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

[Gordo2212]

I just bought this radio off ebay. I havent seen this part number mentioned in here. I know the last number is missing out of the part number. Anyone know what this radio came out of?View attachment 486546

Looking up that part of the part number on the Mopar site, the radios are all from 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee's and Compass's

 

[wellsj89]

Looking up that part of the part number on the Mopar site, the radios are all from 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee's and Compass's

interesting, i installed it in my 2014 ram, the ram logo came right up when i turned it on and i have the ram themes, i am just waiting for my media plug to come in so i can test the rest of it. So far it seems like everything is working

 

[Gordo2212]

interesting, i installed it in my 2014 ram, the ram logo came right up when i turned it on and i have the ram themes, i am just waiting for my media plug to come in so i can test the rest of it. So far it seems like everything is working

From what I've read on other forums here, I believe the 8.4 radios are all the same in regards to software (since same family of Mopar parts) but they might have different backs on them for installation. Some folks I think have taken radios from jeeps and put them in their Rams successfully but it hasn't always worked and normally not recommended I believe.

It would make sense that you could take a 8.4 radio from a 2018-2020 Jeep and put a Ram bracket on it and then sell it as compatible with Rams (might have a bigger demand/market for upgrading radios) and someone would never know if they didn't look up the part number. I'm out of my league here in the specifics but maybe someone with more knowledge will chime in.

 

[18harvest]

if everythings working you should be fine.are your temp controls working correctly?what radio did you replace?

 

[gpion]

hi guys i'm about to install ma new unit in my 2016 Ram 1500

i will be using the media hub 5XG28DX9AC

do i need the harness ??????
i yes were can i get it

i'm from Canada

thank you

Components Needed

RADIO: 68331631AH (UAQ) or 68331635AH (UAS)
MEDIA HUB: 68328704AC (RAM) or 5XG28DX9AC (Compass)
MEDIA HUB CONVERSION HARNESS

 

[jazzyjavaz]

hi guys i'm about to install ma new unit in my 2016 Ram 1500

i will be using the media hub 5XG28DX9AC

do i need the harness ??????
i yes were can i get it

i'm from Canada

thank you

Components Needed

RADIO: 68331631AH (UAQ) or 68331635AH (UAS)
MEDIA HUB: 68328704AC (RAM) or 5XG28DX9AC (Compass)
MEDIA HUB CONVERSION HARNESS

@Mpgrimm2 would be the one to get the harness from. He does a great job at helping with upgrade install and support. If you check His bio you'll see the website to order parts from, but if you contact him first I'm sure he will let you know for sure what you need depending on parts you have and can steer you in the right direction.

 

[gpion]

For the 2018 model year RAMS, the 8.4 Radios were changed from the previous VP3/VP4 Harman radios to the 4C/4C-Nav radios made by Panasonic. The biggest advantage of these new 4C Radios is the support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The radios themselves fit the same mount as 2013-2017 RAMS and the radios require no special programming to work. They read the BCM of the truck just like the VP3s/VP4s. However there are some known issues and components that need to be changed to make it work 100%.

Thanks to MPGRIMM2, RICKS RAM, 00R/T, and STDECO for volunteering to test these radios in their trucks. As a result, we have had them working in a 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 trucks. We have tested seats, backup cameras, cargo cameras, android auto, apple car play, and most of the radio's standard functionality in these models.

View attachment 397333

There are two distinct versions of the radio. The 4C (Sales Code: UAS) and the 4C-Nav (Sales Code: UAQ). The only difference between the radios is that the UAS does not have built in navigation and the UAQ does. Both units support CarPlay and Android Auto. However, unlike the previous VP3 radios, Built in navigation cannot be purchased and added to the 4C radio.


