Upgrading uConnect 3?

[Chad Cunningham]

I picked up a 2016 ram recently that has uConnect 3 but it's the old school kind with a 2 line text display and no lcd screen. While it does most of what I want (bluetooth, xm radio, backup cam in mirror) it would be nice to have android auto, a touch screen, and a bigger backup cam screen.

I found infotainment.com which has upgraded uconnect oem systems, but it's looking like $2000+ to go that route. Aftermarket I could probably do for like $700...

So I'm wondering:

1. Is there a cheaper way to do an OEM uconnect update to a newer version? Would it even fit given I have no LCD now? Can I just buy one on Ebay and plug it in?
2. For aftermarket, crutchfield notes I'll have to cut things to make something fit. Anyone done this and how bad is it? I've installed lots of car stereos in my day but generally avoid having to make any permanent modifications to do so.
3. Either way, is there any way to get the OEM backup camera on a new radio screen instead of in the rear view mirror? All of the sites say with the right adapters I can "retain OEM backup camera" but I suspect they may be talking about the case where I already have an LCD radio showing the image.

Thanks!

 

[McBroom]

I picked up a 2016 ram recently that has uConnect 3 but it's the old school kind with a 2 line text display and no lcd screen. While it does most of what I want (bluetooth, xm radio, backup cam in mirror) it would be nice to have android auto, a touch screen, and a bigger backup cam screen.

I found infotainment.com which has upgraded uconnect oem systems, but it's looking like $2000+ to go that route. Aftermarket I could probably do for like $700...

So I'm wondering:

1. Is there a cheaper way to do an OEM uconnect update to a newer version? Would it even fit given I have no LCD now? Can I just buy one on Ebay and plug it in?
2. For aftermarket, crutchfield notes I'll have to cut things to make something fit. Anyone done this and how bad is it? I've installed lots of car stereos in my day but generally avoid having to make any permanent modifications to do so.
3. Either way, is there any way to get the OEM backup camera on a new radio screen instead of in the rear view mirror? All of the sites say with the right adapters I can "retain OEM backup camera" but I suspect they may be talking about the case where I already have an LCD radio showing the image.

Thanks!

I'd look on the for sale section here or FB market place for a 5.0 ra3 or ra4 touch screen. If your thinking 8.4 then that changes the whole conversation.

Blue Mule

 

[Michael]

I picked up a 2016 ram recently that has uConnect 3 but it's the old school kind with a 2 line text display and no lcd screen. While it does most of what I want (bluetooth, xm radio, backup cam in mirror) it would be nice to have android auto, a touch screen, and a bigger backup cam screen.

I found infotainment.com which has upgraded uconnect oem systems, but it's looking like $2000+ to go that route. Aftermarket I could probably do for like $700...

So I'm wondering:

1. Is there a cheaper way to do an OEM uconnect update to a newer version? Would it even fit given I have no LCD now? Can I just buy one on Ebay and plug it in?
2. For aftermarket, crutchfield notes I'll have to cut things to make something fit. Anyone done this and how bad is it? I've installed lots of car stereos in my day but generally avoid having to make any permanent modifications to do so.
3. Either way, is there any way to get the OEM backup camera on a new radio screen instead of in the rear view mirror? All of the sites say with the right adapters I can "retain OEM backup camera" but I suspect they may be talking about the case where I already have an LCD radio showing the image.

Thanks!

There is only one thing you need to cut. There is a bracket that is easy to cut. The whole install was fairly easy.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but man, do they ever come up with some great ideas.

 

[Jerzey111]

$1200 total form me going from ra1 to uas with camera reroute and auto climate. But I did get a good deal on the head unit. Well.worth it

 

[Chad Cunningham]

Woah $1200 would be great, would you mind sharing the parts and prices you found? Also how'd you get automatic climate control? I haven't read anything about being able to make that work.

 

[Pacman079]

I have a 8.4 and I bought the nav add on I just recently removed from my 16, if you’re still looking I can sell it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fake-Account27]

I have an 2018 tradesman with next model up radio with the backup camera, but still no advanced uconnect features. I went the crutchfield route and installed an aftermarket radio with wireless android auto. There are videos on youtube of how to cut the metal bracket out. I was a pain but in the end not a huge deal. In my case the backup camera used a standard yellow AV connection to connect to the aftermarket radio.

