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

[PaleFlyer]

New member of the Android auto club here and loving it (in my 2017 Ram). Installed a UCQ (68340153AH, Canadian equivalent to UAQ from 2018 Ram). Got it from a salvage yard in Saskatoon for $500 plus shipping Canadian $.

I installed a USB C hub from a 2019 Ram and all works great, minus a couple issues.

First, sxm works fine and Android auto works perfectly (wireless with Moto MA1 adapter btw), totally recommended!

My issues

- Factory navigation just shows "Loading navigation" and it never proceeds to an actual map. While Android auto is nice, I live in Colorado and there are many dead spots in cell coverage.

- My radio presets occasionally disappear after starting up the truck.

Would loading the v39 update fix these issues? I'd assume that the navigation/gps uses the same antenna as the sxm, right? My sxm which works fine.

Any ideas?

You would need the map pack as well. It sounds like the UCQ you have might have a bad map pack. It is something you have to manually inject into the update. I think the "latest" map pack in the firmware thread is from the 22.5 firmware, but I stuck that in the 39.5, and it worked fine. I think I checked that nav loaded after I did the update, but I don't remember, and I don't use it.

On the flip side, you can do "offline maps" on your android, and pre-download the maps for the area you are going to be traveling through, so it is running off the local copy, versus streaming the map the whole trip, and it is more resistant to cell dropouts (if the GPS in your phone doesn't go dumb as well... It happens sometimes...) I generally don't notice I lose cell coverage until the music stops because of this.

SXM, Cellular, and GPS are all in the sharkfin, but they shouldn't be the same physical antenna I don't think (so the sharkfin should have 3 different PCB/Chip/widgets if you crack the top, someone posted an internal pic in a thread about swapping the sharkfin for the puck recently.) But at least 2 of them share a cable (SXM and GPS I think based on the "puck" antenna)

 

[Average J0e]

Will a Uconnect 8.4 out of a 2019, 2020 or 2021 Ram fit a 2017 Ram that has a Uconnect 8.4 in it already?

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Will a Uconnect 8.4 out of a 2019, 2020 or 2021 Ram fit a 2017 Ram that has a Uconnect 8.4 in it already?

Not counting other setup/feature details that may be different between trucks...

It would need to be a Panasonic 4c out of a 4th gen 19-21 'Classic' truck. ... New body style 5th Gen trucks use a different radio (by Aptiv/Delphi) and have issues.

 

[Average J0e]

Not counting other setup/feature details that may be different between trucks...

It would need to be a Panasonic 4c out of a 4th gen 19-21 'Classic' truck. ... New body style 5th Gen trucks use a different radio (by Aptiv/Delphi) and have issues.

Thanks! I saw your previous about the Aptiv/Delphi issuses. I have been looking for a Harmon to do the upgrade with. Is there a specific p/n for the Harmon? I don't have heated seats or wheel. Currently it's a Uconnect 3C Nav 8.4. I know I need the hub and the adapter cable. I believe I have to get the adapter cable from you right?

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Thanks! I saw your previous about the Aptiv/Delphi issuses. I have been looking for a Harmon to do the upgrade with. Is there a specific p/n for the Harmon? I don't have heated seats or wheel. Currently it's a Uconnect 3C Nav 8.4. I know I need the hub and the adapter cable. I believe I have to get the adapter cable from you right?

Harmon 3c RAx radios without AA/ CP were only used in the 2013-17 trucks.

Panasonic 4c UAx with AA/CP were used in 2018 & 19-21 classic trucks

 

[Average J0e]

Harmon 3c RAx radios without AA/ CP were only used in the 2013-17 trucks.

Panasonic 4c UAx with AA/CP were used in 2018 & 19-21 classic trucks

Here's the pic of the unit. It's out of his 2019 Big Horn. I'm not going to use his bezel as I have dual climate controls. Was planning on swapping the screen and radio.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Here's the pic of the unit. It's out of his 2019 Big Horn. I'm not going to use his bezel as I have dual climate controls. Was planning on swapping the screen and radio.

Yeah, you might be able to get that 2 piece unit to work but I don't recommend/support it since it's for a new body style truck. Jimmy07 has a thread where he was working on getting it going... Can't remember what the issues were, but he had some notes there that may help. My suggestion is sell it and get a single piece Panasonic 4c from a 2018/classic

 

[Average J0e]

Yeah, you might be able to get that 2 piece unit to work but I don't recommend/support it since it's for a new body style truck. Jimmy07 has a thread where he was working on getting it going... Can't remember what the issues were, but he had some notes there that may help. My suggestion is sell it and get a single piece Panasonic 4c from a 2018/classic

I haven't bought it yet. I'll keep looking! Thank you for your help!

 

[Harry O]

Installed an eBay 2018 RAM 1500 UAS radio (App Ver 22.66 & Soft Ver 22.32.10) into a 2017 Laramie with an eBay Compass USB hub and a USB conversion harness from MPGRIMM2 (which was an extremely easy transaction, Thanks!) Added a wireless Carplay adapter as well.

eBay Jeep Compass USB Hub - $19.99

Amazon Warehouse Wireless CarPlay Adapter - $56.62

Everything works great with the exception that the radio always resets the presets. It does it sometimes within hours or days, totally random. It remembers my favorite songs but reverts the station presets only. Also, the radio always "updates the Sirius subscription" on startup. I've left the battery disconnected for a day with the same result. I've also sent a Sirius refresh signal as well with no difference.

The eBay radio was one of the batches that had the adhesive that oozed out. I was successful in cleaning it and the touchscreen works well but the marks of adhesive show when there is a light background. I may end up changing the touch screen at a later time for appearance sake.

If anyone has a solution to the radio presets, I'd appreciate the info.

Edit: Pics & links added

 

[HK1837]

I ordered a new screen off Ebay, reasonably easy to change but geez that glue out of the old screens is sticky - gets everywhere, and hard to clean off you and anything else it gets on. Just have to make sure you get the right SL(03) screen not the older SL(01) or SL(02) ones. Here is an example:

NEW 8.4" Uconnect 4C UAQ LCD DISPLAY Touch-Screen Radio Navigation Dodge Ram | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW 8.4" Uconnect 4C UAQ LCD DISPLAY Touch-Screen Radio Navigation Dodge Ram at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com