SYNC 4

[wireman]

Seen this for the Maverick.
https://fordauthority.com/2024/07/unofficial-2022-24-ford-maverick-kit-brings-sync-4-to-pickup/

Bronco Sport unit sold out, for now.

https://www.fordsync4.com/products/2021-2024-bronco-sport-sync3-to-sync4-upgrade-8-to-12-screen-upgrade?variant=48665846841634

I guess cheaper than buying a new 2025 vehicle.

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[Mark S.]

Bronco Sport unit sold out, for now.

https://www.fordsync4.com/products/2021-2024-bronco-sport-sync3-to-sync4-upgrade-8-to-12-screen-upgrade?variant=48665846841634

I guess cheaper than buying a new 2025 vehicle.

I'm dubious about this supplier. There are no photos on the website showing the larger screen installed in a Bronco Sport. Given the level of integration between SYNC and the rest of the vehicle, the idea you can simply replace the APIM without significant reprogramming of the vehicle software seems like a stretch to me.

 

[wireman]

The 5th photo shows a Sport I believe. Portrait style screen.

You know I'm not a tech wizard so just posting the link for reference on the forum.

 

[omahafordowner]

I'm dubious about this supplier. There are no photos on the website showing the larger screen installed in a Bronco Sport. Given the level of integration between SYNC and the rest of the vehicle, the idea you can simply replace the APIM without significant reprogramming of the vehicle software seems like a stretch to me.

Isn't this a photo?

 

[Mark S.]

Isn't this a photo?

Ah, you may be right. I'm not sure I'd want the screen in portrait like that--especially for $3k.

 

[Dude]

I agree … seems very unlikely this is doable in a Bronco Sport in terms of the other modules the APIM talks to

The Bronco Sports pics on their website are interspersed with the 2 door full size Bronco interior pics.

Here is a side by side comparison for the BS. Not clear how the circled functions show up on a sync 4 screen specific to Bronco Sport.

 

[wireman]

I wouldn't entertain the idea of switching to this on my 2021 BL.

Don't trust any aftermarket electronic switcharoo on a newer vehicle. As Mark and you stated total integration is difficult to do.

Whatever the factory provides will do till some redesign.

 

[DWG]

I'm dubious about this supplier. There are no photos on the website showing the larger screen installed in a Bronco Sport. Given the level of integration between SYNC and the rest of the vehicle, the idea you can simply replace the APIM without significant reprogramming of the vehicle software seems like a stretch to me.

I wouldn't do it. Especially if the vehicle is still under warranty. I do not know what effect changing out the APIM would do in this case. At one time I was looking into adding OEM navigation on Fusion that had sync 3 but did not have the navigation. You could not upgrade to OEM NAV if the vehicle did not originally come equipped with it. You could buy an upgraded Ford APIM unit on line from third parties to install the NAV feature in the car but the dealer would not touch it if there was an issue. If I remember correctly the dealer could only update the software based on the vehicle VIN which would be without the NAV and you would have to reprogram the APIM yourself. No thanks. What ever the part is the dealer will only work on it if belongs on the car per the VIN.

 

[rocks]

$2995 plus installation cost. Hard pass.

 

[wessermgm]

I agree I wouldn't do it either. However, folks over at the F15014thGen forum have been switching out their 8" to 12" for years using similar platforms with success. Difference is they are still using dedicated Ford licensed parts through a company called Infotainment. That involves changing the APIM as well. Big difference is that even with the 8" screen on the lower trimmed 21-23 F150 (they all have 12" screens in 2024) it still was Sync 4.

 

[coopny]

APIM swaps have been a thing for year. For less than $800, getting Apple Carplay support in my 2015 Ford Fusion was worth the Sync2->Sync3 upgrade alone. But that was a much larger radio experience upgrade (Sync2 was godawful) and it was cheaper and easier (you essentially only had to remove the radio faceplate and a few bolts; the APIM (sync module) is buried much deeper in the BS). People understood how to take the AsBuilt from newer vehicles and peel it back/flash the necessary programming on the Sync 3 module before they shipped it to you. Part of the cost of getting it as a kit rather.

