5th Gen Key Fob in a 4th Gen Ram

[RyanDavidPonter]

Hi, so this may have been discussed already but I have been thinking of fitting in a 5th Gen Key Fob for my 4th Gen Ram 1500, of course it’s not going to be a 100% direct fit but I can probably work it out, and if it does I will show you how to!

Let’s start talking about the 5th Gen Key Fobs, so the 1500 5th Gens and Heavy Duty 5th Gens have 2 different Key Fobs. The Heavy Duty Key Fobs use the same shaped motherboard as the 4th Gens, meanwhile the 1500 5th Gens have completely redone Key Fobs, which makes sense because the Heavy Duty 5th Gens share many of parts from the 4th Gens, in fact the Heavy Duty 5th Gens are the same thing as the 4th Gens, just a different dash, front end, etc.

I also saw somebody else do it with their 4th Gen Limited, which means it is possible, so I’m going to try it since I like to actually try stuff out unlike other people.

I will keep an update on this and hopefully it works!

 

[ric221]

Well Mr. Ryan keep us posted on how your endeavor goes.

 

[RyanDavidPonter]

Hi, so this may have been discussed already but I have been thinking of fitting in a 5th Gen Key Fob for my 4th Gen Ram 1500, of course it’s not going to be a 100% direct fit but I can probably work it out, and if it does I will show you how to!

Let’s start talking about the 5th Gen Key Fobs, so the 1500 5th Gens and Heavy Duty 5th Gens have 2 different Key Fobs. The Heavy Duty Key Fobs use the same shaped motherboard as the 4th Gens, meanwhile the 1500 5th Gens have completely redone Key Fobs, which makes sense because the Heavy Duty 5th Gens share many of parts from the 4th Gens, in fact the Heavy Duty 5th Gens are the same thing as the 4th Gens, just a different dash, front end, etc.

I also saw somebody else do it with their 4th Gen Limited, which means it is possible, so I’m going to try it since I like to actually try stuff out unlike other people.

I will keep an update on this and hopefully it works!

So, I have ordered a Heavy Duty 5th Gen Key Fob to work on, it should be fairly easy except for the battery.

First of all, the motherboard on the 4th Gen Key Fobs (Push Button Key Fobs) has a holder for the battery, meanwhile the Heavy Duty 5th Gen Key Fobs don’t.


4th Gen Motherboard


5th Gen Motherboard

It may require some shaving to make it fit 100% perfect, but it should be easier to do than I thought.

I will keep you all updated when I start this project!

 

[04fxdwgi]

May I ask why there is a need to use a 5th gen FOB for the 4th gen? Not being a smart a$$, but just curious.

 

[RyanDavidPonter]

May I ask why there is a need to use a 5th gen FOB for the 4th gen? Not being a smart a$$, but just curious.

Well, my old Key Fobs are absolutely worn out, so it gave me the idea to try this.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Ok. Thanx for the reply

 

[RyanDavidPonter]

So, I have ordered a Heavy Duty 5th Gen Key Fob to work on, it should be fairly easy except for the battery.

First of all, the motherboard on the 4th Gen Key Fobs (Push Button Key Fobs) has a holder for the battery, meanwhile the Heavy Duty 5th Gen Key Fobs don’t.

View attachment 544176
4th Gen Motherboard

View attachment 544178
5th Gen Motherboard

It may require some shaving to make it fit 100% perfect, but it should be easier to do than I thought.

I will keep you all updated when I start this project!

Finally, the Key Fob has arrived!

So first of all, I had to shave the plastic off where the battery sits on the new Key Fob, still working on it but the motherboard is now on! Everything seems good so far, just need to get the battery finished!

Here is a before and after, looks amazing!

 

[RyanDavidPonter]

Finally, the Key Fob has arrived!

So first of all, I had to shave the plastic off where the battery sits on the new Key Fob, still working on it but the motherboard is now on! Everything seems good so far, just need to get the battery finished!

Here is a before and after, looks amazing!

View attachment 544374

And finally, it’s done!

Works amazing and I am not having any issues with it whatsoever!

So to the people who were wondering if a 5th Gen Key Fob can be retrofitted for a 4th Gen Ram, yes you can!

Minimum trimming for the battery to fit and works like a charm!

 

[BucketGruntJL]

Nicely done my friend. If you could, would you be able to show where/what you had to trim? I assume it's the circuit board itself and nothing to do with the plastic housing correct? I too prefer the newer fobs and if it's this easy to do then I'll order a cheapie Amazon fob asap!

 

[BucketGruntJL]

Got it figured out. Like you said, just minor trimming for the battery to fit and in it went. Thanks for the initiative!

 

[professor00]

Got it figured out. Like you said, just minor trimming for the battery to fit and in it went. Thanks for the initiative!

was the physical key also able to fit into the new style key fob the same!?

 

[BucketGruntJL]

was the physical key also able to fit into the new style key fob the same!?

No sir.....had to get the new key cut as well! All my local Ace hardware stores all said the same thing "cannot cut unless purchased from us" even after offering to buy a key blank they still wouldn't do it. Found a local old school locksmith to do it for $5.