DIY: 2013-2017 RA3/RA4 8.4" Radio Upgrade/HVAC Conversion

[Style61]

I finally got my 8.4 system all straight thanks to Mike. It all works like factory even the AUTO feature.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

I finally got my 8.4 system all straight thanks to Mike. It all works like factory even the AUTO feature.

Thanks for the shout-out! Glad I could help.

 

[Elcy]

Converting an '18 classic 2500 tradesman with the stock 5" screen 4 speed blower fan.

I can't say enough good things about @Mpgrimm2. I bought a 8.4" radio with AA/dual zone bezel locally on Craigslist for $100, the wiring harness and blower components from mpgrimm2. Turns out the radio was a dud, he talked me though some simple diagnostic ideas via email and over the phone, before I ultimately bought an 8.4 AA unit from him. He was amazing to deal with and instructions for installing the wiring harness were clear and easy to follow.

He let me know of the possible blend door issue with the radio and how to solve it w/ an extra dongle and Alpha OBD. Sure enough, my blend door was acting wonky, for anyone interested I found a work around for it w/o having to use AlphaOBD.

My blend door lever goes all the way down when I press max a/c.
When the a/c is off, and I start at 'hottest' temp, lever only goes about 75% of the way down when I press the soft or hard key long enough for the temp slider on the radio to get all the way down. I have to press the soft or hard key another 8-10 times to get the blend door to go all the way down.
I can't say it will work for you, but worked on my truck

 

[GeauxApe12B]

Big thanks to @Mpgrimm2 for all of his assistance in my 5" to 8.4 upgrade and 4 speed to 7 speed Single Zone Auto in my '18 2500. All of his wiring harness were perfect for this plug and play upgrade. I'm currently using a dual zone bezel as a single zone and love having the AUTO feature again as well as Android Auto. Collectively, there is a ton of great info from all of the members on here and I greatly appreciate it! Also, thanks for extra help figuring out how to get the Back Up Camera icon on the screen!!!

 

[JungleRat]

I just finished my 5.0 to 8.4 upgrade on my 2018 RAM 1500 and thanks to @Mpgrimm2 and the harness it was all plug and play. @Mpgrimm2 Thanks for all of your help and the many emails brother, I couldn't have done it without you!!!

 

[dillon731]

I'm looking at purchasing a radio off of a 2019 Ram 1500 - 68307855AI.

I'll be installing in onto my 2016 2500. I'm currently using my 8.4 VP3/Non Navi. I bought the navi unlock from navi-uk on ebay yars ago and i'm ready to upgrade. My 2024 F150 got me missing my true navigation and CarPlay.

This radio I know is coming off of a 1500 that has Dual Zone AC, heated Steering wheel and seats.

My truck is fully loaded, with AC/Heated Seats, steering wheel, powered seats, Cargo cam and also Factory Ram Air Ride. I will be purchasing the sharkfin antenna or something equivlant so I can have access to SAT/GPS. So how much of this will actually cross over from my old truck (2016), to the new trucks radio (the 2019)? Will I lose my Air Suspension menu since it's located into my current 8.4 and the 2019 isn't equipped with that option? Also which harnesses will I be needing? The guy wants $400 for the whole thing (bezel included even tho I don't need it), and it's too cheap to pass up on a unit that looks never used and super clean. My issue is he'll only hold it for a few more days and hes a few hours away. Any input with be greatly appreciated.

 

[job217]

2018 2500 6.4 hemi
4th Gen

Factory HVAC Fan Speed: 4 speed

what radio you originally had? I bought used with aftermarket radio. I believe it had the 5 inch RA2 with VR button and mics in headliner. I have the puck roof antenna NOT the fin one.

It came with the manual turn knob HVAC controls.

I put in a 2017 Ram RA4 with nav PN#
VP4 NA 68270661AG

I do have a Backup camera.


What parts I have bought are the radio VP4 NA 68270661AG

U-CNVHRNS-47SPD carplaynav radio harness

P68268186AA control module on the passenger side of the dash.


