Radio upgrade questions

[2016 2500]

Ok I have a 2016 SLT the current radio has bluetooth sat radio, compass, not sure if that is in the radio but there is a button on the radio for compass, it has single usb + Aux in the center console/jumpseat and it has single zone a/c with manual knobs. I started reading the post about upgrading to 2018+ uconnect 8.4 screen with nav. I currently do not have nav. I don't think that upgrade can be done without extra wiring jump harness, so I got to wondering can I put in the 8.4 with nav from a 2017 or older and just be completely plug an play? It's not that I don't want to do the extra wiring it's just I don't have the extra funds to buy all the parts plus. I can stock parts used on car-part.com for example, I am assuming I would need the screen, the bezel and perhaps modules. I have alfaobd so I can enable things if needed. I would love to go with the new 2018+ setup but even the parts used will cost more I believe.

FOr OEM upgrade start here...

How To: Install a 2018 4C (UAQ/UAS) Radio in 2013 - 2017 RAM

For the 2018 model year RAMS, the 8.4 Radios were changed from the previous VP3/VP4 Harman radios to the 4C/4C-Nav radios made by Panasonic. The biggest advantage of these new 4C Radios is the support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The radios themselves fit the same mount as 2013-2017...

www.ramforum.com

Feel free to ask any questions you may have after reading in this thread

I should probably add in some more details about my truck, I do not think I have any factory amp in the truck, alfaobd cabin Equalization Curve setting is set to crew cab 6 speaker base (DS) I have tried changing that to something with DJ/DR in front of it because my truck is ram 2500 6.7 cummins with 68RFE transmission. however when I do that the radio navigator module will give me fault code for B1488 Cabin EQ Mismatch Performance i put the configuration back to crew cab 6 speaker base ds and that code goes away again.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Ok I have a 2016 SLT the current radio has bluetooth sat radio, compass, not sure if that is in the radio but there is a button on the radio for compass, it has single usb + Aux in the center console/jumpseat and it has single zone a/c with manual knobs. I started reading the post about upgrading to 2018+ uconnect 8.4 screen with nav. I currently do not have nav. I don't think that upgrade can be done without extra wiring jump harness, so I got to wondering can I put in the 8.4 with nav from a 2017 or older and just be completely plug an play? It's not that I don't want to do the extra wiring it's just I don't have the extra funds to buy all the parts plus. I can stock parts used on car-part.com for example, I am assuming I would need the screen, the bezel and perhaps modules. I have alfaobd so I can enable things if needed. I would love to go with the new 2018+ setup but even the parts used will cost more I believe.

You pretty much will need the same parts for both the 2013-2017 8.4 if you are coming from a non-8.4 radio currently. With the 2018+ radio you will also need a new USB hub and USB hub adapter IF you want CarPlay and Android Auto to work right off the bat.

That being said, you can ease your way into this upgrade piecemeal and I'll lay out the steps but one question first, do you have steering wheel audio controls?

 

[2016 2500]

No I do not have the steering wheel controls, I suppose I should have also stated a previous owner put in and aftermarket amp, and subs. I do not know what they did. However I would guess they used a box to convert the rear door speakers to low rca and also since I am thinking about it I have in alfaobd enabled AMP 2 settings cabin and Audio/Telemat and the result of that is no sound output from the radio, go back in and disable amp and sound comes back. Not sure that is even relevant but thought I would give that extra detail.

 

[crash68]

I started reading the post about upgrading to 2018+ uconnect 8.4 screen with nav. I currently do not have nav. I don't think that upgrade can be done without extra wiring jump harness, so I got to wondering can I put in the 8.4 with nav from a 2017 or older and just be completely plug an play?

The shark fin antenna on the roof has the GPS antenna in it. As mentioned the what's needed is pretty much the same if you need to upgrade to an 8.4 radio. Don't spend extra money on getting an 8.4 w/factory navigation, spend the extra on upgrading the Media USB port and go with a 2018 or newer 8.4 that supports AndroidAuto and CarPlay
Any wiring harness adapters can be purchased here: https://www.m2mods4ram.com/

 

[SitKneelBend]

No I do not have the steering wheel controls, I suppose I should have also stated a previous owner put in and aftermarket amp, and subs. I do not know what they did. However I would guess they used a box to convert the rear door speakers to low rca and also since I am thinking about it I have in alfaobd enabled AMP 2 settings cabin and Audio/Telemat and the result of that is no sound output from the radio, go back in and disable amp and sound comes back. Not sure that is even relevant but thought I would give that extra detail.

Yeah, don't worry about that. Also, it's best to only make known good changes in AlfaOBD. Some settings are global configs that will change multiple variables that can be very hard to track down.

