Let's Talk About Uconnect Version 5

[869 KPH]

Some of you may know that one of the reasons I was willing to hold for MY22 to drop was for the potential of Uconnect Version 5 to come with it. The argument against this is something like:

Just like people who wait for the latest greatest cell phone. There is a new feature that comes out e every quarter... if you keep waiting you will wait forever.

or

What's so special about UC5 that everyone is getting wet or their boxers in a bunch over?

If you're so tech driven......think you're looking at the wrong platform (shrugs)

(guys, I appreciate the thoughts and opinions. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying I hope you are, lol).

My answer to this is that if I'm paying more than 50 grand for a modern vehicle, it should come with the same tech as a fleet-only Chrysler minivan. Now I also know that Jeeps are special, and the JK had to deal with its own share of tech-shunning. But this is the future. I want a head unit that something like the tazer can make come to life. I'm thinking android apps, multiple cameras, you name it. The Bronco should be shaking things up for us in some very good ways; the tech in that platform is amazing.

Finally made it over to the auto show this morning. This was our first time seeing the full-size Bronco in person. I have lots of thoughts here, and a picture dump. I really wanted this year's trip to the show to be all about the Jeep I was going to order, but as we all know - July 14 turned out to be a flop. Seeing and playing with the (Grand) Wagoneer was pretty cool though!
...

Incredible camera system. This is a split view of FL and FR tires.

Bird's eye view. Amazing.

You combine that with some of the language in Stellantis' press, and it's understandable why an informed buyer would think Uc5 on a JL/JT should happen sooner rather than later:

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are currently available on more than 80 percent of FCA’s North American applications. Uconnect 5 will bring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to 100 percent of FCA’s North American offerings.

(Note that this says carplay will be universal, not Uc5)

I posted this earlier today:

Alright, took a few days to cool off and now I'm back to waiting until something interesting does happen with the '22s. My current wishful thinking is that they made the 8.4 UC4c unit standard on upper trims because they know eventually they will add a more expensive UC5 option to the list. Total tinfoil hat is that the MY22s will have a different wiring harness in a few places to accommodate both UC 4c and 5. Quite a few pages back I hypothesized that they were restricting the proximity option because the chip was changing / integrating with UC5 and they needed to hoard some things. Hoping that was the right guess.

This has really got me thinking about whether or not I'm crazy. (answer: yes, but not for this particular thread). So, I'll leave you with this nugget before I ask for your collective thoughts and opinions on the subject: The 2022 Ram and Ram Classic are switching to Uc5. Uc5 is going in an existing platform, replacing an existing radio in an existing dash and without changing the screen size. Uc5 is available in an 8.4" size. The question I'm leading to has already been asked on a Ram forum:

So- there you go. If the Ram guys can get Uc5 to work with their older trucks, we may have a great answer about our future with Uc5. Maybe some things will shake out with MY22 that a few subtle changes were made to the BCM or similar, paving the way for Uc5. Who knows? Not me, hell maybe not even Jeep. But if they want to stay in the game, they will have to figure it out.

Some discussion topics:
- Will Uconnect 5 ever come to the JL/JT?
- If it does, will it be a mid-year thing like the XR, half-doors, 392, etc?
- Is a 'midcycle refresh' actually happening in 2023 to include Uc5, or is that pushed out now too?
- How good are the wifi dongles for the Uc4c unit?
- Will something like tire cameras get added?

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[j.o.y.ride]

thanks for the update

 

[Phishs]

Some of you may know that one of the reasons I was willing to hold for MY22 to drop was for the potential of Uconnect Version 5 to come with it. The argument against this is something like:


or
(guys, I appreciate the thoughts and opinions. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying I hope you are, lol).

My answer to this is that if I'm paying more than 50 grand for a modern vehicle, it should come with the same tech as a fleet-only Chrysler minivan. Now I also know that Jeeps are special, and the JK had to deal with its own share of tech-shunning. But this is the future. I want a head unit that something like the tazer can make come to life. I'm thinking android apps, multiple cameras, you name it. The Bronco should be shaking things up for us in some very good ways; the tech in that platform is amazing.



You combine that with some of the language in Stellantis' press, and it's understandable why an informed buyer would think Uc5 on a JL/JT should happen sooner rather than later:

(Note that this says carplay will be universal, not Uc5)

I posted this earlier today:



This has really got me thinking about whether or not I'm crazy. (answer: yes, but not for this particular thread). So, I'll leave you with this nugget before I ask for your collective thoughts and opinions on the subject: The 2022 Ram and Ram Classic are switching to Uc5. Uc5 is going in an existing platform, replacing an existing radio in an existing dash and without changing the screen size. Uc5 is available in an 8.4" size. The question I'm leading to has already been asked on a Ram forum:

So- there you go. If the Ram guys can get Uc5 to work with their older trucks, we may have a great answer about our future with Uc5. Maybe some things will shake out with MY22 that a few subtle changes were made to the BCM or similar, paving the way for Uc5. Who knows? Not me, hell maybe not even Jeep. But if they want to stay in the game, they will have to figure it out.

I ordered my 21 with the 7” and if they come with a 8.4 UC5 that can be upgraded in mine, I will go that route. Hopefully they do. It’s not impossible to think Jeep will release it during the model year as well. We shall see.

 

[BAT]

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on them to release it

 

[Trickster]

It will happen….eventually.
First they have to get rid of all the NOS.?

 

[Speedy_12139]

I've been patiently waiting for Uc5 before I get into a new Jeep...

 

[spectre6000]

It will happen. No question. They've said as much. When is a mystery. Mid-cycle refresh....? Not impossible. No clue on likelihood. I stated my thoughts on the mid-cycle/MY23 in the rumors thread.

