burkely001 Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 So, I've been considering for time now doing the sync 2 to 3 conversion kit from one of the more known/smaller resellers from some of the forums. But today I was browsing through Youtube, laughing at the level of stupidity in some people, when I landed on a video "easy sync 2 to 3". This product is from CARABC and it's essentially a board that sits behind the screen. You anchor the board down and jump the headunit with a special pin (or something similar) and an included ribbon cable. This product ends up allowing you to take over the sync 2 system with two presses of 1 button and then replaces it with either android auto or apple auto. It actually looks like a flawless setup to me, however, it's the first I've come across it. I'm really wondering if anyone has any experience with product at all or knowns more about it. I'm very interested, as my 2013 Edge SEL has just rolled over 100,000 km's, is pretty well in mint condition and I don't see myself getting rid of the vehicle anytime in the nearish future. So sync 2, absolutely needs to go! Hopefully some traffic comes through the forum and some people drop a comment. If you do, I'd like to thank you for any info you can potentially provide! Hope everyone is well, warm and having a great New Year! Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1004ron Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 It would be useful to post a link to what you're referring to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1004ron Posted January 22 Report Share Posted January 22 If I had Sybc2 I'd definitely get this modification. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEQy8pUX4aM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burkely001 Posted January 22 Author Report Share Posted January 22 I'm so sorry, I didn't even consider it. I was in a rush on my way out of the office to go home. But this is the module here, seens like a great idea tbh! https://carabc.cn/collections/other-products/products/ford-sync2-wireless-carplay-androidauto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burkely001 Posted January 22 Author Report Share Posted January 22 (edited) 2 hours ago, 1004ron said: If I had Sybc2 I'd definitely get this modification. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEQy8pUX4aM Actually, this is the exact video that I came across. I thought it was genius! Not only that but cheaper than the sync 3 upgrade and having to rip apart the center cosole, etc! Would love to hear from a couple guys who have given it a try and what their experience was though! Oh, also there seems to be a ton of "copycat's" flooding the market now, the more I look at this product. Aliexpress is just loaded with various boards and modules. Edited January 22 by burkely001 added on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redden18 Posted January 22 Report Share Posted January 22 Seems to be similar to the solution which allowed video while in motion on SYNC 2 (quite expensive), the only thing is that for CAD 319 at the moment there are too many negative responses... well, at least on that YouTube video link. For myself, I bought SYNC 3 upgrade kit for my Explorer '12 about 3 years ago for around CAD 600 programmed to the VIN and never regretted. Plus I bought wireless AA dongle and enjoy wireless Android Auto as well. The most important thing it is working all the time with no issues! Sooo... do your homework, weigh all pros and cons and make your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burkely001 Posted January 22 Author Report Share Posted January 22 54 minutes ago, redden18 said: Seems to be similar to the solution which allowed video while in motion on SYNC 2 (quite expensive), the only thing is that for CAD 319 at the moment there are too many negative responses... well, at least on that YouTube video link. For myself, I bought SYNC 3 upgrade kit for my Explorer '12 about 3 years ago for around CAD 600 programmed to the VIN and never regretted. Plus I bought wireless AA dongle and enjoy wireless Android Auto as well. The most important thing it is working all the time with no issues! Sooo... do your homework, weigh all pros and cons and make your choice. Thanks for the reply man! But yeah, I totally agree. That $319 ( on sale I believe??) is quite steep for a module, At the same time, if it lasts the lifetime of the vehicle, I've saved about $300 on an upgrade kit. Do you find you use much more than the Android Auto/Apple auto (not sure what it's called anymroe for iOS lol) options of your sync 3? I know there are a bunch of cool things you can do by "jailbreaking it" but again, is it worth $300+.. Thanks a bunch for the reply my man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redden18 Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 22 hours