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SYNC 4 swap?

5453 Views 47 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  bbf2530
Hey all! Apparently I missed it but it seems before the Mondeo wrapped up the 2.5 generation in China, they actually stuffed a SYNC 4 panel inside of it and I think it looked pretty handsome!
I like the size of that large Tesla style screen in the center console, but the only option for that thus far has been an aftermarket Android screen, which I don't really like the interface of and have doubts concerning it's reliablity.

However, seeing that they gave the Mondeo in China a SYNC 4 APIM, I would love to see if I could find one and make it all work nicely via Forscan. Has anyone seen anything about this? Does anyone know where I could find those part numbers seeing as they are Chinese parts?

Let me know what you all think! I would guess most of you would think the screen is too large or hard to use at that size, but I'd love to hear from those who like it as much as I do.
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If you can get a VIN of a Chinese 2.5 with that Sync 4 you should be able to pull the As-Built which would get you part of the way there at least. Very cool find though!
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Hey all! Apparently I missed it but it seems before the Mondeo wrapped up the 2.5 generation in China, they actually stuffed a SYNC 4 panel inside of it and I think it looked pretty handsome!
I like the size of that large Tesla style screen in the center console, but the only option for that thus far has been an aftermarket Android screen, which I don't really like the interface of and have doubts concerning it's reliablity.

However, seeing that they gave the Mondeo in China a SYNC 4 APIM, I would love to see if I could find one and make it all work nicely via Forscan. Has anyone seen anything about this? Does anyone know where I could find those part numbers seeing as they are Chinese parts?

Let me know what you all think! I would guess most of you would think the screen is too large or hard to use at that size, but I'd love to hear from those who like it as much as I do.
Hi DAA. Short story is it will not work.

The longer story: SYNC 4 is far more complex system and far more than simply a different APIM. It is an entirely upgraded system, which not only controls the infotainment systems (like SYNC 3), but ties into the PCM/TCM and other vehicle/powertrain systems of SYNC 4 equipped vehicles.

I don't expect you to take my word for it, so do the research. However, it simply is not a viable modification to even begin to consider seriously.

Good luck.
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This reminds me of something that scares me about Sync 4 and other similar systems. Imagine someone hacking into Ford's Sync systems. What stops them from changing peoples' engine tunes, and making their engines fail? I mean, supposedly the system can update all the modules over the air. Yeah yeah I know the access to the systems is controlled and restricted and all that jazz. But seriously, if someone gets in there, what stops this nightmare from happening?
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Hi DAA. Short story is it will not work.

The longer story: SYNC 4 is far more complex system and far more than simply a different APIM. It is an entirely upgraded system, which not only controls the infotainment systems (like SYNC 3), but ties into the PCM/TCM and other vehicle/powertrain systems of SYNC 4 equipped vehicles.

I don't expect you to take my word for it, so do the research. However, it simply is not a viable modification to even begin to consider seriously.

Good luck.
That's not true though... SYNC 4 is an evolution of SYNC 3, still running QNX as a base OS. Sure there are new features that won't work on older vehicles if (when) someone swaps SYNC 4 into a SYNC 3 vehicle, but that's also true with someone swaps from MFT to SYNC 3 right now. SYNC 3 has the ability to control other modules of the vehicle as well, depending on the model.

The issue is most likely the inability to get the hardware. You'd have to get your hands on an 8" APIM and display, which is rare right now as I believe it's only really in the base trim F-150's, which are also rare. Plus when you account for the fact that SYNC 4's main added features are things like OTA software updates and some minor features that pretty much just collect data about the vehicle owner's use habits, nobody has really even had the desire to look into it.
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Did you guys know they added a 12" portrait screen running SYNC 4A to the Edges in North America in 2021, too? Saw one in person, unlike the Chinese-market Mondeo it partially sticks out of the dash and looks terrible, and dare I say aftermarket-looking in my opinion.
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That's not true though... SYNC 4 is an evolution of SYNC 3, still running QNX as a base OS. Sure there are new features that won't work on older vehicles if (when) someone swaps SYNC 4 into a SYNC 3 vehicle, but that's also true with someone swaps from MFT to SYNC 3 right now. SYNC 3 has the ability to control other modules of the vehicle as well, depending on the model.

The issue is most likely the inability to get the hardware. You'd have to get your hands on an 8" APIM and display, which is rare right now as I believe it's only really in the base trim F-150's, which are also rare. Plus when you account for the fact that SYNC 4's main added features are things like OTA software updates and some minor features that pretty much just collect data about the vehicle owner's use habits, nobody has really even had the desire to look into it.
It seems I was talking about the large 4A panel, as that is the only advantage to upgrading from SYNC 3 to 4 in my eyes. Seeing as the panel made it to the Edge which is superficially similar to the Fusion it may be somewhat possible yes?
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It seems I was talking about the large 4A panel, as that is the only advantage to upgrading from SYNC 3 to 4 in my eyes. Seeing as the panel made it to the Edge which is superficially similar to the Fusion it may be somewhat possible yes?
Just realized I didn't tag you in my post about the Edge too, but seeing as you just commented on it there's no need for me to edit and add you, lol.

