Hi there guys and girls, I've been lurking for quite awhile and finally decided to make a post about a topic that's already been beat to death, so I apologize.

First off, my truck is a 2010 XTR SCREW, 4.6 4x4, it has the base radio (non-sync) and jump seat. Later today I am going to do the console swap from jump seat to the ''flow thru'' console. But that's not why I'm here.

I've used the search functions on multiple sites and used Google as well to find any shred of information I could regarding this elusive Sync swap. I haven't been researching for 5 minutes, I've been doing it on and off for months now, and spent half of yesterday alone reading about the Sync system.

Seems to me that almost every reply is ''it's too expensive to do, get an aftermarket radio'', which is fair. The main reason I am opening a thread is to ask if anybody has actually done the Sync swap into an 09-14 NON-sync F150 despite the numerous people advising against it, and if so, did anything at all end up working for you? I really don't care to have the sync features at all, they sound great and all (depending who you ask) but I am only concerned with getting a USB input that works so I can play music on that instead of having a dedicated charging station and auxiliary cord for my stupid iPod Shuffle.

I understand that people have asked similar questions multiple times about the actual swap, but I'm really just concerned with getting the USB working so I can play music with a slightly more ''wireless'' setup in the truck. If the only way I can get a working USB is to go out and get an aftermarket radio, then great, but right now I have access to a 2011 FX4 that was involved in a roll-over that is being parted out for dirt cheap, and I am getting the flow-thru console and the sync setup from it for $200 (CANADIAN!). If I had the cash I'd just buy the whole truck and swap out dashes, since I read somewhere that might actually make the sync system work and it'd fill in the gaps that are always associated with the console swap, but like I said, all I want is a working USB.

Either way, other than the integrated radio setup that are in these newer vehicles, I absolutely love my truck, it's my first Ford after being through 2 Chev trucks and 1 Dodge, and I can't see myself driving anything other than Ford from here on out.

I'll be sure to make a write up for the console installation and I'll likely make a Youtube video of the actual install, if there's any pointers on getting the USB from the Sync system to work in my non-Sync truck, I'd appreciate it, otherwise I guess I'll be going out to buy a $600 radio just for the sake of playing music off a thumb-drive.

Thanks for any input and I'm looking forward to being a part of the forum.

 

Here's the thing, you can get a radio that can control an iPod for well under $100. Looks like the cheapest at Crutchfield is $85, or cheaper for open box. you might want to add steering wheel control or other add-ons, so it would likely cost somewhat more. But, $600 is for fancy 2-DIN screens, possibly nav, etc. People are usually talking about replacing the Ford 8" screen which includes temp controls and all sorts of stuff, and they are looking at high-end aftermarket models. If you are starting from the most basic Ford, a $100 bluetooth/USB capable unit is a major upgrade.