Components Needed

RADIO: 68331631AH (UAQ) or 68331635AH (UAS)
MEDIA HUB: 68328704AC (RAM) or 5XG28DX9AC (Compass)
MEDIA HUB CONVERSION HARNESS

RADIO
It is important that you get a radio that has the correct mount as the mount is now forged as part of the radio housing. Even though a radio out of an 18 Charger/300/Durango/etc will technically function the same as the RAM radio, the mount will not fit the RAM. Can these radios be modified to fit in a RAM.. Maybe, but I wouldn't recommend it. I broke a screen trying to transplant a UAQ radio into an existing VP4 mount.

It is also important that you get a MY18 radio. All MY18 radio part numbers start with 683.... The RAM themes are only available on MY18 year radios and the firmware must be at least version 18. There is a round colored dot on the top of each radio that has a number in it that reflects the firmware version that the radio had on it when it shipped from the factory. Anything less than 18.7 may have functional problems. It is possible to upgrade radios with older versions of software (I have upgraded to 18.14 all the way from 15.5 on one radio) but I also had one fail the upgrade process. Be wary of "AA" revision radios as they are really a crapshoot of what you are actually going to get.

As of now the radio can be purchased brand new from FCA. The cost is around $1200 for the UAQ, and about $100 for the hub.

View attachment 397334

View attachment 397335

MEDIA HUB

The media hubs in pre 2018 RAMs will not work with the 2018 Radios. Unfortunately RAM changed the form factor of the media hub in the 2018 RAM Trucks. The 2018 hubs are oblong in shape compared to the square 2013 - 2017 hubs. The closest compatible hub that will fit the existing opening is the compass hub. It is not an exact fit, but it generally fits. Changing the hub in a center console truck is easier than changing it in a jumpseat equipped truck.

2018 RAM HUB

View attachment 397336

View attachment 397337


The connector on the rear of the media hub is also different, so a conversion harness will need to be built to adapt the current 6 pin connector to the 8 pin on the new hubs.

View attachment 397338

View attachment 397339


Jump Seat Insert Replacement
Trucks that have a jump seat can order part number 68376066AA which is the insert with the correct cutout for the 18 RAM USB Hub. The cost is around $95. MPGrimm2 has recorded several videos showing how to change the insert.

See his full post here: Jump Seat Insert Replacement.


Known Issues

Radio Soft Keys for the Heated/Vented Seats and Heated Wheel will not work on 2013 and 2014 trucks (They will be on the screen but will be grayed out).

Radio Soft Keys for the Heated/Vented Seats will be missing on trucks that added factory heated/vented seats.

Settings menu may not reflect correct setting options on 2013 trucks.

Backup Camera button may be missing on 2016 and 2017 trucks. (Camera will work when in reverse, button on radio is missing).

There is no way to factory reset a radio.

@Mpgrimm2 would be the one to get the harness from. He does a great job at helping with upgrade install and support. If you check His bio you'll see the website to order parts from, but if you contact him first I'm sure he will let you know for sure what you need depending on parts you have and can steer you in the right direction.

thank you will contact him

 

[Matt S23195]

Just finished the single zone ATC on my 2018 express. I had already done the 8.4 upgrade through infotainment.

Thank you @Mpgrimm2 for the back and forth email and text support. Will definitely be back later for more upgrades lol

 

[Maniac]

2016 ram with 8.4 and nav. I searched for the p/n on post #1 but nothing really comes up. Is there a newer p/n we can use?

 

[Gordo2212]

2016 ram with 8.4 and nav. I searched for the p/n on post #1 but nothing really comes up. Is there a newer p/n we can use?

What are you trying to do? If you want to upgrade to carplay/android auto then you need at least a 2018 UAS/UAQ radio which are listed in the first post. These radios are pretty hard to find these days used because of the upgrade so you need to be diligent in searching to find one used or you can get a new one from Benny.

One edit: You can also use these part numbers also 68461699AB (UAQ) and 68461703AB (UAS) from 2020 classic trucks.

 

[Maniac]

What are you trying to do? If you want to upgrade to carplay/android auto then you need at least a 2018 UAS/UAQ radio which are listed in the first post. These radios are pretty hard to find these days used because of the upgrade so you need to be diligent in searching to find one used or you can get a new one from Benny.

