DIY 5.0 to 8.4 Navigation upgrade

[cptwing]

Once you get the harness in hand and remove the center stack on your truck it will be very clear how it goes together, you cannot plug it in wrong. When removing the center stack from your truck you will unplug a white 24 pin connector from the current hvac controller. You plug that into the conversion harness, the conversion harness will have three connectors on it you will only be able to plug it into one of them. The black 8 pin connector will plug into the corresponding socket on the new HVAC bezel and the last and third plug plugs into the control module you will mount behind the glove box. As far as removing the glove box could not be easier. Once you open it up you will see a black string on the righthand side of it. The string has a plastic tab on it, use the tip of your finger to slide the tab forward and release it, careful it is spring loaded and will snap back not bad though. Once you have unhooked the string, open it all the way and lift up and out, simple.

To install the module itself you will need to remove the dashboard end cover as the fasteners must be tightened from the outside of the dash.

 

[big_red06]

Thanks

 

[big_red06]

Once you get the harness in hand and remove the center stack on your truck it will be very clear how it goes together, you cannot plug it in wrong. When removing the center stack from your truck you will unplug a white 24 pin connector from the current hvac controller. You plug that into the conversion harness, the conversion harness will have three connectors on it you will only be able to plug it into one of them. The black 8 pin connector will plug into the corresponding socket on the new HVAC bezel and the last and third plug plugs into the control module you will mount behind the glove box. As far as removing the glove box could not be easier. Once you open it up you will see a black string on the righthand side of it. The string has a plastic tab on it, use the tip of your finger to slide the tab forward and release it, careful it is spring loaded and will snap back not bad though. Once you have unhooked the string, open it all the way and lift up and out, simple.

To install the module itself you will need to remove the dashboard end cover as the fasteners must be tightened from the outside of the dash.

I want thank everyone that has chimed in and given me great info on doing this upgrade .I wasn't going to do it at first because I was daunted by thought of making the harness and trying to find a radio for a decent price as well as figure out what other parts I was going to need to make this all work But you all made it a relatively easy and pleasant experience down to where to find the parts and radio who to get the harness from(Thanks The harness connection) and how everything went together . I have the radio in it fully functions as it should its all updated to newest software and thanks to cptwings advice I think i will be able to figure out the harness and module placement and connections when it arrives I'm very glad i did this it adds a whole new dimension to this truck .

 

[JSVT3]

Congrats on completion. Enjoy it! Told ya it wasn't that bad once it was all apart

 

[big_red06]

Congrats on completion. Enjoy it! Told ya it wasn't that bad once it was all apart

the only real snag i ran into was the large connector on the back of the radio had the locking tab hinge missing but i pushed in there as tight as i could and i hope it stays in place it seems ok so far just means someone was in there before me and didn't use much finesse to remove that connector and broke it off not even sure if thats an easily replaceable item may have to call my dealer

 

[JSVT3]

the only real snag i ran into was the large connector on the back of the radio had the locking tab hinge missing but i pushed in there as tight as i could and i hope it stays in place it seems ok so far just means someone was in there before me and didn't use much finesse to remove that connector and broke it off not even sure if thats an easily replaceable item may have to call my dealer

Yea that locking piece pops right off. If you're not careful I am sure it could fling I to the dash and get lost. I honestly don't know if they make a replacement. sounds like a tape job to me!

 

[SitKneelBend]

I was thinking maybe put some electrical tape at points around the plug to tighten the fit? There's not a whole lot for you to tape it to and the radio gets fairly warm so I don't see it holding on well...

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

 

[big_red06]

I was thinking maybe put some electrical tape at points around the plug to tighten the fit? There's not a whole lot for you to tape it to and the radio gets fairly warm so I don't see it holding on well...

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

its pretty snug and it never fell out of the ra2 so im just going to monitor it for now not much to tape it too

 

[big_red06]

I could get you a whole new housing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

that would be cool but do i need to pull it apart and repin it or something because thats well beyond my skill level i leave stuff like that to the experts thats why you mailed me a harness yesterday lol

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Just because I never figured this out,

What is the 2nd from right pink plug on the back of the radio since I don't seem to have any thing to plug in to it?

Left to Right:
- blank
- White: Radio Antenna
- blank
- Olive: XM Antenna
- Pink: ???
- Purple: Cellular Antenna (or 10K ohm bypass plug)


Edit:
Looking at the schematics, it's the GPS Antenna input? Is everyone doing the mod from RA1/RA2 to RA4 without using this signal?
Does NAV work correctly without it?

