How To: Install a 2018 4C (UAQ/UAS) Radio in 2013 - 2017 RAM

[David_411]

Got it installed.
There is a bronze 7mm screw in the bottom of the tambour door compartment, underneath the rubber lining.

First observations:
Screen appears to be sharper and brighter with better contrast.
NAV function is way smoother, multi-touch inputs are much appreciated.
I like the different themes. They are crisp.

Still haven't tested AA or CarPlay, waiting on my Compass USB Hub.

Plugged in my phone to the stock USB Hub, nothing popped up.

I had to get an unlock code from a local dealer.
For anyone doing this you need the VIN of the donor vehicle and S/N of the new Radio.

These newer radios definitely have a softer screen material, couple of areas are worn more than others. A Screen protector looks necessary.

Anyone have any feedback on a good screen protector? I found a glass one on Amazon.

 

[Errol Smith]

So @Roman217 has been helping me with CAN communication. We're able to get rid of the "Camera System Unavailable" message and replaced it with the "Check Entire Surroundings" message so that's something. Still not turning on without using the soft key but making progress.

 

[Errol Smith]

Got it installed.
There is a bronze 7mm screw in the bottom of the tambour door compartment, underneath the rubber lining.

First observations:
Screen appears to be sharper and brighter with better contrast.
NAV function is way smoother, multi-touch inputs are much appreciated.
I like the different themes. They are crisp.

Still haven't tested AA or CarPlay, waiting on my Compass USB Hub.

Plugged in my phone to the stock USB Hub, nothing popped up.

I had to get an unlock code from a local dealer.
For anyone doing this you need the VIN of the donor vehicle and S/N of the new Radio.

These newer radios definitely have a softer screen material, couple of areas are worn more than others. A Screen protector looks necessary.

Anyone have any feedback on a good screen protector? I found a glass one on Amazon.

Agree with all of this. It's a definite upgrade over the old RA2 system.

I'd also be interested in a good screen protector...

 

[SitKneelBend]

Got it installed.
There is a bronze 7mm screw in the bottom of the tambour door compartment, underneath the rubber lining.

First observations:
Screen appears to be sharper and brighter with better contrast.
NAV function is way smoother, multi-touch inputs are much appreciated.
I like the different themes. They are crisp.

Still haven't tested AA or CarPlay, waiting on my Compass USB Hub.

Plugged in my phone to the stock USB Hub, nothing popped up.

I had to get an unlock code from a local dealer.
For anyone doing this you need the VIN of the donor vehicle and S/N of the new Radio.

These newer radios definitely have a softer screen material, couple of areas are worn more than others. A Screen protector looks necessary.

Anyone have any feedback on a good screen protector? I found a glass one on Amazon.

Get this one. It's amazing so far and looks like the OEM. It's almost like it cleans itself. Take the radio HVAC bezel off to install easier...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DVSYTTK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ToxuFbYB8A2H0


Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[SitKneelBend]

So @Roman217 has been helping me with CAN communication. We're able to get rid of the "Camera System Unavailable" message and replaced it with the "Check Entire Surroundings" message so that's something. Still not turning on without using the soft key but making progress.

Are you sure the camera itself is powered while running and not on demand?

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[SitKneelBend]

Agree with all of this. It's a definite upgrade over the old RA2 system.

I'd also be interested in a good screen protector...

See my response above for 8.4 screen protector. And my earlier post...

https://www.ramforum.com/index.php?posts/2330213

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[bohrman44]

Get this one. It's amazing so far and looks like the OEM. It's almost like it cleans itself. Take the radio HVAC bezel off to install easier...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DVSYTTK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ToxuFbYB8A2H0


Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

David_411 hit me up....I just got mine.....took like 4 weeks.....I think I have 3.....ill send you one...

 

[Errol Smith]

Are you sure the camera itself is powered while running and not on demand?

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

Just checked, camera is getting 12V once the truck is in Run.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Just checked, camera is getting 12V once the truck is in Run.

Did you try removing the LIN bus CBC signal from pin 2 at the i550 tailgate connector yet?

M² Mods.

 

[Errol Smith]

Did you try removing the LIN bus CBC signal from pin 2 at the i550 tailgate connector yet?

M² Mods.

I have not but I can give it a shot tomorrow. What would that show?

 

[David_411]

David_411 hit me up....I just got mine.....took like 4 weeks.....I think I have 3.....ill send you one...

I just sent you a message.

I installed a glass screen protector and it is awful. It turned the screen into a mirror, the glare is awful.

