Swapping out Radio 3.0 for a 5.0 RA2 with Bluetooth handsfree

[BEDPilot]

Hi all,

I am looking to swap out my factory OEM radio 3.0 for an OEM Uconnect 5.0 radio to give me hands free in my 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab. You would think at this day and age all new vehicles would automatically come with hands free Bluetooth options. I attempted Infotainment, bought the radio (refurbished) and their harness with the hardwired hands free mic. Although everything worked great, I had not mic audio at all and the compass did not operate either. I could have lived with that, but the hands free was important and the whole reason for buying the radio. Infotainment did not want to send me another mic, instead they asked that I send back the entire radio, harness and mic for a refund. I believe thy gave up too quickly... does anyone know if this setup indeed works or can anyone point me to a vendor other than Infotainment that carries this Uconnect 5.0 radio, harness and mic that actually has been proven to work? Also, another important facts is that my rear view camera screen is built into my rear view mirror and would love to be able to move the display to the Uconnect 5.0 radio if it can be done. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and Merry Christmas to all.

Adolfo

 

[Ricks Ram]

Unfortunately the compass will not work when you install the 5.0 RA2 radio on your truck. The radio gets the compass heading from the module in the overhead console which your truck does not have. In the 13 to 16 rams the conversion is easy to do because the microphones are actually in the rear view mirror. All you need is the mirror,mirror harness,the hands free button installed in your steering wheel and of corse the radio. In 2017 Ram moved the microphones into the headliner. If you installed the radio without the hands free button installed in the steering wheel there is no way for you to communicate with the radio. Not sure if you installed that or not but thought I would mention it. You don't need to add any wiring to install the hands free button. You just need to pull the steering wheel and install the button. You can also install the steering wheel audio controls in the back if you chose at that time. If you check the DIY section you will find writeups on all of this. The only thing I'm not sure about on your truck would be the microphone. I am not sure if you could just change the mirror harness and install the microphone mirror like the 13 to 16 Rams or if you would need to do it a different way. You can purchase RA2 radios on ebay or car-part.com extremely cheap. Also a lot of people on the forum may have an old RA2 laying around they may want to sell. Make sure the RA2 you purchase is out of a Ram. In the past people have had issues with the balance and fade not working when the radio came out if a different vehicle. If it were me I would buy the radio and install the hands free button in the steering wheel. The mirror harness for the 13 to 16 rams is only around 20.00. You can buy the RA2 microphone mirror on Car-part for around 50.00. I would try that combination first and see if it works. On the 13 to 16 rams you can convert the backup camera from the rear view mirror to the radio. I belive M2 Mods a vendor on the forum may make a harness to do it. You can find them in the vendor section and send them a PM. In other words I think it can be done you will just need to figure it out. I inserted a picture of the hands free button on my truck. It's the button on the left side. You can see the two extra buttons on the top of the switch. Sorry this is a little long winded just trying to give you a quick explanation to point you in the right direction.

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[BEDPilot]

Thank you Rick. I am not that interested in the compass working, I just want Bluetooth connectivity to my phone. I gather that the option here is to indeed go with the Uconnect 5.0 RA2 radio, the rear view mirror with the two mics built in, since I doubt I have hidden mics in the ceiling liner... Then the remaining task would be to get the screen for the backup camera routed to the radio vs. the mirror, since the new mirror will not have that option. I know there is a wire that comes from the rear camera and goes up the front passenger pillar to the rear view mirror and that can be removed and re-routed to two pins on the back of the radio plug... just have to figure out which ones they are which I believe you mentioned above or buy the harness to do this with and tap at the plug on the passenger side pillar. Thank you for the information and Merry Christmas.

Adolfo

 

[Ricks Ram]

Thank you Rick. I am not that interested in the compass working, I just want Bluetooth connectivity to my phone. I gather that the option here is to indeed go with the Uconnect 5.0 RA2 radio, the rear view mirror with the two mics built in, since I doubt I have hidden mics in the ceiling liner... Then the remaining task would be to get the screen for the backup camera routed to the radio vs. the mirror, since the new mirror will not have that option. I know there is a wire that comes from the rear camera and goes up the front passenger pillar to the rear view mirror and that can be removed and re-routed to two pins on the back of the radio plug... just have to figure out which ones they are which I believe you mentioned above or buy the harness to do this with and tap at the plug on the passenger side pillar. Thank you for the information and Merry Christmas.

Adolfo

Don't forget the harness and the switch. I have the part numbers somewhere. I will try to post them later.

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[kabong57]

I have a 2017 3500 Tradesman that came with a Non U-connect 3.0 and rear camera in the rear view mirror. Swapped in a U-connect 5.0 VP2 and using a harness from Mike moved the camera image to the radio screen. This all works fine. In the process of installing an overhead console w/ HomeLink & Compass. Not sure about being able to use the mini handsfree mic from infotainment into the factory harness or having to use their custom uconnect mini mic kit.

 

[BEDPilot]

Kabong57

Hi, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I finally got a working 35.0 radio, installed and working great with mic audio now. I am still interested in getting the video signal from the rear view mirror into the radio so when I place it in reverse, the image will replace my blue screen now present on the radio.

Does anyone have instructions to accomplish this from the wiring coming from the camera on the tail gate?

This info would help me a great deal. Thank you

Adolfo

 

[Ricks Ram]

Kabong57

Hi, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I finally got a working 35.0 radio, installed and working great with mic audio now. I am still interested in getting the video signal from the rear view mirror into the radio so when I place it in reverse, the image will replace my blue screen now present on the radio.

Does anyone have instructions to accomplish this from the wiring coming from the camera on the tail gate?

This info would help me a great deal. Thank you

Adolfo

Contact M2 Mods who's a vendor on the form I believe they make a jumper harness that will help you out. If you go to the vendor section you should be able to find them.

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[kabong57]

Agree with Rick, the harness from M2 Mods is the way to go. There is a connector at passenger end of the dash for the rear camera. After removing the 3 wires going to your mirror , you install Mike's harness into the connector and the terminals at the other end are installed in the connector that plugs in to your radio. Would have been easier if you had the harness when you swapped radios.

 

[JessHovak]

If handsfree for your phone is your main priority the cheapest and easiest option is to just buy a blutooth kit that clip on your sun visor or dash. Takes only a minute to install and works perfectly.

 

[Ricks Ram]

If handsfree for your phone is your main priority the cheapest and easiest option is to just buy a blutooth kit that clip on your sun visor or dash. Takes only a minute to install and works perfectly.

I think he has that working already. He is trying to get the backup cam signal moved from the mirror to the radio.

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[BEDPilot]

Thanks everyone.. My Bluetooth is working great now and as Rick mentioned, trying to get the rear view camera to work thru my radio vs. mirror.

 

[William White]

Pulling up an old thread - new to this site but been around the Dodge/Ram world for many years. I just bought a 2020 Ram 1500 Classic. It has the Uconnect 3.0. It's okay but some of the functionality is a pain. I'd like swap it out for a 5.0. Is this any easier since I already had a Uconnect radio - just a low end one?