HiHiWillyO

There is a ton of information on the Sync 2 to Sync 3 upgrade on my 2013 F150 Lariat. Nothing new here, just sharing my experience.

Shopping List:

• 2016 FORD ESCAPE Screen 8" display GJ5T18B955SA -$104
• 2019 Ford MUSTANG Gen 4 SYNC 3 w/ NAV 14G370-BLG -$198
• Fakra GPS antenna -$10
• Mini USB (female) to USB-A (female) -$6
• USB OBD cable (for Forscan) -$19
• Forscan (gotta donate to them) -$12
• Total: $349

$350 to get Android auto... ($400 for wireless Android Auto)

1. The brackets for the LCD did not transfer. I read to cut/grind/drill it to work. Instead I found a 3D .stl on thingiverse and 3D printed it and its perfect (Thingiverse)
2. No $100 USB bracket needed. Use $6 USB adapter. Remove SD/AV/USB port module and toss. I'll have a faceplate made to hold a USB cable in its place. I added a wireless Android Auto adapter and might make that hidden ($50)
3. Powered up and missing some climate control and built in NAV. Connected Forscan, APIM (As-built) and clicked "load factory defaults" that got all the HVAC working then added NAV with the bit change ((NAV not needed anyway, Android Auto WAY better)
4. System was on some 3.2 Sync update. Using Cyanlabs Syn3 I updated to the newest 3.4.23188 and North America Maps 2022. Took like 2 hours to make the USB and a full hour in the truck to install, be patient.
5. I even went ahead and did the Fmods.net jailbreak but didn't really benefit much and wasted a lot of time. Unless you have a need for a different wallpaper or Flappybird.
6. Optional: Sell old Sync 2 APIM + LCD for $150 on eBay

Results: Going in this wasn't a straight forward upgrade but with what I know now, it is. Android Auto is very slick but that's really all that's gained, so it's tough to say this was worth even the $350. I just want to point this out because most of the Sync 2 to Sync 3 kits out there are +$600 and are not worth it. Definitely don't pay extra for a NAV model APIMs as it wont compare to Google GPS. I called my local junk yards and they didn't have one 2017+ or newer ford and I wouldn't trust them pulling a 2016 Ford Sync 3 module.
If you leave the old USB/SD/RC module in you can use USB drives but you cant use Android auto. It also throws an annoying USB hub error.

I vinyl wrapped the faux wood dash while it was removed and the truck feels totally renewed, interior wise. In this sense it is worth the upgrade. I'd hate to have the monthly payment of a new truck just to have Android Auto
*Sorry cant comment on Apple Car Play but its all the same