RA4 Uconnect To Uconnect 5 Swap

[RyanDavidPonter]

I have a 2016 Ram 1500 Limited with the 8.4 Uconnect, it’s the RA4 model which means it has navigation, and I’ve recently been thinking about swapping it out, mainly because it doesn’t have Carplay and the navigation likes to say that I’m in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean when I’m using it.

I was thinking about doing the 4C Uconnect models, which were actually on the 4th gens for the last year of them which was 2018, but although it has Carplay it’s still not wireless, and also it’s still almost the exact same thing just with a more modern theme.

I know that it’s possible to throw in a Uconnect 5 radio in a 2016 Ram, of course not plug and play because they do have different harnesses, but I’m pretty sure there are kits for it.

I also know that the Ram 1500 Classic models (which are discontinued now) had the Uconnect 5 in it. I think it was 2023-2024 only, and it was optional but you could still get the 4C Uconnect.

I’m not trying to throw in a big 12 inch Uconnect 5 because that would have to be retrofitted, plus a bezel that I would have to make, just not worth it.

Has anyone tried this? Do I have to swap out the HVAC Module?

 

[SitKneelBend]

I have a 2016 Ram 1500 Limited with the 8.4 Uconnect, it’s the RA4 model which means it has navigation, and I’ve recently been thinking about swapping it out, mainly because it doesn’t have Carplay and the navigation likes to say that I’m in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean when I’m using it.

I was thinking about doing the 4C Uconnect models, which were actually on the 4th gens for the last year of them which was 2018, but although it has Carplay it’s still not wireless, and also it’s still almost the exact same thing just with a more modern theme.

I know that it’s possible to throw in a Uconnect 5 radio in a 2016 Ram, of course not plug and play because they do have different harnesses, but I’m pretty sure there are kits for it.

I also know that the Ram 1500 Classic models (which are discontinued now) had the Uconnect 5 in it. I think it was 2023-2024 only, and it was optional but you could still get the 4C Uconnect.

I’m not trying to throw in a big 12 inch Uconnect 5 because that would have to be retrofitted, plus a bezel that I would have to make, just not worth it.

Has anyone tried this? Do I have to swap out the HVAC Module?

I think you might be the first. You have an HVAC module that "might" already work. You probably just have to try it and report back. You can try looking up the HVAC module on a 2023-24 Ram and see if the part number is the same or a revision of the same as your current HVAC.

One thing you might not need to worry about with wireless AA/CP is the changing out of USB hubs for compatibility since the wireless AA/CP removes the hub from the equation. Don't be afraid of the 12", no risk, no reward!

 

[RyanDavidPonter]

I think you might be the first. You have an HVAC module that "might" already work. You probably just have to try it and report back. You can try looking up the HVAC module on a 2023-24 Ram and see if the part number is the same or a revision of the same as your current HVAC.

One thing you might not need to worry about with wireless AA/CP is the changing out of USB hubs for compatibility since the wireless AA/CP removes the hub from the equation. Don't be afraid of the 12", no risk, no reward!

I was concerned about the media hub, because if I were to upgrade to the 4C Uconnect, I would have to swap it out because of the wired Carplay. I’m not sure if I would need to replace it with the Uconnect 5 because of it having wireless Carplay, but I will look more into it and check some of the part numbers.

Personally, I think the 12 inch Uconnect is a bit too extreme, although you did do a pretty good job at it, it’s just too much for me, plus it would be easier doing the 8.4 Uconnect 5 since it uses the same mounting points, but that’s just my opinion of course.

I Also found out that the company Infotainment came out with a kit to put the 8.4 Uconnect 5 radio in the 4th gens Rams. Of course I’m not paying $1K for that kit because I know that I can just buy the radio and the radio harness for WAY cheaper, in fact hopefully under $500.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gwAhZGONNA4

 

[SitKneelBend]

I was concerned about the media hub, because if I were to upgrade to the 4C Uconnect, I would have to swap it out because of the wired Carplay. I’m not sure if I would need to replace it with the Uconnect 5 because of it having wireless Carplay, but I will look more into it and check some of the part numbers.

Personally, I think the 12 inch Uconnect is a bit too extreme, although you did do a pretty good job at it, it’s just too much for me, plus it would be easier doing the 8.4 Uconnect 5 since it uses the same mounting points, but that’s just my opinion of course.

