Swap BCM from 2019 to 2022 for New Features?

[guitarjesus]

Nope. Just the shifter knob that needed switched out.

Is that on any model, or was that a 4wd issue?

 

[Daverous]

Just my 4wd had issues. Still shifted fine.

 

[guitarjesus]

So now that we know that the BCM for a 21-23 can definitely be swapped into a 19-20 model year, are we able to program the upfitter switches to work, or is that a no go?

Calling on @Jimmy07

 

[Abhi.K]

Im fairly new to this stuff but i did read different things on hd and trx forums regarding the bcm swap in 19-20 ram. Is it possible to do it without going to the dealer? I read some people say their programmer did the trick of pairing rf hub and someone also mentioned trying to add a new key fob after new bcm install and config restore would do the trick.

The only reason i hate to go to my dealership is they do a lot of shady stuff and keep making up issues that aren’t there when i initially bought in the truck.

I have a 19 Ram 1500 laramie

I got a 2023 brand new bcm ready to be installed and would like to do it myself if possible

Thanks for any info

 

[vincentw56]

Im fairly new to this stuff but i did read different things on hd and trx forums regarding the bcm swap in 19-20 ram. Is it possible to do it without going to the dealer? I read some people say their programmer did the trick of pairing rf hub and someone also mentioned trying to add a new key fob after new bcm install and config restore would do the trick.

The only reason i hate to go to my dealership is they do a lot of shady stuff and keep making up issues that aren’t there when i initially bought in the truck.

I have a 19 Ram 1500 laramie

I got a 2023 brand new bcm ready to be installed and would like to do it myself if possible

Thanks for any info

Unless you have the same equipment as the dealer, you will not be able to do this on your own.

 

[Mr. Chow]

I just went through this. The Dealership or someone with access needs to do it. There is a code that is required that is revolving/random. They, Dealership, have to put the configuration onto it. Then they will have to recent a few modules to start up the Can-Bus communication. It sucks - but worth not bricking a BCM/ECU

For everyone else - I just successfully got a 2021 BCM (68496414AE) into my 2019 Ram. With the 360 Tow Mirrors, everything works as advertised, to include the LED. Of not the Dealership (Which is how they have to do it) will configure your BCM with the 2019 Model year attached. My Softkeys locked up (Experienced during the installation of the 360 Tow Mirrors), so I had to go into the BCM and update it to a 2021. The due a RCU Reset within Alpha OBD and all function came back.

@vincentw56 and @Jimmy07 for the R&D on this.

I do have a U014D (Lost Communication with Mirror Control Module "B") that I am trying to track down. As all items seem to be working on the Mirrors (Lights, adjustment when flipped, 360 camera, BSM, etc.), @vincentw56 not sure if you saw this as well within AlphaOBD when scanning for faults. I am guessing there is a module still within the 2019 that doesn't like the 2021 BCM. Also not sure if this is what plays into the dimming issue with swapping to the DRVM?

*Resolved the U014D Code. As soon as I installed the DRVM it went away. It was because I had it enabled when I moved the configuration over to my 2021, and so the 2021 BCM was looking for it before I got it installed yesterday.

 

[Abhi.K]

I just went through this. The Dealership or someone with access needs to do it. There is a code that is required that is revolving/random. They have to put the configuration onto it. Then they will have to recent a few modules to start up the Can-Bus communication. It sucks - but worth not bricking a BCM/ECU

For everyone else - I just successfully got a 2021 BCM (68496414AE) into my 2019 Ram. With the 360 Tow Mirrors, everything works as advertised, to include the LED. Of not the Dealership (Which is how they have to do it) will configure your BCM with the 2019 Model year attached. My Softkeys locked up (Experienced during the installation of the 360 Tow Mirrors), so I had to go into the BCM and update it to a 2021. The due a RCU Reset within Alpha OBD and all function came back.

@vincentw56 and @Jimmy07 for the R&D on this.

I do have a U014D (Lost Communication with Mirror Module "B") that I am trying to track down. As all items seem to be working on the Mirrors (Lights, adjustment when flipped, 360 camera, BSM, etc.), @vincentw56 not sure if you saw this as well within AlphaOBD when scanning for faults

How much did the dealership charge you for BCM reprogramming? I know prices vary but i wanna get a rough estimate so they won’t rip me off like usual lol

Thanks for sharing the info.