Some people on reddit have claimed that the site linked in OP with the alleged upgrade kit isn't a scam, but I still don't trust it.

From what I've heard, Sync4 was a much larger change over Sync3 than Sync 2 was. Sync3 generally used the same communication buses with the vehicle components as Sync2. Sync4 addresses some modules in the car via ethernet, and the cellular connectivity via telematics, and the telematics module in Sync4 is different than Sync3, so connected navigation, etc. are not going to work. Additionally, updates are impossible, because that also goes through the TCU on Sync4 (versus Sync3 which is flat file on a USB or wifi).

So from what I understand, Sync4 can be shoehorned in, but a lot of functionality is lost, which reduces the value prop. $3K for four more inches of screen and wireless carplay is... a lot of money for minimal gain. Especially when you can get wireless carplay with a dongle for less than $100.

 

[spicypepperboi]

Yikes you lose all of those manual push buttons? I hate the trend of moving buttons controls to touchscreen only. How are you supposed to hit the buttons without looking? Or are we just supposed to be staring at the touch screen the whole time instead of driving?

Granted, it looks like a decent amount of those are media controls which I do use more often on the wheel, but for some it's far easier to push the button or turn the knob on the center console instead (esp volume).

 

[coopny]

So having seen the latest BS and the cutout, I believe that it's *likely* that a Sync 4 upgrade kit will be made for the 2024 BS. That would come in three parts: the screen and vents, a swapped out lower panel for the engine start/stop and essential controls like the front camera and hazards going in where the current HVAC control module is (HVAC controls move to the touch screen), and the APIM (the "brains" of the Sync system that is located buried behind the middle of the dash.)

Variables include how the vent front connects to the ducts behind the vents (Ford using effectively the same cutout shape suggests that it's probably the same, then you don't have to iterate the dashboard) and the length of certain cables that are re-routed (if not enough slack exists to move certain cables naturally, in between male/female extender cables could be used).

This was done with Sync2 (MyFord Touch) to Sync3 and I had Sync 3 upgraded in my 2015 Fusion, it worked flawlessly. However, Sync3 was made available in vehicles that never had telematics, like my 2015 Fusion. Sync 4 expects a telematics control module, and thus, core system functionality relies on it. There is no option to do an update of Sync 4 via USB, and if you don't have the appropriate TCU with the ethernet bus, you not only won't be able to update the radio software, you'll lose other functionality like traffic, factory nav, etc... there's also dependencies in the gateway module (GWM). Assuming the wiring is there, and assuming the relevant modules are on the appropriate version (potentially FORScan update) and assuming the config is there (can be done with FORScan), it might allow this functionality to work.

The number of deletions for wifi hotspot credit -$20 on window stickers suggests that Ford did not use the TCUs that had dual wifi (TCU wifi, hotspot wifi)

All of this to say, it may be a while before we see Sync 4 upgrade kits, and it may not be worth it. In addition to being very expensive, Sync 4 is a relatively incremental upgrade over Sync 3, the extra screen size is nice, but at the loss of a lot of physical controls, and a very likely crippled experience outside of Android Auto/Carplay.

When you combine that with the fact that you can get a Carlinkit or Ottocast or similar device to achieve Carplay on Sync 3... I don't plan on upgrading.

I will keep an eye out. I could potentially see upgrading if someone releases a kit, and it gets validated to not lose any functionality. But even if that's true, I don't expect the kit to be released at a price where it would make sense over enjoying the vehicle and then selling it in a few years.

 

[DWG]

This would be a no go for me. Not sure who is providing service but Looking at the terms of service of Fordsync4 when buying the kit there is no guarantee of actually having service. Also if I recall in my previous research when I had sync 4 on a 23 Escape Ford also had a disclaimer regarding future service availability which could be an issue if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time. I guess at that point the navigation becomes useless since it is subscription based.

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