Nav vs non nav 8.4 uconnect

[Rick8325]

100% agree with you. However, there was a lot of misinformation out there, especially if you bought early. The dealer I bought from said you could upgrade nav, there was media out at the time that said you could add nav after the fact. That's also part of the risk of buying early I guess. I have the non nav radio and that is the on the only thing on my truck not what I was expecting as far as upgrade ability. I'm not that upset by it. It was mainly for the wifi hotspot for the kids but I just turn it on my phone. 100% agree due diligence needs to be made prior to such a large purchase.

Yup, like this from the Ram website listing the uConnect 4 (non-nav) as having HD radio...https://www.ramtrucks.com/uconnect/systems/2019/UAM.html

 

[smiles5619]

I did do my research knowing this was a overhaul from top to bottom. I knew what I was getting into. Even when I took the the truck for a test drive, the sales rep said it had one touch, keyless entry. I knew it did not as there was no button on the handle. Before buying, there was alot of hype early on about the 12inch screen. I don't ever recall seeing anything about NAV, no NAV and the differences in the two units as it pertained to other features. It's not a deal breaker for me either. It's the truck I wanted as it had most features I was looking for. Unless I was going to to pay a hell of a lot more to build one, I'm good. The purpose of these posts is to inform us folks as to if there is a way to upgrade the equipment down the road. Not seeing why there has to be mention on some perception that buyers didn't do their homework.

 

[AnthroMoto]

It did't bother me about not having the remote features as I didn't use them or NAV in my other Ram but what really pissed me off is that I don't have HD radio! It's 2019 and should be STANDARD! I find myself listening way more to my free year of sat radio now.

I am SO with you on this!!!!!! I enjoyed the additional channels that were available on HD radio. I also enjoyed the higher quality sound. This is one reason I do not listen to SirriusXM because the bandwidth is so narrow for the uplink/downlink that it noticeably reduces the audio quality. In other words, you do not get the full frequency response as you would on terrestrial radio. Perhaps that is why they put the CD players back in?

 

[AnthroMoto]

Yup, like this from the Ram website listing the uConnect 4 (non-nav) as having HD radio...https://www.ramtrucks.com/uconnect/systems/2019/UAM.html

I have argued this fact with FCA and they don't care. They tell me it does not come with HD as a canned response and refuse to acknowledge their own website states otherwise. I even screen captured this and sent it to them. They never responded.

 

[AnthroMoto]

I've search high and low on this issue. I have a 2019 Ram 8.4 w/o navigation. If I were to buy the 8.4c screen, will it be plug and play with all features? Or will I need to buy the 8.4c screen as well as the module that goes behind the screen?

It would be much more involved than just buying the different screen. The fascia is different as well. The non-nav is recessed while the nav unit is flush. Hopefully as time goes by this will be addressed by either FCA or aftermarket specialists. infotainment.com is probably the biggest resource, but they have not added the 2019 Ram 1500 to their list yet.

 

[AnthroMoto]

Infotainment.com is working on a solution right now. They have not yet released the upgrade kit, but you can put your name on a waiting list to be notified when the solution comes available. infotainment.com is probably the best resource to upgrade your non-nav unit to either the 8.4C Nav or even the 12C Nav, which is not available on the popular Big Horn edition. Here is the link to sign up: https://forms.zohopublic.com/infota...a/m7R2exajUQkfs2WJO8mkDzUcYC2HIt5WrUWxFICnigs

 

[Mo Power]

Honestly, my mind is STILL completely blown that the above stated facts are not obvious UNTIL the ink is dry on your contract and you go hunting around in the settings ONLY to find NAV and a black glossy finish are (by far) NOT the only things you gave up when you decided Non nav would do fine...

i am an owner of approx 15 RAMS in past 20 years) and with ALL of my research done PRIOR to purchasing my 2019, was absolutely 100% "astounded" when i found out (after the fact) that Sirius and Guardian had split into TWO entities and if your radio did NOT have an SOS button on the rear view mirror, you will NEVER n-e-v-e-r EVER have it.

This is a HUGE deal (but i'm in denial since i refuse to let THAT be the one drawback to my otherwise flawless & beautiful Black Beauty : ) but make NO MISTAKE, they 'crippled" that radio and never let on you were getting a watered down, barely capable system.

Even all the reviewers & salesman are NOT properly schooled, they are like, "with car Play & Android Auto, you don't need Nav... Um, yeah, ya do, IF you want to use your phone for unlocking, starting, hot spot, or theming, just to name a few....

