Ok I've spent a good amount of time on research and its time to dump it all somewhere:
Sync 3 will work on 2013-2014 gen 1 F150's with the exception of two things:
1) The temperature overlays do not work due to apparently older hardware (
https://www.fordraptorforum.com/thr...nc-2-sync-3-upgrade.53752/page-7#post-1276487)
2) The front camera only apparently works on Sync 3 version 2.0 and 2.2, it does not work on version 3+.
There is a possible solution to the camera issue:
Those that have gotten the camera to work with version 2.0 or version 2.2 sync 3 systems have done so by:
Ordering Parts
So with that out of the way, and if you choose to proceed, you need to order parts.
You can order complete kits from infotainment.com (
https://www.infotainment.com/products/myford-touch-sync-2-to-sync-3-upgrade) and 4dtech (
https://www.4dtech.com/13-14-ford-f150-sync-3-upgrade-for-myford-touch/).
Or, if that's too rich for your blood, you can source the parts on your own. You will need:
1. Sync 3 screen
2. Sync 3 APIM (sometimes attached to the back of the screen, sometimes they are sold seperately)
3. GPS Antenna
4. Working copy of ForScan (
www.forscan.org) with OBDII dongle/cable
5. Updated USB Hub that supports Carplay (your existing hub can be kept if you don't care about CarPlay) and associated trim bezel and wiring harness
Sync 3 screens come in two configurations: Recess mount or Surface mount. If you want a truly bolt-on affair, you will want to obtain a recess mount screen. You can get a surface mount screen to work but you have to modify the mounting brackets to get it done.
The APIM comes in two flavors: Nav and non-nav. It seems the best way to tell visually is based on part number. It seems NAV APIMs will have the letter C as the second-to-last character in the part number. This isn't 100% the only way to get a NAV APIM, but I have yet to see a non-NAV APIM have a letter C in the second-to-last position.
Someone started a google sheet of part numbers you can use for reference that might help your search:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sPYdxO3XHZ1Uz1LngcQpIj4Xu-vDu1yzZyr_B1ueGwM/edit?usp=sharing
I've found most stuff on ebay is pretty pricey, and I think thats the first place everyone looks. I had good luck searching on car-part.com. You'll want to look for a "GPS Screen" for probably 2016 or 2017+ ford vehicles. Look at pictures, request pictures, or check part numbers to make sure you are getting a screen AND the APIM (or at least are knowingly getting them separately)
Speaking of, these ford vehicles had recess mounted sync 3 screens: Edge, Explorer, F250, F350, Flex, and Taurus. The rest (including F150 and mustang) had surface mounted sync 3 screens, and while they will work, you will have to modify your mounting brackets.
So what i did, for example, is searched car-part for 2017 explorer GPS screens, found one for cheap, requested pictures, verified it had the APIM on the back and validated the part number against the google doc worksheet for NAV APIM's (because I wanted NAV), or at least I confirmed it had a C in the second-to-last position of the part number, and placed my order.
The GPS antenna is found on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006AKVX2S?tag=viglink20295-20
Visit
www.forscan.org to see a list of compatible OBDII dongles/cables. However in my case I'm using a windows laptop and ordered the OBDLink SX USB cable because OBDLink is good stuff. (
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ZWM0R4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). You will need an "extended license" for forscan, and currently its a 2 month free trial that can be renewed as often as you like, it only requires you register a forums account.
If you want Carplay to work you also have to replace the USB hub in your center console. The part number you want is HC3Z-19A387-B. And if you have the Sony system like I do with the A/V inputs then those will go away and you also need the bezel for the USB hub part number GC3Z-19C149-A. To connect the new USB hub to your existing wiring harness you will either need to splice your own in with part number WPT1239, or for a true plug-and-play experience you can buy one pre-made from 4dtech (
https://www.4dtech.com/sync-3-retrofit-usb-hub-wiring-adapter-gen-1/).
Installation
Now that you've gathered your parts, you get to install them.
This is a great video that shows the process:
And once you're physically installed, now you get to program the unit using ForScan.
I haven't personally completed the programming process yet, so I can't give you details on that yet. But these threads have been a great resource for me until now and do explain some of the forscan programming process too:
https://www.f150forum.com/f38/2013-sync-2-2017-sync-3-conversion-attempted-372943/
https://www.f150forum.com/f38/guide-13-14-mft-8in-screen-sync-3-android-auto-carplay-373769/
https://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4393
I also felt this post was informative and helpful regarding the boot up screens available with sync 3: