Installing a 2019-2021 12.1 (UAX) Radio in 4th Gen RAM

[SitKneelBend]

Let me know if I can help in any way, I really want to do this swap in my 22.

If yours is a 5th gen, it's a lot easier for you then me in a 4th gen but I might pick your brain if I come up with questions for sure (especially about plugs in the back or what stops working if you unplug something). Thanks!

 

[SitKneelBend]

Just seeing how things will fit...I think I may revise my original idea of deleting all the buttons on the 12" and leaving the hazard button to get a little more room for the manual HVAC controls...credit goes to @Jimmy07 , I haven't talked to him directly yet, but I'm stalking all of his prior posts on the topic!

 

[skuppy069]

Would it not be easier to retrofit to single zone atc and use the screen hvac buttons ?

 

[SitKneelBend]

Would it not be easier to retrofit to single zone atc and use the screen hvac buttons ?

I'm listening...I wanted to pick your brain too! What are you referring to?

 

[skuppy069]

Like get your truck setup for single zone atc and you can ditch the old ICS bezel .
I’m sure Roman can help with a module for the hvac buttons but for now the screen would atleast work out the gate for the hvac controls and one less thing to cut and work into the dash etc if you get a harness from m2
Mods .
Hvac module used like 75 bucks sometimes .

 

[skuppy069]

This way you can still use the new style switch bank for traction control ,park assist etc

 

[SitKneelBend]

Like get your truck setup for single zone atc and you can ditch the old ICS bezel .
I’m sure Roman can help with a module for the hvac buttons but for now the screen would atleast work out the gate for the hvac controls and one less thing to cut and work into the dash etc if you get a harness from m2
Mods .
Hvac module used like 75 bucks sometimes .

So, currently I have an 8.4 UAQ in my 2014. Are you referring to the 8.4 bezel when you speak of a used one for $75? I've done all the reading from all of your guys early successes on this, but didn't see a way to reach out to Roman with regards to the CANBUS adapter he was working on. I'd gladly pay for things from the pioneers if they were selling stuff to make this happen. I just didn't know how to contact or if he had a storefront somewhere. I also had questions about the LVDS cables and the adapters sold on eBay. I was going to pull the trigger and buy from eBay if guys like Roman, @Mpgrimm2 , and @Jimmy07 didn't have stuff they do sell/would sell.

Part of my new direction in attacking this mod was definitely the 3d printer I got for Christmas from my wife. I figured if there was nobody actively developing selling stuff I'd use my 3D printer to make a new bezel for it and force it to work with all manual knobs. If I'm being honest, one thing I didn't like going from the RA2 to an 8.4 was loosing the manual controls (they are so quick and easy to manipulate with just a glance).

In short, I'd be printing a new bezel or maybe even just a filler blank plate to delete the side buttons and top two buttons next to the hazard then also print a new faceplate the integrates the manual HVAC controls my truck originally came with into the lower section of the UAX screen.

I'm definitely open to any and all suggestions though on this as I'm just piecing together bits of knowledge from you guys in your earlier posts to see what might work. Removing the Manual HVAC controls might allow me to make the footprint on the dash a little smaller too but I plan on keeping the original tow haul, traction control buttons in place since the 5th gen ones don't work in the 4th gen.

Do you see any flaws in my logic? My main issue as I see it now is getting the volume/tune knobs on the 12.1 to work and I'm currently unsure what I need to buy with the LVDS to get that working. I'm guessing one of these?

Pardon Our Interruption...

14+ RAM (Old Body) UAV UCONNECT 4C RADIO 8.4" DISASSOCIATED DISPLAY WIRING, LVDS | eBay

DODGE OLD BODY RAM UAV UCONNECT 4C RADIO 8.4" DISASSOCIATED DISPLAY WIRING HARNESS, LVDS + MAIN (WITH GRAY OR BLACK CONNECTOR). You will get 2 wires only, The main connector on 8.4" display can be gray or black, they aren't interchangeable.

www.ebay.com

EDIT: I was under the impression the new traction control trailer brake stuff wouldn't work?

 

[skuppy069]

Your current uaq are you using the factory hvac bezel or the manual dial style ?

 

[skuppy069]

So, currently I have an 8.4 UAQ in my 2014. Are you referring to the 8.4 bezel when you speak of a used one for $75? I've done all the reading from all of your guys early successes on this, but didn't see a way to reach out to Roman with regards to the CANBUS adapter he was working on. I'd gladly pay for things from the pioneers if they were selling stuff to make this happen. I just didn't know how to contact or if he had a storefront somewhere. I also had questions about the LVDS cables and the adapters sold on eBay. I was going to pull the trigger and buy from eBay if guys like Roman, @Mpgrimm2 , and @Jimmy07 didn't have stuff they do sell/would sell.

