If you have a 2015-2016 Challenger/Charger that has the older RA3/4 Harman Uconnect radio and want the newer 17+ Panasonic 8.4 Uconnect 4c radio that is much more responsive, has better graphics, and has full Android auto/Apple Carplay support this will help you out. I want to give credit to a post created from Tyla who made a post on the topic and I got some information from:
Uconnect Conversion Guide (15-16 Harman to 17+ Panasonic)
For the record I performed this conversion in a 2016 Challenger Hellcat with and automatic transmission. I had spent hours researching information and posts on various sites about the possibility of doing this conversion and read various topics where some people said or could be done and others said some options would be lost, etc. so I was hesitant at spending the money. I was originally looking at going the INFOTAINMENT route as they seem to have the process down and claimed their radios are pre-programmed to work with our vehicles. The issue for me was an upgraded radio (8.4 with NAV) from them is basically $2400 and the reality is the radio is not brand new but a used unit which is "reconditioned" by them. I also doubt they actually do any real programming of the radio.
I then thought about taking a chance and buying a used unit on ebay or out of a wrecked vehicle and take a chance but used units are going for between $1100 - $1400 and I would be taking a chance on the condition of the unit and the screen (de-lamination issues). So I ended up coming across Tyla's post and after taking some information from the post and doing some further research on my own here is what I decided to do and what my experience was. The end result is everything works.
Using the part numbers from the post I referenced, I purchased a brand new Panasonic 8.4 Uconnect radio with NAV (part# 68322340AM) online. This part number through Mopar shows the unit being for a 2019 Chrysler 300, 2019 Challenger, and 2019 Charger. I checked a few online Mopar Parts websites and the unit was listed between $1300-$1650 depending on the site. I ended purchasing mine at moparautopartsdirect.com as they had the cheapest price I could find. They were $200+ dollars cheaper then some other sites.
I then purchased the newer USB hub (part#68294075AA). This is the USB hub which is in the center console. This part is required if you want to use Android Auto/Apple Car play. I ended up purchasing a brand new one off ebay because the price was cheaper than the dealer / mopar parts websites.
Both parts arrived within a few days. The install is pretty straight forward and I had everything installed within 30 minutes. You just need to remove the dash/instrument cluster trim. I used a plastic trim tool and took my time and the dash/instrument cluster trim simply pops out of the clips holding it in. Once removed there are 4 screws which hold the radio in place. Remove the 4 screws and you can then pull the radio unit out of the dash so you can get to the back of it to remove the cables/connectors. On the new radio the placement of some of the cables were in a different place on the back but the connectors are color coded and also keyed so they can only go in one way so you can't mess it up. The new radio had some extra connections on the back of it most likely for different vehicles/options. Don't worry about these just match up the connectors from your vehicle. I then replaced the USB hub in the center console. The repair manual/dealership will tell you the center console has to be removed in order to replace the hub. This is not true and will save you a bunch of time if you do what I did. I simply used a very thin plastic trim tool along with a small flathead screwdriver to push in the clips on the old unit and pulled it out. You can see how the hub is held in by looking at the new one. The console compartment has enough flex in it to allow you to pull out the old hub. Sorry I don't have pictures or videos to share on the process, but you can find how-to videos in the post I referenced or on youtube.
I did not disconnect my battery before replacing the radio and hub. Once they were installed, I started the car. The Uconnect came up with a blue background. Some apps took a minute to appear on the screen. I waited a few minutes for things to sync before testing anything. After a few minutes a scrolled through the Uconnect screen. I had read on other posts where people who replaced the radio had some of their options such as heated seats, climate control, etc. grayed out as if they were not being recognized. All my options such as heated/vented seats, steering wheel, and climate control appeared as they should and worked along with the radio and siriusxm. One thing I noted was I did not see an SRT app/icon or anything for performance pages. I scrolled through the settings looking for something regarding SRT or performance pages and there was nothing. I also tried my SRT button on my center console and that was not working. Something else I noticed in the Uconnect was when I went into the display settings and selected "theme" it only showed options for Chrysler. The radio seemed to appear as if it was in a Chrysler product. I was slightly concerned not having performance pages, drive modes, etc. but I also remember all the stories of people disconnecting their battery and losing performance pages and it taking a while for them to come back. I also took note the center stack on the dash was working normal, the car recognized the red key, etc., I just could not change drive modes. One thing I noticed was when I turned off the car, the SRT splash screen came up on the Uconnect so I figured things were slowly coming around. I then decided to try disconnecting the battery. I let it sit for about 15 minutes and then reconnected it and tried everything again. Everything was still the same as before, no SRT button, no performance pages, etc.