I Also found out that the company Infotainment came out with a kit to put the 8.4 Uconnect 5 radio in the 4th gens Rams. Of course I’m not paying $1K for that kit because I know that I can just buy the radio and the radio harness for WAY cheaper, in fact hopefully under $500.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gwAhZGONNA4

You're too kind, the zip ties holding mine in place are not the final desired outcome though (only the proof of concept). Myself and another forum member are working on a 3d printed bezel for it.

I'm thinking you can get away without upgrading the USB hub if you don't care about wired AA/CP.

I'd never seen the UBD radios uninstalled. They look A LOT like all of the Android radios coming out from the aftermarket (makes sense since UConnect 5 is Android based OS). If you do decide to get the USB hub it looks like they are the same hubs that are compatible with the 4C but they say some things in the video that makes me wonder (or they are being intentionally vague to protect their profits).

I've toyed with the idea of getting the Uconnect 5 12" radio module and see if it works with the 4C 12" screen I have installed though...

 

[wutech]

I believe DoughRat19 is actually working on this right now. You might want to reach out to him.

 

[RyanDavidPonter]

You're too kind, the zip ties holding mine in place are not the final desired outcome though (only the proof of concept). Myself and another forum member are working on a 3d printed bezel for it.

I'm thinking you can get away without upgrading the USB hub if you don't care about wired AA/CP.

I'd never seen the UBD radios uninstalled. They look A LOT like all of the Android radios coming out from the aftermarket (makes sense since UConnect 5 is Android based OS). If you do decide to get the USB hub it looks like they are the same hubs that are compatible with the 4C but they say some things in the video that makes me wonder (or they are being intentionally vague to protect their profits).

I've toyed with the idea of getting the Uconnect 5 12" radio module and see if it works with the 4C 12" screen I have installed though...

I appreciate it!

I’m not really sure about the media hub but the only way to find out is to actually try it, unless if somebody else already tried it.

As I expected, the HVAC Module’s have a completely different part number, and definitely are completely different. I might get away with the HVAC Module since the 2023-2024 Ram 1500 Classics had the Uconnect 5 in them, it just really concerned me since I know that on some Dodge vehicles you need to replace the HVAC Module as well, but hopefully that won’t be the case.

2013-2018 HVAC Module


2019-Present HVAC Module

It’s very hard to get the part number for the 2023-2024 Ram 1500 Classics that had the Uconnect 5, since it was very rare, but I feel pretty confident.

I could try looking it up on the MOPAR website but I doubt there will be anything that’s different.

 

[SitKneelBend]

I appreciate it!

I’m not really sure about the media hub but the only way to find out is to actually try it, unless if somebody else already tried it.

As I expected, the HVAC Module’s have a completely different part number, and definitely are completely different. I might get away with the HVAC Module since the 2023-2024 Ram 1500 Classics had the Uconnect 5 in them, it just really concerned me since I know that on some Dodge vehicles you need to replace the HVAC Module as well, but hopefully that won’t be the case.

2013-2018 HVAC Module
View attachment 566871

2019-Present HVAC ModuleView attachment 566873

It’s very hard to get the part number for the 2023-2024 Ram 1500 Classics that had the Uconnect 5, since it was very rare, but I feel pretty confident.

I could try looking it up on the MOPAR website but I doubt there will be anything that’s different.

I didn't see that included in the infotainment kit so if you already have an 8.4 it doesn't sound like it's necessary.

 

[RyanDavidPonter]

I didn't see that included in the infotainment kit so if you already have an 8.4 it doesn't sound like it's necessary.

View attachment 566879

I did some research on that part number (C-INTC5T) and it’s the same harness kit that they used for the 2019-2021 Ram Heavy Duty Uconnect 5 upgrades, which tells me that it will most likely be plug and play.

I’m pretty sure the 5th gen Heavy Duty pickups have a different type of Uconnect 5, which is the same one that Infotainment used for the kit on the 2013-2018 pickups.

For an example, the 2019-Present Ram 1500 pickups have the receiver and screen both separate as two different parts, which is most likely the same for both generation 12 inch Uconnect radios. The 2019-Present Ram Heavy Duty pickups have the receiver and screen both built in just like any other 8.4 Uconnect.