First generation Sync Sucks Balls

[Richard Hinsley]

The simpler the better.

 

[Vash]

@B E N you probably need to update your Sync version. Should be able to download files from the Ford Owner site. Bluetooth Audio should resume if that was your last source and the display should also show artist and title info. I did eventually end up upgrading to a Kenwood Elite unit with wireless  CarPlay and integration with the factory system via iDatalink Maestro. Native Siri integration and being able to see engine gauges and individual tire pressure on the radio screen was well worth it.

 

[BigH2OChief]

Kenwood Elite unit with wireless  CarPlay and integration with the factory system via iDatalink Maestro

@Vash, Any chance you can PM me the equipment list for your system. Looks like you’ve crushed a research item on my wish list already. Be great if I can check that out and start pricing options.

 

[B E N]

@B E N you probably need to update your Sync version. Should be able to download files from the Ford Owner site. Bluetooth Audio should resume if that was your last source and the display should also show artist and title info. I did eventually end up upgrading to a Kenwood Elite unit with wireless  CarPlay and integration with the factory system via iDatalink Maestro. Native Siri integration and being able to see engine gauges and individual tire pressure on the radio screen was well worth it.

You may have just solved one of my biggest day to day niggles with my truck. Thanks!

 

[Whaler27]

@Vash, Any chance you can PM me the equipment list for your system. Looks like you’ve crushed a research item on my wish list already. Be great if I can check that out and start pricing options.

Actually, please post it here, as I’m interested too.

The Ford Sync/nav systems are at least six or seven years behind Toyota/Lexus/Honda/Acura. Even Fiat/Chrysler/Jeep’s system is simpler and more capable, but I’m grateful Ford is finally putting decent stereos in trucks. I don’t want to change the sound in the Raptor, but I would like a decent voice-driven nav system with apple-play and other modern functionality — and I’d like a clean integrated look too. I’m interested to see what yours looks like.

 

[FordTechOne]

Actually, please post it here, as I’m interested too.

The Ford Sync/nav systems are at least six or seven years behind Toyota/Lexus/Honda/Acura. Even Fiat/Chrysler/Jeep’s system is simpler and more capable, but I’m grateful Ford is finally putting decent stereos in trucks. I don’t want to change the sound in the Raptor, but I would like a decent voice-driven nav system with apple-play and other modern functionality — and I’d like a clean integrated look too. I’m interested to see what yours looks like.

You must not have actually used the systems you mention, because you have it completely backward. The only system competitive with Sync 3 is FCA’s Uconnect.

Toyota hasn’t even had CarPlay/Android Auto up until recently, and still doesn’t have it on all of their products. The 2020 Tundra still uses a derivative of their old head unit from 2007, CD player and all. Their “Lexus” rebadges use a touch pad on the center console, not even a touch screen. It’s received nothing but negative press.

Honda eliminated the volume knob and integrated it as a touch button, which is extremely unintuitive and difficult to use. “Acura” models use an dual screen setup, with a slow touchscreen below a low resolution non-touch screen. It’s so antiquated that the formatting and fonts don’t even match between the two. They are the ones that are years behind, not Ford.

 

[Whaler27]

First, UConnect is the system I have in my Jeep Wrangler, my wife's grand Cherokee, and my Charger. That was fully half of the comparison group I listed above. Our Jeep and Dodge systems work more reliably and intuitively than the Sync in my 2018 Raptor which periodically forgets how to pair with my cell phone. I deleted and reloaded my cell phone for the third time last week.

Our Raptor replaced our 2008 Super Duty, which also had the industry's most retarded nav system. Our Jeep and Dodge systems work great and they have never spontaneously unpaired or frozen up. I guess we just disagree about the comparative functionality and ease of use.

Next, although I've never owned a Lexus, I did test drive both Lexus and Acura before we bought our 2008 Super Duty. Even then the Lexus/Toyota system allowed you to identify a destination/address in a single sentence, for example, instead of having to break a request into a series of sub-commands (state, then town, then street, then...). By the time the Lexus salesman had retrieved the dealer plate for my test drive I had already figured out the nav system and entered a test destination, because the system was completely intuitive and it worked. We subsequently bought my wife a Toyota Tundra, the world's most boring pickup, and the nav system worked flawlessly and without having to turn a destination request into an extended conversation. When we bought the SuperDuty and it was like going back in time. The Raptor system seemed better, but it's propensity to unpair/freeze/delay is a deal breaker for me, particularly after three flawless and bulletproof FCA systems.

