I've kept an eye on iDatalink. Their Maestro RR product provides replacement for factory radios. To date, they do not yet have a product for the Uconnect 8.4.
They now have a harness for the 2013 and 2014 Dodge RAM. The harness specifications includes the Uconnect 8.4.
12VGuy from iDatalink is around sometimes. If they did find an answer, then I can see Alpine jumping in quickly with trim kit. Do be prepared is not going to be cheap. But, it will be far better. Alpine as of now use IGO Primo for their maps with the H.E.R.E map database.
I will try giving them a call to see what I can learn.
They said they are still looking into it. To me that means it might be a costly affair. It might require more to reconfigure the harness then expected. If it happens, my gut feeling is the Kenwood is going to better for JGC. The question is worth the effort and get back enough revenue for ADS to make a profit.
I am sure 12VGy is going to chime within the coming weeks.
Well, they released RR-CHR03-DS which supports the 2013 and 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a Base radio and the 8.4N on the 2013, 2014, and 2015 Dodge RAM trucks.
The question is, just how much difference is there between the Uconnect 8.4N on the Dodge and the one on the Jeep? If the interface is the same, then that just leaves the harness.
I'm just hoping that, if they put this much effort into the R&D for the Dodge 8.4N Unconnect interface, developing it for the Jeep 8.4AN would be relatively easy and inexpensive.
Curious is it is possible to (easily) swap in the MY11-13 bezel into the MY14-up... Would give you the ability to swap in any double DIN you wish including the 8/9" Alpine units.
I've kept an eye on iDatalink. Their Maestro RR product provides replacement for factory radios. To date, they do not yet have a product for the Uconnect 8.4.
They now have a harness for the 2013 and 2014 Dodge RAM. The harness specifications includes the Uconnect 8.4.
We are in the design process for two dash kits - one for the Grand Cherokee and one for the Cherokee that would work with the CH3 software solution and allow replacement of the any of the factory radios, including the 8.4 inch. However, the kit will be built to support standard 2DIN aftermarket radio so you'd be replacing 8.4 with at most a 7". BTW, our software is compatible today and we plan to add the cars to the website so that people who want to fabricate their own dash panel (good 12V shops would be able to rebuild the OEM panel to accommodate a new radio) can do so with the CH3 (HRN-RR-CH3) harness today.
Will try to connect to this forum more often now that we have something to talk about.
The best way of going about this would first reading iDatalink website which is posted by the OP. Just read the iDatalink Mastero information that is described in all the link just to get familiarized with product first. You see that their is a link to the various different aftermarket headunits. For now, plug-in the Kenwood, simply because they access most of the auto functions that you will need, i.e.: the HVAC system.
Then I would go to Kenwood's site to check out how they integrate with the Mastero. Pioneer right now in the 2nd generation of the NEX line of headunits does not have any ability to integrate into the auto functions. Alpine is working on expanding into it as well.
Right now, if iDatalink comes out with solution in the near future, based on today's current performance, IMHO, I would stick with either Kenwood or Alpine. All three will eventually support both Apples's CarPlay or Googles Android Auto. Kenwood uses the GPS in-dash systems from Garmin and depending which unit, it varies. For example, the top of line Kenwood 992 uses Garmin best GPS Software which is basically same from the PND 3597 and their Navi App. While Alpine and Pioneer uses IGO Primo. Both of these companies use their basic map database from H.E.R.E. Then each of this companies have their own add-ins from various sources.
It is confusing at first, but given time it does start make sense. As the product for the 2014+ 8.4 Uconnect systems from ADS, the makers of iDatalink Mastero, goes on sale, they will provide more information. The tech support department has an outstanding reputation. And I am sure that 12volt Guy will provide more info as the time comes.
Anyone try this on a 15 JGC? I'm interested and willing to invest. Just want to make sure that I can have climate control functionally as well as retain factory backup camera. Added bonus would be able to access Uconnect media like SD card or USB
Right now, only the Alpine units will have Uconnect builtin. The 009 series and I am not sure on the 008's. Modifications to the trim will most likely have to occur.
If you can wait it out for another year, the new models will be out. Hopefully, they will have the higher res screens.
For some reason, I'm not holding my breath on a res update ☺. My understanding is that ever if the x009 has Uconnect built in, the 14 and 15 models won't allow Uconnect functionality since it's built into the deck.
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