1UJ96DX9AC HVAC controller in the dash.

7 speed blower motor resistor

7 speed blower motor harness from a friend who got it from infotainment.com

My problem is everything works except the AC clutch does not engage. If I put everything back to what came in the truck the AC kicks on. I did change the pin 7 on the gray plug on the passenger kick panel and spliced into the 17 pin for HVAC control.

What am I doing incorrectly or what am I missing? I have 7 speeds from the fan, temp changes from cold to hot. It's just not engaging the ac clutch. I do not have power on either side of F62 fuse.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mpgrimm2]

2018 2500 6.4 hemi
4th Gen

Factory HVAC Fan Speed: 4 speed

what radio you originally had? I bought used with aftermarket radio. I believe it had the 5 inch RA2 with VR button and mics in headliner. I have the puck roof antenna NOT the fin one.

It came with the manual turn knob HVAC controls.

I put in a 2017 Ram RA4 with nav PN#
VP4 NA 68270661AG

I do have a Backup camera.


What parts I have bought are the radio VP4 NA 68270661AG

U-CNVHRNS-47SPD carplaynav radio harness

P68268186AA control module on the passenger side of the dash.


1UJ96DX9AC HVAC controller in the dash.

7 speed blower motor resistor

7 speed blower motor harness from a friend who got it from infotainment.com

My problem is everything works except the AC clutch does not engage. If I put everything back to what came in the truck the AC kicks on. I did change the pin 7 on the gray plug on the passenger kick panel and spliced into the 17 pin for HVAC control.

What am I doing incorrectly or what am I missing? I have 7 speeds from the fan, temp changes from cold to hot. It's just not engaging the ac clutch. I do not have power on either side of F62 fuse.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I don't generally provide much assistance, if any, for competitors products (& not privately).

First,
radio and bezel can be used with some caveats that can be worked around

2nd & most important,
... you've got partial harnesses sets from 2 different companies (neither offer good support) that may or may not work together, or with you're truck ... & Then you've got to wonder if that fan harness will have issues/melt like some others.

My suggestion is to sell the main conversion harness (likely a 7spd setup for 14-17 1500's), ditch the fan harness & HVAC module and start over with a proper harness set/additional parts along with support to get you up and running.

Send me a message if you'd like to continue with an order and I will get you squared away.

Mike G
M2 Mods

 

[Boosted4wd]

Shoutout to Mike at M2mods for the parts and knowledge!! Got my 8.4” screen all installed and it’s working perfect! My truck is a 2015 Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins, I installed a 2018 4C radio with CarPlay, and did the 7 speed Auto Temp Control swap at the same time. I got all of the parts from M2 besides the radio that came from LKQ. Huge upgrade for my truck that I have been wanting to do for a while.

 

[J-barcarp]

I just did the radio conversion on a salvage title rebuilt 2016 tradesman.
I bought the 8.4 radio and hvac module at a “u pull it” junk yard,
and I bought the harnesses from Mpgrimm2.
He took the time to ask questions to make sure i got the right harnesses, and then answered my crazy questions during install.

Thanks mike.

 

[J-barcarp]

Now onto the mirror and mic…
That i should have known i would need but i’m an idiot….
Update tomoro…..

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Now onto the mirror and mic…
That i should have known i would need but i’m an idiot….
Update tomoro…..

----------------
- DIY: 2013-2018 RearView Mirror Upgrade & Harness install

.

 

[J-barcarp]

Mirror and harness install was easy peasy. Hardest part was working above the headliner to route the harness….
Thanks again to mike/Mpgrimm2 for all his help!
Now to figure out the headlights….

 

[Wisdom_23]

Lookin for some help, i have a 2015 2500, came with Ra1 and 4 spd fan.

Put in a 8.4 and dual zone bezel out of a 2014 1500. Everything works, my ac just wont get cold.

I sourced all parts separately and built the harnesses according to this thread.

