INFO - 2013-2018 8.4A /AN FW Notes (RA3/VP3-NA & RA4/VP4-NA & UAx)

[Mpgrimm2]

Thanks for your reply. I spoke with UConnect, and they quoted me the price to activate. I'll have to verify with UConnect. Thanks,

If that does in fact happen, please document steps you went through and the radio Part Number to share an update. (As far as I know, it's just the 13-17 Harmon 8.4 3c VP3-xx radios that can do it.)

 

[alamartina]

I’ll let you know.

 

[alamartina]

I was misinformed. UConnect cannot activate Nav in the radio.

 

[simplyal]

Been review this and many different threads regarding the 8.4 upgrade.

I have a 2016 1500 Limited with the Harmon VP4 Nav, no issues, just wanted to find the best route to add Android Auto / Apple Carplay.

I wanted to stay away from the 2018 model 8.4 because of the delamination issues, however I couldnt pass up this deal. Found a guy who was having radio problems and replaced his UAQ and was getting rid of it for $50!!.

68331631AD

Picked it up, ordered a replacement digitizer (not the entire LCD screen) and will spread a few hours cleaning up the glue.

Testong things out, on the back of the VP4 I have the maroon, mustard and white cables connected, on the UAQ, the mustard and white connect fine but the maroon will not connect because of the notches are in a different location.

What is the maroon cable for?
Does it need to be connected?
Can I just add a notch in the plastic to fit?

on the UAQ, looks like a couple piece missing, is this okay or can they be fixed?


I would like to reposition the USB hub behind the radio and have a cable come through the top so I can connect the phone there as opposed to running a cable across the center console.

What's left to get here... USB hub from 2018+ and a conversion harness?

 

[SitKneelBend]

Been review this and many different threads regarding the 8.4 upgrade.

I have a 2016 1500 Limited with the Harmon VP4 Nav, no issues, just wanted to find the best route to add Android Auto / Apple Carplay.

I wanted to stay away from the 2018 model 8.4 because of the delamination issues, however I couldnt pass up this deal. Found a guy who was having radio problems and replaced his UAQ and was getting rid of it for $50!!.

68331631AD

Picked it up, ordered a replacement digitizer (not the entire LCD screen) and will spread a few hours cleaning up the glue.

Testong things out, on the back of the VP4 I have the maroon, mustard and white cables connected, on the UAQ, the mustard and white connect fine but the maroon will not connect because of the notches are in a different location.

What is the maroon cable for?
Does it need to be connected?
Can I just add a notch in the plastic to fit?

on the UAQ, looks like a couple piece missing, is this okay or can they be fixed?


I would like to reposition the USB hub behind the radio and have a cable come through the top so I can connect the phone there as opposed to running a cable across the center console.

What's left to get here... USB hub from 2018+ and a conversion harness?

Great price! Don't be surprised if you end up replacing the whole screen though. You can get away with just the white plug (AM/FM) and mustard plug (SXM/GPS). In order to use Android Auto/Apple carplay you will need the newer USB hub. IMO you should just mount it in the factory location because no matter what you will need an adapter harness to connect it. @Mpgrimm2 can sell you the harness and let you know the part numbers you need to complete the upgrade.

What problems was he having with the radio?

 

[simplyal]

Great price! Don't be surprised if you end up replacing the whole screen though. You can get away with just the white plug (AM/FM) and mustard plug (SXM/GPS). In order to use Android Auto/Apple carplay you will need the newer USB hub. IMO you should just mount it in the factory location because no matter what you will need an adapter harness to connect it. @Mpgrimm2 can sell you the harness and let you know the part numbers you need to complete the upgrade.

What problems was he having with the radio?

Just the ghosting issues where channels would change, AC and temps changes, all the delaminating issues I've read about. Hopefully I can clean the LCD enough and with a new digitizer ($20) even if it doesn't work, a new LCD and I'm still under the cost

While testing, I was able test everything but radio as I didn't have the anti theft code until today. Back up camera, ac in the seats, 7 spread fan.

As for location of the hub, appreciate the feedback, pretty much set on running the cable through the dash like I already have for power (as seen in 4th image, but that's a me issue, not you)



So do we know what the maroon cable is?

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Just the ghosting issues where channels would change, AC and temps changes, all the delaminating issues I've read about. Hopefully I can clean the LCD enough and with a new digitizer ($20) even if it doesn't work, a new LCD and I'm still under the cost

While testing, I was able test everything but radio as I didn't have the anti theft code until today. Back up camera, ac in the seats, 7 spread fan.

As for location of the hub, appreciate the feedback, pretty much set on running the cable through the dash like I already have for power (as seen in 4th image, but that's a me issue, not you)



So do we know what the maroon cable is?

Red fakra = digital camera input (LVDS) for future/other vehicles, not 4th Gen ram. It dumps power onto the video cable due newer style cameras (I believe) and up would damage a standard analog video camera like on the 4th Gen if hooked to it.

 

[simplyal]

Red fakra = digital camera input (LVDS) for future/other vehicles, not 4th Gen ram. It dumps power onto the video cable due newer style cameras (I believe) and up would damage a standard analog video camera like on the 4th Gen if hooked to it.

Hmmm... it's connected on my original radio.

None the less, could you help me out with what I need USB Hub and harness wise?

