5th Gen TRX console and shifter installed in 2015 4th gen Longhorn

[crash]

welp. I have been around awhile and read/lurk a lot. Bare with my post and posted video, it's my first video truck related. I first wanted to start with a BIG HUGE thank you to @GB55 for doing a LOT of the groundwork on physical fit and tweaks required to get the 5th gen console installed and not appear cobbled in place, assisting me with so many questions via PM. As well as @AllMoparParts.com for helping with some wiring info that I wasn't able to obtain (find) out on the worldwidewebs.

In my searches I only seemed to find a few results here and on FB in regards to a few 4th gen guys successfully installing a charger/challenger shifter in their 4th gen. GB55 had done the console install but hasn't got to the shifter/electronic due to weather/time constraints.

The KEY to this functioning is using a combination of TRX and challenger/charger shifter pieces. Specifically, the electronics from a challenger/charger shifter swapped into the body of the TRX shifter.

I will come back and post more pics in the second post, which I'll keep as a blank for now, showing the parts I used and details with the electronics and wiring. I'm no tech guru by any stretch of the imagination. It was just common sense thinking to me.

I still have a few things to iron out. USB media port showing track info. my 8.4 uconnect was previously upgraded from a 2015 unit to a 2021 carplay with a harness and USB port from Mpgrimm2, so that was kind of plug and play. I'm not expecting the TRX/Hellcat sport type shifting. the rear heating duct still needs some massaging. gear limiting shifting (manual mode) does not function at this point but I'll look into alfaobd and see if a setting in there can be changed to accommodate. if not, not the end of the world. wheel gear limiter has become habit anyway. the wireless charging pad is not yet wired in, it will be. as well as the rear heated seat controls, they are not yet sorted. I'll have to somehow make a filler panel for the dial location. I don't like the look of the 4wd selector that is an actual dial, looks dated. I prefer the push buttons as they are now. If I'm able to make a filler, I'll use the dial location as a mag phone mount.

TLDR here's a short clip showing it functioning. I've been driving it 5 days with no issue.

Ram 5th gen TRX console with shifter in 2015 4th gen Ram

Just a quick video to show that it's working and brief summary of notable that may need to be done.

youtu.be

 

[crash]

blank. saved for updates.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Very interesting

 

[emjohn4]

That looks great! How did you handle the transition between the center console and the radio bezel?

 

[crash]

That looks great! How did you handle the transition between the center console and the radio bezel?

the bottom of the 4th gen bezel needed to have the cubby removed (cut out), then a bit shaved off of the radio bezel as well. the cubby I'm talking about is formed where the orig console and radio bezel meet. in the original 4th gen config the radio bezel sits behind the console, it's that hidden area that needs to be shaved back (outlined in red) to meet with the center portion that sits up a little higher. it took a lot of in and out trying to get the curves as clean and even as possible with a dremel and sanding wheel. when going back together, now the radio bezel sit above or on the top of the console instead of behind.


cubby below


better angle of the transition.

 

[emjohn4]

That looks great - thank you! I have had a 5th gen console sitting in my garage for ... 18 months now. I fit it all up, got to the point where I needed to cut the bezel, and said 'maybe later' I'll figure it out.

Glad you did - it isn't as much that needs cut as I thought!

 

[crash]

That looks great - thank you! I have had a 5th gen console sitting in my garage for ... 18 months now. I fit it all up, got to the point where I needed to cut the bezel, and said 'maybe later' I'll figure it out.

Glad you did - it isn't as much that needs cut as I thought!

Just remember, read GB55's thread, 10 times LOL. I only read a couple and quickly and still couldn't get things lined up right. it was after messaging and going back and figuring out what details I'd missed that sorted me out. apparently, my reading comprehension sucks. It was only with massive insight from GB55 that I fully committed. if it wasn't for his posts in his 2019 classic build thread, I likely wouldn't have taken the leap. I didn't want to damage anything on my original console/bezel that I didn't feel I could back out of or 'undo' if I wasn't happy with the fit and finish of the TRX console. The 5th gen console on the other hand, it went under the knife more than the 4th gen bezel. specifically the front ear portion.
the fitment was secondary to ensuring I could get the shifter working first, that was my primary priority. if the shifter worked and the console didn't fit/look great installed, my plan B was to install the TRX shifter into the existing 4th gen console.

 

[Backwoodsram]

@crash Do you have a plan to attach the wing panels from your old console to cover the gap on either side? I'm refining the fit of a 2022 console on my 2018. After several failed attempts to make something else work, I ended up cutting off the wing panel mounts from my old console and used some glue that works on this type of plastic to line everything up and hold it in place before putting in some fasteners to anchor everything down. I didn't want to cut up my old console, but replacement side panels can be had relatively cheaply. Also, I watched the video you have linked in the OP I got around the AC duct issue by cutting down that short intermediate duct and then using foil ducting tape to make a flange that fits into the console ducting. It's not a perfect seal, but plenty of air comes out of the rear vents.

