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I have finally had enough from my Sync system. The system in my 2011 F150 Platinum has been updated several times, most recently, last week. This is the system with the large screen, rather than the small screen on the dash. The system doesn’t work, although it used to work perfectly. My truck has been under factory extended warranty since I purchased it in 2011. The Sync system is fully covered, but doesn’t work right anymore. It drops calls, connects like I’m on a call when I’m not, talk to text will not work at all. This sucks because talk to text is much safer than other options. I know the issue stems from updates to both the truck’s system as well as to my iPhone. I have finally given up.
What replacement options have you guys found that maintain the features of the Sony system in a Platinum, but actually works properly? I want all of my steering will controls to work as they are supposed to, and I want all of my features to work as they are supposed to, including talk to text, navigation, and the large screen.
What really irritates me is that my truck is still under warranty, including the Sync system, but it doesn’t work, and Ford either can’t or won’t fix it. I’ve taken it to my dealer multiple times and I have never been satisfied. Despite the dealer’s best efforts and the warranty, they cannot make it work as it did when I purchased the truck. To me, this is breach of contract.
Help me find a replacement that works and looks like it did when I bought the truck. Please!
My truck had the basic Sync system, but I replaced the stereo with a Pioneer AVH-2300NEx and the iDatalink Maestro kit to keep my steering wheel controls. It won't look the same as when you bought the truck but I like how mine looks now. I have bluetooth audio for phones and voice controls and Nav through Android Auto/Apple Carplay with the head unit.
I remove the USB port from the original location and put the USB cable from the head unit in it's place to keep it close to factory looking...
I have a 2012 Platinum and changed out my factory nav unit as well as factory sub and amp. Went with the Kenwood DNX-995s and couldn't be happier. There is no dash kit for my truck because of my bezel but I was able to still make it work with some back strapping and a Dremel. Fits perfectly in the stock bezel and with maestro i-datalink I still have back up camera, steering controls, still using factory xm antenna, and have air conditioning controls through the radio.
In total, I put about $1k in for the stereo, but that's including a sub, amp and new speakers in the doors.
Just the head unit and install kit was about $500, but I did all the install myself.
Not sure if there's a kit for the platinum (if the picture Middleurb posted is how they all are). Mine is an XLT.
I have a 2012 Platinum and changed out my factory nav unit as well as factory sub and amp. Went with the Kenwood DNX-995s and couldn't be happier. There is no dash kit for my truck because of my bezel but I was able to still make it work with some back strapping and a Dremel. Fits perfectly in the stock bezel and with maestro i-datalink I still have back up camera, steering controls, still using factory xm antenna, and have air conditioning controls through the radio.
@middleurb
I attempted this exact thing today with the DMX-905S unit and ran into a snag of not being able to get the radio high enough... I found on the Raptor Forums that people did it with the Best Kits 504 kit, but nobody has pictures during install.
What did you use to strap your radio up? Did you cut out the plastic bar for more fitment?
Here is a picture of mine opened up. I don't have a picture of how I did the mounting unfortunately. By that time it was late and I cursing up a storm at my truck. I just used back strapping that you can buy on eBay or just walk into any audio shop and they might just give it to you for free. I had the same issue as you with the radio being blocked from sitting higher. However in mine it was plastic blocking me and not a metal piece like yours. I just took my Dremel and cut out 1.5" out of the plastic going across which gained me the height I needed. After that I took the back straps and screwed them to the radio and cut and bent them until they lined the radio up with stock bezel. After that I was able to screw the straps to the inside of the dash and all was well and it lined up perfectly. I will say this part was a PIA and took me and my buddy about an hour to figure out and get it perfect.
Now that it's over and my wounds have healed I'm happy with install and glad I did it. It was a miserable time though not having a dash kit to use and having to do some discovery learning.
Last edited by middleurb; Jul 1, 2018 at 10:00 PM.
2011 Audio/Sync Replacement