If you can source the bezel, console, and display (and potentially the APIM too while you're at it) I don't seen why not. But that's going to be the problem in our case. Not sure if Ford changed anything in the dash for to accommodate it either - the Chinese market is large enough where they already do different things compared to NA or European models.
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Just realized I didn't tag you in my post about the Edge too, but seeing as you just commented on it there's no need for me to edit and add you, lol.

If you can source the bezel, console, and display (and potentially the APIM too while you're at it) I don't seen why not. But that's going to be the problem in our case. Not sure if Ford changed anything in the dash for to accommodate it either - the Chinese market is large enough where they already do different things compared to NA or European models.
Indeed, I can't even find the part very easily. Maybe in a year or two, some of these Mondeo's will die in China and their parts will make it to the used market.
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@Engineer Did you know they added a 12" portrait screen running SYNC 4A to the Edges in North America in 2021, too? Saw one in person, unlike the Chinese-market Mondeo it partially sticks out of the dash and looks terrible, and dare I say aftermarket-looking in my opinion.
I'm really not a fan of the panels that stick up. Over heard arguments for it and I get that some people like it but to me it just looks cheap and flimsy when they do that, like it's an afterthought, and it looks really fragile. I want my cars to be durable.

That China Mondeo display is nice though, it's integrated well. You'd give up the nice coin yeah storage area but that's a fair deal considering what you'd get for it, I think. Especially since I think I'm the MKZ you already give that storage up because they have more items on the dash that need space, and I don't hear any MKZ owners complaining about it. 🙂 But yeah I'm 100% with you on the displays that pop out of the dash, I'm not a fan of those.
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I'm really not a fan of the panels that stick up. Over heard arguments for it and I get that some people like it but to me it just looks cheap and flimsy when they do that, like it's an afterthought, and it looks really fragile. I want my cars to be durable.

That China Mondeo display is nice though, it's integrated well. You'd give up the nice coin yeah storage area but that's a fair deal considering what you'd get for it, I think. Especially since I think I'm the MKZ you already give that storage up because they have more items on the dash that need space, and I don't hear any MKZ owners complaining about it. 🙂 But yeah I'm 100% with you on the displays that pop out of the dash, I'm not a fan of those.
Agreed somewhat, while I prefer an integrated head unit a little bit of sticking out doesn't bug me too much like on the Mach E or new Lightning, however, the execution on the Edge just feels sloppy. Like they couldn't cram it in right so they just let it ruin the whole integrated look they were going for. Prolly they just ran out of space and couldn't make any more changes to the dashboard.
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Managed to find a Chinese website that apparently allows you to order Chinese cars and parts through them. I submitted a request and will update anything I find here. Looking at this photo, it appears at minimum the new APIM will be needed, as well as the trim around the APIM. This also assumes the connectors are all the same, the unit can be switched from Chinese to English, and it would work in the US with the right software changes. So prolly a pipe dream for now but I am hoping Ford did the lazy thing and changed so few things so as to make this possible.

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That's not true though... SYNC 4 is an evolution of SYNC 3, still running QNX as a base OS. Sure there are new features that won't work on older vehicles if (when) someone swaps SYNC 4 into a SYNC 3 vehicle, but that's also true with someone swaps from MFT to SYNC 3 right now. SYNC 3 has the ability to control other modules of the vehicle as well, depending on the model.

The issue is most likely the inability to get the hardware. You'd have to get your hands on an 8" APIM and display, which is rare right now as I believe it's only really in the base trim F-150's, which are also rare. Plus when you account for the fact that SYNC 4's main added features are things like OTA software updates and some minor features that pretty much just collect data about the vehicle owner's use habits, nobody has really even had the desire to look into it.
Hi DaMiFo. Where did I state it was a different operating system? Where did I even mention the words "operating system"? I stated "a far more complex system" and "an entirely upgraded system." And both are true. If read correctly, every statement in my post (which you quoted) is 100% true. Therefore, please read my posts more carefully and do not say I made statements or inferred anything that I did not.

This is not anything like upgrading MFT to SYNC 3. It is not even SYNC 3.0 to SYNC 3.4. SYNC 4 is a far more complex and integrated system, connected into nearly all computer programmable aspects of our vehicles.

