Downgrading from (8" MFT with Nav) to (4.2" non-MFT) | Page 2 | Ford Explorer Forums
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Downgrading from (8" MFT with Nav) to (4.2" non-MFT)

FordIVTteam said:
The latest version for all vehicles with MyFord Touch is A7. You might be able to find it somewhere else, but this is the official site to check for updates: ford.navigation.com/home/en_US/FordNA/USD

If there is an issue with the APIM, it might be covered under the extended warranty for your system. Shoot me a PM with the VIN. I'll check.

Shaay
Click to expand...

PM sent, thanks for your help Shaay!
 



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Ark =D said:
I've heard back from Shaay and my APIM is thankfully still under warranty. That's great news, but I still suspect the GPS antenna is dead, not the APIM.

Could anyone confirm, is this the part number I would need for the GPS antenna?

FB5Z-10E893-B
http://www.tascaparts.com/ford/expl...navigation-system-scat/?part_name=gps-antenna
Click to expand...
That is also shown on AutoNation Ford for $40.73.
http://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...nna&p=catalog&mode=search&scat=&search_in=all

Peter
 






Thanks for the link, Peter.

I'm still leaning toward ripping the whole thing out, though. I'm also really frustrated with my Explorer's backup camera ... it'll work fine for a week, then not at all for the next two weeks. Then it'll "fix itself" and work fine for 5 days, only to stop working again for 2 days. Very annoying.

A question: In the Nav-equipped 2013 Explorer, is it true or false that the APIM and the Sync module are the same piece? To me, that seems false, as there are Sync-equipped vehicles WITHOUT the 8" MFT screen.
 






No, the APIM and the Sync module are indeed the same thing. The APIM is a general term for the "Sync Brains," although you would be correct to observe that the part looks different between MFT and non MFT vehicles.
 






Thefranchise713, you're absolutely correct. I had the center console apart today to see what I was dealing with. The good news is, Sync works without a screen connected to it at all, so I have options. The bad news is, I don't believe I can get to the Nav's GPS antenna without tearing the entire dash apart (this is the part that I am almost sure has failed, probably when my battery died like another user on here). That sucks!

I'd really like to tear apart the center console in a non-MFT Explorer to see how/where the Sync module is connected. If I could figure that out, I would rip out the 8" MFT display and APIM, replace them both with a 4.3" non-MFT display and non-MFT Sync module, then buy the dash kit I want and install an aftermarket Nav unit of my choosing.
 






Does the dash kit support the HVAC configuration you have? That is, with dual climate controls?

I remember back in the day that non-MFT vehicles (maybe not Explorer) often had single zone controls.. not sure if that throws off the game or not.

For what it is worth, I hope you can squeeze a new APIM out of the Ford dealer and maybe even a new GPS puck depending on if the Customer Relationship Center folks have any leeway... the MFT navigation is actually pretty good when it works. There was also a TSB out on the GPSM a long, long while ago regarding the GPSM spacing out and giving erratic feedback back to the APIM. It was a simple software upgrade.
 












That does sound like my issue, before it evolved into showing the GPS with an X through it permanently. I'm going to force a confrontation with them soon (I don't mean that negatively, I just mean I'm going to force them to pay attention to my issue one way or another).

The Scosche kit does support the dual-zone HVAC in my Explorer. The Metra one may not, but with the Maestro RR and a compatible radio, all the HVAC controls are displayed on the radio anyway. My only worry right now is retaining Sync. I can't currently pull the 8" MFT screen out, and still retain Sync, unless I detach the APIM from the screen's back and find a way to mount it. I'd rather not do that, so I'm looking to figure out what parts I need to mimic the "Explorer with 4.3" screen and Sync" setup. I've found both the 4.3" screen and the non-MFT Sync module on eBay for pretty cheap, but there's a missing link here somewhere. I am unsure of how that Sync module physically connects to the Explorer. Once I get that figured out, it should be smooth sailing, but I can't find anything online, nor do I have a model Explorer I can tear apart to see for myself.
 






If you're headed to the aftermarket anyway, is Sync really the be-all-end-all? It can't be the only voice commanded infotainment and phone system out there.

Just food for thought. Trying to retain Sync gets expensive fast...
 






Sync really isn't the end all, be all. Aftermarket radios have most/all of the features covered, but one thing Sync has going for it is the factory look. I use a USB drive loaded with about 30GB of music on a daily basis, so it'd be nice to keep that input where it is now, hidden behind a cover. Additionally, if I retain Sync, I won't need to install an aftermarket mic with the new radio. The Maestro RR is actually what I want most here, because the features it brings are REALLY nice. It brings a lot of ODB2 data right onto your radio's screen, including dash gauges that may or may not exist in your vehicle, tire pressure readings, and others. Retaining Sync is just a nice side benefit of installing the Maestro RR, honestly, though doing so is a side goal for me.

I really appreciate all the help from this thread so far. You guys are awesome!
 






Gotcha. One way or another hopefully this turns into a project thread. No matter what you do I'm excited to see your end result.
 






I'll do my best. Need to get that last question answered before I can really begin (where does Sync physically connect in a non-MFT vehicle?) ... and if I blow a ton of money on this right up front, my wife will flip a table so I need to take a measured approach. I will definitely update this thread when I do something.
 






Found a great still shot of the piece I need a part number for:

107a4955dcd608edffe6478950d2b71b.jpg


Red arrow points to the 4.3" non-MFT display
Green arrow points to the non-MFT Sync module
Orange arrows point to the plastic bracket that connects them <<< need this part number

Anyone able to help me out with this part number?? I'd be eternally in your debt!!!
 












What is confusing to me is that there seems to be no diagram, even on that site, that covers the base 4.3" display. I won't give up though, lol!
 



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I might be able to help with some of this. I just installed a maestro kit and an aftermarket radio with the metra panel. I didn't have sync and personally there is zero chance I would have kept it active even if I did. The pioneer headunit I installed has CarPlay so Siri was a no brainer over sync.
01DF194E-3B04-4097-88BF-8B7F0FE19729_zpsg41yixdc.jpg
 






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