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

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HarrisFD

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Shout out to MPgrimm2 for the awesome help in getting me the harness, special components, part numbers, and ALFAOBD support to get my conversions sorted out. I jumped way in with:

-Power seats
-single zone ATC
-7 speed fan
-RA4 radio upgrade
-OEM 110 dash AC inverter
-heated wood wheel
-backup camera

It was tricky to get it all sorted out at once but Mike walked me through all the quirks and settings and everything works great. Thanks again!!! You rock!!

Heated seats next;)
 
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Mpgrimm2

Mpgrimm2

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Just a heads-up/warning to those looking for the cheapest 8.4 upgrade options...

There are now cheap Chinese knock offs of Infotainment's version of the forum member developed 8.4 conversion harness flooding the online stores from various renamed overseas sellers and a few US resellers that have no real understanding of what they are selling or ability to support the products/troubleshoot with customers. (& No Returns).

In just 1 week, I have 1 such customer that recently contacted me with multiple issues/problems and the USA reseller's fan harness wasn't made with the correct terminals! ... The USA reseller told them to cut off the truck side factory wiring (i32A pin 7) and splice it onto their purchased harness to make it fit the connector!!
(This is very dangerous and poor connections can and have caused the high current blower motor wiring to melt as seen with other sellers harness sets here).

They will have to repair the truck side wiring and start over with a new, functional M2 Mods harness set (& it's plug n play).

>> Please be aware, I can not provide support for competitors products !

>> If you're not getting the v4 8.4 harness set from M2 Mods (ie me) at least get one from Infotainment that is decently made and works (for a very basic setup) vs the cheap copies with no support.

Related:
Mpgrimm2 - Some hard truths about quality products, service, & reviews. (almost a prediction from 7mos ago)

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ramcor

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2014 ram 1500 ....Can someone please help with upgrade from a vp2 to vp3 8.4 with nav...
all controls work on steering wheel but not the volume control...
also settings are locked and says to switch ignition to run ... (Car running)
any help would be great thank you in advance.
 
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Mpgrimm2

Mpgrimm2

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Not sure I can help, at a minimum need to know...

What year/model 8.4 radio you plan to use? (13-17 Ra3/Ra4 or 18 UAS/UAQ... Actual PNs please),


What parts, if any have you bought?
(Actual Mopar PNs help... Along with any other new parts, harness, etc, from where?)
 

ramcor

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My ram is a 2014 came with the vp2 radio 5" I believe trying to install the radio in picture not sure what year bought off scrap yard...20250206_161935.jpg
 
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Mpgrimm2

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That's a 2016 Canadian RA3/Vp3-CA non nav radio.

What other parts, if any have you bought...
ie 8.4 Radio bezel, HVAC module, conversion harness (from where?), etc?

Pictures of install/dash area?
 

ramcor

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i just wanted to replace radio and use existing manual controls for hvac and steering wheel controls for radio.
no other equipment just radio swap...
 
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Mpgrimm2

Mpgrimm2

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i just wanted to replace radio and use existing manual controls for hvac and steering wheel controls for radio.
no other equipment just radio swap...

Pictures of your setup? Dash /hvac area?
(It would help to clarify what you're working with vs assumptions)

If you had steering wheel audio controls that worked with the Ra2, they should still work with the new radio.

However, what SW version is the new radio on?

.
 
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ramcor

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wont let me access anything on the menu side ...when i touch any item it tells me to turn ign to run
so cant see software version...
all buttons work on steering wheel but volume up and down on radio,media
but when making a phone call i can control volume up and down no problem..
 

ramcor

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This is new radio locked out of settings and no volume control.but everything else works ...so cant read what software due to be locked settings..
Almost seems it needs another signal to activate .
20250210_172905.jpg20250210_173034.jpg20250210_173045.jpg20250210_173457.jpg20250210_173419.jpg20250210_173355.jpg
 
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Mpgrimm2

Mpgrimm2

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You likely need a SW update on the radio and it will be difficult to find the 2016 Canadian RA3/Vp3-CA updates.

You likely are on an v15.x.x or v16.x.x and will need to update first to Canadian v17.xx.xx then on to v18.45.01 (USA/Canada).

I will add this caution....
2016 RAx/VPx radios were the only year of radio I had the same Ignition/Run & volume issue as you do when testing in my 2013 ram on early SW versions ( ie 13-17 Harmon RAx and 18-22 Panasonic UAx ). Because the radio doesn't recognize the key in RUN, there's a chance of bricking the radio when it reboots during an update (happened to me. May or may not happen to you). Once radio was updated in a newer truck, it worked in mine.
 

ramcor

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If not what model 8.4 radio should I look for to make work in my 2014 ram that had vp2 original radio ??
 
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Mpgrimm2

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If not what model 8.4 radio should I look for to make work in my 2014 ram that had vp2 original radio ??
Canadian truck correct?
I recommend a Canadian 2017 Harmon Ra3 Vp3-CA (non nav, 68270664Ax) or even better get the Canadian 2017 Harmon Ra4 VP4-CA (Nav, not sure about part # 68270663Ax ).

Note: 2017 USA Ra4 VP4-NA Nav radio part # is 68270661Ax for reference. (It should also work ).

PS: dealer likely can't help you with an update on that 2016 Vp3-CA, but may be able to. You'd have to find the VIN of a Canadian 2016 truck that has the Ra3/Vp3 non nav radio and see if the dealer can download the updates for you to try using the 'donor' VIN.
 
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