Audio Steering Controls Retrofit

[TheKingOfHearts]

Alright folks,

So I traded my 2019 2500 gasser big horn (with a bunch of options) for a 3500 Dually Tradesman CTD (with a bunch of options..)

No real complaints, I miss my console, and somewhat the Alpine.

But I was amazed when I went to change tracks and realised the Tradesman doesn’t have steering wheel audio controls. On a $61K truck! What gives!?!

Anyway - it is what it is, but I REALLY miss this, and frankly find it unsafe skipping a bunch of tracks from uConnect.

Anyone have any experience retrofitting the controls? Still can’t believe this is needed..

 

[Jsrunnlus]

Someone over at allmoparparts.com mention there is an update showing more parts of the 2019+ steering wheels are populating the parts lists now and they are seeking someone to verify the ability to upgrade the audio controls.

 

[Jimmy07]

Alright folks,

So I traded my 2019 2500 gasser big horn (with a bunch of options) for a 3500 Dually Tradesman CTD (with a bunch of options..)

No real complaints, I miss my console, and somewhat the Alpine.

But I was amazed when I went to change tracks and realised the Tradesman doesn’t have steering wheel audio controls. On a $61K truck! What gives!?!

Anyway - it is what it is, but I REALLY miss this, and frankly find it unsafe skipping a bunch of tracks from uConnect.

Anyone have any experience retrofitting the controls? Still can’t believe this is needed..

It’s not possible to retro install the switches into a 2019+ HD steering wheel the way that it was able to be done on the 4th gens. The entire back of the non radio control steering wheel is all solid foam, so it would have to be cut/dug out, and the switch pods would have to be glued in, somehow. Otherwise, you need the steering wheel that already has the switches.

 

[Jsrunnlus]

"There's been some new developments as the steering wheel back cover is now shown as a serviceable part" - 7/20/2020

 

[Jimmy07]

"There's been some new developments as the steering wheel back cover is now shown as a serviceable part" - 7/20/2020

I have one on the bench right now from a tradesman that I’m going to swap into my 4th gen. Tomorrow, I’ll disassemble every piece possible, and show pics as to why they can’t be retroed in (as far as swapping parts).

 

[TheKingOfHearts]

I'm thinking I'll just replace the entire steering wheel, that should work too, right?

 

[Jsrunnlus]

That is the easiest way. Sounds like Jimmy07 will be able to provide some photos of what the dealer is looking for to examine hot the newer parts will swap out.

 

[Jimmy07]

That is the easiest way. Sounds like Jimmy07 will be able to provide some photos of what the dealer is looking for to examine hot the newer parts will swap out.

Here’s a 2019 tradesman steering wheel-

Everything removed from the wheel-

Here’s the back of the wheel taken apart as far as possible. The locations of the radio switch pods include the screw hole area, where a screw goes through into the back of the front left and right steering wheel switches, “clamping” them together. This area is solid foam, but on a wheel with radio controls, it would be manufactured to accept the switch pods-

Here’s the front of the wheel, with arrows pointing to where the switch pod wire pigtails come through to be plugged into the wheel harness-

 

[JNAIL89]

Is this upgrade available yet. Or does the 2019 kit fit the 2020?

 

[Jimmy07]

See the posts directly above yours, where I explain how there is no kit because you can’t add them to a wheel that doesn’t have them. You need a whole new steering wheel to get the radio controls.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

See the posts directly above yours, where I explain how there is no kit because you can’t add them to a wheel that doesn’t have them. You need a whole new steering wheel to get the radio controls.

Apart from the wheel is the rest of the harness able to support the audio controls or did they leave out the connectors for them

 

[Chrisminx]

Here's the steering wheel from a 2019 1500 with the radio button cutouts. It could be possible to retrofit if someone's good with a xacto knife.

 

[Jimmy07]

Apart from the wheel is the rest of the harness able to support the audio controls or did they leave out the connectors for them

All wiring and connectors exist for any wheel to be plugged into the steering column control module.

 

[Chrisminx]

So do the non-radio button wheels have the button wiring already or does that have to be sourced also?

 

[Jimmy07]

So do the non-radio button wheels have the button wiring already or does that have to be sourced also?

Since there is no such thing as a “kit”, you would buy the buttons and the whole wheel harness that has the connectors for the radio controls.

 

[sdu]

Since there is no such thing as a “kit”, you would buy the buttons and the whole wheel harness that has the connectors for the radio controls.

I had not seen a report that the audio control will work on a truck that doesn't come factory-equipped with it, not on the current gen. Can anyone confirm that?

 

[UpInSm0kE]

I swapped in a steering wheel from a big horn on my tradesman and the audio buttons work with no issues.

 

[sdu]

I swapped in a steering wheel from a big horn on my tradesman and the audio buttons work with no issues.

Glad to know. Thanks for the reply!

 

[sra2ssgt]

Does anyone happen to have the correct part number for the steering wheel that has the spot for radio controls to be installed?

 

[sdu]

Does anyone happen to have the correct part number for the steering wheel that has the spot for radio controls to be installed?

6WR73TX7AA
I got the part number from a parts guy from another forum. I gave him the VIN of a bighorn that comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel so it should be correct.
Although I haven't actually bought it yet... Still waiting for my truck to arrive.