What I would have done IF i were a MFG making such a huge change to insure my previous customers KNEW about such a significant downgrade is to have a DEMO mode message appear that said, "NOTE: Previous Uconnect Customers, be aware, a system with NO NAV will NOT offer ANY remote features....AND YOU CANNOT UPGRADE THIS SYSTEM EVER!!! Press I ACCEPT to continue".....

i know that's a "pipe dream" for them to be so candid," but had they, then i would have said, "whaaaaaa?! And instantly asked the RIGHT questions and subsequently bought the RIGHT radio, not this watered down, pathetic excuse for a Uconnect system... Even the name is a joke... You can't "connect" to ANYTHING.... ugh!

I mean, i don't think i'm way off base here....as consumers, we FREQUENTLY purchase appliances or audio equipment, phones etc, and IF u get home and find you bought a model that is missing features you truly want, you can pack it up, return it and pay more and get the RIGHT model...IF they were going to make SUCH a significant change and not ADVERTISE what a downgrade it truly was, at the very least they SHOULD have made an updated model be completely available should you want to fork out the money once you realize you have to have it.... Its the American way : )

This ball was dropped, wait, not dropped, this ball was punctured, obliterated, destroyed, and no way to continue playing UNLESS u get a $40,000+ NEW ball... REALLY?!

And yes, some say an upgrade will be available at some point, but honestly, you won't catch me going that route, i'm not gonna trade one set of regrets for another set of woes and pay MORE for the privelige....

Sorry for the rant, but its like "Slowly I Turn" every time i hear the words "Uconnect No Nav"...lol

I agree 100% with your statements! I too feel like I was sold a watered down system and I am very angry about it. I owned nothing but F150 trucks in the past and this issue makes me think twice about considering RAM again in the future. I don't care about NAV, but I did want to have LTE WIFI connectivity.

 

[skol]

I’m confused. I have the 8.4 Non-Nav. I’m good with it but if I wanted to replace it with the 12” screen can I?

 

[Lil Miss Always Wrong]

12 inch? no, that is impossible. And THAT i could sorta, kinda, & maybe, understand, a lot of moving parts there to go from a 8.4 to a 12. But to not even be able to "swap out" the 8.4 NON Nav unit for a 8.4 WITH Nav (when there was little to no mention of how completely different an experience it is), i find that "unforgiveable..." Slowly i turn, step by step...aaarrggghhhh! lol

(and you COULD add just "NAV" for the bargain price of about 800 bucks from the Serice Dept, but that's not what i would want. I would want the "remote features" and THAT cannot be upgraded)

 

[ksn240]

12 inch? no, that is impossible. And THAT i could sorta, kinda, & maybe, understand, a lot of moving parts there to go from a 8.4 to a 12. But to not even be able to "swap out" the 8.4 NON Nav unit for a 8.4 WITH Nav (when there was little to no mention of how completely different an experience it is), i find that "unforgiveable..." Slowly i turn, step by step...aaarrggghhhh! lol

(and you COULD add just "NAV" for the bargain price of about 800 bucks from the Serice Dept, but that's not what i would want. I would want the "remote features" and THAT cannot be upgraded)

You can’t just add nav anymore. It either has it or it doesn’t. No adding it after the fact. 4th gens it was possible but not now.

 

[Lil Miss Always Wrong]

You can’t just add nav anymore. It either has it or it doesn’t. No adding it after the fact. 4th gens it was possible but not now.

Well then this is new, because the minute i found out i had the "watered down " version, i called my Service Dealer and also have read here the dealer can send some software to your existing Non Nav radio and you will have NAVIGATION, just no other features. Did a quick search and it says is upgradeable but who knows, wouldn't surprise me...

 

[ksn240]

Well then this is new, because the minute i found out i had the "watered down " version, i called my Service Dealer and also have read here the dealer can send some software to your existing Non Nav radio and you will have NAVIGATION, just no other features. Did a quick search and it says is upgradeable but who knows, wouldn't surprise me...

View attachment 23134

That all changed with the 2019s. I know, I have the same system and was under the impression it could be added. It was even in Ram media/press releases that it was possible to add nav after the fact. It is not. It has been heavily discussed on this forum. The nav isn't such the big deal to me, it's the fact that you lose wifi capability and capability from your phone. I will likely be swapping it out in the future.

