Is it worth trying to update my 2019 12" Uconnect, or just leave it alone?

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Mojo88

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If you're going to replace the system, what do you have to lose doing the updates first?
In general, I kinda like the system, I don't plan on replacing it unless I see something wayyyyy better. My intention (at the moment) is only to improve midrange and bass on the audio; i.e., basically a new subwoofer, sub box and dedicated sub amp.
 

bobbanka

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I have a 2017 Ram 1500 and the first time they tried to push an update for the maps it had to put on a memory stick. Failed and the dealer waited $200 to update. I use WAZE so no need and 7 years later no issues.
 

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Where did you put the 12" in the rear? Was that a Crutchfield purchase? I'm assuming you have a separate sub amp? And did you disable the ANC?

Questions, questions, haha

I bought the 6 speaker replacements on Crutchfield and installed those myself. I have the base 6 system (not Alpine). Then had a shop do the amp, sub, ANC bypass, and line output converter because that's beyond my ability.

So started with all Infinity Reference speakers: 4X 697F 6X9 (doors), 2X REF307F 3.5" and no amp. Ran it like that for a few weeks before impulse buying, having the shop do the rest.

Sub - JL W1v3 Series 12" 4-ohm subwoofer, installed in a sealed box. Under the passenger side back seat.

Amp - Infinity KAPPAFIVE 5 channel, running the sub and all other speakers. Under the driver side back set.

Line converter - Wavetech Link6 - under drivers seat near the factory ANC and PAC module.

ANC - Pac module - ANC-CH01 - Suitable for the base6 system. Would need a different one if you have the Alpine or HK.

Then ended up replacing the front doors with Focal ICU 690.

If I had to do it again, I'd probably buy a box from Fox Acoustics. They have custom boxes, single and double 10" or 12", that seem to get really good reviews. Still might eventually get one of their boxes. Might end up adding a dedicated sub amp and get a second sub and new box. They're singe 12" box looks really slick, though it's ported and I'm probably better off with sealed for rock music.
 

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mikeru

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I owned that gen system (uConnect 4) in my 18 Ram. I always did the updates. Never caused any issues for me. I do the same with my current uConnect 5 12" system too. I like it when they fix bugs.
You hit the nail on the head. Bug fixes. OP stated he isn't seeing any problems, in other words no bugs. I would absolutely recommend upgrading if you are having problems which appear to be software related. But if not there's no reason to update. It's not like Stellantis will be giving away any new features to existing vehicle owners. They just don't do that.
 

David Roark

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2019 5th Gen Laramie Longhorn, recently purchased. Is it worth trying to update my 12" Uconnect system, or should I just leave it alone? It seems to work OK. I'm tempted to try and update it using this site here , but I don't want to open a can of worms unless there is some advantage. If these guys are anything like Microsoft system updates, then I'd prefer the older user interface.

Thanks
I had the dealership update my software on the 12 inch screen when I took it in for service work. They did it at no charge. And it did help.
 

turkeybird56

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Yet to be determined.

I'd like to find something that doesn't break the bank too badly but the Uconnect is going away asap

I used an old TomTom GPS when driving home during my last road trip, it was incredibly superior other than the ancient and slow interface.

.
I just have a Lowly 8.4 screen, and plain jane U Conn 4 (No NAV<911<NO OTA's). Truck was built in 2018 and I am still running on the original OS.

OP if the 12" is working leave IT alone, there were issues with OTA's on those 12" radios when they first came out around 2019. The ole If it Ain't Broke do not fix it may apply. ALL IMHO.
 

suicideking

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I work in IT, so tend to install all updates eventually. For a vehicle, I'd say maybe update every two years or so. If it breaks, well that's an excuse to explain to my wife that I need to go aftermarket. :cool: Yes, she's the responsible one. I like shiny new things...

Though I do get the 'if it aint broke' mentality.
 
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Mojo88

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I bought the 6 speaker replacements on Crutchfield and installed those myself. I have the base 6 system (not Alpine). Then had a shop do the amp, sub, ANC bypass, and line output converter because that's beyond my ability.

So started with all Infinity Reference speakers: 4X 697F 6X9 (doors), 2X REF307F 3.5" and no amp. Ran it like that for a few weeks before impulse buying, having the shop do the rest.

