My 2015 RAM 1500 Mod Journey So Far – Wheels, Lights, and Next Up: Head Unit

[ada-k]

Hey everyone! Just joined the forum — happy to be here.

I picked up a used 2015 RAM 1500 Big Horn last year and have been slowly working on a few mods here and there. Over the past several months, I’ve swapped out the wheels, upgraded the tail lights, and added some LED accents. It’s definitely starting to feel more like my truck now.

Next up on my list is the head unit. The stock one just isn’t doing it for me anymore — especially after riding in a friend’s truck with one of those big vertical CarPlay screens. Made mine feel like it was stuck in 2010

Has anyone installed one of those 12" aftermarket screens themselves?
How was the installation process? Any issues with the wiring or integration?
Also open to brand suggestions — still doing research and would love to hear what’s worked (or not worked) for you guys.

Appreciate any tips!

 

[BossHogg]

I would like to swap in a 12-inch display in my 2015, but so far, I haven't found anything. I could go the Crutchfield route, but I can't get an answer if a new head unit would offer all vehicle settings, like my cargo cam and rear air leveling system.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Hey everyone! Just joined the forum — happy to be here.

I picked up a used 2015 RAM 1500 Big Horn last year and have been slowly working on a few mods here and there. Over the past several months, I’ve swapped out the wheels, upgraded the tail lights, and added some LED accents. It’s definitely starting to feel more like my truck now.

Next up on my list is the head unit. The stock one just isn’t doing it for me anymore — especially after riding in a friend’s truck with one of those big vertical CarPlay screens. Made mine feel like it was stuck in 2010

Has anyone installed one of those 12" aftermarket screens themselves?
How was the installation process? Any issues with the wiring or integration?
Also open to brand suggestions — still doing research and would love to hear what’s worked (or not worked) for you guys.

Appreciate any tips!

I would like to swap in a 12-inch display in my 2015, but so far, I haven't found anything. I could go the Crutchfield route, but I can't get an answer if a new head unit would offer all vehicle settings, like my cargo cam and rear air leveling system.

Maybe you two should have a chat with this guy...

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/amazon-t-style-radio.217689/

 

[BossHogg]

Maybe you two should have a chat with this guy...

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/amazon-t-style-radio.217689/

Thank you for the reference, I missed this post. I read the Amazon reviews (for what they are worth), I don't know. Complaints are long wait times for wireless CarPlay/Android Auto connection, poor audio quality, no support for cargo cam (what about rear air suspension), back up cam poor quality picture. Apparently it is a Google Pixel tablet which isn't supported so updates can't be applied.

The very last thing I need are issues like these.

I'll see if I can get further info from Alexander Wardlaw

​

 

[SitKneelBend]

Thank you for the reference, I missed this post. I read the Amazon reviews (for what they are worth), I don't know. Complaints are long wait times for wireless CarPlay/Android Auto connection, poor audio quality, no support for cargo cam (what about rear air suspension), back up cam poor quality picture. Apparently it is a Google Pixel tablet which isn't supported so updates can't be applied.

The very last thing I need are issues like these.

I'll see if I can get further info from Alexander Wardlaw

​

Generally speaking, this has been my experience with all Android radios (poor support, few if any updates). They are cool, but too much work (for someone like me who will find work on them). I'm presently finagling a 2021 12.1" UAX factory radio into my 2014 Ram because I actually really like the UConnect 4C radios.

 

[Alexander Wardlaw]

I just installed one obtained thru Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/Android-2013...dp/B0D9H3W6HG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&sr=1-1
to be honest, probably the easiest stereo install I have ever done, if you watch this video https://youtu.be/D5tX-yZj-6A, it made it a lot easier... all in all it took me like 2 hours, and I was not moving fast. As long as you are half way handy, you should be able to install it.. just need a T20, Philips head and 7mm socket/screw driver.. plastic pry tool helped to get the bezel/trim off....

 

[BossHogg]

I just installed one obtained thru Amazon,
to be honest, probably the easiest stereo install I have ever done, if you watch this video https://youtu.be/D5tX-yZj-6A, it made it a lot easier... all in all it took me like 2 hours, and I was not moving fast. As long as you are half way handy, you should be able to install it.. just need a T20, Philips head and 7mm socket/screw driver.. plastic pry tool helped to get the bezel/trim off....