 

[Mr. Chow]

They Charged $150 - Make sure they are not troubleshooting it. You solely want the BCM you bought directly from dealership to be installed. You are fine with the Vehicle Original Config (They won't add any options that were not documented / recorded onto the VIN)

 

[Abhi.K]

They Charged $150 - Make sure they are not troubleshooting it. You solely want the BCM you bought directly from dealership to be installed. You are fine with the Vehicle Original Config (They won't add any options that were not documented / recorded onto the VIN)

Got it. Thanks. The bcm has been the biggest pain point to doing any upgrades on 19-20 ram.

I did find a YouTube video and a website selling CDA6 with micropod 2 and files upto 2022 models

GC MicroPod2, CDA6 OFFLINE, 231GB of Flash programming Files, Remote T

If its real its definitely worth it lol but im just skeptical since i never heard of them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mr. Chow]

Got it. Thanks. The bcm has been the biggest pain point to doing any upgrades on 19-20 ram.

I did find a YouTube video and a website selling CDA6 with micropod 2 and files upto 2022 models

GC MicroPod2, CDA6 OFFLINE, 231GB of Flash programming Files, Remote T

If its real its definitely worth it lol but im just skeptical since i never heard of them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So the issue I think you will run into is I know for a fact he had to login into the MOPAR Service Website, unlock the BCM from ship, Use a newly generated code to just get the BCM to wake-up and start talking. After that he had to do some more work to get all the modules to do a "Handshake" to start communicating across the Can-Bus.

You spent the money on the BCM, I wouldn't risk bricking it

 

[Abhi.K]

UPDATE: I was able to get my truck in with a good dealer and they were able to get the 2023 BCM programmed to it.

The first dealer i called scheduled an appointment but i was skeptical of them since they always try to rip you off. The person on phone said to get your OWN parts if you want to as you already know what is required. I had to tell them that my old BCM was water damaged when they tinted my windows. Luckily i was there at the dealership a week ago for inspection and then got the window and windshield tinted.

I know this was too good to be true so i asked to speak to service advisor and sure enough he said we CANNOT do customer parts and warranty them. I said that the previous person said i can and also I’m NOT looking for any warranty. He said they wanted to diagnose it for atleast 200$ and then they will do the BCM replace and programming for atleast 1000$. I asked why the 1000$ and he goes well the BCM alone is 600$+ and dash gotta come apart so labor and stuff lmao i said well ok then i will go to parts department in dealership and pay and order for the BCM and he goes to say they can’t accept that part because its ordered by different department and its the same as me bringing my own part I knew he was lying and they always do this so i just ended up calling a dealership that was 45mins away and they didn’t ask a single thing or complain about me bring my own BCM.

I was in and out within an hour. I just took the truck to them and they said to park at a certain spot since i told them i just wanted the BCM programmed and nothing else done. They asked me to install the new BCM which i did. You do not have to remove the old BCM. You will however need to disconnect some of the cable clips holding wires onto old BCM and there is one clip right below the BCM bolts. I have pictures of both BCM and that one clip might need you to pull that plastic side panel.



IMPORTANT: Make sure to have the BCM connectors seated properly. They are a bit tricky. I was messing with them before and it is possible for them to seem like they are locked in but they weren’t and not making a good connection. The connector clip on top that folds over to latch needs to be in open position before you even try plugging in the latching connectors. Here is an image of it. You want the latches down all the way almost touching the BCM.



Once the programming is done everything works except your shifter drive selection part. You will notice all the drive modes lights are out and none of the buttons works. This is expected and you will need a new shifter module from 2021+ truck. I replaced that as well. You just have to pull the radio screen out and plastic piece around the shifter. Then it’s just 4 screws. Replace that and you are good to go.




Here are the costs and part number:

2023 BCM 68584071AG - 250$
2022 shifter 68503734AC - 80$
Dealer BCM programming - 184$



For all those wondering i have a 19 RAM 1500 Laramie with uconnect 4.

There are no lights on dash and everything works as expected so a 2023 BCM is fully compatible and i recommend going to a 2023 atleast since you will eventually wanna get digital cluster and all other new features of uconnect 5. You can say NO now but deep down you know one day its gonna happen thats how it always goes

DO NOT LET DEALERSHIPS RIP YOU OFF FOR THE PROGRAMMING WORST CASE IT WILL COST YOU 200$ish

Thanks to [mention]Jimmy07 [/mention] [mention]vincentw56 [/mention] [mention]Mr. Chow [/mention] for all their inputs and contributions.