Ok without steering wheel controls it's a little harder to get a basic working 8.4 setup. You will have to upgrade the HVAC bezel which has the integrated audio controls instead of using your current bezel without audio controls. So essentially, there is no cheaper semi working setup you could do other than waiting to get the new USB hub and adapter as a last step (which will leave Android Auto and CarPlay non-functional until the upgrade is complete.

You will need these in this order...

1. An 8.4 conversion harness sold by @Mpgrimm2 at the link @crash68 provided above
2. An 8.4 Bezel (also can be purchased from @Mpgrimm2 )
3. An 8.4 " Radio (2013-2017 OR 2018+, I highly recommend the latter and can help you find a cheap(er) salvage option if you're interested)

You will have a working 8.4 upgrade at this point but must continue for full functionality.

4. An 8.4 USB hub conversion harness (also can be purchased from @Mpgrimm2 )
5. An 8.4 USB hub ("I think" can also can be purchased from @Mpgrimm2 )

Optional

6. Steering Wheel Audio Controls
7. A New center console upper tray to fit the factory Ram USB hub (not necessary if you use the Jeep Compass(?) hub that many install to keep costs down).

Someone else chime in if I'm forgetting something.

 

[2016 2500]

Thank you for that, I watched his install of the new 18 style center console, seemed like a real pain in the rear, doable but I am not sure if it would look as good when I got done lol. I have a question, I currently use a tiny usb drive with all my music on it that stays in the center console usb port all the time, if I upgraded as you mention if I didn't add the 18+ usb hub would my in console hub not work? Also what if I wanted to add the dash mounted usb hub? would it even mount to my dash?

 

[crash68]

I added the Media USB hub from a Chrysler 200 (68283703AA), it has dual USB ports but I've not tried to use a USB flash drive and AndroidAuto at the same time. It takes a little bit of opening up the hole for it to fit in my '15 console but it looks factory.
I do run the AAWireless module so I don't even have to plug the phone in for AA to work.

 

[2016 2500]

I added the Media USB hub from a Chrysler 200 (68283703AA), it has dual USB ports but I've not tried to use a USB flash drive and AndroidAuto at the same time. It takes a little bit of opening up the hole for it to fit in my '15 console but it looks factory.
I do run the AAWireless module so I don't even have to plug the phone in for AA to work.

I will need to find out more information about the AAWireless Module, because I don't like plugging in to get android auto. bluetooth seems a better option to me. Thanks for that.
Ok after a quick search this plugs into your usb port and it then connects to your phone wirelessly, so it handles the translation between wireless and wired by getting the phone signals and transmitting them via cable and usb hub? Just want to verify that. So you still need something plugged into the usb hub so a 2 usb hub, one with thumbdrive of music and this device it might have trouble reading both? anyone have any experience in that?

 

[crash68]

I will need to find out more information about the AAWireless Module, because I don't like plugging in to get android auto. bluetooth seems a better option to me.

AA uses a combination of Bluetooth and WiFi
I have the original version of the AAWireless module, they have version 2 out now. It works quite reliably and usually connects within 30 seconds or less.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Thank you for that, I watched his install of the new 18 style center console, seemed like a real pain in the rear, doable but I am not sure if it would look as good when I got done lol. I have a question, I currently use a tiny usb drive with all my music on it that stays in the center console usb port all the time, if I upgraded as you mention if I didn't add the 18+ usb hub would my in console hub not work? Also what if I wanted to add the dash mounted usb hub? would it even mount to my dash?

I'm currently out of town for a family visit and will check back but....

Are you running a custom engine tune?

Upfiitter/auxiliary 1-6 switches below the radio.

Backup/cargo cam? Where do they display?

Plans to add heated seats at any point?

--------

What you need will depend on whether you want a 2013-17 3c Harmon 8.4 radio upgrade (Ra4 Nav or Ra3 non nav) which is a much cheaper plug n play upgrade (~ $900-$1100) with no programming changes.

-- or --

a 2018/19-21 Classic 4th Gen 4c Panasonic 8.4 upgrade (with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay & Nav or Non-nav) which is about $1800-$2200, with additional hardware, BCM programming changes, and potential HVAC control issues in a 4th Gen truck (especially if running a custom engine tune).

 

[2016 2500]

I'm currently out of town for a family visit and will check back but....

Are you running a custom engine tune?

Upfiitter/auxiliary 1-6 switches below the radio.

Backup/cargo cam? Where do they display?

Plans to add heated seats at any point?

--------

What you need will depend on whether you want a 2013-17 3c Harmon 8.4 radio upgrade (Ra4 Nav or Ra3 non nav) which is a much cheaper plug n play upgrade (~ $900-$1100) with no programming changes.