 

[Lil Miss Always Wrong]

Swapping out the truck? Let me tell you, we went looking this weekend & we wouldn't take nearly the hit i thought we would, we might be doing something here pretty quick... (unless u consider 5,000 a big hit, but if we extend out the financing to the original term, the note only increases 30 -40... That's not bad in my opinion. (Plus you have to know how to work them Sales Mgrs like i do till they are "begging for mercy" lol My husband almost feels sorry for them... (almost : )

 

[ksn240]

Swapping out the truck? Let me tell you, we went looking this weekend & we wouldn't take nearly the hit i thought we would, we might be doing something here pretty quick... (unless u consider 5,000 a big hit, but if we extend out the financing to the original term, the note only increases 30 -40... That's not bad in my opinion. (Plus you have to know how to work them Sales Mgrs like i do till they are "begging for mercy" lol My husband almost feels sorry for them... (almost : )

Nah just the radio. I did think about swapping the truck but it’s not really worth it to me. I’ve already leveled it, exhaust, speakers, tint, nerf bars, Bushwackers, new wheels and tires. I could swap everything over it’s just time consuming. Only things I really still have to do is drop in the Katzkin, a subwoofer, then a true lift. Plus so many people have been having issues, mine have been very minimal and minor, I don’t want to take that chance. I can drop in the leather, subwoofer, and change out to the 12” screen all for under 2k so it would be cheaper than swapping it out.

 

[Chippy]

This thread is funny. I’d like to know how anyone figures the unconnect Nav is remotely as good as google maps using CarPlay? I personally think only an idiot would pay for that and then extra for hotspot when my phone already does that. Not to mention the other mediocre apps unless you need to start your car for a very long way. How about using waze. Anybody here supporting the factory Nav as anything than crap is old period.

 

[Lil Miss Always Wrong]

Nah just the radio. I did think about swapping the truck but it’s not really worth it to me. I’ve already leveled it, exhaust, speakers, tint, nerf bars, Bushwackers, new wheels and tires. I could swap everything over it’s just time consuming. Only things I really still have to do is drop in the Katzkin, a subwoofer, then a true lift. Plus so many people have been having issues, mine have been very minimal and minor, I don’t want to take that chance. I can drop in the leather, subwoofer, and change out to the 12” screen all for under 2k so it would be cheaper than swapping it out.

You are so right about, "being you got a GOOD one" & not wanting to take the chance. That is my FIRST consideration as well, i got a "good one" too on my 2019, zero complaints! (welllll EXCEPT for that NAV "gotcha" grrrrr : )

My husband's 2019 on the other hand has had some issues, and THAT's the one we're thinking of upgrading. He's already done a few things to it as well, but he's the opposite of you, he LIVES to that stuff, so it wouldn't be a pain for him...lol

 

[Lil Miss Always Wrong]

This thread is funny. I’d like to know how anyone figures the unconnect Nav is remotely as good as google maps using CarPlay? I personally think only an idiot would pay for that and then extra for hotspot when my phone already does that. Not to mention the other mediocre apps unless you need to start your car for a very long way. How about using waze. Anybody here supporting the factory Nav as anything than crap is old period.

hi Chippy : )

I wouldn't go so far as to say i'm an idiot, but yes, on some levels using the alternatives to "on board Nav" are not only as good but better, but a tad less inconvenient, and truthfully, its more about the remote features, theming options & ESPECIALLY the "one touch SOS button" for me. In these crazy times, i prefer the security of knowing i have an the ability to hit one button vs "hoping i hooked my phone up when i got in or didn't leave my phone on my desk" is something i do miss.

And like others have said, its the frustration of 'NOT knowing i was giving those things up", as a prior owner of the Uconnect system in my previous 10 RAMS, i can't help but feel "snickered" that my Uconnect radio "looked liked a duck & walked like a duck" when i test drove, only to find out it didn't "quack like a duck" once i purchased....

 

[Rammit]

There is a small aesthetic feature about the 4C Nav vs 4C. The Uconnect faceplate on the 4C Nav is glossy and the screen is flush with the faceplate. The standard 4C is recessed a tad bit.

See attached for reference.

I’ve noticed that some screens are flush and others are not. Now I know why. I have the Nav unit and really like the look and the resolution and the flush glossy look. On a side note, I am amazed at the resolution of this radio and the quality of the back up camera. We have a 2017 Pacifica and the resolution doesn’t compare. I was also recently in my in laws edge and the radio looks slightly blurry.

 

[ksn240]

You are so right about, "being you got a GOOD one" & not wanting to take the chance. That is my FIRST consideration as well, i got a "good one" too on my 2019, zero complaints! (welllll EXCEPT for that NAV "gotcha" grrrrr : )

My husband's 2019 on the other hand has had some issues, and THAT's the one we're thinking of upgrading. He's already done a few things to it as well, but he's the opposite of you, he LIVES to that stuff, so it wouldn't be a pain for him...lol

Sorry to hear you’re having issues with one of them. I love doing al this stuff too, but my time is sometimes limited. I’ve got two little ones at home so there is always something going on. The risk of having issues is what’s kept me from doing it more than anything else. Even at that, the remaining features I want to add won’t cost me much to do myself.

 

[trev187]

Has anyone tried to swap the matte black trim to a glossy with flush screen trim from the NAV unit? Really like the looks of the glossy black nav trim.