 

[Michael]

I have an 2018 tradesman with next model up radio with the backup camera, but still no advanced uconnect features. I went the crutchfield route and installed an aftermarket radio with wireless android auto. There are videos on youtube of how to cut the metal bracket out. I was a pain but in the end not a huge deal. In my case the backup camera used a standard yellow AV connection to connect to the aftermarket radio.

Did you get the Pioneer 4500?

 

[Fake-Account27]

Did you get the Pioneer 4500?

yes that is the model I got, I also got the prewired harness and interconnect between the various vehicle controls and the radio. All in it was 900 bucks for the radio, and aftermarket parts.

All the stock radio features work, in my case I have the factory air suspension and the in screen options are still there. The interconnect was programed via my laptop and was not to difficult to do, and then everything else is more or less plug and play in the car. This is the 2nd car I have installed a radio on, the other being my wifes 2013 subaru outback. The ram was much easier to install on then the subaru. No splicing wires, plenty of space to work with behind the dash, everything was plug and play, and booted perfectly after the install.

The wireless android auto worked great on my Samsung Galaxy S8, and currently on my note 10. If you have a phone older than the GS8 wireless will not work.

My wife's subaru has a cheaper sony radio with plug in android auto. the Pioneer is vastly superior.

 

[Michael]

yes that is the model I got, I also got the prewired harness and interconnect between the various vehicle controls and the radio. All in it was 900 bucks for the radio, and aftermarket parts.

All the stock radio features work, in my case I have the factory air suspension and the in screen options are still there. The interconnect was programed via my laptop and was not to difficult to do, and then everything else is more or less plug and play in the car. This is the 2nd car I have installed a radio on, the other being my wifes 2013 subaru outback. The ram was much easier to install on then the subaru. No splicing wires, plenty of space to work with behind the dash, everything was plug and play, and booted perfectly after the install.

The wireless android auto worked great on my Samsung Galaxy S8, and currently on my note 10. If you have a phone older than the GS8 wireless will not work.

My wife's subaru has a cheaper sony radio with plug in android auto. the Pioneer is vastly superior.

I got the same radio and extras from crutchfields. The extra cost for the harness sure made install a lot easier.

 

[Chad Cunningham]

Looking at it the aftermarket route does seem a better value unless you get lucky finding a really cheap uConnect system (but even on ebay they seem pretty spendy).

I notice on crutchfield the install options include one for "advanced" features using an iDatalink compatable radio. Would that actually do anything for me since it's a pretty base truck? I don't think I actually have any advanced features...

 

[Michael]

Looking at it the aftermarket route does seem a better value unless you get lucky finding a really cheap uConnect system (but even on ebay they seem pretty spendy).

I notice on crutchfield the install options include one for "advanced" features using an iDatalink compatable radio. Would that actually do anything for me since it's a pretty base truck? I don't think I actually have any advanced features...

The advanced install kit with the idata pieces allow you to control factory settings that you currently change with your original radio. If you ever decided to add something, like steering wheel controls for the radio, you can do that too. Without the advanced kit the settings you choose for the truck can’t be changed unless you put the original radio back in. Spending the extra $25 for their harness is worth the money to me. It makes it plug and play with no splicing wires together, they do it for you.

 

[Mordechai]

I may have a 2016 RA2, Bezel, and HVAC module up for sale in the next week or so.

 

[Chad Cunningham]

The advanced install kit with the idata pieces allow you to control factory settings that you currently change with your original radio. If you ever decided to add something, like steering wheel controls for the radio, you can do that too. Without the advanced kit the settings you choose for the truck can’t be changed unless you put the original radio back in. Spending the extra $25 for their harness is worth the money to me. It makes it plug and play with no splicing wires together, they do it for you.

But I don't think I have any settings? I have the 3" text only uconnect system. Any settings for things are in the screen in the middle of the instrument cluster (and really there aren't any real settings there other than honking the horn when locking with the fob and how long I want the lights to stay on after turning the car off), the only radio settings are for like audio stuff like bass/treble/fade.