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

[Jeff Krawczyk]

What parts if any do you have so far?

M² Mods.

I'm looking for all of the kit except the 8.4 bezel..it is a empty bezel so will need the controls also

 

[Jeff Krawczyk]

Did see that some guys were able to use the 18 hvac module so may give that a shot....

 

[Mpgrimm2]

FYI,
I don't normally do complete 8.4 upgrade kits (cancelled order) but I have all the parts needed for a complete 2017 RA4 VP4-NA Single Zone ATC kit with custom bezel for a 13-17 truck... ready to ship. (4 speed or 7 speed).

Everything you need except AlfaOBD programming for ATC feature.


(** Send me a private message if interested for pricing. Include your number if you'd like to discuss by phone **)


Here's what I have 1500 or 2500/3500):

- 17 Ra4 VP4-NA (updated to v18.45.01)
.... Used, but in excellent condition and tested in my own truck. No scratches etc.

- Custom Single Zone ATC 8.4 bezel (combined Single and Dual Zone bezels with modified control board)

- Universal 8.4 Conversion harness with ATC part 1 wiring built in (Cabin Temp)

- ATC part 2 Humidity harness ( incl'd for 1500's)
. . . or *Fan resistor harness (2500/3500's)

- Cell Error Bypass Plug

- New RAx HVAC module for 1500's (xxxx8186) or *2500's (xxxx5017)

- *New Fan resistor (2500/3500)

- New ATC Cabin Temp Sensor (ALL) and *ATC Humidity Sensor (1500's)

Single Zone ATC feature requires BCM programming via AlfaOBD or OBDgenie.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

Original post recreated/edited below

Finish routing the harness into the center stack area and plug the 24 pin connector on the harness into the existing 24 pin connector on the truck. Plug in the connectors you previously unplugged and also plug in the 8 pin plug into you new bezel.

Harness coming in behind bezel:
20160102_144747.jpg


Reconnect battery and test everything and ensure it is working correctly. Reassemble your truck

And here is the bezel installed while testing harness showing all 7 fan speeds, yes that's right the fan now has seven speeds it seems to push more air and is quieter.
dscn0430.jpg


And here is the finished job! Everything on the bezel works as it should. Works perfectly!
20160102_164049.jpg


Oh and prior to bundling it up I tried two other bezels I had. Both are dual zone with auto climate control. They also worked except for the actual dual zone or auto climate control functions. The drivers side temp switches were active to control the temp, but the passengers side temp buttons did nothing. Otherwise they were fully functional. Just something to think about if you already have an auto climate control bezel and do not want to buy another one. SEE HERE.
Enjoy


Attached Thumbnails
original_radio.jpg
20151230_102608.jpg


Here is a before shot with OEM bezel (Radio Testing)
20151230_105421.jpg

Clearly this a year old but why wouldnt dual zone work? I'm looking to make this upgrade and was thinking of upgrading to dual zone at the same time.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Clearly this a year old but why wouldnt dual zone work? I'm looking to make this upgrade and was thinking of upgrading to dual zone at the same time.

This thread is actually 3+ years old but has been accidentally deleted during Mod edits/rebuilt 3x now.

Dual Zone ATC can be done but isn't something I can properly support. I can offer the Single Zone ATC option wiring and custom bezel.

Ricks Ram and StecoD have done the full Dual Zone ATC on a handful of trucks.

See post 15 for links/more info.

M² Mods.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

This thread is actually 3+ years old but has been accidentally deleted during Mod edits/rebuilt 3x now.

Dual Zone ATC can be done but isn't something I can properly support. I can offer the Single Zone ATC option wiring and custom bezel.

Ricks Ram and StecoD have done the full Dual Zone ATC on a handful of trucks.

See post 15 for links/more info.

M² Mods.

Thx

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk all grammar errors brought you by fat fingers and auto correct.

 

[Kingbuzerd]

Mpgrimm2- do you have a 2015 A/C-Heater connector? I'm looking for the connector that plugs into the back of a 7 speed A/C-Heater control panel. I dont need the whole harness just that connector with 3 to 4 inches of wire so I can connect to existing harness.
Thank you for your time.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Mpgrimm2- do you have a 2015 A/C-Heater connector? I'm looking for the connector that plugs into the back of a 7 speed A/C-Heater control panel. I dont need the whole harness just that connector with 3 to 4 inches of wire so I can connect to existing harness.
Thank you for your time.

Got a picture of what you're talking about exactly?
How many pins (24 pin, 8 pin, male or female ?)

M² Mods.

 

[Vic Nov]

Hi everyone. Im new to the forum and in the process of upgrading my 2013 ram 1500 4.7l from 5.0 to 8.4. my truck has the 4 speed fan control. i recently purchased a radio/bezel and it came with hvac control module. It came out of a 2017 ram 1500 sport (no code but have vin##)... Parts: dual zone bezel (1UJ97DX9AJ), hvac control module ( P68268186AA) and a 8.4 head unit ( VP3 NA - 68270657AF ).
my question is; in my current oem configuration, could I plug in the head unit to check if working?

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Hi everyone. Im new to the forum and in the process of upgrading my 2013 ram 1500 4.7l from 5.0 to 8.4. my truck has the 4 speed fan control. i recently purchased a radio/bezel and it came with hvac control module. It came out of a 2017 ram 1500 sport (no code but have vin##)... Parts: dual zone bezel (1UJ97DX9AJ), hvac control module ( P68268186AA) and a 8.4 head unit ( VP3 NA - 68270657AF ).
my question is; in my current oem configuration, could I plug in the head unit to check if working?

