I have a 2018 XLT that is a very basic package (manual folding mirrors, no heated seats, etc, etc) and it has the 4" screen which I believe is Sync 1??

The truck does have a backup camera but the tiny screen is annoying and I have to use my phone for navigation.

I have owned the truck since 2019 and looked into it when I had recently purchased it but the upgrade options were limited at that time and way to expensive in my opinion.It now has 135,000 miles on it but is running well and I'd like to look into upgrading this if I can do so fairly easily and inexpensively as I imagine there are many more options now that the truck is 6 years old.

What's the verdict on the most cost effective way to upgrade this? It looks like there are 3 main options; 1) junkyard setup from a factory 8" equipped truck. 2) Aftermarket bezel and head unit with iDatalink kit from Crutchfield 3) ebay assembled kit for a factory 8" replacement. Or 4 I guess) save the money and continue to live with the tiny screen and use my phone until I get a new truck in a few years with these features.

What was your experience? Assuming costs are about the same is there any benefit to the stock setup besides a potentially cleaner look?

 

There are complete upgrade kits available for your truck.
Not as cheap as say a junkyard path, but you will have all the parts, conversion harness, and programming done.

Lots of options out there...
Here's just a few.

https://intelligent1tech.com/collect...ersion-upgrade

https://hellhorseperformance.com/pro...-4-to-8-sync-3

 

Just a note, I have Navigation on my 2020 8" screen. I never use it, it is dismal imo to say the least. You will continue to use Google maps. If there was one thing I'd like, is wireless carplay. The phone and texting works wireless, the phone must be plugged in for Google maps, not that it is hard, and does charge phone so...

 

After having that ridiculous 4" screen in my truck since 2016 I finally got off the fence and started researching options. @Torino69 I ultimately ended up going with the Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX and the accompanying gear to install it. I figured going OEM was going to cost more than I wanted to spend. I would highly recommend using Crutchfield if you do go the aftermarket route. I would also recommend taking advantage of their ReadyHarness option so you don't have to do any splicing yourself I haven't installed the Pioneer yet, but will be tackling that this weekend

 

2018s don't actually require programming and are plug and play aside from adding the powered USB if you want that. You can get away with the screen, APIM and bezel only if you want.

So you can take a look at gathering those or what aftermarket can offer you and make a decision.

 

I went the Crutchfield route and couldn't have been happier. Here's what I used:

The Android auto feature worked great; I even added a CUB-15 backup camera later. The whole installation process was pretty much plug-and-play. Side note, I ended up trading off the truck for other reasons within the 60-day return policy and they gave me a full refund minus the wiring harness charge.

Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for the advice, I'll still continue to investigate the junk yard option but it's looking like an aftermarket double din stereo and dash kit might be the best value. For some reason Crutchfield's site says the only option for my 2018 is the iDatalink dash and wiring kit which also requires the iDatalink Maestro RR module. It says the PAC kit you'd recommended will not work. They were going to reach out to the manufacturer for more specific details but I'm guessing you had a 2017 or older XL truck??

I've read good things about the iDatalink kit for this truck and it seems well regarded but it will limit me as to what head units I could use which I'm not super happy about. It'd be nice if there is at least one other aftermarket option that would work for a standard double din just to compare. Either way it seems like I'll be able to get a nice setup for well under 1k. .

 

IIRC, there might be some slight differences in the dash design between '18 and '17 but I'm not sure. There are no flies on the iDatalink package. I think it includes some cool options to display performance stats and other data on the head unit. The Sony supports both iDatalink and the PACAudio flavor. I just went with the PAC Audio because it was a little less expensive and I was already over my budget. You can also look at other head units and be sure to check for open-box items. I saved about $80 on mine and it was in mint condition.

According to the PAC Audio site, the RPK4-FD2201 kit should work in your 2018. https://catalog.pac-audio.com/catalo...ts/rpk4-fd2201