Cab Swap

[Nbaumann]

I have seen several posts about people using alpha OBD to turn on features for a Laramie interior swap to a SLT. I have a complete wrecked 2015 Laramie donor truck to swap to my 2016 SLT. I am curious if it would be easier to just swap the complete cab? All the wiring and modules would already be installed and this could solve my hail damage on the roof as well. From what I understand I would need to use the original vehicles PCM BCM and RF Hub. Once the cab was installed would it be as simple as just using alpha to configure the features? Any information is greatly appreciated

 

[Nbaumann]

To be clear I am talking about unbolt the complete donor Laramie cab and put it on my SLT chassis.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

To be clear I am talking about unbolt the complete donor Laramie cab and put it on my SLT chassis.

Just curious, what features are in the SLT that you don't have now that you would like to enable?

Are you wanting to enable certain options in the UConnect pertaining to trailer tow, HVAC control, lamps and lighting features, heated/cooled seats, etc?

 

[Randy Grant]

Might be. It's doable.

 

[Nbaumann]

Just curious, what features are in the SLT that you don't have now that you would like to enable?

Are you wanting to enable certain options in the UConnect pertaining to trailer tow, HVAC control, lamps and lighting features, heated/cooled seats, etc?

Yes it would be a head unit upgrade to the 8.4 with premium sound and sub. Dual climate control, power heated/cooled seats, premium gauge cluster, and accent lighting. I’m sure i am missing things but overall its just a much more presentable interior.

 

[PdPuNOme]

100% doable and straight forward, do not over think it. As for BCM using your current 2016 one is an upgrade to the 2015 one, so best to use the 16 and just enable the features. You could do a backup file off the 15 and load onto the 16 one and then just rewrite the vin and year to. A little more to it than that but its easy. All other modules you will then have to reset/rewrite vins to that are in the donor like the door modules etc.

If it were me, 100% would just do a full cab swap, the time and f bombs saved to individually swap everything vs is night and day imo. don't even need a lift, get creative with jacks or use a frame hoist crane.

 

[Nbaumann]

Thank you, that’s Good to know. I’m new to AlphaOBD. Is it capable of doing all this? Can I use the OBD Link Max for all of this or is a hard wired connection required? Also do both vehicles need to be operable to get the backup file?

 

[PdPuNOme]

Thank you, that’s Good to know. I’m new to AlphaOBD. Is it capable of doing all this? Can I use the OBD Link Max for all of this or is a hard wired connection required? Also do both vehicles need to be operable to get the backup file?

yes. alfaobd app or windows version using the mx+. If using windows version you can use either mx+ or usb mx. I only recommend the OBDLink MX+ or OBDLink EX, 100% most reliable. Others say other obd ones work but more report not, not worth the risk to me and just spend the money on the one that is tried and true... Millions of threads all over discussing alfa, best to read up on them.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Thank you, that’s Good to know. I’m new to AlphaOBD. Is it capable of doing all this? Can I use the OBD Link Max for all of this or is a hard wired connection required? Also do both vehicles need to be operable to get the backup file?

Not necessarily operable, but yes, both need to power up, or you can swap the modules around to read / write.

 

[Nbaumann]

yes. alfaobd app or windows version using the mx+. If using windows version you can use either mx+ or usb mx. I only recommend the OBDLink MX+ or OBDLink EX, 100% most reliable. Others say other obd ones work but more report not, not worth the risk to me and just spend the money on the one that is tried and true... Millions of threads all over discussing alfa, best to read up on them.

I’ve spent the last day and a half researching and I understand the basic processes of getting the back up files and then the reconfigure from backup file. My main question is when I reconfigure the BCM from the other BCM back up file is there going to be a vin issue? I’m just not sure if this file contains vin information that will prevent it from installing on a different BCM than it was removed from?

 

[04fxdwgi]

The backup does have VIN and such on it and will xfer.

Did you do a printout of your BCM contents? That is what will xfer.

Here is a printout of my '16

 

[PdPuNOme]

I’ve spent the last day and a half researching and I understand the basic processes of getting the back up files and then the reconfigure from backup file. My main question is when I reconfigure the BCM from the other BCM back up file is there going to be a vin issue? I’m just not sure if this file contains vin information that will prevent it from installing on a different BCM than it was removed from?

yes but there is a step to rewrite the vin. No issues, will not prevent from doing the swap etc. The rewrite vin is the final step in the bcm swap process, doesn't matter if just replacing with a same year or not or new or not.

 

[PdPuNOme]

yes but there is a step to rewrite the vin. No issues, will not prevent from doing the swap etc. The rewrite vin is the final step in the bcm swap process, doesn't matter if just replacing with a same year or not or new or not.

and sometimes may have to do the rewrite vin step a few times for it to eventually pull in. Roll of dice whether will take first try or not, point is try a few times before condemning. Same goes for the modules.

 

[FAAQ2]

One thing you have not considered - The other Cab's VIN does not match the current one that you are replacing, You should contact the DMV or State Police in your State to see if it is even doable. Unless I am misreading what you want to do !

 

[Dusty]

I have seen several posts about people using alpha OBD to turn on features for a Laramie interior swap to a SLT. I have a complete wrecked 2015 Laramie donor truck to swap to my 2016 SLT. I am curious if it would be easier to just swap the complete cab? All the wiring and modules would already be installed and this could solve my hail damage on the roof as well. From what I understand I would need to use the original vehicles PCM BCM and RF Hub. Once the cab was installed would it be as simple as just using alpha to configure the features? Any information is greatly appreciated

You may also need the Laramie harnesses to make things work.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 145331 miles.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

One thing you have not considered - The other Cab's VIN does not match the current one that you are replacing, You should contact the DMV or State Police in your State to see if it is even doable. Unless I am misreading what you want to do !

Call your state, this is not a problem, they will inspect, put a tag on it, or some other paperwork, it's not difficult just takes time, but is an important step. It happens. More often than gets spoken about.

 

[Nbaumann]

Thanks for all the replies and information. I have ultimately decided to go a different route.