Hey guys, I am new here and hope I am not posting in the wrong section or asking something not allowed. I am looking to purchase a used 2014 Cherokee Trailhawk in the near future due to issues with my current Subaru and not wanting to put money into head gaskets that will fail again etc.

One question I have is regarding the nav in the 8.4 Uconnect. I know nav control and DVD playing is disabled due to safetey reasons but I am wondering if there is any way to get around this in case of needing to change directions while moving etc. In my previous aftermarket head unit there was a cable I could ground and essentially bypassed these lockouts. Wondering if there is something similar on these units or any software things I can do to get around it. I read something about a "lockpick" but not sure if it would be compatible with the car I am looking at, and looks quite expensive but if it is the only option I may do it. I could always move over my existing head unit I'm sure but I like the bigger screen of the stock one and all the built in features etc would be nice to not swap it out.

 

Yes, they make a "Lockpick" kit that enables these features. I'm jealous of Subie owners who can input destinations while driving (or at least let their front passenger do it for them). Although I'm not recommending that for safety reasons.

In terms of replacing the currently-installed head unit, it's more complicated then it seems. Due to the Cherokee having a Fiat-based ECU (computer unit), it has to have a "Proxi Alignment" (ECU programming) done to it once it is installed (plus you have to have the new unit programmed to your specific VIN). Only Chrysler dealers and some car stereo shops who specialize in factory radio upgrades can do this. And yeah, you'll lose features if you install an aftermarket radio.

Although the safe option is to use the VR (Voice Recognition) button on the steering wheel and say "Navigate To", followed by the full address, city, state, and ZIP code. Then all you have to do is hit the big green 'GO!' button on the touchscreen. It'll also confirm the destination by speaking it back to you, I believe, as well. My dad is bad with voice recognition systems, and he finds the one in my '14 Grand Cherokee with the 8.4N (RA4) U Connect easy to speak to and it understands him pretty darned well. All Chrysler nav systems are Garmin-based, so if you've ever owned a Garmin nav system, you'll recognize the UI (User Interface) right away. If not, it's VERY easy to learn.

You'll want to look for a Cherokee with the RA4 U Connect (8.4AN) system, as Cherokees with the RA4 U Connect (8.4A NON-navigation) units CAN have GPS nav installed, BUT most owners choose not to do so (my boss has a '14 RAM 1500 with the RA3, and the P.O. (Previous Owner) of his truck chose to have it installed). Plus, the RA4 gives you Sirius XM Traffic Link and shows the highway entrance/exit signs and lanes onscreen, as well as a 3D landmarks, whereas the RA3 does NOT, even if you install nav (which is an expensive and time-consuming process, BTW). The nav will also show up, in most Cherokees with the color gauge cluster screen, in the center of the gauge cluster when a route is active as well.

Hope this helps give you some insight.

-Vince