Sync 1 to sync 3

[GreyAreaRanger]

I am planning on hitting the salvage yard this weekend for some minor things I want for my new to me Ranger XLT along with an acm module for a friend's Flex. I've seen the kits where you can purchase the head unit, trim pieces, USB hub and wiring harness but they're spendy. Had I known that I wouldn't have carplay with Sync 1, I wouldn't have bought this particular Ranger but I was mislead when I pressed the button for "mobile apps" (which apparently doesn't work with any of my apps on my phone including waze). Has anyone seen the conversion wiring harness being sold by itself? I'm assuming I can get the other items for around $600 at a self service yard plus reprogramming the head unit but the harnesses are different between the two systems from what I've seen online. I did see Crutchfield but want to retain the backup camera and wasn't sure if I would retain the use of my steering wheel controls.

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[Capt Jon]

I am planning on hitting the salvage yard this weekend for some minor things I want for my new to me Ranger XLT along with an acm module for a friend's Flex. I've seen the kits where you can purchase the head unit, trim pieces, USB hub and wiring harness but they're spendy. Had I known that I wouldn't have carplay with Sync 1, I wouldn't have bought this particular Ranger but I was mislead when I pressed the button for "mobile apps" (which apparently doesn't work with any of my apps on my phone including waze). Has anyone seen the conversion wiring harness being sold by itself? I'm assuming I can get the other items for around $600 at a self service yard plus reprogramming the head unit but the harnesses are different between the two systems from what I've seen online. I did see Crutchfield but want to retain the backup camera and wasn't sure if I would retain the use of my steering wheel controls.

I have a 2019 XLT and it came with Sync 3. There are threads on this forum about the Car Play issue. I believe there may be two versions of Sync 3 this year. One has a module that allows Car Play to work to other doesn't. I use Android Auto so am not using Car Play.

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

Well as I discovered after I bought it is that Sync one does not have either. During the test drive it stated for me to plug in my phone and select the mobile app. It connects to my phone for calls and music just fine. Very happy with the truck overall so far and am trying to restrain my desire to change some things beyond this.

 

[VegasP11]

Well as I discovered after I bought it is that Sync one does not have either. During the test drive it stated for me to plug in my phone and select the mobile app. It connects to my phone for calls and music just fine. Very happy with the truck overall so far and am trying to restrain my desire to change some things beyond this.

The 2019 Ranger came with Sync 3 not Sync 1. If you want to use the mobile apps like Waze, you need to plug in your phone and start Android Auto.

 

[Big Blue]

Well as I discovered after I bought it is that Sync one does not have either. During the test drive it stated for me to plug in my phone and select the mobile app. It connects to my phone for calls and music just fine. Very happy with the truck overall so far and am trying to restrain my desire to change some things beyond this.

Since you are saying you have Sync one, I assume you have the base radio with the small monochrome non-touch screen display. Available, I believe on lower trim levels, even of the XLT. In this case you will not have Carplay as it requires a graphical display. If you have the larger (8") color touchscreen, then you have SYNC3. The 5G Ranger and SYNC3 does not have wireless Carplay or Android Auto. It needs to be plugged in to work

 

[Capt Jon]

Since you are saying you have Sync one, I assume you have the base radio with the small monochrome non-touch screen display. Available, I believe on lower trim levels, even of the XLT. In this case you will not have Carplay as it requires a graphical display. If you have the larger (8") color touchscreen, then you have SYNC3. The 5G Ranger and SYNC3 does not have wireless Carplay or Android Auto. It needs to be plugged in to work

Or use a wireless dongle. I am using the Motorola MA-1A device and it works great.

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

Since you are saying you have Sync one, I assume you have the base radio with the small monochrome non-touch screen display. Available, I believe on lower trim levels, even of the XLT. In this case you will not have Carplay as it requires a graphical display. If you have the larger (8") color touchscreen, then you have SYNC3. The 5G Ranger and SYNC3 does not have wireless Carplay or Android Auto. It needs to be plugged in to work

You’re correct, I have the small 4” radio screen which I thought was sync 1. I’ve tried plugging my phone in like it says to do so that it can access “mobile apps” but haven’t found any yet that will work with it. The kit I’ve seen cost nearly 2k and I’m hoping I can get the parts much cheaper separately if I can find somewhere where they sell that adaptive wiring harness separately.