The only untrue and/or misleading statements in my or your posts was you stating "SYNC 4's main added features are things like OTA software updates and some minor features that pretty much just collect data about the vehicle owner's use habits..."...and you stating (guessing) that "The issue is most likely the inability to get the hardware.", and that since it is all such a minor upgrade that "nobody has really even had the desire to look into it". Opinions are not necessarily facts.
The SYNC 4 system is a complete upgrade. Forget about sourcing the APIM/screen etc. That would be a piece of cake compared to the rest of the necessary parts/components/work. SYNC 3 vehicles would not even have the necessary/proper modules, wiring harnesses, connectors, processing ability, programming or the ability to accept copied programming without tearing the vehicle apart to R&R major system components. Not "minor" ones. etc.

If someone only wants to try and integrate the larger screen, then yes, that is certainly "possible". But having SYNC 4 functionaity is not realistic at all.

So to repeat...I stated it is a "far more complex system". I did not state or infer it is a different operating system. And it is a far more complex system. SYNC/SYNC 3 is simply an infotainment system. Even by Ford's own description.
SYNC 4 gives the vehicle the ability to obtain OTA updates for major systems, such as the PCM/TCM and powertrain etc. etc. This can not be performed by SYNC 3 at all.
Essentially. almost anything that can be computer updated/upgraded will now be able to be done OTA by SYNC 4, as the updates/upgrades become available. A multitude of things we now need to go to a Dealer to have updated/upgraded will no longer require Dealer visits. In a similar same manner as Tesla vehicles. So what I stated was completely true.

That is a major upgrade over SYNC 3. And all major automotive experts, journalists and sources agree on that fact.

So no...The issue is not "...most likely an inability tot get the hardware". And OTA updates to major Engine/Powertrain/infotainment and other systems are not "a minor feature". It is a leap and a bound more than SYNC 3's basic infotainment system control.

And again, please read posts more carefully before commenting that something is untrue when it was not even stated in the first place. That is simply a basic courtesy.

Sorry if I seem agitated. But it sometimes gets a bit tedious having to correct this type of thing, when a proper reading would have saved everyone some time.

Good luck.
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I never quoted you saying SYNC 4 was a different OS, you said it's not possible because it's far more complex... and it's not. If you are at all aware of SYNC 3's configurations outside of the Fusion and MKZ models, SYNC 4 is not a large improvement at all. Improvement yes, but it's not massively more complex.

To be honest, I am not going to read more essay posts claiming I am wrong about a topic I've been heavily involved in right now, so I am going to just leave it at this.

Good luck!

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
I never quoted you saying SYNC 4 was a different OS, you said it's not possible because it's far more complex... and it's not. If you are at all aware of SYNC 3's configurations outside of the Fusion and MKZ models, SYNC 4 is not a large improvement at all. Improvement yes, but it's not massively more complex.

To be honest, I am not going to read more essay posts claiming I am wrong about a topic I've been heavily involved in right now, so I am going to just leave it at this.

Good luck!

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
Hi DaMiFo. Really? Word games now? I did not state "quoted". You stated "That's not true though... SYNC 4 is an evolution of SYNC 3, still running QNX as a base OS." Now, that is a quote.

So you were stating that what I said was not true, due to SYNC 4 still being QNX based. SYNC 4 being QNX based is irrelevant to the discussion of how hard and/or possible it will be to integrate SYNC 4 into a SYNC 3 equipped vehicle. . That would be the equivalent of inferring SYNC 4 is no different/more complex/automotive capable etc. than a Blackberry phone. So be honest and don't play word games. It is disingenuous.

And another falsehood...I did not say it is not "possible". Is it "possible" to do it? Sure, same old story of anything is "possible" if we throw enough money/time/sweat and curse words at it. Someone could make a Fusion Sport fly if they really want to. However, is it a viable realistic project to expect someone can successfully integrate full SYNC 4 functionality into a SYNC 3 equipped vehicle? Nope, not at all.

And I am quite aware of SYNC 3's configurations outside of the Fusion and MKZ models. It is simply an infotainment system in all models. Yes, that includes Drive Control, Sport Mode etc. etc..

You ever notice I directly address your statements if they need to be refuted, while you pull this kind of stuff? We've been through this before.

Concerning "essay posts": It always takes more words to defend against falsehoods than it does to sling them. "Essay posts" would not be necessary if people would read correctly. So keep that in mind before you talk about "essay posts".

How would you suggest someone integrate SYNC 4 into a SYNC 3 vehicle? How will they integrate all the new wiring harnesses, modules etc., which are necessary for OTA updates to the PCM/TCM powertrain modules etc.? And again, that is just for starters. Would you suggest it will be easy to tear apart their vehicle to do this? The OTA updates are the primary point of SYNC 4 in the first place. Yes, the bigger screen is pretty, but that can be done without SYNC 4.

SYNC 3/3.4 is simply an infotainment system. Not integrated into the heart of the vehicle, the PCM/TCM etc. as SYNC 4 is.

I take pride in trying to help others here with the correct information. And researched information. I don't wing it or express opinion as fact.

