radio replacement, going aftermarket and have questions.

[Virtualnorm]

Folks, i have the 2018 Tradesman with the crappy radio. The aftermarket source i was looking at keeps putting hundreds of dollars of extras that are "required". Something to do with the steering wheel controls. There are no steering wheel controls that do anything with the head unit as far as i know.

What am i missing?

 

[tron67j]

I also have a 2018 Tradesman. The volume up and down and tuning up and down switches go on the back of the steering wheel. Not having those switches means you have to reach over to the radio every time you want to change the station or adjust the volume. The Tradesman doesn't come with those switches, but you can add it as Factory Parts which I did because I was missing them after having them in my last Ram. You need the maestro harness to allow those switches to work and also to allow your data ports to work. I highly recommend hitting Benny up at all Mopar Parts, he is a vendor and can get you the correct back bezel of the steering wheel plus the cable. Once the steering wheel is off it is a pretty simple Plug and Play action. For what it's worth, I actually got a 8.4 uas radio out of a 2019 RAM and install that. I also purchased a harness from Mpgrimm2 another vendor here. This allowed me to have the backup camera in both my mirror and on the radio screen. Good luck

 

[Virtualnorm]

I also have a 2018 Tradesman. The volume up and down and tuning up and down switches go on the back of the steering wheel. Not having those switches means you have to reach over to the radio every time you want to change the station or adjust the volume. The Tradesman doesn't come with those switches, but you can add it as Factory Parts which I did because I was missing them after having them in my last Ram. You need the maestro harness to allow those switches to work and also to allow your data ports to work. I highly recommend hitting Benny up at all Mopar Parts, he is a vendor and can get you the correct back bezel of the steering wheel plus the cable. Once the steering wheel is off it is a pretty simple Plug and Play action. For what it's worth, I actually got a 8.4 uas radio out of a 2019 RAM and install that. I also purchased a harness from Mpgrimm2 another vendor here. This allowed me to have the backup camera in both my mirror and on the radio screen. Good luck

Not sure i am following, i went out to my RAM a few minutes ago and none of the buttons on the steering wheel do anything for the radio.

It is the basic factory radio. thats it. no frills or options.

 

[Neil E]

If I'm not mistaken, there's 2 different kits that you're speaking of. You need one or the other. But the one without the steering wheel controls is what you want, and its cheaper. Check out Crutchfield and you can see the 2 different kits.

 

[Virtualnorm]

Crutchfield is who i was talking with. They were adamant that i needed the one with the steering wheel kit which drove the price up. I will look again, and go without the steering wheel kit then and see what happens.

Thanks.

 

[regal81455]

Start here....

https://maestro.idatalink.com/product/product/product_id/102

Follow the prompts and it will tell you what you need.

I'm thinking the only thing you "NEED" is the Maestro RR & the HRN-RR-CH3X harness.

 

[tron67j]

The buttons on the front of the steering wheel do not adjust anything to do with the radio, you have to actually take the steering wheel off and remove the back cover, and replace it with one that has rocker switches. It is a kit that you can buy from Benny. If you feel the back side of your steering wheel you will feel slightly raised rectangular lines that outline where are the holes would be cut for the rocker switches. However, as I said, just buy the whole replacement cover with the switch is already installed, it's cheaper. It makes it so much easier to adjust volume and change channels on your radio then reaching over.

 

[tron67j]

This is a video for this option.

 

[Neil E]

I think I remember why, you actually may have to fo it that way. RAM changed the programming on the radios in the 18s. So thats highly possible.

 

[Gixxer750]

Folks, i have the 2018 Tradesman with the crappy radio. The aftermarket source i was looking at keeps putting hundreds of dollars of extras that are "required". Something to do with the steering wheel controls. There are no steering wheel controls that do anything with the head unit as far as i know.

What am i missing?

I really recommend getting one of these. You can dial everything in in true audiophile fashion to your hearts desire. Runs off taps from factory speakers. Amplified or not and you get an RCA out that you can make another smart amp with.
SKIP THE MAESTRO and PAC. Waste of money and space.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/integration-audiocontrol-d4-800-nib.168178/