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Upgrading Touch Screens (8.4 to 10.1)

Riviera

Well-known member
When you go into a dealership and ask about swapping radios, you'll hear an audible collective groan followed by "no". There are many reasons this is not practical including the fact that your radio is also somewhat of a body control module, with all the hvac controls and settings management. Not to mention that the 10.1 is expensive and you'd also have to buy the core because your 8.4 won't count as a core for the new radio. Furthermore, you'd have no warranty on the 10.1 because it's not how the vehicle left the factory. This is my long-winded way of saying DON'T. Just don't. You're getting into a huge expensive mess
 

Moparian

Member
When you go into a dealership and ask about swapping radios, you'll hear an audible collective groan followed by "no". There are many reasons this is not practical including the fact that your radio is also somewhat of a body control module, with all the hvac controls and settings management. Not to mention that the 10.1 is expensive and you'd also have to buy the core because your 8.4 won't count as a core for the new radio. Furthermore, you'd have no warranty on the 10.1 because it's not how the vehicle left the factory. This is my long-winded way of saying DON'T. Just don't. You're getting into a huge expensive mess
LOL. Its entirely possible and doesnt require you to do anything with the idiot dealers other than possibly purchasing parts. While I don't have the specifics for the L its almost certain you can relatively easily add the 10.1 to something with the 8.4 especially since they are both UC5. For certain you would at the bare minimum need the 10.1" screen module and the corresponding dash trim piece. Other things you might need are the radio control unit, wiring harness and perhaps a GPS antenna if the Altitude/Laredo doesnt already have one. Coming from the Ram world people upgrade to the 12.1" screen all of the time, hell they've even figured out how to add the 12.1 into the 4th gen trucks(prior generation). I am currently waiting on the parts to add the 8.4 Uconnect 5 into my Challenger which comes with the Uconnect 4 system.
 

Phoenix494

Well-known member
All I can hear is Ching Ching of the cash register. Is it really worth the cost of the conversion and will it even work to your satisfaction. Will you still get updates? Unless Jeep specifically provides a factory option to migrate to 10.1 I would not take the risk.
 

Riviera

Well-known member
For people upgrading the 10.1 all the time, I've never seen one. I know it's been done. I personally wouldn't touch a Ram that's been radio-swapped. Plus, with their being about 40 times the number of Rams out there, there's probably aftermarket support that I doubt you'll find on the Grand Cherokee. But since it's entirely possible, it sounds like this is something you should do. I've seen Wranglers on 24" wheels. so that can be done too.
 
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