One edit: You can also use these part numbers also 68461699AB (UAQ) and 68461703AB (UAS) from 2020 classic trucks.

I’d like to keep everything the same but get Apple car play. I don’t want to lose my nav and other features. I also have dual hvac, ATC, heated seats, all that. I’ll try searching for the 2020 classic p/n. I did find this P/N from a 2019, 68307655AA. Would this work?

Edit: I searched for the 2020 classic with no luck.

 

[Gordo2212]

I’d like to keep everything the same but get Apple car play. I don’t want to lose my nav and other features. I also have dual hvac, ATC, heated seats, all that. I’ll try searching for the 2020 classic p/n. I did find this P/N from a 2019, 68307655AA. Would this work?

Edit: I searched for the 2020 classic with no luck.

I don't think that part number would work, doesn't appear to be a 4th gen as it's not coming up as a 1500 classic. Here are some new ones from Benny's site that would work for you and are all with NAV and carplay.

2019-2020 Ram 1500 Classic Multi Media Radio 68331631AO | All Mopar Parts

2019-2020 Ram 1500 Classic part # 68331631AO - Multi Media Radio

parts.allmoparparts.com

2019-2022 Ram 1500 Classic Multi Media Radio 68528238AC | All Mopar Parts

2019-2022 Ram 1500 Classic part # 68528238AC - Multi Media Radio

parts.allmoparparts.com

2019-2020 Ram 1500 Classic Multi Media Radio 68331632AO | All Mopar Parts

2019-2020 Ram 1500 Classic part # 68331632AO - Multi Media Radio

parts.allmoparparts.com

Like I said in previous post, since this upgrade it is pretty difficult to find a decent price on a used unit. You really have to stay on top of the searches and be diligent looking at junk yards, ebay, etc. I lucked out and picked one up off of the for sale section here and probably just logged in at the right time when someone put it up for sale.

 

[Maniac]

I found a radio I can use. Iv gone through a good bit of this but I can’t seem to find an actual DIY. I can figure out the actual install. But does anyone have steps to do the software stuff? What programs I need? All that.

 

[deathbyburito]

I found a radio I can use. Iv gone through a good bit of this but I can’t seem to find an actual DIY. I can figure out the actual install. But does anyone have steps to do the software stuff? What programs I need? All that.

If you have all the right parts (radio, hub, adapter harness) there is no software stuff. The truck software recognizes the new radio and everything just works. It may take some time for the radio to read all of the settings from your truck and enable all the correct options on the screen.

 

[Maniac]

If you have all the right parts (radio, hub, adapter harness) there is no software stuff. The truck software recognizes the new radio and everything just works. It may take some time for the radio to read all of the settings from your truck and enable all the correct options on the screen.

O sweet ok. I thought I read that I needed to do some stuff to make it see my camera and hvac controls.

 

[vhmike73]

Maybe this is just my truck, and not going through enough key cycles/waiting long enough, but I just tried installing the new 68331631AM deck into my 2015 2500 Laramie. The biggest issue was that there was no audio from any source that was working unless I tapped the screen; so I could get a snippet of the radio (FM) station to play when I touched the preset, but it would go silent within a couple seconds. I didn't leave it connected long enough/perform enough key cycles to get to the point where the SXM button appeared. Also, the USB hub I got didn't seem to do anything. The hub is supposedly a new Compass hub, PN: 5XG28DX9AC, though it appears used- it seems to be OEM. The USB hub didn't illuminate (I have the KAOdtech harness), and connecting my phone didn't enable Android Auto that I could tell.

My truck has the Alpine premium audio system and was running an RA4 radio (that's back in for the moment) and has the dual zone ATC stock. Could the Alpine setup require some more "learning" for the UAQ to work properly?

