen controls and functionality, and nicely enough I gained even more controls and functionality as well.

RamDiver · May 16, 2023

CanuckRam1313 said:
I knew going in when purchasing my 19' new that UConnect is a flawed system with issues since they started putting them in.

I had several warranty updates, had the head unit replaced with a new one, and then updates afterwards, and still issues, like yours and others, too.

I had enough and had a new Kenwood Excelon Reference DMX957XR head unit installed and all has been perfect. No loss of any of the original factory touchscreen controls and functionality, and nicely enough I gained even more controls and functionality as well.

This looks like an excellent choice according to reviews and now -48% or $647 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-Reference-DMX957XR-Multimedia-Receiver/dp/B084BTBZTL

.

CanuckRam1313 · May 16, 2023

RamDiver said:
This looks like an excellent choice according to reviews and now -48% or $647 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-Reference-DMX957XR-Multimedia-Receiver/dp/B084BTBZTL

.

It is a fantastic head unit, but I would not purchase from Amazon. That pricing is far too suspect. Crutchfield is the place to source, albeit it is $1,100.00 plus tax, but worth every darn penny for quality, customer service, and warranty

BigHossRides · May 16, 2023

SitKneelBend said:
I would not recommend the 10.4" radios over the factory 8.4. Have you tried any firmware upgrades or hardware resets?

No didn't know about those how do I get that handled

SitKneelBend · May 16, 2023

BigHossRides said:
No didn't know about those how do I get that handled

What year is your truck? Was it sold in the US? Does it have navigation built in?

BigHossRides · May 16, 2023

SitKneelBend said:
What year is your truck? Was it sold in the US? Does it have navigation built in?

It's a 2014 no navigation, and yes it was sold in the US

BigHossRides · May 16, 2023

My truck is a 2014 and has no navigation and I bought it in Arizona so I guess that's means it was sold in the US

SitKneelBend · May 17, 2023

BigHossRides said:
My truck is a 2014 and has no navigation and I bought it in Arizona so I guess that's means it was sold in the US

It appears you have a 2014 8.4" RA3 radio. You should confirm your part number before attempting to update your Firmware which can be found here...

INFO - 2013-2018 8.4A /AN FW Notes (RA3/VP3-NA & RA4/VP4-NA & UAx)

DISCLAIMER: I am not a coder, developer, software guru, electrical engineer, etc. but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express once! Since some have had issues with the 4th Gen 8.4 conversion I am looking to gather some details into one thread. I will update as new information is found and posted...

www.ramforum.com

One Mile Up · May 18, 2023

@BigHossRides -- I dumped my factory unit for a Kenwood tablet style and it's been my favorite upgrade to my truck by FAR. It made my factory speakers sound amazing... lol! Not to mention all of the other upgrades you get when moving over to a newer head-unit! :cheers:

8.4 head unit replacement

The UConnect 4 8.4" radio in our 2018 Laramie has decided to go nuts. When I start the truck for the first time of the day various things happen like: the screen continuously scrolls through all of the Sirius channels, the backup screen comes on even though I'm driving forward, loses station...

www.ramforum.com

BigHossRides · May 19, 2023

One Mile Up said:
@BigHossRides -- I dumped my factory unit for a Kenwood tablet style and it's been my favorite upgrade to my truck by FAR. It made my factory speakers sound amazing... lol! Not to mention all of the other upgrades you get when moving over to a newer head-unit!

8.4 head unit replacement

The UConnect 4 8.4" radio in our 2018 Laramie has decided to go nuts. When I start the truck for the first time of the day various things happen like: the screen continuously scrolls through all of the Sirius channels, the backup screen comes on even though I'm driving forward, loses station...

www.ramforum.com

Thanks for the input, I'm looking at a floating screen radio. Jenson makes one and crutchfield carries it. It's got a 10 inch screen so should be nice.

AZOZ · May 22, 2023

CanuckRam1313 said:
I knew going in when purchasing my 19' new that UConnect is a flawed system with issues since they started putting them in.

I had several warranty updates, had the head unit replaced with a new one, and then updates afterwards, and still issues, like yours and others, too.

I had enough and had a new Kenwood Excelon Reference DMX957XR head unit installed and all has been perfect. No loss of any of the original factory touchscreen controls and functionality, and nicely enough I gained even more controls and functionality as well.

Does this work with Navigation? Do you need a harness adapter ?

Fnjoey · May 22, 2023

One Mile Up said:
@BigHossRides -- I dumped my factory unit for a Kenwood tablet style and it's been my favorite upgrade to my truck by FAR. It made my factory speakers sound amazing... lol! Not to mention all of the other upgrades you get when moving over to a newer head-unit!

8.4 head unit replacement

The UConnect 4 8.4" radio in our 2018 Laramie has decided to go nuts. When I start the truck for the first time of the day various things happen like: the screen continuously scrolls through all of the Sirius channels, the backup screen comes on even though I'm driving forward, loses station...

www.ramforum.com

Was it plug and play like the old days? Or did you have to buy extra stuff to keep all the features the truck has.

MattW · May 22, 2023

BigHossRides said:
I'm having intermiten problems with my 8.4 not wanting to power up when I start the truck, if it does this then when I get going down the road all of sudden the radio comes. So when it won't come when engine is started I don't have back up camera, or phone call capability til it decides to come on.
Thinking of replacing it with aftermarket 10.4 in tablet style,any one ever put one in and if so how is it doing?
Had a dealer friend tell me to replace it years ago because he said factory radios are crap.

I am having the random switching inputs and everything on my 2018 8.4 system now also. What did you do to fix the issue and did it work?

MattW · May 22, 2023

GTyankee said:
look at this site

Software Update for Uconnect® - Check For Updates

Check here to see if your Uconnect® system is due for a software update. Simply enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) to check for any updates.

www.driveuconnect.com

Does doing the software upgrade help the random input changes and flaking out of the 8.4 on the 2018?

One Mile Up · May 22, 2023

AZOZ said:
Does this work with Navigation? Do you need a harness adapter ?

If you completely replace your head-unit I believe that your factory navigation is gone with it - as well...
-HOWEVER-
You then gain much much better navigation (IMO) via Apple Car Play / Android Auto

One Mile Up · May 22, 2023

Fnjoey said:
Was it plug and play like the old days? Or did you have to buy extra stuff to keep all the features the truck has.

Just needed to add this guy and then all of my current buttons / functions / features worked with my new head-unit.

PoconoJoe · May 22, 2023

I've always used Crutchfield. They will hook you up with whatever modules, harnesses, programming, etc that you will need. Their techs are great if you have any questions.
I changed the unit in my daughter's 2015 Ram. The factory unit completely died. She opted for a Pioneer unit and it has been great. Maybe not super high end, but good enough for her. It was under $600. It has all the factory controls for music, phone, great rear camera screen, HVAC, etc, plus extra screens she didn't have before such as digital gauges for engine monitoring.

Stereo replacement

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