1st -
You can plug the radio in to enter the unlock code/power up but you won't have any audio without at least steering wheel audio controls until the conversion is complete.
2nd -
For your 13 ram 1500 you need the other HVAC module for 4 speed fan conversion that ends in xxxx5017Ax ... The one you have absolutely will not work. Good thing, the one you need is cheaper and easier to find. You also need the 7 speed fan resistor.

M² Mods.

 

[Vic Nov]

i have upgraded the steering wheel a few years back, and it has audio controls. i was wondering if i could do a quick swap to check if head unit is working and if equiped with navigation.. i plan on selling the bezel and hvac module to cover cost of correct bezel and module. as far as the radio unit goes, if it works and im not happy, i will just sell and get a VP4 unit. i`m not in a rush and have to order other items to make my harnesses and such.

 

[Chad Cunningham]

Can anyone clarify for me if this is the same process and parts to go from the RA1 (old school uconnect 3 with no lcd)? My truck has bluetooth, xm, steering wheel controls and a backup camera that displays in the rearview mirror. I'd like to upgrade to the latest android auto unit and not lose any functionality, but everything I see talks about going from the 5" RA2 to the 8.4 inch unit.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

What year is your truck?
1500?

what radio you currently have (Ra2? W/phone &VR buttons on wheel & mics on mirror or headliner?).

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

Backup camera? Where does it display currently?

Process is nearly the same, but some parts different for a UAQ/UAS upgrade ... Plus most people end up needing to add ATC.

Mike G.

PS: Message me your info and a phone number if you'd like a call today.

M² Mods.

 

[Jon A]

I just completed this swap with much help from M2 MODS. But I'm not able to register my Uconnect. I called the support and was told since the truck was not made with Uconnect I'm kinda screwed. Is this true? Or is there anything that I can do. I pretty much want it for the Pandora and Iheart radio apps. I installed the RA3. Any help would be great news at this point

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Yes, that is correct.

FCA won't allow any non factory 8.4 systems on their uConnect network, ie use the uConnect app for remote start, door locks, apps, etc.

About the best you can do is to connect phone via Bluetooth through the radio's media section and start up the Pandora app on the phone manually to play though the radio... Skip/volume should still work this way but I can't recall. Used that setup on my 13 ram when I still had it. Good work around to stream Google maps/Waze some it doesn't have Android Auto/ CarPlay.

M² Mods.

 

[Mordechai]

I'm in the process of swapping out my 2016 RA2 for a 2015 RA4. I'm just testing a couple things out while I wait for the hvac module, and bezel to show up.
I am running the second firmware update(18.45.01), no problems there.

I did run into two things(granted one may be related to the lack of volume controls).

First,
I get no audio from music via bluetooth. Sound definitely works as the radio blasted when i first powered the device on, beeps work, and TTS for SMS works. Haven't tested phone calls yet. It's not a big deal, but i figured i might be able to use BT and adjust volume with my phone while i wait for the remaining parts. Even with Max volume on my phone i get no music at all.

EDIT:
No music all around, browsing through alfa, it looks like the radio volume set itself to 0.
After a couple resets, the original VIN left vehicle. I have it recorded, but can't really find much. Might have been a 2500.
P/N: 68238619AL
Maps are V2. Turn by turn works with the 2018 EVIC I put in.

Second,
The 8.4 Head Unit does not seem to recognize my USB drive i use for music. I've got a 128GB formatted to extFAT that worked flawlessly with the RA2. But i only get a message that "connect device". The flash drive i am using for firmware is a 16 or 32gb formatted to FAT32. Not sure if many people use the USB option, but i find it great as i have a large collection of music. I'll report back after the FW update.

EDIT:
Latest firmware did not make a change. Putting a couple songs on the fat32 worked fine. I'll do more testing with this.
Reformatted the drive in question to NTFS, the 8.4 unit seems to read that just fine.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Audio requires CANbus messages from either the steering wheel audio controls (if installed) or 8.4 bezel via conversion harness.

M² Mods.

 

[wuelfman]

@Mpgrimm2
looking for some help to get the correct harness. I also need the phone bypass as well.
old device is VP2
the new device is VP3

 

[Mordechai]

Audio requires CANbus messages from either the steering wheel audio controls (if installed) or 8.4 bezel via conversion harness.

M² Mods.

Everything is more or less working great now! Even got a free 3 month XM trial(they wouldn't activate travel link/traffic without a payment though)

Seems like the ra4 has better sound quality in general. But might just be a placebo. Speaker wise everything is aftermarket.

Seems like I might have a bad HVAC module, or pin/ harness issue. Specifically with the recirculation door. With the dual zone bezel, plus harness and HVAC module everything except recirc works. I receive fault code
B105C - recirculation travel door too small.
The door never moves, but the fan seems to change speed when it's engaged. Getting slower with recirc engaged. And faster without oddly enough.

When I put in the old bezel/module it works as intended.

I'm double checking my harness now, but I was exceptionally careful when making it.

Module p/n is: 68239172AB.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Definitely check the harness. It's very easy to get it pinned incorrectly and I have several small details I do during a build to help keep me from making a mistake. Getting the pins back it is tedious. If you're 100% confident in the harness... Then the module would be next.. especially if it was used.

M² Mods.