11-15 Sync 2 to 3 Upgrade Guide | Ford Explorer Forums

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11-15 Sync 2 to 3 Upgrade Guide

15ExpLimited

Member
Joined
February 16, 2025
Messages
12
Reaction score
3
City, State
Camden, NJ
Year, Model & Trim Level
2015 Limited N/A 4WD
So to start I do apologize if a thread or guide is already out there with a how to on upgrading from Sync 2/My Ford Touch to Sync 3 and if this might violate any self promotion rules as well. But a few people on r/fordexplorer asked for a guide under my OP and I made one and since I am a part of this explorer forum I figured I would share it with anyone here who would be interested in the same project I did, I have nothing to sell or profit from. I Should also note the doc is better viewed on a tablet or computer as its formatted using a word processor and not something like InDesign as I would have liked.

Please Enjoy and PM me with any questions or concerns, Thank you.

 



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I’d like to share a FORScan configuration for Sync 3.0–3.4 that I used on a 2013 Limited, which should also be compatible with most 2011–2015 Explorers. This configuration enables heated and cooled seats, as well as the heated steering wheel. If your Sync APIM has navigation, you’ll need to enable that separately.

Code:
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So to start I do apologize if a thread or guide is already out there with a how to on upgrading from Sync 2/My Ford Touch to Sync 3 and if this might violate any self promotion rules as well. But a few people on r/fordexplorer asked for a guide under my OP and I made one and since I am a part of this explorer forum I figured I would share it with anyone here who would be interested in the same project I did, I have nothing to sell or profit from. I Should also note the doc is better viewed on a tablet or computer as its formatted using a word processor and not something like InDesign as I would have liked.

Please Enjoy and PM me with any questions or concerns, Thank you.

Welcome to the Forum. :wave:
There are some threads on this upgrade as well. Here is one of the more popular ones.

Peter
 






So to start I do apologize if a thread or guide is already out there with a how to on upgrading from Sync 2/My Ford Touch to Sync 3 and if this might violate any self promotion rules as well. But a few people on r/fordexplorer asked for a guide under my OP and I made one and since I am a part of this explorer forum I figured I would share it with anyone here who would be interested in the same project I did, I have nothing to sell or profit from. I Should also note the doc is better viewed on a tablet or computer as its formatted using a word processor and not something like InDesign as I would have liked.

Please Enjoy and PM me with any questions or concerns, Thank you.

Thanks!

Can I be authorized to re-upload it, if in some distant future year, google docs or you disappear from the forum, exclusively to be linked in the forum, with credit to you? I understand if not. Just asking NOW, because if you disappear, it's a bit too late at that point. Everyone moves on from owning a particular vehicle eventually.
 






Thanks!

Can I be authorized to re-upload it, if in some distant future year, google docs or you disappear from the forum, exclusively to be linked in the forum, with credit to you? I understand if not. Just asking NOW, because if you disappear, it's a bit too late at that point. Everyone moves on from owning a particular vehicle eventually.
No I totally understand, I’m a huge fan of data preservation so if you wanna archive, store, .pdf it your more than welcome to with proper credit, thank you!
 






Just ordered a sync3 kit, will let you all know how it goes! I got it from eBay (probably China) for much cheaper than domestic retailers are offering.
 






Update: The install was flawless, no issues so far. I used a combination of this guide and some Youtube videos to get a feel for what to do. I would rate the difficulty as beginner. The hardest part was probably getting the plastic trim off and getting the old USB hub to pop out of place. I used an allen key to get a better angle for that part. I also popped the center speaker out to place the new GPS antenna in the little (secret) cubby directly forward of it, that was the most correct-feeling and secure place to put it imo.
-3-install-successful-in-2015-xlt-v0-cpg46u0ta5te1.jpg
 












Heh, I'm not feeling the love. Reddit got a lot more pics than we did. ;)


Oh man you got me, I'm planning to make a post on here too ;)
 






So do these aftermarket Sync 3 kits update to the newer versions of Sync 3 without issues? I noticed the seller's ebay page stated it was a Sync 3.4 unit, but not the sub-numbers for the version.

AFAIK the latest to come out was version 3.4.23188 but I don't know specifics of which versions had some kind of memory bug that could cause problems, including updating, something about doing a factory reset to clear the NVRAM before doing the update? I don't recall all the details.
 






Also while I'm thinking about it, I noticed on your pic of the bezel once it's off, the silver trim pieces weren't there. Are they black plastic on the back (black plastic all the way through with just silver paint/coating on top) like the silver colored plastic around the cup holders?

The silver on my cupholder piece is coming off to show the black plastic underneath and at some point, I might just remove all the silver and try a vinyl dye paint to paint them black, and if I had the bezel silver pieces off, I might as well do them too.
 






Also while I'm thinking about it, I noticed on your pic of the bezel once it's off, the silver trim pieces weren't there. Are they black plastic on the back (black plastic all the way through with just silver paint/coating on top) like the silver colored plastic around the cup holders?

The silver on my cupholder piece is coming off to show the black plastic underneath and at some point, I might just remove all the silver and try a vinyl dye paint to paint them black, and if I had the bezel silver pieces off, I might as well do them too.
They are silver on both sides
 






So do these aftermarket Sync 3 kits update to the newer versions of Sync 3 without issues? I noticed the seller's ebay page stated it was a Sync 3.4 unit, but not the sub-numbers for the version.

AFAIK the latest to come out was version 3.4.23188 but I don't know specifics of which versions had some kind of memory bug that could cause problems, including updating, something about doing a factory reset to clear the NVRAM before doing the update? I don't recall all the details.
In the settings menu there is an area for current version which has the option to update. i have no idea how it works, or if it will brick the system. I only updated my SYNC unit once in our 10 years of ownership using a usb drive. no idea if the dealer ever did anything to it.

on another note it's probably a safe precaution to at least let the dealership know your car now has sync 3 if it ever finds itself in for service or recalls.
 






In the settings menu there is an area for current version which has the option to update. i have no idea how it works, or if it will brick the system. I only updated my SYNC unit once in our 10 years of ownership using a usb drive. no idea if the dealer ever did anything to it.
If you're talking about what I think you are, that area shows your current software version. The only way it updates is when you successfully update the system with a software update and report it. Have you checked your Sync account to see if there are any updates?
Not sure if this thread is of any help; Is my sync at the latest version ?

Peter
 






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