My concerns are not about the installation into my 2015 HD. I'm interested in clarity regarding the complaints the unit has accumulated in the Amazon review section. Perhaps you could share your experiences.

Is the audio clear?
Is the back-up camera image clear?
Are all the vehicle settings typically available on the Uconnect system available on this unit?
Are there issues with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto connections?

I know you do not have an HD with cargo camera or rear air suspension but can you share anything about the unit supporting these two options?

It appears you are affiliated with this product and receive compensation through the Amazon link. Please clarify this.

 

[SitKneelBend]

My concerns are not about the installation into my 2015 HD. I'm interested in clarity regarding the complaints the unit has accumulated in the Amazon review section. Perhaps you could share your experiences.

Is the audio clear?
Is the back-up camera image clear?
Are all the vehicle settings typically available on the Uconnect system available on this unit?
Are there issues with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto connections?

I know you do not have an HD with cargo camera or rear air suspension but can you share anything about the unit supporting these two options?

It appears you are affiliated with this product and receive compensation through the Amazon link. Please clarify this.

Honest question, how do you identify affiliation?

 

[GeauxinUp]

My concerns are not about the installation into my 2015 HD. I'm interested in clarity regarding the complaints the unit has accumulated in the Amazon review section. Perhaps you could share your experiences.

Is the audio clear?
Is the back-up camera image clear?
Are all the vehicle settings typically available on the Uconnect system available on this unit?
Are there issues with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto connections?

I know you do not have an HD with cargo camera or rear air suspension but can you share anything about the unit supporting these two options?

It appears you are affiliated with this product and receive compensation through the Amazon link. Please clarify this.

I believe that disclaimer is something new that ramforum adds automatically to Amazon links, not the poster themselves

 

[Alexander Wardlaw]

My concerns are not about the installation into my 2015 HD. I'm interested in clarity regarding the complaints the unit has accumulated in the Amazon review section. Perhaps you could share your experiences.

Is the audio clear?
Is the back-up camera image clear?
Are all the vehicle settings typically available on the Uconnect system available on this unit?
Are there issues with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto connections?

I know you do not have an HD with cargo camera or rear air suspension but can you share anything about the unit supporting these two options?

It appears you are affiliated with this product and receive compensation through the Amazon link. Please clarify this.

audio is clear to me, and i have the stock alpine system, it comes with a very EQ settings have to play with, may not be for everyone
back is clearer that the 8.4 stock screen, there is a lag of MAYBE 5 seconds for it to come on, not a big deal
NO Aftermarket stereo comes to connect to U-connect that I have seen
it takes a min for carplay or android auto to connect, honestly every car I have got into and use either it takes a min or 2 for connection
there is a 2nd video I am sure you could connect your bed cam, no clue about the air suspension, thankfully I do NOT have it.

I AM NOT AN AFFILIATE SELLER FOR THIS OR ANY PRODUCT

 

[rayman360]

I've just gone down this journey with a few models. In my son's 2018 Ram with the base factory stereo the installs and upgrades were great. I had two units sent to me to test; a 9" Eonon Android headunit and the Linkswell 10.4" T-Style radio. Both worked very well and have some great features and were a huge upgrade over the stock base radio. The sound quality was also a huge improvement over the stock radio too. We ultimately decided to stick with the Eonon head unit as he didn't like not having the A/C control knobs. I made a video on both, with installs, and pros and cons if you'd like to check it out.

