Identify your 2016 Ram 4500 Radio Model
The following head units were fitted to the 2016 Ram 4500. Choose the one that matches your dash to check its serial format and how to get the code.
Can't Find Your Radio S/N? Follow The Steps Below for Ram 4500 2016
Very useful fact to know is that factory radios use a unique S/N to identify each unitindividually.
Your security system links the code directly to the serial.
Different from car-specific data like VIN or registration information, it is not determined by the model or production year, so you'll be able to retrieve it even if you have a radio that you installed afterwards.
Depending on the maker and radio installed in your Ram 4500, the retrieval method is different.
Here are the most reliable ways to locate it.
Radios Offered in the 2016 Ram 4500
The 2016 Ram 4500 carries the 2013-2015 lineup forward unchanged. The same four Uconnect head units were available, with sales codes spanning RA1 through RA4. There are no significant hardware changes to the radio fleet for this model year.
Uconnect 3.0 (RA1) remained the base AM/FM/CD radio on fleet Tradesman builds - small monochrome strip display, hard knobs, no touchscreen and no Bluetooth. Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) covered most Tradesman and entry SLT trucks - a 5-inch colour touchscreen with no CD slot, no NAV button, AM/FM, Bluetooth, USB and aux. Uconnect 8.4 (RA3) was optional on SLT and standard on Laramie - 8.4-inch landscape touchscreen, capacitive shortcut row across the bottom and no Nav tile on the home screen. Uconnect 8.4N (RA4) added the Garmin-based navigation database to the 8.4-inch hardware - a Nav tile on the home screen and a SiriusXM Traffic/Travel Link badge at startup. Standard on Longhorn, optional on most other trims.
Quick tell: no screen = RA1; 5-inch screen = RA2; 8.4-inch screen with no Nav tile = RA3; 8.4-inch screen with a Nav tile = RA4. The sales code is printed on the label on top of the radio chassis.
Access Your Serial via the Radio Display
The method for 2016 Ram 4500 is this:
The 2016 Ram 4500 heavy-duty truck uses the same Uconnect infotainment system as the Ram 1500. Based on trim level, it may have a Uconnect 3.0/5.0" (base trims) or Uconnect 8.4" (higher trims).
For 8.4" Uconnect (RA3): Press and hold the Climate Up, Climate Down, and Front Defrost buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds to access Dealer Mode. Then navigate to: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number.
For base Uconnect: Dealer Mode is not available. Removing the radio is required to find the serial label.
Show the S/N on the Touchscreen
The 2016 Ram 4500's 8.4-inch Uconnect head units support a hidden dealer/diagnostic menu that displays the radio's internal serial number, which is much quicker than dropping the unit out of the dash. The smaller RA1 and RA2 radios do not have a reliably documented on-screen serial readout for this generation.
For the Uconnect 8.4 (RA3) and Uconnect 8.4N (RA4), place the ignition in the RUN position so the 8.4-inch touchscreen is fully booted. Press and hold the driver's temperature UP, temperature DOWN and front DEFROST buttons together for around 7 seconds. A dealer/diagnostic menu should appear on screen. From this menu, choose the radio-information entries near the top of the list - they show serial numbers, hardware/software revisions and similar identifiers. Note the full serial exactly as printed, including any letters at the start such as T00AM or TM9. Press Done, or cycle the ignition, to exit.
For the Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) and Uconnect 3.0 (RA1), an equivalent on-screen serial readout is not consistently documented. If the dealer-mode shortcut does not surface a serial entry on those radios, the chassis-label method described in the removal block is the dependable fallback.
Check it by Pulling Out the Radio Unit
If the serial number cannot be accessed via display, use the hardware method.
Most Ram 4500 OEM radios include a sticker with the serial number printed on the housing.
Step-by-Step Approach:
- Turn off the vehicle.
- Lift the trim surrounding the radio.
- Loosen the fasteners.
- Pull the unit forward to access the label.
The serial number is usually located near the manufacturer sticker.
To remove the radio from the 2016 Ram 4500:
- Turn off the vehicle and remove the negative battery cable for safety.
- Remove the dashboard trim panel using a trim removal tool. Ram heavy-duty trucks can have more robust trim pieces than the 1500.
- Unscrew the 4 Torx T20 mounting screws securing the radio to the dash bracket.