So when someone actually integrates full SYNC 4 functionality into a SYNC 3 vehicle, you can say "I told you so". Not just a big screen. Until then, what you're "heavily involved in" (a rather vague statement) does not seem to have you very involved in what SYNC 4 is actually capable of. So leave out, "never quoted", "not possible", "heavily invloved in" red herrings.

I treat people with respect and expect the same. Until they don't treat me in the same manner. And I don't put forth my opinion as fact. Even on the rude, anonymous Internet.

Some people operate differently.

Good luck.
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Hi DaMiFo. Really? Word games now? I did not state "quoted". You stated "That's not true though... SYNC 4 is an evolution of SYNC 3, still running QNX as a base OS." Now, that is a quote.

So you were stating that what I said was not true, due to SYNC 4 still being QNX based. SYNC 4 being QNX based is irrelevant to the discussion of how hard and/or possible it will be to integrate SYNC 4 into a SYNC 3 equipped vehicle. . That would be the equivalent of inferring SYNC 4 is no different/more complex/automotive capable etc. than a Blackberry phone. So be honest and don't play word games. It is disingenuous.

And another falsehood...I did not say it is not "possible". Is it "possible" to do it? Sure, same old story of anything is "possible" if we throw enough money/time/sweat and curse words at it. Someone could make a Fusion Sport fly if they really want to. However, is it a viable realistic project to expect someone can successfully integrate full SYNC 4 functionality into a SYNC 3 equipped vehicle? Nope, not at all.

And I am quite aware of SYNC 3's configurations outside of the Fusion and MKZ models. It is simply an infotainment system in all models. Yes, that includes Drive Control, Sport Mode etc. etc..

You ever notice I directly address your statements if they need to be refuted, while you pull this kind of stuff? We've been through this before.

Concerning "essay posts": It always takes more words to defend against falsehoods than it does to sling them. "Essay posts" would not be necessary if people would read correctly. So keep that in mind before you talk about "essay posts".

How would you suggest someone integrate SYNC 4 into a SYNC 3 vehicle? How will they integrate all the new wiring harnesses, modules etc., which are necessary for OTA updates to the PCM/TCM powertrain modules etc.? And again, that is just for starters. Would you suggest it will be easy to tear apart their vehicle to do this? The OTA updates are the primary point of SYNC 4 in the first place. Yes, the bigger screen is pretty, but that can be done without SYNC 4.

SYNC 3/3.4 is simply an infotainment system. Not integrated into the heart of the vehicle, the PCM/TCM etc. as SYNC 4 is.

I take pride in trying to help others here with the correct information. And researched information. I don't wing it or express opinion as fact.

So when someone actually integrates full SYNC 4 functionality into a SYNC 3 vehicle, you can say "I told you so". Not just a big screen. Until then, what you're "heavily involved in" (a rather vague statement) does not seem to have you very involved in what SYNC 4 is actually capable of. So leave out, "never quoted", "not possible", "heavily invloved in" red herrings.

I treat people with respect and expect the same. Until they don't treat me in the same manner. And I don't put forth my opinion as fact. Even on the rude, anonymous Internet.

Some people operate differently.

Good luck.
So I would say let's just focus on the big thing here for myself and possibly anyone wanting to do this. Just having the bigger screen would be the primary goal, as even if we could work all the modules into the car that are a part of the OTA update services, it wouldn't make much sense since Ford is done with this generation of Fusion.

How would one go about getting the larger screen to work with the SYNC 4 GUI like in the Mach E? Or even the SYNC 3 GUI if they made one that was designed for vertical had units?
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The Explorer's have SYNC 3 in portrait, but that's a 10" display, not 12". On SYNC 3 it's the theme that tells the system what screen size & orientation you have, I can't imagine SYNC 4 is much different - but I haven't played with that part of SYNC 4 yet, so I could be wrong there. Also not sure if they changed the display cable from the SYNC 4 APIM's to use on a SYNC 3 screen, if you get the Chinese version you may have to just stick with 4 or 4A. Only one way to find out tho!
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To me the only practical advantage for SYNC 4 is the compatibility with wireless Android Auto.
Is there any way to bring it to SYNC3?
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To me the only practical advantage for SYNC 4 is the compatibility with wireless Android Auto.
Is there any way to bring it to SYNC3?
Hi valerian. The only "practical" way I have seen so far is to use a Bluetooth wireless USB dongle, in order to allow a wireless connection to the dongle/SYNC 3, and thus wireless Apple CarPlay. I am not saying it is the only way, but it is the only way I have seen so far.

I am sure others will jump in with more information and suggestions.

Let us know how you make out and good luck.
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Yup as BBF said that's pretty much the only way without going to SYNC 4. I've heard mixed results about using those adapters too, as far as reliability goes at least.

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