 

[SitKneelBend]

Hmmm... it's connected on my original radio.

None the less, could you help me out with what I need USB Hub and harness wise?

You might be referring to the purple'ish (bordeaux) connector which is for cellular reception. Do you have a shark fin antenna on your truck or puck style? I say use the factory location because while their is a microUSB connection on the back of the radio, it won't allow AA or CarPlay without the USB hub for whatever programming logic reason is in the firmware. Do you have a center console or a jumpseat? In either case, it might be easier to relocate the entire wiring harness if your set on it.

 

[simplyal]

You might be referring to the purple'ish (bordeaux) connector which is for cellular reception. Do you have a shark fin antenna on your truck or puck style? I say use the factory location because while their is a microUSB connection on the back of the radio, it won't allow AA or CarPlay without the USB hub for whatever programming logic reason is in the firmware. Do you have a center console or a jumpseat? In either case, it might be easier to relocate the entire wiring harness if you’re set on it.

Thank you for your response. I do have a shark fin antenna, a center console and the plan is to relocate the wiring harness with the new hub secured behind the radio.

Is cellular needed to be connected? I’m assuming that’s for Travel Link or uConnect subscription which I do not have.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Thank you for your response. I do have a shark fin antenna, a center console and the plan is to relocate the wiring harness with the new hub secured behind the radio.

Is cellular needed to be connected? I’m assuming that’s for Travel Link or uConnect subscription which I do not have.

Nope, not needed. On the current radio you have it will cause a 911 error but on the newer ones no error appears when it is disconnected. Some intentionally leave it disconnected to avoid OTA updates.

 

[simplyal]

Took me about an hour to clean all that glue and install new digitizer. Installed in truck and everything is working... steering wheel controls, heated and ventilated seats, radio, air ride suspension.

Ordered hub and harness, will post updates on Android Auto and Carplay.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Took me about an hour to clean all that glue and install new digitizer. Installed in truck and everything is working... steering wheel controls, heated and ventilated seats, radio, air ride suspension.

Ordered hub and harness, will post updates on Android Auto and Carplay.

That's record time! Looks good, glad it worked! If you want a matte screen protector I highly recommend this (easiest to install with the HVAC bezel off)...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DVSYTTK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[clift567]

So I've search most of this tread and not seeing anything that is matching my radio I have a 2019 Ram 5th gen 8.4 nonNav radio below are from the dealer screens.. I've been looking for updates for this radio..not sure what the firm version

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Nothing in this thread applies to a 5th gen truck

 

[luvmyhemi]

almost 1600 posts... quite a rabbit hole... in so deep i got lost, but i'm in the right place.

can someone please tell me exactly which file version(s) i need to install and where i can download them.

This is what I have:

2015 8.4AN VP4 P/N 68238626AF v 14.47.1

I need to update the software to at least v 17.43.01 or higher so i can again try installing a nav map update - cart before the horse.

Thanks for your help

 

[Mpgrimm2]

almost 1600 posts... quite a rabbit hole... in so deep i got lost, but i'm in the right place.

can someone please tell me exactly which file version(s) i need to install and where i can download them.

This is what I have:

2015 8.4AN VP4 P/N 68238626AF v 14.47.1

I need to update the software to at least v 17.43.01 or higher so i can again try installing a nav map update - cart before the horse.

Thanks for your help

Had to Google search the part number since the rest of the model number is left off... That is a 2015 Vp4-CA (Canada) version radio vs a Vp4-NA (USA) radio.

2015 RA4/VP4-CA
PN: 68238626Ax

Not sure if the 2015 Canadian Ra4 17.x fw has been shared here yet or not?...

Edit:
I never got my hands on it apparently and but it was mentioned in this post here by @Express SN95 and @Gixxer750 and apparently @Chad03 in this post

Maybe some one will chime in with it.

If it's a factory installed 8.4, you can give the vin along with a blank thumb drive and ask dealer to download it for you.
... if not, you will have to locate the vin of a Canadian 2015 ram that came from the factory with an Ra4/VP4 radio and use that VIN to get the update from a dealer (uConnect site likely won't show any updates because they want you to go to the dealer now).
If you get your hands on it and want to upload/share it, please let me know and I will post a link for others.

 

[Slugdriver]

Hello, New to the forum and really don' know where to start with an update. I have an original 2018 Ram 2500 with the original 8.4 Uconnect screen. I just want to update the software to the most recent version so I can get map updates. I have never updated it before. I talked to UConnect today and they said a dealer can install QR 40.1, MR 28.3, and IR 22.6 Are these updates I can download and install myself? Thanks in advance for all your help

 

[SitKneelBend]

Hello, New to the forum and really don' know where to start with an update. I have an original 2018 Ram 2500 with the original 8.4 Uconnect screen. I just want to update the software to the most recent version so I can get map updates. I have never updated it before. I talked to UConnect today and they said a dealer can install QR 40.1, MR 28.3, and IR 22.6 Are these updates I can download and install myself? Thanks in advance for all your help

Yes, all of those are DIY updates that can be found here at the start of this thread...Do you have factory Navigation?

 

[Slugdriver]

I do have factory navigation. Everything is as it came from the factory. Are the updates at the start of this thread for the 40.1? Also, attached is the software and application version of my truck. Can I go straight to 40.1 or do I have to upgrade to an earlier version first? Thanks for your help!