- Pull the radio out and find the serial label on the side or top of the unit.
HD Truck Note: Base W/T trims of the 2016 4500 may have a more basic dash layout that makes radio removal slightly easier than Laramie or Limited trims.
Locate the Serial on the Radio Chassis
If the on-screen method is unavailable, or the radio is stuck at the CODE prompt and you cannot reach the dealer menu, the printed label on the chassis is the most reliable source for the serial number on a 2016 Ram 4500.
Safety preparation
Turn the ignition fully off and remove the key. Disconnect the negative terminal of the 12V battery and wait several minutes before working near the dash so airbag-related circuits can fully discharge. Stay clear of yellow airbag wiring while removing trim.
Tools to have ready
Plastic trim/panel pry tools to release the dash bezel without scratches; a T20 Torx driver for the bezel screws hidden behind the rubber beauty plates; a Phillips driver for the two screws inside the lower console cubby (if your truck has the centre floor console); a 7 mm socket or driver for the four radio retaining screws; and a phone/camera to photograph the chassis label.
Removal overview
At the top of the dash bezel, lift the rubber RAM-branded beauty plate with a fingernail or plastic pick to reveal two T20 Torx screws and back them out. Lift the rubber pad inside the cubby above the centre HVAC vents to expose a single T20 screw and remove it. If the truck has the centre floor console, lift the rubber pad at the front of the console well and remove the two Phillips screws beneath. Starting at a lower edge, gently pry the bezel outward - it is held by retaining clips. Walk the tool around the perimeter to release each clip, then ease the bezel forward and unplug any small switch/HVAC connectors on its back. With the bezel out of the way, undo the four 7 mm screws now visible at the corners of the radio chassis. Slide the head unit out and unplug the main wiring harness and antenna lead.
Where the serial sits
The serial is on a printed label on the metal housing - normally on the top or side face of the chassis. Copy the long alphanumeric string next to the barcode and double-check ambiguous characters such as O vs 0 and I vs 1.
Tips
Photograph the label rather than relying on handwriting. Reassembly is the reverse: harnesses on, four 7 mm screws home, bezel pressed in until each clip seats, T20 and Phillips screws restored, then reconnect the battery.
Example: Ram 4500 serial number label location
What a Valid Serial Number Looks Like
The 2016 Ram 4500 features the same radio hardware as other Ram trucks. Serial number prefixes:
T00AM– Harman Uconnect (most common prefix)T00BE– Continental Uconnect variantTM9– Earlier Harman unitsT0MYD– Newer Harman units (2019+)
The 2016 4500 may have: RA2 (4.3" base), RA1 (5.0"), RA3 (8.4" Classic), or RA4 (8.4" 4C, newer). Serial is 14 characters.
Reminder The serial number starts with a code prefix (T00AM, T00BE, etc.) – do not mistake it with the radio part number (starts with P05064 or 68).
Typical Serial Number Examples for 2016 Ram 4500
The 2016 Ram 4500 was supplied with several different Uconnect head units, each from a different manufacturer, so the serial-number style depends on which radio is in your truck. The patterns below are the ones most often reported for this generation.
Continental-supplied Uconnect 8.4 (RA3 / RA4): often start with a T00AM prefix followed by a numeric tail, for example a string resembling T00AM1234567. The prefix is printed inline with the rest of the serial on the chassis label.
Panasonic-supplied Uconnect units: frequently start with TM9 followed by additional digits or letters. This pattern has been widely associated with Panasonic-built Mopar radios from the 8.4 era.
Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) and Uconnect 3.0 (RA1) base radios: also carry a printed serial label on the chassis, but the prefix can vary by supplier batch - read the full string off the label rather than assume a fixed format.
If the alphanumeric you read does not match any of these patterns, double-check that you have copied the serial line and not the part number. The serial is normally the longest string on the label and is the one tied to the barcode.
Steps to Unlock Your 2016 Ram 4500 Radio
To get the code, you'll take only 4 easy steps.
- Locate your radio's serial - this is the only info required by our side.
The difference with the dealership lookup is that no VIN or paperwork is needed. - When you've found the S/N, type it into the form above.
Our system checks it against a database of supported radios and automatically retrieves the matching radio code. - In most cases, the code appears instantly on the screen after payment and is also sent to your email for backup.