One other problem I am having is that the USB port that was stock with the truck doesn't read USB devices: I can't read any files off a flash drive, nor will it start the 18.45.01 update (the RA4 is at 18.43.01) - though the SD card reads and music can be played from the SD card. When the stock 2015 hub was plugged into the UAQ, I got a "Hubs not supported" error. And weirder: my manual says that fuse F65 is the USB Interface...but the PDC box states that F65 is "Spare", and the fuse sitting there just drops into place with no resistance. I have to believe that the USB port on the original 2015 hub must be bad, and the Compass hub I have didn't appear to function with the RA4. I don't know where any other connector for the USB would be: the connection at the front of the console is tight, and both the hub and radio plugs were seated fully.

I'm waiting to hear from a salvage yard about a 2017 Chrysler 200 hub because of the current national backorder on that part, but I'm at a loss on the USB issue. One other oddity: I can't pull a build sheet for my truck on the Chrysler website. I have the original sticker, but I get a message to contact customer service when I try the "equipment listing".

 

[jshillin]

Maybe this is just my truck, and not going through enough key cycles/waiting long enough, but I just tried installing the new 68331631AM deck into my 2015 2500 Laramie. The biggest issue was that there was no audio from any source that was working unless I tapped the screen; so I could get a snippet of the radio (FM) station to play when I touched the preset, but it would go silent within a couple seconds. I didn't leave it connected long enough/perform enough key cycles to get to the point where the SXM button appeared. Also, the USB hub I got didn't seem to do anything. The hub is supposedly a new Compass hub, PN: 5XG28DX9AC, though it appears used- it seems to be OEM. The USB hub didn't illuminate (I have the KAOdtech harness), and connecting my phone didn't enable Android Auto that I could tell.

My truck has the Alpine premium audio system and was running an RA4 radio (that's back in for the moment) and has the dual zone ATC stock. Could the Alpine setup require some more "learning" for the UAQ to work properly?

One other problem I am having is that the USB port that was stock with the truck doesn't read USB devices: I can't read any files off a flash drive, nor will it start the 18.45.01 update (the RA4 is at 18.43.01) - though the SD card reads and music can be played from the SD card. When the stock 2015 hub was plugged into the UAQ, I got a "Hubs not supported" error. And weirder: my manual says that fuse F65 is the USB Interface...but the PDC box states that F65 is "Spare", and the fuse sitting there just drops into place with no resistance. I have to believe that the USB port on the original 2015 hub must be bad, and the Compass hub I have didn't appear to function with the RA4. I don't know where any other connector for the USB would be: the connection at the front of the console is tight, and both the hub and radio plugs were seated fully.

I'm waiting to hear from a salvage yard about a 2017 Chrysler 200 hub because of the current national backorder on that part, but I'm at a loss on the USB issue. One other oddity: I can't pull a build sheet for my truck on the Chrysler website. I have the original sticker, but I get a message to contact customer service when I try the "equipment listing".

Do you have anyone locally that has upgraded already and you can try to swap in your UAQ to see if it works on that truck? I just installed a UAS in mine yesterday and it went off without a hitch. The only problem I had was nothing would work via USB. I did a couple quick searches and see that it only likes shorter USB cables. I swapped out a 6' for a 3' and it worked immediately.

 

[deathbyburito]

Maybe this is just my truck, and not going through enough key cycles/waiting long enough, but I just tried installing the new 68331631AM deck into my 2015 2500 Laramie. The biggest issue was that there was no audio from any source that was working unless I tapped the screen; so I could get a snippet of the radio (FM) station to play when I touched the preset, but it would go silent within a couple seconds. I didn't leave it connected long enough/perform enough key cycles to get to the point where the SXM button appeared. Also, the USB hub I got didn't seem to do anything. The hub is supposedly a new Compass hub, PN: 5XG28DX9AC, though it appears used- it seems to be OEM. The USB hub didn't illuminate (I have the KAOdtech harness), and connecting my phone didn't enable Android Auto that I could tell.

