DIY 5.0 to 8.4 Navigation upgrade

[loveracing1988]

A word of caution to those who ordered a bezel from Schram. Make sure when you get it that it is what you ordered, the one I got was dual zone with auto when it should have been single zone without auto. I ended up taking it back and the next one they gave me was labeled wrong as well, they ended up finding two that were labeled as dual zone but were actually single zone. I know the dual zone bezels would work but if I'm going to do the swap I want to do it right.

 

[jackblackjeet]

I agree on the doing it right the first time and not compromising with the dual zone bezel. I felt good about the purchase becuase they had listed the part number in the description and comments and it matched the part number that Cuyler used.

 

[loveracing1988]

I agree on the doing it right the first time and not compromising with the dual zone bezel. I felt good about the purchase becuase they had listed the part number in the description and comments and it matched the part number that Cuyler used.

That makes it better. As I was standing there the guy realized that 2 of the dual zone bezels had different part numbers, low and behold they ended up being the single zone.

 

[Jared4.7]

A word of caution to those who ordered a bezel from Schram. Make sure when you get it that it is what you ordered, the one I got was dual zone with auto when it should have been single zone without auto. I ended up taking it back and the next one they gave me was labeled wrong as well, they ended up finding two that were labeled as dual zone but were actually single zone. I know the dual zone bezels would work but if I'm going to do the swap I want to do it right.

I battled that. It took 5 bezels to get the correct one. They kept sending a 1UJ97 and I needed the 1UJ96 bezel. I sent a picture and he just said "oh, I see."

-JT

 

[tacuache1968]

Would anyone be interested in a Canadian 8.4an for $500 plus shipping? It has HD radio and traffic occasionally kicks on. US Maps are all accurate and everything runs smooth. PM me if your interested.

This isnt related to your comment but im trying to just wire up the volume knob to an 8.4 and keep my manual AC. I know its three wire i need to tap into but do i need some tyoe of can bus board to read it right?

 

[Ricks Ram]

I have the OEM auto parts 8.4 bezel with the volume control knob that I used before I upgraded to the factory 8.4 bezel this is a pic of the wiring for the volume knob. I don't think these will do.you any good because I doubt they are the factory colors. They are spliced together but I would have to cut the cover off to see where. I don't want to do that in case I sell the harness and the bezel. The volume knob wires go to a resistor that is in inside that black sleeve and then to the harness. There a Chrysler website. I think it's called Chrysler Tech Support(if that's not it maybe someone else would know) that has all the wiring schematics for the trucks. You might be able to find it there.

 

[tacuache1968]

I have the OEM auto parts 8.4 bezel with the volume control knob that I used before I upgraded to the factory 8.4 bezel this is a pic of the wiring for the volume knob. I don't think these will do.you any good because I doubt they are the factory colors. They are spliced together but I would have to cut the cover off to see where. I don't want to do that in case I sell the harness and the bezel. The volume knob wires go to a resistor that is in inside that black sleeve and then to the harness. There a Chrysler website. I think it's called Chrysler Tech Support(if that's not it maybe someone else would know) that has all the wiring schematics for the trucks. You might be able to find it there.

i want to see what board they use and what wires they splice into so we replicate what they did. amd we wont have to go through them in order to make our units work

 

[Ricks Ram]

That would be nice I payed 350.00 for that bezel and only used it for four months untill Kid and others figured out the factory bezel. Hopefuly he will see this and chime in. If anyone knows the wiring it would be him. I honestly rarely used the volume knob I had already added the steering wheel controls and used them. I kinda regretted spending the extra for the knob.

 

[tacuache1968]

That would be nice I payed 350.00 for that bezel and only used it for four months untill Kid and others figured out the factory bezel. Hopefuly he will see this and chime in. If anyone knows the wiring it would be him. I honestly rarely used the volume knob I had already added the steering wheel controls and used them. I kinda regretted spending the extra for the knob.

ouch 350 hurts and stings lol, yes hopefully he can help, some people just want to add the stereo and now the climate controls, why? i dont know

 

[Ricks Ram]

ouch 350 hurts and stings lol, yes hopefully he can help, some people just want to add the stereo and now the climate controls, why? i dont know

Probably people with the 4 speed fans theres is more involved to change over. You might want to check the other forum with the z on the end. That is where this whole mod started and then it moved to this forum after it was pretty much figured out. There are a few posts that go pretty deep into the wiring and how it all works by Kid and les monk.

 

[cptwing]

This isnt related to your comment but im trying to just wire up the volume knob to an 8.4 and keep my manual AC. I know its three wire i need to tap into but do i need some tyoe of can bus board to read it right?

What are you using for a bezel now? I originally had the OEMauto bezel without volume since the RA1 / RA2 bezel was not a very good looking of compatible fit. I bought the one without volume for 150.00, yes ouch. I see you have the 7 speed already so for around the same cost you would have full factory controls of the radio, not just volume. Their are many other functions provided, ie mute, screen off, back, engineering mode, dealer mode, scroll to name a few.

The only thing I personally miss from my manual controls is no hard buttons to adjust the airflow, so you have to do it from the touchscreen only.

But to each his own, I sold my oem bezel on here with an extra set of steering wheel audio controls for 125.00, my cost originally was 275.00 for those. I think a lot of folks who bought them with or without the volume control think no one would buy them, but that may not be the case.

Maybe Rick's Ram will sell his, perhaps cgeorgemo will sell his. As far as reverse engineering their volume switch it could probably be done, but the cost doing it, would it be worth that? I think given the choice very few folks would go that way anyways even if they had the 4 speed set up, as I did, it was not really that hard to convert and so much nicer.