 

[crash]

Hey @Backwoodsram sorry for the delay responding, I have now subbed this thread so I'm notified of updates lol. I do have my original 4th gen console wings and will be fitting the ears. They actually fit perfectly to finish it off. They will slip into place now, but won't stay there. One bump and they fall out. I'm going to use a small piece, maybe 4" long, of some double sided foam tape to secure them. If that fails after awhile, I'll consider one small black screw near the top.
Great idea with the foam tape for the duct. I'll try that. I actually haven't got back to doing anything further with it yet since my original post with the video. Work, life, weather, summer car coming out of storage etc have kept me occupied.
Hopefully, this weekend I'll have some time to pull it back out and make more progress.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Will a shifter out of a 16 thru 21 grand cherokee work. Looks like the attached

 

[crash]

Will a shifter out of a 16 thru 21 grand cherokee work. Looks like the attached

the body does look the same, handle is similar. can't speak to the electronics side of things. sorry for the delay responding, even though I'm subbed I didn't get an email.

 

[Wild one]

Hey @Backwoodsram sorry for the delay responding, I have now subbed this thread so I'm notified of updates lol. I do have my original 4th gen console wings and will be fitting the ears. They actually fit perfectly to finish it off. They will slip into place now, but won't stay there. One bump and they fall out. I'm going to use a small piece, maybe 4" long, of some double sided foam tape to secure them. If that fails after awhile, I'll consider one small black screw near the top.
Great idea with the foam tape for the duct. I'll try that. I actually haven't got back to doing anything further with it yet since my original post with the video. Work, life, weather, summer car coming out of storage etc have kept me occupied.
Hopefully, this weekend I'll have some time to pull it back out and make more progress.

If you pick up some 30+lb double sided tape,it works really good if you apply some adhesion promotor to both surfaces before sticking the tape on.

 

[crash]

If you pick up some 30+lb double sided tape,it works really good if you apply some adhesion promotor to both surfaces before sticking the tape on.

perfect, thanks. I think I have some Norton 1/2" around here somewhere, left from a previous adventure.

 

[Wild one]

perfect, thanks. I think I have some Norton 1/2" around here somewhere, left from a previous adventure.

The trick to making double sided tape stick,is to clean the surfaces really well,then apply some adhesion promoter before sticking the tape down.

 

[Harley95]

Were you able to use the 4th gen rear mounting bracket with the 5th gen console? If so did you have to modify it to get it to work.

 

[crash]

I honestly can't answer that .. yet. new holes in the floor need to be made and rivnuts need to be used as the 5th gen console bracket sits about 5" - 6" farther back than the 4th gen location. I still have to install the rivnuts and test it. haven't had time to get back to it. I have found it doesn't wobble and is secure enough without fastening the rear bracket being used. been driving it like that since my original post 5 months ago with no issues.

 

[Harley95]

Thanks for the information. From what I have read here and on @GB55 build it sound like the front floor and dash brackets work from the 4th gen with a little modifying. I just received my 5th gen console and getting ready to start tearing into it. Do you have the wiring diagrams and connector pin outs for both the 4th gen and 5th gen connectors at the console. Would like to have the lighting around the usb ports work as well as the single usb the storage area that is just for charging.

The console I bought also had the cd unit in it. That will be replaced with the storage pocket that I plan to add a wireless charger ring to the bottom of. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Thanks for the information. From what I have read here and on @GB55 build it sound like the front floor and dash brackets work from the 4th gen with a little modifying. I just received my 5th gen console and getting ready to start tearing into it. Do you have the wiring diagrams and connector pin outs for both the 4th gen and 5th gen connectors at the console. Would like to have the lighting around the usb ports work as well as the single usb the storage area that is just for charging.

The console I bought also had the cd unit in it. That will be replaced with the storage pocket that I plan to add a wireless charger ring to the bottom of. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

There is a fellow that was discussing buying a Chicom cd player for his truck. He may want yours, that you are removing.

@https://www.ramforum.com/threads/cd-player-that-connects-to-usb-inside-console-of-22-ram-warlock.220428/page-2

 

[crash]

Thanks for the information. From what I have read here and on @GB55 build it sound like the front floor and dash brackets work from the 4th gen with a little modifying. I just received my 5th gen console and getting ready to start tearing into it. Do you have the wiring diagrams and connector pin outs for both the 4th gen and 5th gen connectors at the console. Would like to have the lighting around the usb ports work as well as the single usb the storage area that is just for charging.

The console I bought also had the cd unit in it. That will be replaced with the storage pocket that I plan to add a wireless charger ring to the bottom of. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

hey Harley95 I'll see if I can sort out my pin outs and get them posted for you this morning. keep in mind that the 4th gen console gets some power from under the drivers seat, not all through the front of the console. I have yet to go as far as getting the lighting or charging pad power yet, so you getting into it will help us both out. I was focused on the media port LOL

I may also be interested in your cd player

 

[crash]

Do you have the wiring diagrams and connector pin outs for both the 4th gen and 5th gen connectors at the console. Would like to have the lighting around the usb ports work as well as the single usb the storage area that is just for charging.

The console I bought also had the cd unit in it. That will be replaced with the storage pocket that I plan to add a wireless charger ring to the bottom of. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I've pm'd you a link to any images I was able to get my hands on.