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Radio Upgrade - UConnect 8.4 4C UAQ installed on 2017 RT

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76K views 108 replies 33 participants last post by  Swervess23  
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#1 · (Edited)
I finally got my hands on a new UConnect 8.4 4C UAQ system. The one that comes standard on the 2018s. UAQ comes with NAV built in.
Things you'll need:
-Radio
-new usb hub
-7mm socket
-torx screwdriver
-trim removal tool (not necessary)
Install took no more than 20mins. 1st time go everything worked. Nav picked up my location right away. The only thing is after installing the radio, I had to let the car "sleep" for 5-10 mins for the radio to acquire all the features the car has (heated and vented seats, sat radio, back up cam, etc)
Last thing I had to do was swap out the usb hub for the new one with 2 USB ports. This is necessary for Android auto and Apple Carplay to work. NO way around this. You will need to swap it for this to work. It involved removing the center console and some connectors.
I've been using it for over 2 weeks now and I'm completely happy with it. I retained all the features I had. The stock nav is so much better than my 2017s. Has multitouch capability so you can pinch to zoom. Once I got Android Auto to work, I hardly use the stock nav anymore except for short trips. I just use Google Maps.
It's a big upgrade for me since I love new tech and not having this radio was my biggest disappointment about my 2017.
So now everything's back in order.[emoji108]
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#4 ·
Thanks! I got the radio from Ebay. I did find one specified to work with the Durango. I hear some people say any new uconnect would work. Sounds too easy. Personally I don't trust it. That's just me.
But the center console is easy to remove. Start by opening the lid, then pull right where the battery symbol is and it should pop out easily. Then there's just some connectors to disconnect.
I'm looking for the box to find the p/n.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
#9 ·
Out of curiosity , you said you got back all your options of your Durango. So does that mean the heated seats, the rear view camera etc everything works as it should? Steering options etc?
With the Uconnect unit being of a newer model, maybe not as much as changed and it's a simply drop in and go? I think you already answered my questions above but I just want to be sure.
 
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#11 · (Edited)
Yes everything works as it should. Heated seats, steering wheel, headrest fold are all there. Steering wheel controls are also functional. Back up camera too.
The only think you will lose is your Sirius xm subscription if you have an active one. But satellite radio is working so you can just subscribe again.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
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#13 ·
Here is the big question - for those of us who subscribe to and use UConnect Access, is there any issue with connectivity for SiriusXM Guardian? Shifting from Sprint to AT&T means different frequencies hence the concern of the antenna and how well it works with the shift. I haven't had time to pull up any specifics regarding the design/architecture of the antenna but it very well could be a design that will suffice, but Spring doesn't use 1700/2100 so there is a chance that might not work well, if at all. One easy indicator is whether the antenna part is the same for the '18 and '17 pre, will have to look further into this, looked quickly before posting and couldn't find the '18 part number.

On another note, good news for CarPlay at WWDC yesterday, Waze and Google maps will be good to go with iOS 12.
 
#22 ·
Bingo, your suspicions are spot on, the 2016 will accept the radio and all in car features like heated wheel and such will work. But you will get neither uconnect access or SiriusXM guardian, you won’t get WiFi hotspot, you won’t get the vehicle health report emails, etc.
 
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#15 ·
Waze was just authorized for CarPlay.
 
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#17 ·
Can you change its color?
 
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#19 ·
Did you happen to get the part number off of your radio?
 
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#20 ·
I’m also curious if there is a setting to honk the horn on the second lock press, instead of the first.
 
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#21 ·
Sadly this isn’t as flawless on the 2014-2016 as they use the old Harmon systems. The 2017 is plug and play because the 2017 and 2018 both use the Panasonic systems.

The Harmon equipped vehicles can not support a lot of features like WiFi hotspot, Uconnect service, etc because they can not activate it since the vin is not in their system.
 
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#23 ·
XM Radio should still work, however.

I wonder if an antenna swap would re-enable those cellular-based features. It should be plug and play for the antenna.
 
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#24 ·
Antenna may/not be a problem, absent a design schematic I can't say. That said, for those with a UAQ installed, what does your screen show for 4G signal strength? Was hoping to hear that a simple phone call to FCA or other trick would get your VIN migrated. In theory wiTECH at the dealership very well might do the update for new device MEID/ESN number on back end system when radio is replaced, but odds are that there is no way it could do the shift to IMEI for UAQ plus VIN of <'18 into the SXM Guardian system.

That said, odds are that VHR data is still being transmitted to a black hole. It would be interesting to press the assist button on the mirror to call in and see if an attendant can somehow link your device to a new account, but even if, that would then have to trigger a change in your online account interface to allow you to log in and pay for SXMG service.

Bottom line, if I can't retain the feature of having a connected car...
 
#32 ·
Yep, you are giving up over 50% of the radio's features for carplay or android auto. Its not worth the trade off to myself, my buddy did the swap in his hellcat and it came out already since function loss.
 
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#36 ·
I enjoyed the one year free trial of the uconnect access on my 2017 when I had it but didn't feel the need to renew it and pay a premium monthly. Only used send n go a few times. Always found myself waiting for the radio to receive the directions. Much faster speaking or searching my destination and getting directions in the new radio.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
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#39 ·
#43 ·
So if I understand you only lose the Uconnect phone app features and reporting? You can still activate XM? So for those of us that don’t pay for the Uconnect service we are good? Also what happens when you need to renew the navigation?


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2017 Dodge Durango AWD R/T Granite Blacktop

Performance
SRT Air Box, K&N Intake Tube, K&N Filter, Fastman 86mm TB, Ported Intake Manifold, 180° Thermostat, Billet Tech Catch Can, Corsa Catback, Grocery Getter Strut Brace, Diablosport Trinity, Jay Greene PCM/TCM Tune

DiabloSport Trinity Times 0-60 5.17, 1/4 13.77​
 
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#44 ·
That’s correct you do lose the the Uconnect app since the 2018 model uses SXM Guardian. The SirusXM service can be transferred from an existing subscription or put on as a new radio. As far as updates go I’m still trying to figure that out. I’m thinking a VIN from a 2018 would work on the Uconnect site to check for updates that can be downloaded. It’s my understanding that OTA updates won’t work with the swap. You could always rely on Apple maps for nav updates. I also heard that eventually Google maps (on iPhones) will work with CarPlay in the future which in my opinion is one of the better map options out there.
 
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