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jiggyanthony

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Miami
Ram Year
2021
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5.7
I have a 2021 ram 1500 Classic and it has the small radio. I wanted to upgrade to the full size one. I know i need to change the bezel but aside from the bezel is there anything else i need? Can i upgrade to any 8.4 uconnect? Can i do one with apple carplay or like the ones from the new generation rams? Can i upgrade to newest generation uconnect? Aside from bezel what do i need and what can i do/what are my limitations? Below is a pic of how my radio is now
 

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KoboldTaco

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Cummins 6.7L
I’m no ram tech guru, but I would imagine you could upgrade to an aftermarket with great tech and perhaps more features than the 8.4 uConnect. Before I ordered my ram with the 12” screen setups, my previous car had a stock stereo which I was considering upgrading to a 10” that acts as a pop-out.

Examples:
 

GTyankee

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2016
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3.0 ecodiesel
I would expect that being as you have a 2021 Ram Classic
You can buy a 8.4 with or without Navigation & it should have both Apple Car Play & Android Auto
All you need is the radio & a bezel, i don't know if you have buttons on the back & front of the steering wheel

If you already have a Sirius Plan, you can have Sirius XM
There are so many different Uconnect Plans, i will not guess what you can have

You may have Uconnect 5 with that new of a vehicle & i have no clue about
Uconnect 4 vs Uconnect 5
 

UnkoBro

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Honolulu, Hawaii
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2014
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Hemi 5.7
I have a 2021 ram 1500 Classic and it has the small radio. I wanted to upgrade to the full size one. I know i need to change the bezel but aside from the bezel is there anything else i need? Can i upgrade to any 8.4 uconnect? Can i do one with apple carplay or like the ones from the new generation rams? Can i upgrade to newest generation uconnect? Aside from bezel what do i need and what can i do/what are my limitations? Below is a pic of how my radio is now
Going from a 5.0 Uconnect with manual a/c controls to an 8.4 Uconnect (which has touchscreen climate controls) will take alot more than just a headunit and plugNplay. @Mpgrimm2 on this Forum is the master at guiding folks with this conversion. In addition, you will require "flashing" your BCM with the proper a/c protocol, which with the 2021 Ram's you'll need a security bypass harness, along with the AlfaOBD app and an OBDII dongle (like OBD Link). Additionally, you'll need to swap the radio bezel (with a/c controls), an adapter harness, a new a/c module, a cabin humidity sensor and headliner harness, and a cabin temp sensor. I did the 5.0 to 8.4 swap as well (but didn't need the security bypass harness for my 2014) and for me it was well worth it! I put in a 2018 UAQ Nav/CarPlay/AA unit (which also needed a usb hub swap and adapter harness) and "flashed" everything myself, with no dealership needed. Hope this helps!
 

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Mpgrimm2

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2022 Ram 1500 (5th Gen)
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5.7L
What @UnkoBro said,
You can go with a 13-17 8.4 Harmon 3c RA3/Vp3 or Ra4/Vp4 radio or a 2018/classic 4c Panasonic UAQ or UAS radio with AA/CP (must be from a 4th gen). Unless you find a deal on a 4c radio, they are about double the cost of a 13-17 unit... Used, plus the possible ATC wiring/sensors & possible screen issues on earlier 2018/19 models.

And with a 18+ classic truck you may or may not need the Auto Temp Control wiring/BCM programming changes with 4c radio.. It's about 50/50 with no real way to predict it that I've seen yet. optional with 13-17 radios... Full ATC Support is built into my harness set so you don't have to scrap anything to add-on to it.

Reference...
- DIY: 2013-2017 RA3/RA4 8.4" Radio Upgrade/HVAC Conversion

- INFO- 2013-2018 8.4 FW Notes (RA4/VP4 & UAx NA)

- How To: Install a 2018 4C (UAQ/UAS) Radio in 2013 - 2017 RAM (Please read posts 1-5 for correct PNs, etc)

- HVAC problem with UAS upgrade (see ATC thread)

- How to Add Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) to a Manual Temperature Control Truck
 

Docs BBB Night

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Location
Poland Ohio
Ram Year
2017
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5.7L HEMI
2017 RAM 1500 NIGHT EDITION. 23,481 miles.
"DEALERSHIP WANTS $200.00 TO UPDATE THE RADIO."
Not too trusting of the dealer...do they mean the radio or UConnect? They didn't seem too confident and a lot of "not sures".
Uconnect says I have two updates (iPhone car play and nav).
Dealer says they have 2 updates only they can do.
U Connect website says I have one update. Uconnect_VP4,18.45.01-My13-17
I was told we have 3 separate sub systems (U Connect, Maps, and GPS).
Dealer said to update the radio 1st, then U Connect then do the maps.
They are charging $200 for what they call a Radio update.
UConnect said that maps will be updated in July for the 2022 version.
The current NAV system won't even find my home that was built in 1960.
The version in the truck now is 18.45.01.
Version code should change if the dealer actually does the update successfully, correct?
Wi-Fi hot spot icon in the truck says" no active subscription.
Go to store to "renew".
UStore icon just sits and doesn't connect.
When you go to the Ustore through the settings it says, "service not available".
Any ideas?
I hate to spend $200.00 at the dealer when they are not doing any work.
What is my order of operation? (1) Radio update, then (2) UConnect update then (3) MAPS update?
Can I get the truck to be a wi-fi hotspot?
What subscription is this?
What turns on the 3G icon on the APP icon? or is this not ever available?
What will be the differences once I get all the upgrades done? I'm hoping the navigation will be somewhat useful. It's complete garbage in its current state. I figure I will do the MAPS upgrade when it comes out in July. Dealer and UConnect say I need the most recent versions to get the new Maps upgrade.
 
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