I had read where Uconnect had reportedly told people to cycle the ignition to "ON" 3 times, without starting the car and on the 3rd time start the car and go for a short drive and that supposedly helps restore things. I tried that to no avail but one thing I noticed was I checked the display "theme" options again and this time it showed Dodge as the options so I knew things were slowly coming back. Some people have said it took a day for their performance pages to come back after losing them from a battery disconnect, etc. I don't know why it would take that long as it has nothing to do with the radio having to download anything OTA as all the software/programming is already on the unit but I decided to let the car sit overnight anyway. Fast forward to the next morning. I started the car and when the Uconnect screen turned on, I noticed the drive modes button was now present. Once the Uconnect loaded it still had the Chrysler "font". I went into the display theme and all the Dodge, 1,2,3,4,5,6 theme options were present. I selected one of the Dodge themes and then the font changed and everything appeared as it should. Also, the SRT app/icon along with performance pages was now available. The SRT button on the center console also worked as it should. I checked SRT mode, performance pages and everything is present and worked as it should. The newer performance pages options such as the DYNO graph option was also present and worked. Needless to say, everything works as it should - all apps, SRT modes, performance pages, satellite radio, Android Auto, etc., everything works as it should and you would never know the radio unit was swapped out unless someone told you or you knew the car was a 2016 model year.
I am very pleased with the upgrade. The newer Uconnect graphics are high def and much clearer and the system is much faster and smoother operating then the old unit. For example, when I select performance pages they load within 2 or 3 seconds instead of the15 to 20 seconds it would take for them to load on the old radio. I know some people have stated you need to have the BCM flashed if you switch out radios. I don't think that is the case for at least the 2016's. I have read in a few places that a 2015 model year does require a BCM flash and sometimes has issues with heated seats not working. I can't speak on that as my car is a 2016. At least for anyone with a 2016 model year who wants to do the upgrade I say do it. I would suggest not going to INFOTAINMENT and pay $2400 for a used unit that has been "freshened" up. The way I did the upgrade was super easy and the parts were brand new. My advice to anyone that does the upgrade is not to panic if things don't work right away such as no SRT mode, etc. Just be patient. For whatever reason it takes a while, and in my case overnight, for all the modules in the car to "talk" to each other and get synced up.
**One thing to note, if you had an active Uconnect subscription before doing the swap, I do not know if that will be affected by replacing the radio as that is the only thing I did not test as I do not have a need for the Uconnect subscription. My siruisxm works fine, and the radio displays the 4g signal so you may not have any issue but I wanted to make sure I mentioned it.
Uconnect Conversion Guide (15-16 Harman to 17+ Panasonic)
For the record I performed this conversion in a 2016 Challenger Hellcat with and automatic transmission. I had spent hours researching information and posts on various sites about the possibility of doing this conversion and read various topics where some people said or could be done and others said some options would be lost, etc. so I was hesitant at spending the money. I was originally looking at going the INFOTAINMENT route as they seem to have the process down and claimed their radios are pre-programmed to work with our vehicles. The issue for me was an upgraded radio (8.4 with NAV) from them is basically $2400 and the reality is the radio is not brand new but a used unit which is "reconditioned" by them. I also doubt they actually do any real programming of the radio.
I then thought about taking a chance and buying a used unit on ebay or out of a wrecked vehicle and take a chance but used units are going for between $1100 - $1400 and I would be taking a chance on the condition of the unit and the screen (de-lamination issues). So I ended up coming across Tyla's post and after taking some information from the post and doing some further research on my own here is what I decided to do and what my experience was. The end result is everything works.
Using the part numbers from the post I referenced, I purchased a brand new Panasonic 8.4 Uconnect radio with NAV (part# 68322340AM) online. This part number through Mopar shows the unit being for a 2019 Chrysler 300, 2019 Challenger, and 2019 Charger. I checked a few online Mopar Parts websites and the unit was listed between $1300-$1650 depending on the site. I ended purchasing mine at moparautopartsdirect.com as they had the cheapest price I could find. They were $200+ dollars cheaper then some other sites.
I then purchased the newer USB hub (part#68294075AA). This is the USB hub which is in the center console. This part is required if you want to use Android Auto/Apple Car play. I ended up purchasing a brand new one off ebay because the price was cheaper than the dealer / mopar parts websites.