Sub - JL W1v3 Series 12" 4-ohm subwoofer, installed in a sealed box. Under the passenger side back seat.

Amp - Infinity KAPPAFIVE 5 channel, running the sub and all other speakers. Under the driver side back set.

Line converter - Wavetech Link6 - under drivers seat near the factory ANC and PAC module.

ANC - Pac module - ANC-CH01 - Suitable for the base6 system. Would need a different one if you have the Alpine or HK.

Then ended up replacing the front doors with Focal ICU 690.

If I had to do it again, I'd probably buy a box from Fox Acoustics. They have custom boxes, single and double 10" or 12", that seem to get really good reviews. Still might eventually get one of their boxes. Might end up adding a dedicated sub amp and get a second sub and new box. They're singe 12" box looks really slick, though it's ported and I'm probably better off with sealed for rock music.
Ahhh, nice post, thanks for the details and pics. :waytogo: :waytogo: I already have an amp and a single 10" sub. I need sub box (sealed) and wiring and adapters.

I might deviate from my beloved Crutchfield, I am looking at these guys NetAudio , I have been watching their YouTube vids. They seem to have a real good handle on the RAM systems, and all the special wiring, adapters, ANC bypass, etc.
 

suicideking

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Ahhh, nice post, thanks for the details and pics. :waytogo: :waytogo: I already have an amp and a single 10" sub. I need sub box (sealed) and wiring and adapters.

I am looking at these guys NetAudio , I have been watching their YouTube vids. They seem to have a real good handle on the RAM systems, and all the special wiring and adapters.

I'm familiar with their products. They make good stuff, I'd consider them if I replace my box.

I'm on a Ram 1500 FB group and many recommend these guys (and Fox).

This is the Fox box I was looking at. I would just ask them to seal it. Though if I stick with sealed, the Netaudio might be better.


This is what the Fox looks like:

Fox-box-single.JPG
 
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I would leave it alone. I have a 2014 Laramie. It has the Uconnect 8.4 AN. I bought it new. I have had issues where I brought it in under warranty for several computer “updates” the first three years under warranty. Many involved Uconnect updates. Finally the dealerships told me they would not do anymore even if I got a notice as the whole unit would freeze during an update and “they” just didn’t trust the updates. At the end of the warranty I started getting the black screen intermittently during at start up. Sometimes for 30 seconds sometimes for 2-3 minutes. BTW I NEED the screen to operate temperature and other functions like tow setting selector etc!! So I went to dealership in 2019 just out of warranty and was told live with it till it dies then try to work through RAM. Then I started getting useless Navigation like I was in the middle of the ocean, direction of travel wrong, and time zone wrong. Shut down and restart - it might work correctly 50 / 50 chance. The I started getting this screen pop up with a red banner and a picture of the rear view mirror saying “Vehicle Phone Requires Service”. I’ll try to attach photo. I could clear the screen by hitting OK and all would work except my Nav and direction / time zone. Fast forward to 2023 I got something from Ram (email) saying my uconnect needed an update which could be loaded from a flash drive that I would load from their site. I called and explained the above and my fears about the radio head unit freezing or worse yet bricking. I was told assuredly that my concerns were resolved and they had good software- no worries- just do it and call if I had problems. I did and it would freeze 2/3 of the way through the update. I called them and they were helpful and told me to take it to the dealer and the dealer would maybe “force” the update and IF NOT I would have to replace the whole unit that they would have to send specifically for my truck as the dealers keep none of this in stock. But I would be looking at half the possible $1200 cost!!! Well the dealer got the order from Ram (miraculously) and did the update without charging me as what Ram told me. I was happy my screen was alive again!!!! But it still stays black every 3rd or 4rth start Nav doesn’t work 50 percent of the time. I asked about paying for a maps update - both Ram and the dealer said do not as they have units brick during a Nav update. I almost wish now it had bricked and we negotiated a price to get it really fixed. All this to say MY series or year 8.4 AN does NOT like updates!!! If you are under warranty you may be safe.
 