Sent from my LG G4 on Tapatalk.

 

[loveracing1988]

Just because I never figured this out,

What is the 2nd from right pink plug on the back of the radio since I don't seem to have any thing to plug in to it?

Left to Right:
- blank
- White: Radio Antenna
- blank
- Olive: XM Antenna
- Pink: ???
- Purple: Cellular Antenna (or 10K ohm bypass plug)
View attachment 62808

Edit:
Looking at the schematics, it's the GPS Antenna input? Is everyone doing the mod from RA1/RA2 to RA4 without using this signal?
Does NAV work correctly without it?

Sent from my LG G4 on Tapatalk.

The xm antenna doubles as a GPS receiver.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Well not sure what to make of this 2016 radio and whether or not it is actually compatible with 2013 RAM trucks?
(NavRepair indicated it was)

I installed PN: 68258671AE
but there is NO SOUND WHATSOEVER and the volume buttons on my steering wheel do not seem to work with the radio.

Also can't enter/change any settings because it thinks the key is not in the ACC or RUN position?

Strange.

Radio, XM, Compass, GPS, Nav, etc all seem to work, but no sound . still using my old bezel and wiring for the moment.

Might try to temp rig the MTC Bezel and try a factory reset.
Not willing to commit fully to the 4 speed wiring conversion without the radio working.

Edit 2:
With MTC Bezel temporarily installed. Still no audio; Mute buttons work fine. But still no Volume.

Factory reset radio. (Hold hot & cold for 5secs, select Reset to factory). Still no sound. Mute button works to mute/unmute and shows the volume is clearly at (0).

Still will not adjust up/down with right side steering wheel controls (center 'mode' button works) or volume knob on MTC Bezel.

Dang it, Dang it.
Any one know what software version is supposed to be on these 2016 radios for RAM trucks?


This 2016 RA4 shows v 15.25.8
(From Chrysler 200c)

 

[SitKneelBend]

Well not sure what to make of this 2016 radio and whether or not it is actually compatible with 2013 RAM trucks?
(NavRepair indicated it was)

I installed PN: 68258671AE
but there is not any sound whatsoever and the volume buttons on my steering wheel do not seem to work with the radio.
Radio, XM, Compass, GPS, Nav, etc all seem to work, but no sound . still using my old bezel and wiring for the moment.

Sent from my LG G4 on Tapatalk.

Did you factory reset yet?

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

 

[SitKneelBend]

Also found references to the removal the fuse and replacing as a fix. Another reference to making a call via Bluetooth then hanging up (radio didn't properly unmute from last phone call)

http://www.chargerforumz.com/archive/index.php/t-156563.html

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Edited previous post.

Will try some of those suggestions and check back in a bit.

Sent from my LG G4 on Tapatalk.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Also found references to the removal the fuse and replacing as a fix. Another reference to making a call via Bluetooth then hanging up (radio didn't properly unmute from last phone call)

http://www.chargerforumz.com/archive/index.php/t-156563.html

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

Not sure what fuse 27 is on a charger or if it's the same # in the RAM.

Sent from my LG G4 on Tapatalk.

 

[SitKneelBend]

The radio fuse. I don't know if ots the same number, but it should be labeled on the fuse box diagram.

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[Mpgrimm2]

The radio fuse. I don't know if ots the same number, but it should be labeled on the fuse box diagram.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

Pulled battery for 5 mins. No change. Paired phone and made a call (mute/unmute) No Change.

Going to plug up the MTC Bezel with just the basic harness (no fan power, or HVAC module) and try a factory reset.

How do you factory Reset the 8.4AN again?
Edit:
Hold the Hot & Cold buttons for 5 secs for Engineering menu?
Sent from my LG G4 on Tapatalk.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Hold temp up and temp down buttons for five seconds to access the engineering menu. Scroll down until you see the reset option...

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Factory reset with MTC Bezel= still no sound. Mute button works to mute/unmute and shows the volume is clearly at (0).

Still will not adjust up/down with right side steering wheel controls (center 'mode' button works) or volume knob on MTC Bezel.

Dang it, Dang it.
Any one know what software version is supposed to be on these 2016 radios for RAM trucks?

This 2016 RA4 shows v 15.25.8
(From Chrysler 200c)

Sent from my LG G4 on Tapatalk.