 

[ControlNode]

Are you sure you got an XLT? As far as I know all XLTs came with Sync3. Sounds like a super base model XL or maybe a Fleet version if it is an XLT. Or perhaps someone before trading it in or selling it swapped the radio from the lower trim with a friend.

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

Are you sure you got an XLT? As far as I know all XLTs came with Sync3. Sounds like a super base model XL or maybe a Fleet version if it is an XLT. Or perhaps someone before trading it in or selling it swapped the radio from the lower trim with a friend.

Positive. It’s an XLT with the 300 package. I think you could get the 8” screen as a standalone option or get the 301 package where it comes standard. A lariat would have been nice but more than I wanted to spend while I try to finish my BSN.
Edit to add: it was a rental vehicle for the first 18k miles. Normally I wouldn’t consider a rental vehicle but I’ve always liked the Ranger. What can I say

 

[myothercarizahearse]

even the little screens have bluetooth. have you tried that?

the abuse rentals take.... I had a cherokee for a 6000 mile road trip. as soon as I drove off the lot the notice came up to change the oil. I didn't change the oil... rental companies spend as little $$$ as possible to maintain the fleet

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

even the little screens have bluetooth. have you tried that?

the abuse rentals take.... I had a cherokee for a 6000 mile road trip. as soon as I drove off the lot the notice came up to change the oil. I didn't change the oil... rental companies spend as little $$$ as possible to maintain the fleet

I’m aware which is why I paid much closer attention to the mechanical aspects of it. It does leave some black marks when I drive it though so one of these days I’ll figure out what’s causing it. ?
As for the Bluetooth, that works fine for phone calls and music from my phone but living in the Houston area, it’ll be nice to have Apple Maps on the screen to help me avoid traffic when I have to drive an hour across town for lab or clinicals.

 

[ControlNode]

Positive. It’s an XLT with the 300 package. I think you could get the 8” screen as a standalone option or get the 301 package where it comes standard. A lariat would have been nice but more than I wanted to spend while I try to finish my BSN.
Edit to add: it was a rental vehicle for the first 18k miles. Normally I wouldn’t consider a rental vehicle but I’ve always liked the Ranger. What can I say

I'm about sure XLT (300) included Sync3, granted I started looking in 2021 before my purchase, so maybe prior years were a little different. But being a rental, it could have been a fleet edition that could be ordered in odds ways like that.

 

[Jason B]

For what it's worth, there are not many apps that work with SYNC3, unless you are using Carplay or Android Auto, and those are limited. If I were in your situation, I would just install an aftermarket radio system based on Android.

Are you sure you got an XLT? As far as I know all XLTs came with Sync3. Sounds like a super base model XL or maybe a Fleet version if it is an XLT. Or perhaps someone before trading it in or selling it swapped the radio from the lower trim with a friend.

During the 'chip shortage', many vehicles came with the basic radio, not the SYNC3 touch screen
Here is a picture of an FX4 XLT interior at the time:

 

[ControlNode]

For what it's worth, there are not many apps that work with SYNC3, unless you are using Carplay or Android Auto, and those are limited. If I were in your situation, I would just install an aftermarket radio system based on Android.


During the 'chip shortage', many vehicles came with the basic radio, not the SYNC3 touch screen
Here is a picture of an FX4 XLT interior at the time:

A 2019 would have been pre-shortages though.

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

I'm about sure XLT (300) included Sync3, granted I started looking in 2021 before my purchase, so maybe prior years were a little different. But being a rental, it could have been a fleet edition that could be ordered in odds ways like that.

Possible. At the time of the test drive though I didn't have my phone charger with me and when the screen mentioned mobile apps, I thought that meant it had carplay which is my fault for assuming. Otherwise, the radio works fine for my uses.

For what it's worth, there are not many apps that work with SYNC3, unless you are using Carplay or Android Auto, and those are limited. If I were in your situation, I would just install an aftermarket radio system based on Android.


During the 'chip shortage', many vehicles came with the basic radio, not the SYNC3 touch screen
Here is a picture of an FX4 XLT interior at the time:

That looks like the radio in mine. My Ranger was built in January of 2019 though, so a full year prior to the Covid pandemic. As for the after market radio, cost wise is very much appealing but from what I can tell, I won't be able to use the factory back up camera or steering wheel controls without splicing into wires. It'll be my luck that I'll cut the one for the front sensors or front facing camera (for auto emergency braking I think?)

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