Wanted to post my experience performing an upgrade from my RA2 to the RA4 8.4AN uConnect/Nav. There are a few options, you can source the individual parts and put the package together yourself, or you can purchase a ready to install kit with everything you need, which is the way I went. I bougth the RA4 upgrade kit from infotainment.
There are three options, no nav, basic nav, and 3D nav plus HD and extra SiriusXM goodies. I went ahead and went the the upper tier 3D/HD package - figured if I was going to spend this much I might as well go all the way. The price currently ranges from 1200 to 1600 depending on which unit you choose. (don't freak just yet, more price info below)
Package includes head unit, replacement bezel, HVAC controller and cable, and 911 plug. All parts looked new. The head units are reconditioned units with 90-day warranty, with a 1 year option available. This is the kit for the 7 speed fan, and upgrades you to the nicer controls also.
Since we are both in FL, it arrived quickly, and within an hour pretty much I was done. It's a very simple install, really. Disconnect battery, mount the HVAC controller, route cable, pull bezel/radio/plugs, swap bezel, mount new unit and replace plugs, reconnect battery. That's it - you'll need to transfer Sat service over to the new radio ID, and may need to drive around the block to calibrate the NAV, but otherwise you are basically done. I stopped for a few minutes as I cut my finger pretty good routing the HVAC cable so it's basically an hour or less. The only minor issue I ran into is that the main harness for the radio the wires come out and bend one direction - when swapping the radio those wires were set in that bend which prevented really getting a bite with the lever to latch it in, so you just swap the lever to the other side (so you are not fighting the bundle of wires) and it drops right in.
As advertised, everything works as expected. Nav directions display in cluster, steering wheel controls all work, you can use touch or manual controls for radio, HVAC, etc. Backup camera is so much nicer on the 8.4" vs the 5". Then there's HD Radio and SXM Travel/Traffic. I haven't messed with HD Radio but did at the Travel/Traffic to my Sirius account and it's easily worth $5 a month.
So, the elephant in the room... the price. yes it's expensive. As mentioned you could source the parts from here and there and save a bit of money, but with this kit you get everything in one box. They take your VIN and set it so to make sure there will not be any conflict or issues. I got a radio same year as my truck, and everything is guaranteed to "fit", and has the latest updates/firmware/etc. They have a warranty, and have support if required.
They also offer a Mil discount, and will take your radio on trade in as well. So with the Mil discount, trade in, and factoring in I won't need to purchase an GPS all offsets the price quite a bit.
So overall a thumbs up from me. I know some will prefer to source items and do everything on their own, but I'm happy with the kit and having it in the truck 2 days after I placed the order. No messing with wiring, no flashing required, it's basically plug and play.
There are three options, no nav, basic nav, and 3D nav plus HD and extra SiriusXM goodies. I went ahead and went the the upper tier 3D/HD package - figured if I was going to spend this much I might as well go all the way. The price currently ranges from 1200 to 1600 depending on which unit you choose. (don't freak just yet, more price info below)
Package includes head unit, replacement bezel, HVAC controller and cable, and 911 plug. All parts looked new. The head units are reconditioned units with 90-day warranty, with a 1 year option available. This is the kit for the 7 speed fan, and upgrades you to the nicer controls also.
Since we are both in FL, it arrived quickly, and within an hour pretty much I was done. It's a very simple install, really. Disconnect battery, mount the HVAC controller, route cable, pull bezel/radio/plugs, swap bezel, mount new unit and replace plugs, reconnect battery. That's it - you'll need to transfer Sat service over to the new radio ID, and may need to drive around the block to calibrate the NAV, but otherwise you are basically done. I stopped for a few minutes as I cut my finger pretty good routing the HVAC cable so it's basically an hour or less. The only minor issue I ran into is that the main harness for the radio the wires come out and bend one direction - when swapping the radio those wires were set in that bend which prevented really getting a bite with the lever to latch it in, so you just swap the lever to the other side (so you are not fighting the bundle of wires) and it drops right in.
As advertised, everything works as expected. Nav directions display in cluster, steering wheel controls all work, you can use touch or manual controls for radio, HVAC, etc. Backup camera is so much nicer on the 8.4" vs the 5". Then there's HD Radio and SXM Travel/Traffic. I haven't messed with HD Radio but did at the Travel/Traffic to my Sirius account and it's easily worth $5 a month.
So, the elephant in the room... the price. yes it's expensive. As mentioned you could source the parts from here and there and save a bit of money, but with this kit you get everything in one box. They take your VIN and set it so to make sure there will not be any conflict or issues. I got a radio same year as my truck, and everything is guaranteed to "fit", and has the latest updates/firmware/etc. They have a warranty, and have support if required.
They also offer a Mil discount, and will take your radio on trade in as well. So with the Mil discount, trade in, and factoring in I won't need to purchase an GPS all offsets the price quite a bit.
So overall a thumbs up from me. I know some will prefer to source items and do everything on their own, but I'm happy with the kit and having it in the truck 2 days after I placed the order. No messing with wiring, no flashing required, it's basically plug and play.