I have the 430 REN radio in my 09 GCV with the U-connect buttons but no U-connect, so I decided to add the U-connect feature.
Quick info, if you have the NAV, then the U-connect is actually integrated into the radio itself, so no U-connect module. But for every other factory radio that has U-connect, there is a module located underneath the driver side dash, above and aft of the parking brake lever.
These modules can be found at the local junkyard (if you find one with it anyway), if it has the radio with the U-connect buttons, it may have it (except the nav radio). And if the radio has been removed, look for the center connector, which I will link below, only vans with U-connect will have the center connector.
Edit: Programming is necessary to enable the hands free function. This can be done VIA a dealer adding the hands free programming to your vehicle config, through a CD that inserts into your radio and programs it, or using appcar FCA or Alford OBD (which each program costs 50USD per vehicle VIN)
The auto dimming center mirror does not require programming, it just needs a power and a ground to work.
![59230]()
So, removal and installation is easy, the U-connect module itself has it's own harness, which may be held onto the main harness at 2 points with a zip tie. The necessary wiring is already present in your van, with all the required connectors.
What you will need is, the U-connect module, 1 cross screw, the wiring harness from the module to the radio, an auto dimming center rear view mirror, and the wiring for the auto mirror. The mike is integrated into the center mirror, and it has a connector behind the A-pillar which splits off for the U-connect wiring.
![59231]()
![59232]()
I don't have attached photos for the rear view mirror, or the wiring for it (as it has been installed a few months back), but it is quite simple. Above the parking brake, there is a connector taped to the main harness, it will be either grey or white, make sure the color matches your van.
The wiring will run from that connector, behind the felt and up to the driver A-pillar, and it will be zip tied to a few support places along the way. I suggest cutting the felt, then cut the zip ties off the harness to release the wiring, pulling will result in cuts. Once at the A-pillar, there will be a connector where the U-connect wires split off from the auto mirror wires.
From there, the wiring runs up the A-pillar, then to the mirror itself.
Next comes the actual U-connect wiring. As pictured in the first photo, the module sits just above and aft of the parking brake. It is held in by a plastic tree type holder on the far side from the driver, and the closes one is held in by a cross screw.
The wiring leads from the unit, to the A-pillar connector mentioned above which leads to the mike on the center rear view mirror. Wires split off for the radio just before that, and head to right above the steering wheel shaft, where there are 2 connectors on the donor van, and 1 connector on your van.
![59233]()
In the photo above, is what you will see on your van. You will notice that the connectors are the same, except that one side has a red wire. That is power for the module. The U-connect wiring to the module (with the red wire) plugs into the one with the red wire you see above, and the return plugs into the one with just the 2 CAN bus wires.
Then from there, the wiring goes directly to the back of the radio. You will need to remove the radio, and the U-connect wiring to the radio is the small center grey plug. I noticed a zip tie held the center connector wiring to the main radio wiring just aft of the vent holes, cut that, and pull the wiring from the driver foot well.
![59234]()
One more thing, as a part of the wiring just behind the radio, there is a black wire that joins the wiring and leads down. I made the mistake of cutting it, but that is the ground for the module itself. It bolts onto the frame of the dash, by the climate controls.
Once that wiring is all out, you simply need to reverse the steps to install it into your van, and then activate the hands free configuration.
![59235]()
On your van the photo above is where the module mounts to, you see the parking brake on the right. The closest hole is for the screw, and the farther hole is for the tree type plastic holder. I screwed the unit into place, and I did not like how close the wires were to the parking brake. So I twisted the module toward the driver, and secured the upper part by electrical tape instead. Even if you just use the screw, it will hold very well with how light the unit is.
For 08-10, Bluetooth streaming is not available (which I really wanted), not sure if I need new hardware, or new software for it to work, or maybe both. Either way, I will be looking for a way to get Bluetooth streaming.
But minus no Bluetooth streaming, the unit is very quick to respond, easy to use, and I think works fantastic. And for the price, I'm not upset that it doesn't have Bluetooth, but I am looking into making it work, or for a newer module that does have Bluetooth streaming capability. But for now, 2011 and newer vans are too new to be at the junkyard, and when they are they are stripped fast.