I've never used Apple CarPlay, but I have an iPhone and other Apple products, so I thought it might be nice to have that capability if/when I upgrading from the Ford system to a more capable one. The absence of that isn't a deal-breaker for me, as I stream Pandora most of the time, but I do need the system to work reliably and well in the hands-free mode.

I love my Raptor, which I've had for three years and a month now (but only 16,000 miles), and I'm grateful Ford finally stepped up with a decent sounding stereo. I'm just discouraged about spending a ton of money on a truck with components that aren't top shelf and don't work reliably. (This morning I dropped my 16,000 mile Raptor off for an oil leak repair after noticing stains all over our stamped concrete driveway. Apparently a plastic oil pan is a dumb idea...)

(I've been a Ford guy all my life, and my Raptor is the most fun of any truck or SUV I've owned in over 45 years of buying vehicles. I never thought I'd own a Dodge anything, but next week I'm scheduled to trade my second Charger in for my third. Both previous Chargers had very hard use, and neither has required anything but routine maintenance over a combined 270,000+ miles of abuse. And neither Charger ever leaked a drop of oil on the driveway. My Raptor has been pampered by comparison, and it's still like new, but it's on it's third major trip to the dealer for some kind of repair. The Sync system would be issue #4 if I keep it, so I'm thinking about upgrading.)

 

[FordTechOne]

First, UConnect is the system I have in my Jeep Wrangler, my wife's grand Cherokee, and my Charger. That was fully half of the comparison group I listed above. Our Jeep and Dodge systems work more reliably and intuitively than the Sync in my 2018 Raptor which periodically forgets how to pair with my cell phone. I deleted and reloaded my cell phone for the third time last week.

Agreed, UConnect is regarded as one of the best systems on the market. However, having owned multiple vehicles with both Sync 2 and Sync 3, I’ve never experienced the issues you’re describing. Are you running the latest software release on both the Sync system and phone? Certain apps can also cause issues with the Sync/device communication.

Our Raptor replaced our 2008 Super Duty, which also had the industry's most retarded nav system. Our Jeep and Dodge systems work great and they have never spontaneously unpaired or frozen up. I guess we just disagree about the comparative functionality and ease of use. Next, although I've never owned a Lexus, I did test drive both Lexus and Acura before we bought our 2008 Super Duty. Even then the Lexus/Toyota system allowed you to identify a destination/address in a single sentence, for example, instead of having to break a request into a series of sub-commands (state, then town, then street, then...). By the time the Lexus salesman had retrieved the dealer plate for my test drive I had already figured out the nav system and entered a test destination, because the system was completely intuitive and it worked. We subsequently bought my wife a Toyota Tundra, the world's most boring pickup, and the nav system worked flawlessly and without having to turn a destination request into an extended conversation. When we bought the SuperDuty and it was like going back in time. The Raptor system seemed better, but it's propensity to unpair/freeze/delay is a deal breaker for me, particularly after three flawless and bulletproof FCA systems.

Having experience with all 3, we’ll have to agree to disagree. While Ford’s navigation systems circa 2008 were by no means perfect, the competition was very similar in functionality and operation. All were low resolution and relatively slow. Regardless, that’s almost a decade and a half ago before even the original Sync, so not relevant to the discussion here.

I've never used Apple CarPlay, but I have an iPhone and other Apple products, so I thought it might be nice to have that capability if/when I upgrading from the Ford system to a more capable one. The absence of that isn't a deal-breaker for me, as I stream Pandora most of the time, but I do need the system to work reliably and well in the hands-free mode.

2018 F-150s with Sync 3 have Apple CarPlay, so you would just need to plug in your phone and enable the feature.

I love my Raptor, which I've had for three years and a month now (but only 16,000 miles), and I'm grateful Ford finally stepped up with a decent sounding stereo. I'm just discouraged about spending a ton of money on a truck with components that aren't top shelf and don't work reliably. (This morning I dropped my 16,000 mile Raptor off for an oil leak repair after noticing stains all over our stamped concrete driveway. Apparently a plastic oil pan is a dumb idea...)