-- or --

a 2018/19-21 Classic 4th Gen 4c Panasonic 8.4 upgrade (with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay & Nav or Non-nav) which is about $1800-$2200, with additional hardware, BCM programming changes, and potential HVAC control issues in a 4th Gen truck (especially if running a custom engine tune).

Yes I have Raceme Ultra tune, and the display is plugged in to my obd for extra guages I have the trac control off tow haul and exhaust brake switches I have no camera's I do think it would be nice to add both backup and cargo cam in the future no hurry to do so. My seats are cloth and manual no plans to change that. as of right now I am interested and might even start price checking options but I am not certain how I want to proceed yet I have the single zone manual hvac the fan is a 5 position switch, off 1234. I typically leave it in the 1st or 2nd fan speed and adjust the temp dial as needed I am in SW FL and as long as the a/c is working well, usually is lol it doesn't require full blast fan.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Yes I have Raceme Ultra tune, and the display is plugged in to my obd for extra guages I have the trac control off tow haul and exhaust brake switches I have no camera's I do think it would be nice to add both backup and cargo cam in the future no hurry to do so. My seats are cloth and manual no plans to change that. as of right now I am interested and might even start price checking options but I am not certain how I want to proceed yet I have the single zone manual hvac the fan is a 5 position switch, off 1234. I typically leave it in the 1st or 2nd fan speed and adjust the temp dial as needed I am in SW FL and as long as the a/c is working well, usually is lol it doesn't require full blast fan.

Send me a private message here or feel free to submit a quote request via my site when you're ready to move forward and I will help get you squared away.

Mike G.
M2 Mods (on Ramforum)
www.M2Mods4Ram.com

 

[2016 2500]

So this is the inside of my truck right now. and Is that an antenna on top, or just a placeholder? I have the wire whip antenna on the passenger fender. in alfaobd my antenna is listed as passive primary no secondary.

 

[SitKneelBend]

So this is the inside of my truck right now. and Is that an antenna on top, or just a placeholder? I have the wire whip antenna on the passenger fender. in alfaobd my antenna is listed as passive primary no secondary.

That's an antenna. It feeds your SXM radio and GPS functions on the radio. When you look at the back of the radio if you upgrade, both of those connections come in over the mustard colored fakra connector (plug).

 

[Keith1]

That's a SXM antenna, satellite radio.

 

[2016 2500]

So I am going to be working on upgrading, I will need to do it slow over a long while though, however I got the first piece, and for a great price. now to verify this is what I actually need, I think so. and of course will need others.

 

[SitKneelBend]

So I am going to be working on upgrading, I will need to do it slow over a long while though, however I got the first piece, and for a great price. now to verify this is what I actually need, I think so. and of course will need others.

Looking good so far!

 

[NR92]

Send me a private message here or feel free to submit a quote request via my site when you're ready to move forward and I will help get you squared away.

Mike G.
M2 Mods (on Ramforum)
www.M2Mods4Ram.com

I'm currently out of town for a family visit and will check back but....

Are you running a custom engine tune?

Upfiitter/auxiliary 1-6 switches below the radio.

Backup/cargo cam? Where do they display?

Plans to add heated seats at any point?

--------

What you need will depend on whether you want a 2013-17 3c Harmon 8.4 radio upgrade (Ra4 Nav or Ra3 non nav) which is a much cheaper plug n play upgrade (~ $900-$1100) with no programming changes.

-- or --

a 2018/19-21 Classic 4th Gen 4c Panasonic 8.4 upgrade (with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay & Nav or Non-nav) which is about $1800-$2200, with additional hardware, BCM programming changes, and potential HVAC control issues in a 4th Gen truck (especially if running a custom engine tune).

Mpgrimm2 just out of curiosity why do you only recommend the 19-21 classic 4th gen radio. I ordered a 23 classic radio to swap into my 17 3500 that already has the 8.4 screen and I’m getting a little nervous that I ordered the wrong unit

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Mpgrimm2 just out of curiosity why do you only recommend the 19-21 classic 4th gen radio. I ordered a 23 classic radio to swap into my 17 3500 that already has the 8.4 screen and I’m getting a little nervous that I ordered the wrong unit

Somewhere in 2022/23 they changed the radio connector from the single large 52 Pin Tyco connector (13-18/19-21 classic trucks with 3c & 4c radios) to the smaller Dual Aptiv/Delphi connectors like those used on many of the 5th Gen trucks. I can't recall if these Dual Connector radios were considered uConnect 4 (vs 4c) radios, but if it has the dual connector, it will have issues (besides not plugging up directly... even with an adapter).

 

[kellgp]

I would think you are going to have issues. The 22+ Classics are Uconnect 5 radios made by Mitsubishi. They are totally different than the Panasonic ones in the classic 18-21, which is what you need. I believe the radio in the classic and new style are the same after 2022. At a minimum you are going to need an adapter to connect the main harness.