If we need to check it manually, you'll be informed before checkout. - When you get it, just enter it into your radio to restore the functionality.
Code Entry Process for 2016 4500
Once you have the S/N and retrieved the unlock code, the last part is entering it into your radio.
Ram original head units display a locked screen when ready for input.
The process is usually straightforward, but button layouts and confirmation methods may differ slightly depending on the radio version installed in your 4500.
Detailed Input Instructions for 4500 2016
To type in the unlock code on the 2016 Ram 4500:
- Turn ignition to ON. The radio display shows "ENTER CODE" or "CODE".
- Touchscreen models (8.4" Uconnect): Use the on-screen keypad to enter each digit of the 4-digit code.
- Non-touchscreen (base Uconnect): Press preset buttons 1-4 to cycle to each digit, then press Enter/OK to confirm.
Lockout: Three wrong attempts = 60-minute lockout. Ignition must stay ON. Heavy-duty trucks that frequently have battery disconnects may experience this lock more often.
Detailed Code Entry Walkthrough
Once you have the correct anti-theft code for your 2016 Ram 4500 radio, the entry itself is fast - but the radio will lock you out for half an hour if you keep guessing, so verify the code before you start.
Limited Attempt Warning
You only get three attempts. After three wrong codes in a row the radio enters a WAIT state and the display reads WAIT. To clear it, the radio must remain powered with the ignition in RUN for a continuous 30 minutes. Cycling the key off does not shortcut the timer (the truck may be driven during this time).
Entering the code
Turn the ignition to RUN or ACC so the radio powers up and shows the CODE / Anti-Theft prompt. On the 8.4-inch Uconnect (RA3/RA4), tap each digit on the touchscreen number pad. On the 5-inch Uconnect 5.0 (RA2), enter the digits using the on-screen keypad. On the base Uconnect 3.0 (RA1), enter the four-digit code using the preset (1-6) buttons in sequence. Confirm with the OK/Enter on-screen control or the equivalent hardware button. When accepted, the radio returns to the normal home screen and audio resumes.
If it does not unlock
Stop after the second wrong attempt and re-verify the serial used to obtain the code. Make sure no leading letters or trailing digits were dropped from the serial. If WAIT appears on screen, leave the radio powered for the full 30 minutes before retrying.
Why Is the Radio Asking for a Code?
Uconnect self-locks after losing power. Heavy-duty work trucks see this more than most because battery work is routine in construction and commercial fleets.
Common causes:
- Battery replacement — most common in commercial settings
- Failed fuse — especially after PTO installation
- Buying the truck fleet without the code
- Battery fully drained from sitting on a lot
The code is specific to the radio's serial number — not the truck's VIN.
Understanding Unlock Issues with Your 4500
HD Ram trucks have a mix of radios (RA1/RA2/RA3/RA4 depending on trim and year). Each unit's label shows both the serial (14 chars: T00AM, T00BE, TM9, or T0MYD prefix) and the part number (P05... or 68...). Only the serial generates the unlock code.
Base trim radios often have dusty labels. Wipe it down before reading, or take a picture and zoom in to verify each character.
HD Ram code entry varies by radio trim: 8.4" Uconnect (RA3/RA4) uses touchscreen-only entry — press each digit on the on-screen keypad. Base Uconnect (RA1/RA2) uses preset buttons 1–4 to scroll to each digit, then Enter/OK to confirm.
No code prompt means the anti-theft hasn't triggered yet. To trigger it: pull the radio fuse and reinsert it, then restore power and turn ignition ON. The "ENTER CODE" prompt shows on startup.
The Uconnect enters lockout after 3 wrong entries. The screen keeps showing "ENTER CODE" or "CODE" but blocks all input.
To reset: Ignition ON, 60 full minutes without turning off. Fleet-managed Ram trucks that get turned off frequently must complete the full wait in one sitting. Cycling the ignition resets the 60-minute timer.
HD Ram radios may have the serial accessible via Dealer Mode (8.4" RA3: hold Climate Up + Climate Down + Front Defrost 5 sec; then System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number) or on the physical label on the radio chassis.
Serial: 14 chars starting with T00AM, T00BE, TM9, or T0MYD. Don't confuse this with the part number (P05... or 68...).