Sync3 to sync 4 upgrade
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 14,589
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From: My House
My coworker got the Motorola Dongle for Wireless Android Auto on his Nissan Sentra factory headunit. Seems to work well for him.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/motorol...?skuId=6505050
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/motorol...?skuId=6505050
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 198
Likes: 88
My coworker got the Motorola Dongle for Wireless Android Auto on his Nissan Sentra factory headunit. Seems to work well for him.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/motorol...?skuId=6505050
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/motorol...?skuId=6505050
It's my first day
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,656
Likes: 1,739
From: Kamloops, BC
The newer generation adds several new communication networks for the various modules. The lack of wiring and necessary modules to make that all work somewhat cripples the functionality of Sync 4, mostly in the connected features area where a connection to Ford is necessary via the TCU. Without proper wiring/modules in place, Nav functionality won't work (at least won't work as well as it could) as the 21+ trucks make heavy use of the TCU/cell network connectivity and Nav functionality is now a paid/subscription offering, not an offline map load like Sync 3. Wifi hotspot and connecting Sync to your home wifi is done through a newer TCU in 21+, so that type of function would not work. Since network connectivity doesn't work without the necessary modules and wiring, there is no way to update Sync 4. Sync 4 updates are done either OTA or via a signed package on USB, so you can't just download the update files and install them like Sync 3.
Technically if you were content with a non-nav setup that never gets updates, and don't use the hotspot functionality, a swap would work just fine with the necessary AsBuilt changes.
If you did a near entire cab swap with wiring, etc. chances are it would work.
My intent when trying to swap Sync 4 in was to gain wireless Carplay, and while that did work, the other functions not working were a deal breaker for me. I do use the built in Nav a decent amount, and have actually started using the hotspot functionality when my phone doesn't have signal, so I went back to Sync 3 and purchased a wireless Carplay dongle off of Amazon. I was also not a fan of never getting software updates.
Technically if you were content with a non-nav setup that never gets updates, and don't use the hotspot functionality, a swap would work just fine with the necessary AsBuilt changes.
If you did a near entire cab swap with wiring, etc. chances are it would work.
My intent when trying to swap Sync 4 in was to gain wireless Carplay, and while that did work, the other functions not working were a deal breaker for me. I do use the built in Nav a decent amount, and have actually started using the hotspot functionality when my phone doesn't have signal, so I went back to Sync 3 and purchased a wireless Carplay dongle off of Amazon. I was also not a fan of never getting software updates.
I only know of one person who did this to their 13 Gen Raptor with parts sourced from a new Bronco. I recall he had to change his GWM to add HS4. He did it simply for the learning challenge and to being able to claim doing it first. From that standpoint, the mod made sense, but for the average owner, I genuinely believe retrofitting Sync 4 is not worth it.
I currently drive a 2021 and 2017 F150. Sync 4 IMO is not a step up... it's a step sideways.
I don't think a lot of people realize how disappointing Sync 4 is.
Sync 2 to Sync 3 is a big upgrade and you would feel rewarded after completion.
Sync 3 to Sync 4 is just expensive and time consuming only to adopt the latest and greatest problems.
Unless if someone really needs two digital clocks there's nothing to get out of this mod other than the satisfaction of completing a challenge.
Last edited by Airborne_Ape; Nov 19, 2023 at 07:29 PM.
I went down that rabbit hole for a while, even ran twisted pair wiring to the back of the cab and behind the dash so that I could hook up the various modules in the event I was able to get it to work, but trying to find a GWM that supports HS4 that didn't set off a ton of DTCs and cause other issues in the truck wasn't something I was able to do. At that point, even if I had gotten it to work, that's a bit too far from OEM for me to be comfortable relying on it for a daily driver. I'd rather not have all of my electronics freak out while going down the road because of some weird issue with a GWM that wasn't designed for the truck.
5 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: New England
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 410
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From: WI
I drove a loaner from Ford, they gave a 2022 Titanium Edge. I loved that when I would sync my phone, my apple maps automatically displayed.
How can I get that to happen with my sync 3.4?
The one and only thing I hate when I plug my phone in and my maps is displayed... The outside ambient temp goes away. I HATE THAT! LOL.
How can I get that to happen with my sync 3.4?
The one and only thing I hate when I plug my phone in and my maps is displayed... The outside ambient temp goes away. I HATE THAT! LOL.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,749
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From: Indianapolis, IN
I currently drive a 2021 and 2017 F150. Sync 4 IMO is not a step up... it's a step sideways at best.
For example: the pixel area of CarPlay and Android Auto is identical on both the 12" and 8" screens.
Because of this, CarPlay and AA is more immersive on Sync 3 than Sync 4. \
Sync 4 forcefully displays CarPlay and AA at the same size and resolution as Sync 3 and then fills in the remaining 60% of screen real-estate with ginormous empty bezels and duplicate content to try to compel users towards interacting with Fords HMI as a shameless data collecting
For example: the pixel area of CarPlay and Android Auto is identical on both the 12" and 8" screens.
Because of this, CarPlay and AA is more immersive on Sync 3 than Sync 4. \
Sync 4 forcefully displays CarPlay and AA at the same size and resolution as Sync 3 and then fills in the remaining 60% of screen real-estate with ginormous empty bezels and duplicate content to try to compel users towards interacting with Fords HMI as a shameless data collecting
This is one of the reasons why I decided not to get a 21+ after originally being blown away by the 12” screen and thinking I had to have it. If you’re a CarPlay user anyway, all that matters is that interface.
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Joined: Jul 2012
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Yep, here's the Amazon link: https://a.co/d/cDS31FG
This link is no longer to Amazon. Would you mind posting again?