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

[FriedOreoWookie]

I am with everyone else. I got my 8.4 conversion harness along with the hvac harness and required parts. It was the easiest thing I have done to the truck by far. Mike is fantastic to work with. After a short phone call, he had all the information he needed and I knew what parts I needed and it was a done deal. Thanks again for all the help on the radio and new hvac controls. Now to start ordering more harnesses and parts!

 

[Tony14]

Very good write up and I wish I would’ve found this forum and Mike before I took the leap to do all this myself. My plan was just to upgrade my 5 inch radio to a 8.4 with NAV. My truck is a 2014 RAM 1500.

I started out by purchasing a harness off of eBay. I already had the radio that I purchased also off of eBay. The harness arrived the radio arrived two separate transactions and I installed the radio and the harness. Everything seemed to work on the radio except I could not control the temperature. When I plugged the knobs back in to control my HVAC system, they worked flawlessly. However, every time I plugged the harness into my new electronic bezel control there would be temperature issues and other issues started showing up with the HVAC system.

I tried to get my money back through the seller and will post the interaction below.
Sorry for so many screenshots, but I just felt it was important to see the whole message

 

[BobbyK]

Just giving thanks to Mike + M2 Mods.

Been following this thread for quite some time.

My truck is a 2016 Regular Cab 1500.
Original radio was the VP2 (5" screen with bluetooth)

Once I decided to do this swap I held out for deals on all the components.
-Got a harness from Mike at M2Mods
-8.4 Nav. VP4 radio ($100Can on Kijiji)
-Single zone Bezel ($75US E-Bay)
-temperature control module P68268186AA
($90US E-Bay)

It was a plug and play deal after that.
NO programing, everything worked like it did with the old 5" VP2 radio.


I contacted Mike through M2 Mods about a conversion harness.
His reply was quick and had very specific questions about what was in the truck originally and what kind of mods I wanted to make.

The questions help him make a harness that will work 1st time.

The quality of the harness looks better than the factory wiring.

Anyway, I just wanted to post a thank you.



.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Very good write up and I wish I would’ve found this forum and Mike before I took the leap to do all this myself. My plan was just to upgrade my 5 inch radio to a 8.4 with NAV. My truck is a 2014 RAM 1500.

I started out by purchasing a harness off of eBay. I already had the radio that I purchased also off of eBay. The harness arrived the radio arrived two separate transactions and I installed the radio and the harness. Everything seemed to work on the radio except I could not control the temperature. When I plugged the knobs back in to control my HVAC system, they worked flawlessly. However, every time I plugged the harness into my new electronic bezel control there would be temperature issues and other issues started showing up with the HVAC system.

I tried to get my money back through the seller and will post the interaction below.
Sorry for so many screenshots, but I just felt it was important to see the whole message

Just an FYI for others...

>> In addition to the detective eBay/Amazon 4th Gen 8.4/HVAC conversion harnesses floating around (incorrect blend door operation, ATCb option issues, no support, etc) ...

>>> I've now had at least 2 customers that bought the cheaper Chinese knockoff HVAC Control Modules that say
"... For Ram such n such" with PNs like 68366552Aa , 68366553Aa, or similar that were defective and had to be replaced with genuine new or used Mopar modules. (They typically have a sticker telling you to wait several minutes for the module to initialize) ...

*** Yes they are significantly less than a new one, but if you have to fight to get your money back, or the eBay seller that doesn't understand your non stock 8.4 upgrade process and wants to blame something you did, you just end up paying for it twice. ***

Hopefully, these knockoff HVAC modules will get better, (maybe FW issue?) but until then be careful with the parts you use!

 

[2018 in Florida]

Mike hooked me up with everything I needed to get a 2017 8.4 to work in my 2018 Tradesman. 2nd camera and single auto temp control . Very professional and it was plug and play.