Now, I just finished installing one of the more generic Chinese Android head units in my 2017 RAM with the Alpine sound system. I had a COMPLETELY different outcome and hated it and snatched it back out within a week. The backup camera was garbage, it uses the stock/factory camera, and wired right into the new supplied harness, but the quality was terrible compared to the factory Uconnect, lagged and skipped so bad it was almost worthless. I could never get the sound right, the rear speakers were full volume, and the fronts were barely on. I emailed them for suggestions and tried the tips they sent back and nothing worked. If you tried to fade to the front to balance, they were barely on, could never get it working. Only reason I upgraded (lol, if you call it that) was to get Android auto, it would take forever to connect, sometimes it wouldn't connect and just showed a blank screen and I'd have to close out and restart. The music would just randomly skip at times. It comes with an aftermarket mic for handsfree calls, etc., mine just completely stopped working one day. I would change settings in the menu, they would work sometimes and then not others. I'd check them and they were still set correctly, but didn't work, so go figure. I lost some of the settings only found through the Uconnect, like the ability to sync the temps on dual zone climates, they weren't available any more. I lost SiriusXM, as most of these don't have a connection for the antennae anymore. Also lost the USB connection in the console, could no longer read music files from it or charge the phone. This seems to still work on some, but didn't on mine. Among several other issues. I guess the point of the story is, if you are willing to deal with certain potential shortcomings some of these will be a lot better, but it seems in my experience it's just a crap shoot. But the Eonon radio we did is still working great, and we've had it in for months. I think it's the Uconnect replacement where issues start popping up. Here's the links to the videos I did if interested. Working on the video of the other one with the headache in my truck now. Hope that helps some.

Eonon DGRMX6 | Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto in your RAM | Unboxing, Install, & Review

In today's video we are unboxing, installing, and reviewing the brand new released@EononOfficial DGRMX6 Android 13 Car Stereo for our 2018 RAM. This is a pe...

youtu.be

LINKSWELL Gen 5 T-Style 10.4" Android Radio | Unboxing, Install & Review | 2018 RAM

In this video we're installing the @LinksWellInc 5th Generation T-Style 10.4" Android Radio into our 2018 RAM. It's a direct replacement for the 2014-2018/2...

youtu.be

 

[darrenj]

Hello. Last year I purchased a 12" Android unit. It was a pretty easy install that I did myself in a couple of hours. It was about $1,000.
Pheonix AutomotiveThere are some pretty good videos that give a solid step-by-step installation instructions.
Everything works as it did with the 8" factory unit. The Android Auto does not always connect but it is a quick restart of the app and it connects. The only thing I don't like is everything is a bit small to see while driving especially the clock. If you are not in Android auto mode the clock etc are in a different place and easy to read.
Overall I am pretty happy with the unit. Customer support is excellent. I had many video calls to sort out small things as it doesn't come with a user manual.

 

[ada-k]

Hello. Last year I purchased a 12" Android unit. It was a pretty easy install that I did myself in a couple of hours. It was about $1,000.
Pheonix AutomotiveThere are some pretty good videos that give a solid step-by-step installation instructions.
Everything works as it did with the 8" factory unit. The Android Auto does not always connect but it is a quick restart of the app and it connects. The only thing I don't like is everything is a bit small to see while driving especially the clock. If you are not in Android auto mode the clock etc are in a different place and easy to read.
Overall I am pretty happy with the unit. Customer support is excellent. I had many video calls to sort out small things as it doesn't come with a user manual.

Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s great to hear the installation was straightforward, and that customer support was helpful — that’s a huge plus for any aftermarket unit.
You mentioned the Android Auto connection can be finicky — is it a Bluetooth issue, or does it also happen with wired connections? Also, how’s the screen visibility in direct sunlight? (That’s one thing I’m worried about with larger displays.）
I’ve been looking at a few options, including the Phoenix unit you mentioned and Linkswell’s T-Style. The Linkswell seems to have a slightly different UI layout — I wonder if that would help with the ‘small text while driving’ issue you mentioned. Have you (or anyone else) compared the two?
Either way, it’s awesome to hear real-world feedback. Thank you!

 

[SitKneelBend]

Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s great to hear the installation was straightforward, and that customer support was helpful — that’s a huge plus for any aftermarket unit.
You mentioned the Android Auto connection can be finicky — is it a Bluetooth issue, or does it also happen with wired connections? Also, how’s the screen visibility in direct sunlight? (That’s one thing I’m worried about with larger displays.）
I’ve been looking at a few options, including the Phoenix unit you mentioned and Linkswell’s T-Style. The Linkswell seems to have a slightly different UI layout — I wonder if that would help with the ‘small text while driving’ issue you mentioned. Have you (or anyone else) compared the two?
Either way, it’s awesome to hear real-world feedback. Thank you!

Of the two, they are identical hardware but Linkswell does a few customizations to the firmware.