ago, burkely001 said: Thanks for the reply man! But yeah, I totally agree. That $319 ( on sale I believe??) is quite steep for a module, At the same time, if it lasts the lifetime of the vehicle, I've saved about $300 on an upgrade kit. Do you find you use much more than the Android Auto/Apple auto (not sure what it's called anymroe for iOS lol) options of your sync 3? I know there are a bunch of cool things you can do by "jailbreaking it" but again, is it worth $300+.. Thanks a bunch for the reply my man! I do use SYNC 3 options all the time, radio, Sirius, music from memory stick, plus I have navigation which is useful when there is no coverage. and SYNC 3 is cheaper now: SYNC 2 to SYNC 3 3.4 Upgrade Wireless Carplay Kit Fit for Ford Sync3 3.4 NA223 Opens in a new window or tab ✔Wireless Carplay✔New Map NA223✔Stock✔3 Years Warranty New (Other) C $546.40 Was: C $575.16, 5% off or Best Offer Free shipping from China 53 sold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omar302 Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 (edited) One more point to consider, using this module means you will still use the original sync2 screen that is resistive. Meaning requires pressure to recognize touch commands, is slow and does not support multi touch (no pinch to zoom). Having a similar solution on a Toyota, the Android auto experience was underwhelming and I'd happily pay an an extra $200 to get a correct upgrade. Edited January 23 by omar302 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1004ron Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 41 minutes ago, omar302 said: One more point to consider, using this module means you will still use the original sync2 screen that is resistive. Meaning requires pressure to recognize touch commands, is slow and does not support multi touch (no pinch to zoom). Having a similar solution on a Toyota, the Android auto experience was underwhelming and I'd happily pay an an extra $200 to get a correct upgrade. On my wife's 2015 Mustang I went with OEM Ford components to upgrade it to Sync3 which included the larger screen at a cost of around $1,300 and more recently for my wife's BMW X5, that replaced the Mustang, I went with OEM components at a cost of $1,700, and if faced with the choice I'd do the same again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burkely001 Posted yesterday at 02:59 PM Author Report Share Posted yesterday at 02:59 PM On 1/23/2025 at 1:08 AM, redden18 said: I do use SYNC 3 options all the time, radio, Sirius, music from memory stick, plus I have navigation which is useful when there is no coverage. and SYNC 3 is cheaper now: SYNC 2 to SYNC 3 3.4 Upgrade Wireless Carplay Kit Fit for Ford Sync3 3.4 NA223 Opens in a new window or tab ✔Wireless Carplay✔New Map NA223✔Stock✔3 Years Warranty New (Other) C $546.40 Was: C $575.16, 5% off or Best Offer Free shipping from China 53 sold The only thing that get's me there - "from China". Man, I hate to say it but I'm not a fan of buying things via ebay/alibaba/aliexpress/etc,.. from China! But I have looked into this quite a bit and you're certainly correct, Sync 3 has come down quite a bit in price over the years. I recall originally looking into it and it was north of $1000 CAD. I decided to hold off till the spring, then if I decide that I'm going to keep the vehicle (which to be honest, with just over 100,000 km's I can't justify parting with it) I'm going to reach out to one of othe many resellers located in North America. I appreciate all the advice and input though! Thanks a bunch! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burkely001 Posted yesterday at 03:01 PM Author Report Share Posted yesterday at 03:01 PM On 1/23/2025 at 8:29 AM, 1004ron said: On my wife's 2015 Mustang I went with OEM Ford components to upgrade it to Sync3 which included the larger screen at a cost of around $1,300 and more recently for my wife's BMW X5, that replaced the Mustang, I went with OEM components at a cost of $1,700, and if faced with the choice I'd do the same again. I completely understand what you're saying and do agree. There's just some things you shouldn't part out and replace with non OEM products. I think the sync3 system probably falls under one of those categories! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STBEAST Posted 23 hours ago Report Share Posted 23 hours ago Not to sidetrack this thread, but after 40 years plus as an outboard mechanic I can honestly say without a doubt that OEM is the best option. When you go aftermarket, you are rolling dice. Of course this does not apply to everything, but I cannot tell you how much crap is out there. Especially when it comes to electrical components. I don't mean to bash aftermarket, but you truly get what you pay for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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