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This service provides customized SYNC 4 APIM programming created for the vehicle receiving the SYNC 4 installation.
Customized Programming File Delivered by Email
PayPal, Credit/Debit Card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay Accepted During Checkout
| 1. Source Your Hardware
Purchase compatible OEM SYNC 4 hardware, including the APIM, display, and any additional components required for your conversion. |
2. Submit Vehicle Details
Provide the target vehicle VIN, model/year, APIM information, display configuration, and other requested vehicle information. |
3. We Create Your File
Your SYNC 4 APIM configuration is prepared for the vehicle receiving the retrofit or hardware upgrade. |
4. Program With FORScan
Your customized programming file is sent by email for installation using FORScan and a compatible OBD interface. |
CGEA 1.3+ is the minimum supported older Ford electrical architecture for applicable SYNC 4 retrofit conversions offered through this service.
This is particularly important for customers upgrading an older vehicle originally equipped with SYNC 2, SYNC 3, or another earlier infotainment system.
Vehicle eligibility is determined by the electrical architecture used by the specific model and model year — not simply by whether a SYNC 4 APIM or display can be physically installed in the dashboard.
Ford's newer electrical and networking architecture is known as FNV (Fully Networked Vehicle). A widely used generation of this platform is referred to as FNV-2 or FNV 2.0.
FNV succeeds the older CGEA architecture and provides a newer vehicle-network design incorporating higher-speed networking, including automotive Ethernet, to support newer vehicle systems such as SYNC 4, connected services, coordinated software updates, and communication between increasingly complex vehicle modules.
Many newer Ford and Lincoln vehicles that were factory-equipped with SYNC 4 already use the FNV/FNV-2 architecture.
FNV vehicles are supported by this programming service when the specific vehicle and requested SYNC 4 hardware configuration are supported.
This is especially applicable to customers who are not performing a SYNC 3-to-SYNC 4 retrofit at all, but instead are modifying an existing factory SYNC 4 vehicle.
Examples may include:
FORScan Extended License Information
The OBD interface must be capable of accessing the SYNC 4 APIM through FORScan and communicating reliably with the target vehicle.
Your order information will be reviewed and the vehicle-specific programming file will be created using the vehicle and hardware information supplied during checkout.
To help reduce delays and improve programming accuracy, provide as much accurate information as possible about the target vehicle and SYNC 4 hardware being installed.
If you are unsure about a particular field, provide the information you have and explain the installation in the order notes.
Complete SYNC 4 retrofit kits can be convenient, but many customers prefer to locate their own genuine OEM components through salvage yards, vehicle recyclers, dealerships, online marketplaces, or other suppliers.
Sync3Programming.com allows you to source the hardware yourself and purchase only the custom vehicle-specific programming required for your installation.
Active Park Assist is supported by compatible SYNC 4 configurations using the taller portrait-oriented display interface where the required Active Park Assist graphical controls are present.
2015–2018 F-150 and certain earlier Super Duty configurations are especially important to verify before purchasing hardware because their original ACM design differs from later vehicles commonly paired with SYNC 4.
If your vehicle currently has a factory CD player, do not expect the original CD source to remain usable through the SYNC 4 interface after conversion.
Vehicles originally equipped with a small 4-inch non-touchscreen system can require considerably more conversion work than vehicles already equipped with an 8-inch SYNC system.
SYNC 4 can integrate significantly more climate-control functionality into the touchscreen than earlier SYNC generations.
Camera compatibility depends upon the target vehicle's original camera system, image-processing modules, APIM configuration, and selected SYNC 4 interface.
Trailer-related functions vary significantly between Ford models, model years, camera systems, and module configurations.
These functions depend upon the vehicle's existing hardware, climate-control modules, APIM configuration, and selected SYNC 4 GUI.
SYNC 4 navigation and connected features differ from traditional offline navigation systems and can depend upon Ford subscriptions and Ford backend eligibility.
Older vehicles may have received traffic, weather, fuel-price, sports, or other information through SiriusXM/Travel Link. Newer SYNC 4 implementations can obtain similar information through Ford's connected navigation architecture instead.
Customers should not assume that legacy SiriusXM Travel Link functionality or equivalent connected data will automatically transfer to a SYNC 4 retrofit.
No. This product is for custom programming only. All physical hardware must be obtained separately.
Supported applications must use a compatible CGEA 1.3+ or newer FNV/FNV-2 electrical architecture.
CGEA 1.2, C1CMA, and other unsupported older architectures are not eligible for a SYNC 4 conversion through this service.
FNV/FNV-2 vehicles are newer Fully Networked Vehicle applications and are commonly already factory-equipped with SYNC 4. These vehicles may be supported for replacement APIM programming, screen changes, and other compatible SYNC 4-to-SYNC 4 upgrades.
Potentially, yes. This service is not limited to SYNC 3-to-SYNC 4 conversions.
Supported factory-SYNC-4 vehicles, including applicable FNV/FNV-2 vehicles, may use this service for compatible replacement APIMs, replacement displays, supported screen-size changes, and other SYNC 4 hardware configuration changes.