This is the only issue i have, and bein in Texas durin summer without ac is no fun.

Thanks!

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Lookin for some help, i have a 2015 2500, came with Ra1 and 4 spd fan.

Put in a 8.4 and dual zone bezel out of a 2014 1500. Everything works, my ac just wont get cold.

I sourced all parts separately and built the harnesses according to this thread.

This is the only issue i have, and bein in Texas durin summer without ac is no fun.

Thanks!

List all the PNs you used (minus the harness)

 

[Wisdom_23]

List all the PNs you used (minus the harness)

8.4 RA4- 68224537AI
Resistor- 499300-2121
HVAC module- 68105017AE

I’ll have to pull the bezel off tomorrow to get a part number but it and the screen are both from the same 2014 1500 Laramie. Its dual zone with ATC. The driver side temp control works and shows the slider moving on the screen, and all the buttons on the screen work as well. It will change from vent to floor to defrost. Fan changes speed (havent actually seen if it has 6 or 7 speeds yet). All radio controls work, volume and tune knob both work.

The only thing i have found wrong so far is the ac doesnt get cold. I downloaded the jscan app (ios) and have a vLinker MC+ that will be here tomorrow. Could i just change the settings in the bcm to dual zone then back to single zone? Should i add the ATC harness? Or would it be easiest to change the bezel out for a MTC bezel? I have sourced a MTC bezel if that is the easiest way to get it working.

Thanks

 

[Mpgrimm2]

8.4 RA4- 68224537AI
Resistor- 499300-2121
HVAC module- 68105017AE

Your PNs should be good to go for a 15 2500 (FYI that's a 2014 Canadian Ra4),b& that dual zone ATC Bezel (1UJ97DX9xx) it's fine as is, just extra buttons

You shouldn't need to program anything, it should be plug n play (Jscan/ vlinker are not the most reliable for performing changes anyway. vs AlfaObd/ObdLink MX. ).
* AlfaOBD
---> OBDLink MX BT adapter

See if you're ac clutch is engaging. If not...
Then either bad parts (ie HVAC module) or harness issue.
.

 

[Wisdom_23]

Your PNs should be good to go for a 15 2500 (FYI that's a 2014 Canadian Ra4),b& that dual zone ATC Bezel (1UJ97DX9xx) it's fine as is, just extra buttons

You shouldn't need to program anything, it should be plug n play (Jscan/ vlinker are not the most reliable for performing changes anyway. vs AlfaObd/ObdLink MX. ).
* AlfaOBD
---> OBDLink MX BT adapter

See if you're ac clutch is engaging. If not...
Then either bad parts (ie HVAC module) or harness issue.
.

I will check harness and clutch when i get a chance. Ac worked great before the conversion, so i guess i may have messed up the harness, or maybe a bad module.
Is alphaOBD ios compatible now? I read it was android or windows only.

Thanks!

 

[Mpgrimm2]

I will check harness and clutch when i get a chance. Ac worked great before the conversion, so i guess i may have messed up the harness, or maybe a bad module.
Is alphaOBD ios compatible now? I read it was android or windows only.

Thanks!

Android or Windows still

 

[Wisdom_23]

Your PNs should be good to go for a 15 2500 (FYI that's a 2014 Canadian Ra4),b& that dual zone ATC Bezel (1UJ97DX9xx) it's fine as is, just extra buttons

You shouldn't need to program anything, it should be plug n play (Jscan/ vlinker are not the most reliable for performing changes anyway. vs AlfaObd/ObdLink MX. ).
* AlfaOBD
---> OBDLink MX BT adapter

See if you're ac clutch is engaging. If not...
Then either bad parts (ie HVAC module) or harness issue.
.

I figured it out. I was a little dyslexic on the 13-24 side of the female connector of the conversion harness. Switched a few pins around and it works perfect. Thanks for your help!

Will probably be hittin you up at some point for the seat harness. That’s definitely over my head. Just gotta come up with the funds.