Quick info, if you have the NAV, then the U-connect is actually integrated into the radio itself, so no U-connect module. But for every other factory radio that has U-connect, there is a module located underneath the driver side dash, above and aft of the parking brake lever.
These modules can be found at the local junkyard (if you find one with it anyway), if it has the radio with the U-connect buttons, it may have it (except the nav radio). And if the radio has been removed, look for the center connector, which I will link below, only vans with U-connect will have the center connector.
Edit: Programming is necessary to enable the hands free function. This can be done VIA a dealer adding the hands free programming to your vehicle config, through a CD that inserts into your radio and programs it, or using appcar FCA or Alford OBD (which each program costs 50USD per vehicle VIN)
The auto dimming center mirror does not require programming, it just needs a power and a ground to work.
So, removal and installation is easy, the U-connect module itself has it's own harness, which may be held onto the main harness at 2 points with a zip tie. The necessary wiring is already present in your van, with all the required connectors.
What you will need is, the U-connect module, 1 cross screw, the wiring harness from the module to the radio, an auto dimming center rear view mirror, and the wiring for the auto mirror. The mike is integrated into the center mirror, and it has a connector behind the A-pillar which splits off for the U-connect wiring.
I don't have attached photos for the rear view mirror, or the wiring for it (as it has been installed a few months back), but it is quite simple. Above the parking brake, there is a connector taped to the main harness, it will be either grey or white, make sure the color matches your van.
The wiring will run from that connector, behind the felt and up to the driver A-pillar, and it will be zip tied to a few support places along the way. I suggest cutting the felt, then cut the zip ties off the harness to release the wiring, pulling will result in cuts. Once at the A-pillar, there will be a connector where the U-connect wires split off from the auto mirror wires.
From there, the wiring runs up the A-pillar, then to the mirror itself.
Next comes the actual U-connect wiring. As pictured in the first photo, the module sits just above and aft of the parking brake. It is held in by a plastic tree type holder on the far side from the driver, and the closes one is held in by a cross screw.
The wiring leads from the unit, to the A-pillar connector mentioned above which leads to the mike on the center rear view mirror. Wires split off for the radio just before that, and head to right above the steering wheel shaft, where there are 2 connectors on the donor van, and 1 connector on your van.
In the photo above, is what you will see on your van. You will notice that the connectors are the same, except that one side has a red wire. That is power for the module. The U-connect wiring to the module (with the red wire) plugs into the one with the red wire you see above, and the return plugs into the one with just the 2 CAN bus wires.
Then from there, the wiring goes directly to the back of the radio. You will need to remove the radio, and the U-connect wiring to the radio is the small center grey plug. I noticed a zip tie held the center connector wiring to the main radio wiring just aft of the vent holes, cut that, and pull the wiring from the driver foot well.
One more thing, as a part of the wiring just behind the radio, there is a black wire that joins the wiring and leads down. I made the mistake of cutting it, but that is the ground for the module itself. It bolts onto the frame of the dash, by the climate controls.
Once that wiring is all out, you simply need to reverse the steps to install it into your van, and then activate the hands free configuration.
On your van the photo above is where the module mounts to, you see the parking brake on the right. The closest hole is for the screw, and the farther hole is for the tree type plastic holder. I screwed the unit into place, and I did not like how close the wires were to the parking brake. So I twisted the module toward the driver, and secured the upper part by electrical tape instead. Even if you just use the screw, it will hold very well with how light the unit is.
For 08-10, Bluetooth streaming is not available (which I really wanted), not sure if I need new hardware, or new software for it to work, or maybe both. Either way, I will be looking for a way to get Bluetooth streaming.
But minus no Bluetooth streaming, the unit is very quick to respond, easy to use, and I think works fantastic. And for the price, I'm not upset that it doesn't have Bluetooth, but I am looking into making it work, or for a newer module that does have Bluetooth streaming capability. But for now, 2011 and newer vans are too new to be at the junkyard, and when they are they are stripped fast.