 

[RockyAEV]

I’m terrible about staying up on this forum, just got the message....what information can I get you off of my setup? I did not get my radio from infotainment I got it from someone else...trying to find his contact info....but if I can help I’ll do my best


2018 Ram 2500 Tradesman
6.7L, G56

 

[RockyAEV]

I sent you an email, but here is the screen shot for the original stuff....maybe will help others later?
















2018 Ram 2500 Tradesman
6.7L, G56

 

[Errol Smith]

Alright so unfortunately, @RockyAEV has an RA4 radio which is probably why his works.

I was, however, able to find the CAN command to tell the backup camera to turn on. With the help of @Roman217 I now know the CAN message that's broadcast when the truck is put into reverse as well as the messages to send for an automatic in reverse to get rid of the "Camera System Unavailable" message.

With these bits of info, I should be able to make a little Arduino box that plugs into the OBD port and listens for the message that the truck is in reverse then blasts out the message to turn on the camera.

Not the solution I was hoping for (was hoping for native BCM support but @ManualCummins has shown that doesn't exist) but this should still work. I'll mock up a box tomorrow, and see how well it does.

 

[Roman217]

Alright so unfortunately, @RockyAEV has an RA4 radio which is probably why his works.

I was, however, able to find the CAN command to tell the backup camera to turn on. With the help of @Roman217 I now know the CAN message that's broadcast when the truck is put into reverse as well as the messages to send for an automatic in reverse to get rid of the "Camera System Unavailable" message.

With these bits of info, I should be able to make a little Arduino box that plugs into the OBD port and listens for the message that the truck is in reverse then blasts out the message to turn on the camera.

Not the solution I was hoping for (was hoping for native BCM support but @ManualCummins has shown that doesn't exist) but this should still work. I'll mock up a box tomorrow, and see how well it does.

Which message did it end up being?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Errol Smith]

Which message did it end up being?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I wrote an Arduino script that captured all CAN data for the first minute after it powered up and stored those addresses. It then filtered each incoming message based on the list of commands it stored during that minute. So long as I didn't touch anything, this filtered out all of the traffic from normal communication.

Turning the camera on and off through the radio soft key didn't throw out a message on the CAN network which makes sense as that's all internal to the radio unit. I had to command it on and off through AlfaOBD and look for the message being sent whenever I toggled it. These commands showed up on the slower IHS bus rather than the CAN-C bus. My Arduino CAN shield only handles 1 channel so I'll need another board that'll handle communications on both interfaces if I'm going to make this work.

To answer your question, though...

Request to turn on generated the following:
ID | 7BF | RTR | 0 | Length | 8 | Data | 05 | 2F | 51 | 00 | 03 | 01 | 00 | 00
ID | 53F | RTR | 0 | Length | 8 | Data | 03 | 7F | 2F | 78 | AA | AA | AA | AA
ID | 53F | RTR | 0 | Length | 8 | Data | 04 | 6F | 51 | 00 | 03 | AA | AA | AA

Request to turn off generated the following:
ID | 7BF | RTR | 0 | Length | 8 | Data | 04 | 2F | 51 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00
ID | 53F | RTR | 0 | Length | 8 | Data | 03 | 7F | 2F | 78 | AA | AA | AA | AA
ID | 53F | RTR | 0 | Length | 8 | Data | 04 | 6F | 51 | 00 | 00 | AA | AA | AA

The message at address 0x7BF changed between turn on and turn off as well as the second 0x53F. I think the two 0x53F messages are just status messages from the radio so tomorrow I'm going to play around with sending the 0x7BF command and see if toggles the camera on and off.

 

[ManualCummins]

If you interested in making them I’m sure there’s several guys on here that would be interested in buying the module
I know I would be I would love to go back to the UAs

 

[Errol Smith]

If you interested in making them I’m sure there’s several guys on here that would be interested in buying the module
I know I would be I would love to go back to the UAs

I'll want to run it in my truck for a while to make sure there's no weirdness with the CAN communication. If it all works, though, I'll design up an enclosure, list parts, and share the code so anyone can tackle this if they want.

 

[48PowerWagon]

Maybe I got Lucky, I finally got my UAQ (After returning my RA4 and removing my UAS which is for sale) but with Both the UAS and UAQ, I added a Temp sensor - set alfa to SZ AC and everything works including my 7 speed fan (I did swap out my AC controls for a DZ in anticipation of doing that upgrade in the future)

 

[Errol Smith]

I'll want to run it in my truck for a while to make sure there's no weirdness with the CAN communication. If it all works, though, I'll design up an enclosure, list parts, and share the code so anyone can tackle this if they want.

Confirmed! I can turn my backup camera on and off via the CAN interface. I've got a dual CAN board showing up this week. I'll program it to read in the state of the reverse switch and automatically turn on/off the backup camera.