Part of my new direction in attacking this mod was definitely the 3d printer I got for Christmas from my wife. I figured if there was nobody actively developing selling stuff I'd use my 3D printer to make a new bezel for it and force it to work with all manual knobs. If I'm being honest, one thing I didn't like going from the RA2 to an 8.4 was loosing the manual controls (they are so quick and easy to manipulate with just a glance).

In short, I'd be printing a new bezel or maybe even just a filler blank plate to delete the side buttons and top two buttons next to the hazard then also print a new faceplate the integrates the manual HVAC controls my truck originally came with into the lower section of the UAX screen.

I'm definitely open to any and all suggestions though on this as I'm just piecing together bits of knowledge from you guys in your earlier posts to see what might work. Removing the Manual HVAC controls might allow me to make the footprint on the dash a little smaller too but I plan on keeping the original tow haul, traction control buttons in place since the 5th gen ones don't work in the 4th gen.

Do you see any flaws in my logic? My main issue as I see it now is getting the volume/tune knobs on the 12.1 to work and I'm currently unsure what I need to buy with the LVDS to get that working. I'm guessing one of these?

Pardon Our Interruption...

14+ RAM (Old Body) UAV UCONNECT 4C RADIO 8.4" DISASSOCIATED DISPLAY WIRING, LVDS | eBay

DODGE OLD BODY RAM UAV UCONNECT 4C RADIO 8.4" DISASSOCIATED DISPLAY WIRING HARNESS, LVDS + MAIN (WITH GRAY OR BLACK CONNECTOR). You will get 2 wires only, The main connector on 8.4" display can be gray or black, they aren't interchangeable.

www.ebay.com

EDIT: I was under the impression the new traction control trailer brake stuff wouldn't work?

Yep it will work

 

[SitKneelBend]

Your current uaq are you using the factory hvac bezel or the manual dial style ?

Factory HVAC Single zone...

 

[SitKneelBend]

Yep it will work

Anything special needed to make it work? I don't have parking sensors, can the buttons be repurposed?

 

[skuppy069]

Nope just find a switch with your lay out etc .
The traction control light will always be illuminated but the switch still works fine .

 

[SitKneelBend]

Nope just find a switch with your lay out etc .
The traction control light will always be illuminated but the switch still works fine .

Thanks! What about those cables I linked to? Do you know which set I need? I was thinking the one listed for the 8.4 UAV but wasn't sure...

 

[SitKneelBend]

For anyone interested in how the sausage is made ... glad I opened it to as one of the ribbon cables was unseated for the side buttons/tune knob board.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Seeing how modular this is, I'm wondering it I can make a new 8.4 bezel surround and elongate it to house just the 12" and completely abandon the UAX bezel? Does anyone know if a 4th Gen bezel is "compatible" with a 5th gen radio or would I have to get a 5th gen UAV bezel for something like this?

 

[skuppy069]

I would test to see if the screen/radio will behavior with that ICS in the loop before fully committing to that setup

 

[SitKneelBend]

I would test to see if the screen/radio will behavior with that ICS in the loop before fully committing to that setup

That's the game plan. I'm encouraged by @g00fy who had a similar question and setup here...

Retrofit of the 12” UAX radio and screen into a Tradesman

Wow, you guys have really dug into this issue since I returned my UAX. In Goofy's case is it that his radio came from a truck with a different (set of) camera(s) for reversing view? If so, rather than code the unit down (if that can be done with AlphaOBD?) to what he has, can he upgrade his...

www.ramforum.com

My thought is, if it worked for him with the manual controls, a similar setup might work for me with the single zone 8.4 controls. I'm still unsure on the wiring I need to purchase though, did you have any thoughts on that? I know I need the LVDS cable, but I'm not sure on the adapter harness?

 

[skuppy069]

You already have the hvac module in the passenger kick panel don’t you ?
What bezel are you running now ?

 

[SitKneelBend]

I was doing some looking to figure out which cables I need and I'm now wondering if @Mpgrimm2 's 8.4 conversion harness can also be used on the 12.1" UAX Radio (If I keep the buttons) and use the Manual RA2 HVAC control bezel? They have the same 8 pin connector that goes to the back of the UAX screen it looks like?



NOTE: Neither of the above images are @Mpgrimm2 harnesses, the picture on the left is an eBay listing for a UAX upgrade harness and the one on the right is from an early prototype from getupkid. MPgrimm2's is installed now for my UAQ and I didn't want pull the radio to take a picture.

 

[SitKneelBend]

You already have the hvac module in the passenger kick panel don’t you ?
What bezel are you running now ?

To be clear, I have a few more options then others because my 2014 Express originally came with an RA2 which I upgraded later to an RA3, then RA4, a UAS and now a UAQ. So at present, I have an 8.4 conversion harness running to the factory location for the 8.4 HVAC module I added (but I also still have all of my manual parts).