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suicideking

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I would leave it alone. I have a 2014 Laramie. It has the Uconnect 8.4 AN. I bought it new. I have had issues where I brought it in under warranty for several computer “updates” the first three years under warranty. Many involved Uconnect updates. Finally the dealerships told me they would not do anymore even if I got a notice as the whole unit would freeze during an update and “they” just didn’t trust the updates. At the end of the warranty I started getting the black screen intermittently during at start up. Sometimes for 30 seconds sometimes for 2-3 minutes. BTW I NEED the screen to operate temperature and other functions like tow setting selector etc!! So I went to dealership in 2019 just out of warranty and was told live with it till it dies then try to work through RAM. Then I started getting useless Navigation like I was in the middle of the ocean, direction of travel wrong, and time zone wrong. Shut down and restart - it might work correctly 50 / 50 chance. The I started getting this screen pop up with a red banner and a picture of the rear view mirror saying “Vehicle Phone Requires Service”. I’ll try to attach photo. I could clear the screen by hitting OK and all would work except my Nav and direction / time zone. Fast forward to 2023 I got something from Ram (email) saying my uconnect needed an update which could be loaded from a flash drive that I would load from their site. I called and explained the above and my fears about the radio head unit freezing or worse yet bricking. I was told assuredly that my concerns were resolved and they had good software- no worries- just do it and call if I had problems. I did and it would freeze 2/3 of the way through the update. I called them and they were helpful and told me to take it to the dealer and the dealer would maybe “force” the update and IF NOT I would have to replace the whole unit that they would have to send specifically for my truck as the dealers keep none of this in stock. But I would be looking at half the possible $1200 cost!!! Well the dealer got the order from Ram (miraculously) and did the update without charging me as what Ram told me. I was happy my screen was alive again!!!! But it still stays black every 3rd or 4rth start Nav doesn’t work 50 percent of the time. I asked about paying for a maps update - both Ram and the dealer said do not as they have units brick during a Nav update. I almost wish now it had bricked and we negotiated a price to get it really fixed. All this to say MY series or year 8.4 AN does NOT like updates!!! If you are under warranty you may be safe.

If I had anywhere close to this much trouble, I would replace it with aftermarket. Sure, you shouldn't have to, but they're just going to give you the run around.
 

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I am an original owner of the same 2019 Longhorn. After 5 years I steeled myself to do a map and system update. First I turned the truck facing the street so it could be towed more easily. I paid my $99 for the map update, which required the system be updated. I am not being dramatic. I feel like I entered many hundreds of digits into the system, into my PC and into my phone during the hours that this process took. It is very, very, teutonic, demanding that you enter the same information over and over and over. It is confusing to the nth degree and I recommend having some ****** or beer available. Some of the directions are just plain wrong. But I was eventually able to beat the system into submission and I am very, very old. Usually when commenters have succeeded in a task they are quick to downplay the hell they went through, but I will be unmanly and recommend that you do NOT undertake this. At the end the system will still not know how to drive to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC. . . . but your cell phone will. (you see, there is no STATE named "DC" or "District of Columbia". . . .try it).
 

mikeru

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I had the dealership update my software on the 12 inch screen when I took it in for service work. They did it at no charge. And it did help.
What did it help with? Were you having issues with your truck before the update?
 

JDB5

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If I had anywhere close to this much trouble, I would replace it with aftermarket. Sure, you shouldn't have to, but they're just going to give you the run around.
I wish I could!! I don’t know of anywhere I still can get my my Seat settings, AC heat settings, trailer settings…..there are a dozen or more truck required operational settings that this is the only path to…… when I looked at crutchfield I saw nothing that could actually replace these functions
 

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I wish I could!! I don’t know of anywhere I still can get my my Seat settings, AC heat settings, trailer settings…..there are a dozen or more truck required operational settings that this is the only path to…… when I looked at crutchfield I saw nothing that could actually replace these functions

Look into an aftermarket radio that uses idatalink. From what I've read, the idatalink module (sold separately) connects to the radio, keep all OEM functionality. Though I've also read that this is much easier to do if you have the 8.4" screen vs. the 12".


From this thread, page 3:

@CanuckRam1313 did it on his:


The head unit I went with is the Kenwood DMX957XR with the iDatalink Maestro interface module.
I retain all the OEM controls, including my steering wheel controls.
I also have a whole slew of additional features now with the introduction of the new head unit.