My truck has the Alpine premium audio system and was running an RA4 radio (that's back in for the moment) and has the dual zone ATC stock. Could the Alpine setup require some more "learning" for the UAQ to work properly?

One other problem I am having is that the USB port that was stock with the truck doesn't read USB devices: I can't read any files off a flash drive, nor will it start the 18.45.01 update (the RA4 is at 18.43.01) - though the SD card reads and music can be played from the SD card. When the stock 2015 hub was plugged into the UAQ, I got a "Hubs not supported" error. And weirder: my manual says that fuse F65 is the USB Interface...but the PDC box states that F65 is "Spare", and the fuse sitting there just drops into place with no resistance. I have to believe that the USB port on the original 2015 hub must be bad, and the Compass hub I have didn't appear to function with the RA4. I don't know where any other connector for the USB would be: the connection at the front of the console is tight, and both the hub and radio plugs were seated fully.

I'm waiting to hear from a salvage yard about a 2017 Chrysler 200 hub because of the current national backorder on that part, but I'm at a loss on the USB issue. One other oddity: I can't pull a build sheet for my truck on the Chrysler website. I have the original sticker, but I get a message to contact customer service when I try the "equipment listing".

I don't recall if my 1500 with the Alpine system needed the additional time to get audio or not when I swapped in a UAS. It's been a while since I did the swap. Personally I would try not to make any conclusions on functionality until the truck config has been read by the new radio.

 

[Athlium]

Maybe this is just my truck, and not going through enough key cycles/waiting long enough, but I just tried installing the new 68331631AM deck into my 2015 2500 Laramie. The biggest issue was that there was no audio from any source that was working unless I tapped the screen; so I could get a snippet of the radio (FM) station to play when I touched the preset, but it would go silent within a couple seconds. I didn't leave it connected long enough/perform enough key cycles to get to the point where the SXM button appeared. Also, the USB hub I got didn't seem to do anything. The hub is supposedly a new Compass hub, PN:5XG28DX9AC, though it appears used- it seems to be OEM. The USB hub didn't illuminate (I have the KAOdtech harness), and connecting my phone didn't enable Android Auto that I could tell.

My truck has the Alpine premium audio system and was running an RA4 radio (that's back in for the moment) and has the dual zone ATC stock. Could the Alpine setup require some more "learning" for the UAQ to work properly?

One other problem I am having is that the USB port that was stock with the truck doesn't read USB devices: I can't read any files off a flash drive, nor will it start the 18.45.01 update (the RA4 is at 18.43.01) - though the SD card reads and music can be played from the SD card. When the stock 2015 hub was plugged into the UAQ, I got a "Hubs not supported" error. And weirder: my manual says that fuse F65 is the USB Interface...but the PDC box states that F65 is "Spare", and the fuse sitting there just drops into place with no resistance. I have to believe that the USB port on the original 2015 hub must be bad, and the Compass hub I have didn't appear to function with the RA4. I don't know where any other connector for the USB would be: the connection at the front of the console is tight, and both the hub and radio plugs were seated fully.

I'm waiting to hear from a salvage yard about a 2017 Chrysler 200 hub because of the current national backorder on that part, but I'm at a loss on the USB issue. One other oddity: I can't pull a build sheet for my truck on the Chrysler website. I have the original sticker, but I get a message to contact customer service when I try the "equipment listing".

when I did the swap for my 2018. I think it did take quite a few different power cycles to get everything sync'd up properly. At one point, I lost all U apps, then it came back after 2 more cycles. I think it had been through a couple of Alfa changes for me to enable backup cam softkey and then everything came back and sync'd up.

 

[vhmike73]

I think a lot of my problem is just operator error. I'm more concerned right now with the heat issues for the truck. I have none on the driver side, marginal on the passenger side. The truck goes in Friday to look at/repair that issue. Once that's done, I'll re-install the UAQ (and the Chrysler 200 hub that's coming from a boneyard) and give the unit the time it needs. Thanks for all the input!