The replacement hardware must still be compatible with the specific target vehicle and desired configuration.
Yes. Salvage-yard and recycled OEM components can be a cost-effective source of genuine Ford / Lincoln hardware, provided the parts are compatible with the intended installation.
No. SYNC 4 APIMs are not universally interchangeable. Hardware family, display interface, display power requirements, intended vehicle architecture, firmware, and other factors can determine whether an APIM is suitable for your conversion.
No. Different display configurations can use different electrical, data, power, and hardware arrangements. Verify the exact APIM/display combination before purchasing hardware.
Always provide the 17-digit VIN of the vehicle receiving the SYNC 4 hardware. Do not use the donor or salvage vehicle VIN in place of the target vehicle VIN.
Normally, no. The target vehicle VIN is the important VIN for programming. Donor vehicle model/year, APIM engineering number, and original display configuration are generally more useful for identifying the hardware.
SYNC 4 APIMs are not all identical. Hardware family, intended vehicle architecture, firmware compatibility, display configuration, and other factors can affect compatibility.
Potentially, but only on a specifically supported vehicle using a compatible CGEA 1.3+ electrical architecture.
Older SYNC 2 vehicles using CGEA 1.2, C1CMA, or another unsupported architecture are not eligible, even if the vehicle can be converted successfully to SYNC 3.
A supported conversion still requires replacement SYNC 4 hardware and potentially additional wiring, harnesses, modules, bezels, and other components. The original SYNC 2 system cannot simply be reprogrammed into SYNC 4.
Some vehicle platforms support display-size conversions, including certain vehicles already factory-equipped with SYNC 4, but compatibility depends upon the exact vehicle, model year, electrical architecture, APIM, display, wiring, mounting, firmware, and module configuration.
It depends upon the SYNC 4 display configuration.
Active Park Assist is not supported by the SYNC 4 graphical interface used with 8-inch or other landscape-oriented displays because the required Active Park Assist GUI is not present.
Active Park Assist is supported only with compatible taller portrait-oriented SYNC 4 display configurations where the necessary graphical controls are available.
This limitation cannot be corrected through APIM programming on a landscape-display configuration.
It depends upon the target vehicle model year, ACM hardware, wiring, APIM configuration, and other factors.
Some earlier vehicles — particularly earlier F-150 and Super Duty applications — may lose SiriusXM or require an updated ACM, additional wiring, and/or additional programming.
SiriusXM functionality is therefore not guaranteed unless the exact target vehicle and supporting audio hardware have been verified as compatible.
Usually on compatible later ACM configurations, but some earlier ACM hardware does not communicate properly with SYNC 4 for preset storage/display. An ACM upgrade or additional configuration may be required on affected vehicles.
No. SYNC 4 does not support the original factory CD-player interface in these retrofit applications.
A compatible factory backup camera can generally be retained, but correct operation depends upon the target vehicle, APIM programming, camera hardware, image-processing modules, wiring, and selected SYNC 4 configuration.
Not necessarily. Some conversions retain the cameras and physical camera button but do not provide every original touchscreen button used to manually select individual views.
Additional programming, firmware, or hardware may be required depending upon the vehicle and camera system.
Compatibility is vehicle-specific and cannot be guaranteed as part of basic APIM programming. Customers who rely on Pro Trailer Backup Assist or specialized trailer-camera functions should disclose this equipment before ordering.
Physical massage/multicontour seat controls may continue working, but SYNC 4 on-screen controls can require compatible firmware or programming in the seat modules.
Basic operation depends upon the target vehicle's existing HVAC/FCIM hardware, wiring, programming, and selected SYNC 4 interface.
Some conversions require different HVAC/FCIM hardware or additional configuration for all touchscreen climate functions to operate correctly.
Compatible SYNC 4 systems support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Actual functionality depends upon the complete installed hardware and target vehicle configuration.
FordPass cannot be guaranteed on retrofit installations. Operation depends upon the target vehicle's modem/TCU, VIN registration, account activation, module configuration, Ford server support, and other vehicle-specific factors.
A Master/Factory Reset can disconnect the vehicle from FordPass. Some retrofit installations may require temporarily reinstalling the original SYNC 3 system or other additional procedures to restore FordPass afterward.
Yes. We strongly recommend retaining the original APIM, display, and other infotainment hardware until the SYNC 4 conversion or hardware upgrade has been fully installed and all desired functionality has been verified.
Normal Ford OTA update functionality cannot be guaranteed on a CGEA 1.3+ vehicle that was not originally built with SYNC 4.
Factory-SYNC-4 FNV/FNV-2 vehicles are designed around a newer, more integrated update-capable vehicle architecture. However, replacement or retrofit hardware can still affect software/update compatibility and Ford backend recognition.
Future software updates should only be performed using software and procedures known to be compatible with the particular APIM, display, target vehicle, and retrofit configuration.
Navigation availability depends upon the APIM, vehicle, Ford connected-service eligibility, and subscription status.
Some systems may show a moving map while destination routing, live traffic, connected search, or other functions are unavailable.