I had one of the wireless CarPlay dongles (there are only two, and they're identical save the logo) in my ZR2. It was great when it worked. It often didn't. One of my many reliability issues with that truck involved replacing the entire infotainment center. I'm not completely convinced it wasn't the dongle's fault. I certainly wasn't the only person running one in that world, and was the only person that seemed to be having the issues I was having, but I noticed pretty late in the game that removing it would stop one of the major symptoms.

 

[Undecided]

Honestly I use Apple Car Play 99% of the time. Looking up what Uc5 has I don’t really see any need for it.

sure it’s a redesign and updates maybe easier. But even if I have it my radio will sit at the car play screen the whole time still. Which will look the same.

I am pretty content with UC4 and stability.

I am also not too sold on the wireless car play.For wireless charging you still have to take your phone out and sit it the specific spot. Not much different than taking it out for the cable.

Plus for wireless car play to work doesn’t it require it to be placed on the wireless charger? I think it does. My cable is tucked well enough I feel my dash is “clean”.

as for unlocking it, I wouldn’t expect to be able to do much. There’s probably going to be a ton of “firewall” kind of designs to block it. Both from Jeep and Phone manufacturers. Safety/security/laws.

might be awhile before someone can crack it. And if you do I’d bet every warranty is gone.

Ha sorry. After all that I didn’t answer your questions.

-Will Uconnect 5 ever come to the JL/JT?
I’m sure it will at some point.

- If it does, will it be a mid-year thing like the XR, half-doors, 392, etc?
This is pure speculation but doubt it. Seems like a big enough change. But no one but Jeep knows.

- Is a 'midcycle refresh' actually happening in 2023 to include Uc5, or is that pushed out now too?
I doubt anyone knows.

- How good are the wifi dongles for the Uc4c unit?
Can update this soon. It doesn’t work too well in a KL we have as it seems to power it all the time so phone keeps jumping off home wifi to the dongle and it’s annoying. Moving it to the Jt this week.

- Will something like tire cameras get added?
not sure anyone knows

- Will something like tire cameras get added?
Not sure anyone knows.

 

[spectre6000]

Wireless CarPlay does not require the phone to be placed on a charger. At least it didn't when I used it in my ZR2 via a dongle. Works just fine in your pocket.

 

[Sank]

So. Slightly old thread but worthy of new life. Looks like the newest thread on the topic.

News is that UC5 is in the 2024 model year. Will it be able to be installed in 23 and 22 models? Slightly rhetoric since it's only September, but still. Want to upgrade.

 

[Sank]

So. Slightly old thread but worthy of new life. Looks like the newest thread on the topic.

News is that UC5 is in the 2024 model year. Will it be able to be installed in 23 and 22 models? Slightly rhetoric since it's only September, but still. Want to upgrade.

 

[Jimmy07]

So. Slightly old thread but worthy of new life. Looks like the newest thread on the topic.

News is that UC5 is in the 2024 model year. Will it be able to be installed in 23 and 22 models? Slightly rhetoric since it's only September, but still. Want to upgrade.

The UC5 radio itself would work as a retrofit with a set of custom adapter cables, but installing it would be a challenge. Sub-dash structure would need to be swapped, along with the three upper dash panels. Then, since the vents are no longer on each side of the screen, the hvac ductwork would need to be swapped.
Also, if the factory trail camera is equipped on the vehicle that the UC5 is getting swapped into, the CVPM will also have to be swapped out.

 

[BearFootSam]

Honestly I use Apple Car Play 99% of the time. Looking up what Uc5 has I don’t really see any need for it.

sure it’s a redesign and updates maybe easier. But even if I have it my radio will sit at the car play screen the whole time still. Which will look the same.

I am pretty content with UC4 and stability.

I am also not too sold on the wireless car play.For wireless charging you still have to take your phone out and sit it the specific spot. Not much different than taking it out for the cable.

Plus for wireless car play to work doesn’t it require it to be placed on the wireless charger? I think it does. My cable is tucked well enough I feel my dash is “clean”.

as for unlocking it, I wouldn’t expect to be able to do much. There’s probably going to be a ton of “firewall” kind of designs to block it. Both from Jeep and Phone manufacturers. Safety/security/laws.

might be awhile before someone can crack it. And if you do I’d bet every warranty is gone.

Ha sorry. After all that I didn’t answer your questions.

-Will Uconnect 5 ever come to the JL/JT?
I’m sure it will at some point.

- If it does, will it be a mid-year thing like the XR, half-doors, 392, etc?
This is pure speculation but doubt it. Seems like a big enough change. But no one but Jeep knows.

- Is a 'midcycle refresh' actually happening in 2023 to include Uc5, or is that pushed out now too?
I doubt anyone knows.

- How good are the wifi dongles for the Uc4c unit?
Can update this soon. It doesn’t work too well in a KL we have as it seems to power it all the time so phone keeps jumping off home wifi to the dongle and it’s annoying. Moving it to the Jt this week.

- Will something like tire cameras get added?
not sure anyone knows

- Will something like tire cameras get added?
Not sure anyone knows.

The famous Jeep ride quality and persnickety wireless charging aren’t friends. I just imagine the phone bouncing away. There also isn’t much dead space to put one. The Jeep interior is ‘efficient’, not spacious.

 

[ecidiego]

The UC5 radio itself would work as a retrofit with a set of custom adapter cables, but installing it would be a challenge. Sub-dash structure would need to be swapped, along with the three upper dash panels. Then, since the vents are no longer on each side of the screen, the hvac ductwork would need to be swapped.
Also, if the factory trail camera is equipped on the vehicle that the UC5 is getting swapped into, the CVPM will also have to be swapped out.

Imagine the DIY thread on this...

I sure ain't gonna be doing it!

 

[Phishs]

Boys...your wait is over.

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