The plastic oil pan isn’t the issue, it’s the adhesion of the RTV between the lower and upper pan. A new procedure was developed and released as a TSB to properly reseal the oil pan.

 

[Vash]

Actually, please post it here, as I’m interested too.

The Ford Sync/nav systems are at least six or seven years behind Toyota/Lexus/Honda/Acura. Even Fiat/Chrysler/Jeep’s system is simpler and more capable, but I’m grateful Ford is finally putting decent stereos in trucks. I don’t want to change the sound in the Raptor, but I would like a decent voice-driven nav system with apple-play and other modern functionality — and I’d like a clean integrated look too. I’m interested to see what yours looks like.

Below are the main components outside of miscellaneous stuff and labor. There are more recent options from Kenwood since I had this installed including those with up to 10” or so screens. You’ll also need an adapter to retain XM radio if that’s something you use. I opted not to have the adapter installed since I never used XM beyond the free trial. Too many streaming options for a subscription to be worth it to me.

• KENWOOD eXcelon Reference DDX9906XR
• iDatalink Maestro RR2
• iDatalink F01 Harness
• Dual USB (for wired  CarPlay or Android Auto)...although I usually use wireless connectivity
• Kenwood CMOS320 Front Camera

 

[Whaler27]

Agreed, UConnect is regarded as one of the best systems on the market. However, having owned multiple vehicles with both Sync 2 and Sync 3, I’ve never experienced the issues you’re describing. Are you running the latest software release on both the Sync system and phone? Certain apps can also cause issues with the Sync/device communication.



Having experience with all 3, we’ll have to agree to disagree. While Ford’s navigation systems circa 2008 were by no means perfect, the competition was very similar in functionality and operation. All were low resolution and relatively slow. Regardless, that’s almost a decade and a half ago before even the original Sync, so not relevant to the discussion here.



2018 F-150s with Sync 3 have Apple CarPlay, so you would just need to plug in your phone and enable the feature.



The plastic oil pan isn’t the issue, it’s the adhesion of the RTV between the lower and upper pan. A new procedure was developed and released as a TSB to properly reseal the oil pan.

The dealer called mid-afternoon yesterday. The oil leak was reportedly caused by a bad O-ring on the plastic drain plug. That’s a first for me too.

If the next 110,000 miles are trouble-free and require nothing more than oil, gas, lube, wiper blades, and tires I’ll be a very happy camper — even with the permanent oil stains on the driveway.

I don’t have any uncommon apps on my phone, and they are set to update automatically, as is my iPhone X. I can’t speak for the Sync system, as I don’t know how to check it or update it. That’s a good segue to the next point. In case it’s not already obvious, I’m old and I’m a technology retard. I enjoy the conveniences provided by some modern technology, but the processes to operate/coordinate/update the technology bore the crap out of me and, since my brain is turning to oatmeal with age, I’m not sure I’d have the mental horsepower to understand them even if they interested me. That makes me the perfect test monkey for their user-friendliness. If I can sit in a new car and use the system without instruction or wading through the tech manual it’s user-friendly and almost anybody will be able to use it. That’s been my experience with the systems I described more favorably. I required very little time, no instruction, and no manual perusing to operate the most-used features. Also, if FCA systems have required updating I never participated in it. That makes them fully idiot-proof systems designed to accommodate a dull-witted, aging, baby boomer.

I’ve had GPS and other nav systems in off-shore boats since the technology became available for civilian use, but I didn’t install a nav system in my vehicle until I installed an aftermarket stereo system in my F350 in 2002. The head unit was a single-DIN Pioneer unit with a nav screen that deployed and rotated from horizontal to vertical orientation. That thing seemed like magic at the time, and it worked amazingly well. My first OEM nav system was the Super Duty one referenced above, almost six years newer than the Pioneer, and it was a significant step back in capability. I eventually learned how to use it’s full functionality, with the occasional help of my kids, but it was a persistent disappointment. The Raptor was an easier transition because of my experience with the Super Duty, but the FCA system required no such transition even with no prior FCA experience. It just works, obviously and easily, all the time. Surprisingly, that’s been our experience with the MOPAR products in general since 2006, and I always thought MOPAR was the lowest tier of the American big three vehicle manufacturers.

I guess all this distills to your suggestion that we agree to disagree.