...Yes, there is a dash kit that is OEM style and fits perfectly.
My installer also installed a USB port in my center console, too.

So my issues are minor and might be able to fix them. Still considering doing the above and tossing my radio in the trash.
 

JDB5

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I am going to look hard into this!! I have the 8.4. - so that is good. Mine has the nine amplified speaker Alpine system- with subwoofer - hopefully it will be able to play with those nicely?? This sounds like a real fix. Does it also keep the satellite radio Sirius XM?
 

suicideking

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I am going to look hard into this!! I have the 8.4. - so that is good. Mine has the nine amplified speaker Alpine system- with subwoofer - hopefully it will be able to play with those nicely?? This sounds like a real fix. Does it also keep the satellite radio Sirius XM?

The Sirius radio module is built into the radio. Most aftermarket radios have it already included. You would just have to contact Sirius and transfer your subscription. Also a reminder that if you're paying more than $5 / month (platinum plan), have them adjust your plan. My free trial expired a couple weeks ago and they gave me one year for $4.99 including fees.

I'm not 100% on whether the Alpine system would make a difference, but I don't see why that would be a problem. It's still going to connect to the radio using an wiring harness to adapt to OEM connectors.
 
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CanuckRam1313

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I am going to look hard into this!! I have the 8.4. - so that is good. Mine has the nine amplified speaker Alpine system- with subwoofer - hopefully it will be able to play with those nicely?? This sounds like a real fix. Does it also keep the satellite radio Sirius XM?
While I cannot competently speak to any nuances of the 5th Gen 12" screen systems and/or their issues.
I can 100% speak to the operational improvements to the 8.4" Uconnect systems, be it 6-speaker standard systems and/or the the factory upgraded Alpine 9-speaker systems.

In my then 19' new truck with only the 6-speaker stock standard speaker system, and now my 23' new truck with the upgraded Alpine 9-speaker stock system... I immediately, upon taking delivery of my new 23' had the 8.4" Uconnect system removed from my 19' and installed, in my 23', a Kenwood DMX957XR head unit with an entirely new audio system with the standard 6-speaker system replaced with Focal door and dash speakers in the 19' firstly.

Now in my new 23' with the Alpine system, I transferred over the 6 Focal speakers, and my installer then used the factory Alpine center dash and two roof speakers as well as as the factory Alpine amp, as only surround speakers and their amp for surround only, and had a pair of Kenwood amps (2100W of total power) installed in conjunction with a db 5-farad digital capacitor and a pair of Audiomobile EVO24-10 subs in custom boxes stuffed with polyfil under the rear seats, also from my 19', installed and then perfectly tuned to audio perfection.

I used the iDatalink Maestro module for the complete integration of all the aftermarket components, and after installation called Sirius and had the account switched to the new aftermarket deck with no issues.

However, my new aftermarket HU had a 1-year Sirius subscription included, so, being that I just bought my new 23' truck with an included 1-year Sirius factory subscription, I called them and they honored the factory included subscription, and then honored the aftermarket Kenwood subscription to run one after the other, and then after 2-years of included services, I then pay the annual subscription fees ;)

In total I spent about 1.5 hours on the phone, but I got 2-years of Sirius for no costs ;)
 
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It's very fortunate that you been successful with Uconnect updates, many others have had grief.

Try searching Uconnect update failures here at Ram Forum. :cool:
I never said nobody has had issues updating. But all your examples are several years old, except one that appears to be user error. And my answer would have maybe been different a few years ago. When I first joined the forum back in 2020, the forums were full of complaints of problem systems and updates gone wrong. When I ordered my 22, I was very worried about the 12" U5 system it came with. But about the time I received that truck (2 years ago this month), Stellantis finally seemed to get on top of uConnect. The complaints dropped off to next to nothing since then, at least for the newer systems. This forum is almost dead compared to what it was 2+ years ago. It was one of the consistently busiest forum back then.

Don't do the updates, do the updates, doesn't matter to me. Just saying I've had good luck with all the updates to my uConnect systems.
 

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Only thing different I've noticed from an update is it fixed an error that left "Installing PopupMessages_es_MX161400.jar" on the bottom of my screen sometimes.
 
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