But to each his own, and I would be the last person to criticize anyone for that. I think if you posted a wanted listing for the oem bezel with audio controller you would get a few hits from folks who have one laying around, and get it for a fairly good price at that.

GL

 

[tacuache1968]

What are you using for a bezel now? I originally had the OEMauto bezel without volume since the RA1 / RA2 bezel was not a very good looking of compatible fit. I bought the one without volume for 150.00, yes ouch. I see you have the 7 speed already so for around the same cost you would have full factory controls of the radio, not just volume. Their are many other functions provided, ie mute, screen off, back, engineering mode, dealer mode, scroll to name a few.

The only thing I personally miss from my manual controls is no hard buttons to adjust the airflow, so you have to do it from the touchscreen only.

But to each his own, I sold my oem bezel on here with an extra set of steering wheel audio controls for 125.00, my cost originally was 275.00 for those. I think a lot of folks who bought them with or without the volume control think no one would buy them, but that may not be the case.

Maybe Rick's Ram will sell his, perhaps cgeorgemo will sell his. As far as reverse engineering their volume switch it could probably be done, but the cost doing it, would it be worth that? I think given the choice very few folks would go that way anyways even if they had the 4 speed set up, as I did, it was not really that hard to convert and so much nicer.

But to each his own, and I would be the last person to criticize anyone for that. I think if you posted a wanted listing for the oem bezel with audio controller you would get a few hits from folks who have one laying around, and get it for a fairly good price at that.

GL

I am actually going the full conversion on my truck, the thing is, Im from a truck club and got a special on 7 radios for 700. Im just lookiing for a cheaper solution since i can solder and make my own boards and knobs.

 

[Ricks Ram]

I am actually going the full conversion on my truck, the thing is, Im from a truck club and got a special on 7 radios for 700. Im just lookiing for a cheaper solution since i can solder and make my own boards and knobs.

Wow!!! Did you get 7 RA4 radios for 700.00? That would be awsome! Honestly as I was saying before if your not going to do the full swap I would not worry so much about the volume knob. I would just install the audio controls on the back of the steering wheel. I rarely used the knob to adjust my volume. I always used my steering wheel controls. If you got those radios that cheap you could do the whole upgrade with factory bezel for around 350.00 a piece. For that money it would be well worth it to have all of the factory settings and adjustments work in my opinion. But to each his own.....can I buy one of your radios....I will give you 200.00 and double your money! lol.

 

[tacuache1968]

Wow!!! Did you get 7 RA4 radios for 700.00? That would be awsome! Honestly as I was saying before if your not going to do the full swap I would not worry so much about the volume knob. I would just install the audio controls on the back of the steering wheel. I rarely used the knob to adjust my volume. I always used my steering wheel controls. If you got those radios that cheap you could do the whole upgrade with factory bezel for around 350.00 a piece. For that money it would be well worth it to have all of the factory settings and adjustments work in my opinion. But to each his own.....can I buy one of your radios....I will give you 200.00 and double your money! lol.

If they were RA4 i would of hit jackpot lol, but sadly no. They are non Nav. Some of the guys want a full conversions but some change setups so often they just want a working unit for cheap.

 

[Ricks Ram]

Lol darn!

 

[R.L.K.]

I upgraded from the RA1 TO the RA2 About 2 months ago ....
I wanted to go all the way to the RA4AN @ that time ..; however, I decided not to because I was hoping in the future the prices would go down and the bits and pieces would become more available.

In short I'm glad I stopped @ the VR/Phone button, audio controls , mirror with microphones and the RA2 5.0 TOUCHSCREEN RADIO.

Pretty good set up !

DON'T get me wrong , I'll be having the Navigation enabled RA4AN or whatever is the latest is in 12-18 months ! ! WITH the latest Chrysler has to offer for 2013 + RAMS soon enuf , but in the mean time I'll be Saving up for and installing my 10 inches of Lift kit and 38" tires !
And I'll be enjoying my RA2 setup ! ,

For what it's worth I have a RA2 5.0 With the latest software update installed listed in the classifieds ....

I'll be reading up and spying from here , good luck to all , time to save for my lift and tires !

 

[getupkid]

So I finally bit the bullet and bought a NA radio to replace my CA version. Nothing wrong with the Canadian Version, just wanted to upgrade to the 2015 radio. I was actually able to get my hands on a 2016 8.4an NA!!!

Just got it in the mail this weekend and plugged it up last night, sure enough it requires a security code so unplugged it until I get that (got it in my email today but haven't got around to trying it). What I found wierd about the radio was the tabs at the bottom were in a different order than the 2013-2015 radios. The navigation was on the far right, there was a tab for pandora, etc. So today I was looking around on the web and it looks like the 2016s let you customize your tabs however you want! Also, if you hold the vr button on the wheel, a Siri app comes up!!! I'll swap it in tonight now that I have the code and will take a video of the system for everyone to check out. Hopefully everything will function but I'm super stoked! Got the radio from schram, but I think it was their only one.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

How much did the 2016 cost you?

Sent from my LG G4 on Tapatalk.

 

[getupkid]

$450, thought it would be the same as the 2015 but I was presently surprised. I can't wait to get home and test it out.

 

[Ricks Ram]

Lol I just updated my maps on my 14 but I've kinda had my eye out for a 2015 to replace my 14 if I find a good deal because I like the extra features . Maybe now I just might wait a little while an see how the 2016 works.....It never ends!