No. Programming can configure supported functionality, but it cannot create hardware, modules, vehicle networks, subscriptions, graphical interfaces, Ford backend eligibility, or connected services that are not present in the target configuration.
Potentially, depending upon the APIM hardware family and intended installation. Cross-model compatibility must be evaluated using the actual hardware, original APIM application, display type, vehicle electrical architecture, and target vehicle configuration.
Programming cannot correct physically incompatible hardware. Customers are responsible for verifying hardware suitability before ordering.
Contact us before ordering. Additional SYNC 4 applications will be added as configurations are researched, developed, and validated.
Your vehicle-specific programming file will be sent to the email address provided during checkout after the order information has been reviewed and the file has been created.
Sync3Programming.com provides independent software programming and configuration services only. No physical SYNC 4 hardware, installation labor, wiring modifications, module firmware updates, or vehicle repair services are included with this product unless specifically stated otherwise.
Ford does not offer or officially support generation-to-generation SYNC retrofit upgrades. Installing SYNC 4 into a vehicle originally equipped with SYNC 2, SYNC 3, or another infotainment system is a custom retrofit and should not be considered a Ford factory upgrade.
SYNC 4 retrofit conversions offered through this service are limited to specifically supported vehicles using a compatible CGEA 1.3+ electrical architecture. CGEA 1.2, C1CMA, and other unsupported older architectures are not eligible.
Newer Ford and Lincoln vehicles may use Ford's FNV/FNV-2 Fully Networked Vehicle architecture and may already be factory-equipped with SYNC 4. Supported FNV applications may be eligible for replacement APIM programming, compatible display changes, and other supported SYNC 4-to-SYNC 4 hardware changes.
The Customer, End User, and/or Vehicle Owner is solely responsible for selecting compatible hardware, performing or arranging proper installation, verifying wiring, and confirming the suitability of all APIM modules, displays, ACMs, HVAC/FCIM modules, TCUs, Gateway Modules, camera systems, seat modules, harnesses, antennas, brackets, trim components, and associated vehicle modules.
SYNC 4 retrofit compatibility varies by vehicle model, model year, electrical architecture, APIM hardware family, firmware revision, display size and orientation, ACM hardware, climate-control hardware, camera system, connected-service hardware, installed modules, wiring, and other factors.
Successful APIM programming does not guarantee that every feature available in a factory SYNC 4-equipped vehicle will operate in a retrofit installation.
Features which may vary, require additional hardware/programming, or be unavailable include but are not limited to Active Park Assist, SiriusXM, AM/FM presets, CD-player operation, FordPass, Connected Navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, over-the-air updates, 360-degree camera touchscreen controls, trailer camera functions, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, massage-seat touchscreen controls, climate-control touchscreen functions, and other vehicle-specific features.
Active Park Assist touchscreen functionality is not supported on SYNC 4 configurations using 8-inch or other landscape-oriented displays because the required graphical interface is not present in those SYNC 4 display configurations. Compatible portrait-oriented SYNC 4 configurations may support Active Park Assist where the required graphical interface is present.
Programming cannot correct defective, damaged, improperly flashed, or physically incompatible hardware. The customer is responsible for confirming hardware condition and compatibility prior to ordering.
Features dependent upon Ford Motor Company servers or third-party services — including FordPass, Connected Navigation, subscriptions, modem services, over-the-air updates, and other connected services — are outside the direct control of Sync3Programming.com and cannot be guaranteed.
A Master/Factory Reset may disconnect FordPass and other connected services. Customers should understand the possible consequences before performing a reset on a retrofit system.
Normal Ford SYNC 4 over-the-air software updates cannot be guaranteed on vehicles that were not originally factory-equipped with SYNC 4. Future firmware updates may require specialized procedures and can introduce compatibility problems if an inappropriate software version is installed.
Customers are strongly encouraged to retain their original infotainment hardware until the SYNC 4 conversion or hardware upgrade has been fully installed and all desired vehicle functions have been verified.
No liability will be accepted or assumed beyond the amount paid for the programming service. Installation or programming of non-original or non-approved equipment may affect an applicable vehicle warranty if a problem is caused by such modifications.
Do not purchase this service if you do not understand or accept these conditions. Customers who are not comfortable with automotive electrical work, module programming, vehicle networking, or retrofit installation should seek assistance from a qualified automotive electronics professional.
Please ask any compatibility, hardware, installation, feature-retention, or ordering clarification questions before purchasing programming services.
Ford, Lincoln, SYNC, SYNC 2, SYNC 3, SYNC 4, SYNC 4A, MyFord Touch, MyLincoln Touch, FordPass, and related names and marks are owned by Ford Motor Company and/or their respective owners. SiriusXM is a trademark of Sirius XM Radio Inc. Apple CarPlay is a trademark of Apple Inc. Android Auto is a trademark of Google LLC. Sync3Programming.com is an independent programming service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company, Sirius XM Radio Inc., Apple Inc., or Google LLC.
Use Coupon Code SAVE10 at Checkout for $10 Off Your Programming Order (Not Valid on Previous Orders)