Both parts arrived within a few days. The install is pretty straight forward and I had everything installed within 30 minutes. You just need to remove the dash/instrument cluster trim. I used a plastic trim tool and took my time and the dash/instrument cluster trim simply pops out of the clips holding it in. Once removed there are 4 screws which hold the radio in place. Remove the 4 screws and you can then pull the radio unit out of the dash so you can get to the back of it to remove the cables/connectors. On the new radio the placement of some of the cables were in a different place on the back but the connectors are color coded and also keyed so they can only go in one way so you can't mess it up. The new radio had some extra connections on the back of it most likely for different vehicles/options. Don't worry about these just match up the connectors from your vehicle. I then replaced the USB hub in the center console. The repair manual/dealership will tell you the center console has to be removed in order to replace the hub. This is not true and will save you a bunch of time if you do what I did. I simply used a very thin plastic trim tool along with a small flathead screwdriver to push in the clips on the old unit and pulled it out. You can see how the hub is held in by looking at the new one. The console compartment has enough flex in it to allow you to pull out the old hub. Sorry I don't have pictures or videos to share on the process, but you can find how-to videos in the post I referenced or on youtube.
I did not disconnect my battery before replacing the radio and hub. Once they were installed, I started the car. The Uconnect came up with a blue background. Some apps took a minute to appear on the screen. I waited a few minutes for things to sync before testing anything. After a few minutes a scrolled through the Uconnect screen. I had read on other posts where people who replaced the radio had some of their options such as heated seats, climate control, etc. grayed out as if they were not being recognized. All my options such as heated/vented seats, steering wheel, and climate control appeared as they should and worked along with the radio and siriusxm. One thing I noted was I did not see an SRT app/icon or anything for performance pages. I scrolled through the settings looking for something regarding SRT or performance pages and there was nothing. I also tried my SRT button on my center console and that was not working. Something else I noticed in the Uconnect was when I went into the display settings and selected "theme" it only showed options for Chrysler. The radio seemed to appear as if it was in a Chrysler product. I was slightly concerned not having performance pages, drive modes, etc. but I also remember all the stories of people disconnecting their battery and losing performance pages and it taking a while for them to come back. I also took note the center stack on the dash was working normal, the car recognized the red key, etc., I just could not change drive modes. One thing I noticed was when I turned off the car, the SRT splash screen came up on the Uconnect so I figured things were slowly coming around. I then decided to try disconnecting the battery. I let it sit for about 15 minutes and then reconnected it and tried everything again. Everything was still the same as before, no SRT button, no performance pages, etc.
I had read where Uconnect had reportedly told people to cycle the ignition to "ON" 3 times, without starting the car and on the 3rd time start the car and go for a short drive and that supposedly helps restore things. I tried that to no avail but one thing I noticed was I checked the display "theme" options again and this time it showed Dodge as the options so I knew things were slowly coming back. Some people have said it took a day for their performance pages to come back after losing them from a battery disconnect, etc. I don't know why it would take that long as it has nothing to do with the radio having to download anything OTA as all the software/programming is already on the unit but I decided to let the car sit overnight anyway. Fast forward to the next morning. I started the car and when the Uconnect screen turned on, I noticed the drive modes button was now present. Once the Uconnect loaded it still had the Chrysler "font". I went into the display theme and all the Dodge, 1,2,3,4,5,6 theme options were present. I selected one of the Dodge themes and then the font changed and everything appeared as it should. Also, the SRT app/icon along with performance pages was now available. The SRT button on the center console also worked as it should. I checked SRT mode, performance pages and everything is present and worked as it should. The newer performance pages options such as the DYNO graph option was also present and worked. Needless to say, everything works as it should - all apps, SRT modes, performance pages, satellite radio, Android Auto, etc., everything works as it should and you would never know the radio unit was swapped out unless someone told you or you knew the car was a 2016 model year.
I am very pleased with the upgrade. The newer Uconnect graphics are high def and much clearer and the system is much faster and smoother operating then the old unit. For example, when I select performance pages they load within 2 or 3 seconds instead of the15 to 20 seconds it would take for them to load on the old radio. I know some people have stated you need to have the BCM flashed if you switch out radios. I don't think that is the case for at least the 2016's. I have read in a few places that a 2015 model year does require a BCM flash and sometimes has issues with heated seats not working. I can't speak on that as my car is a 2016. At least for anyone with a 2016 model year who wants to do the upgrade I say do it. I would suggest not going to INFOTAINMENT and pay $2400 for a used unit that has been "freshened" up. The way I did the upgrade was super easy and the parts were brand new. My advice to anyone that does the upgrade is not to panic if things don't work right away such as no SRT mode, etc. Just be patient. For whatever reason it takes a while, and in my case overnight, for all the modules in the car to "talk" to each other and get synced up.
**One thing to note, if you had an active Uconnect subscription before doing the swap, I do not know if that will be affected by replacing the radio as that is the only thing I did not test as I do not have a need for the Uconnect subscription. My siruisxm works fine, and the radio displays the 4g signal so you may not have any issue but I wanted to make sure I mentioned it.
