2016 / 2017 Sync 3.4 Success?

[Honu]

Who was charging for it?


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I'm new to this forum. I actually found the forum looking for exactly this information. Problem is, I can't get the Ford website to download the update. Nothing happens. So.....to make a boring story short, I think my simplest route is to let Ford do it.
Mine doesn't have Nav, but since my preference is Android Auto, I don't care. But on my '16 Limited, is 3.4 the version I want. Mine currently has 1.0 and no Android Auto.
I hope this isn't hijacking a thread.

 

[chuck s]

Threads and links here seen to indicate you have to progressively update from 1.0 thru the 2-series until you get to 3.0 and then 3.4. The link earlier show details. I'm gonna try upping my 3.0 to 3.4 as soon as I can get some cheap USB pen chips.

-- Chuck

 

[G213]

Gotta be the NiM. You deal with the fancy English or turn it off. If you do, and it switches to US I would love to know. Just to close the loop.

Absolutely, will give it a shot and let you know.

 

[G213]

Threads and links here seen to indicate you have to progressively update from 1.0 thru the 2-series until you get to 3.0 and then 3.4. The link earlier show details. I'm gonna try upping my 3.0 to 3.4 as soon as I can get some cheap USB pen chips.

-- Chuck

Chuck-

Just a heads up; I actually had to use my "good" USB flash drives to make this work properly. I have some freebie and off-brand drives that wouldn't even start the installation process. But as soon as a used a name brand drive like a Kingston or SanDisk, it worked perfectly.

For reference, the cheapo drives I tried included a free gift that was given out at the MicroCenter cash register a few years ago. It works fine on PCs, but wouldn't start the installation process in the truck.

I also tried some larger USB flash drives that I had lying around, but they are 128GB and USB 3.0. This prevented me from formatting the drive properly to FAT32.

I then used my Kingston DataTraveler 32GB USB 2.0 drive and it worked like a charm.

I think PCs are much more tolerant of cheapo devices than the trucks. My suggestion would be to purchase some moderately sized (32GB or so) name brand USB 2.0 drives. For this project, the truck can't take advantage of USB 3.0, so no reason to buy such a flash drive. I also suspect USB 3.0 drives may be more likely to cause strange issues like the one I had, but they vary so much in hardware and quality it's difficult to say exactly what will or won't work.

This is the exact drive I used...$5.99 on Amazon. https://amzn.to/36gKYNd

 

[LokiWolf]

You can go from 1.X to 3.0 with no issue, I have done it several times.

Since the 3.4 process includes the Format tool, really doesn’t matter what version honestly.

I went from 2.2 to 3.4 on one. Wasn’t expecting the unit to have such an old version...gave it a swing and it worked. No issues.

CyanLabs instructions are officially only for 3.0-3.4...so if you want to stay within the box, going from 3.0 to 3.4 is the recommended path.

G213 is dead on Correct, I have always had much better luck with Good USB2.0 drives. 2 things in play. Drivers, and quality of chips. Some of the newer 3.0 flash drives use chipsets that windows has no issue with, but QNX might have issues with. I think that comes into play. I also think the cheap drives use off brand chipsets that yet again QNX has issue with.

I have used large (128GB or greater) a couple of times. EXTFAT can be used in the place of FAT32 for this process or any Sync Update.

I am a Tech Geek and have a RIDICULOUS number of flash drives laying around! So I have a few I avoid, and a few I prefer. My 16GB PNY USB 2.0’s that I have 3 of are my goto’s for this.


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[chuck s]

Thanks G and Loki et al --

The lil' recommended drives are cheap enough on Amazon and 3 are enroute. I have plenty of 32G micro SD cards for my Raspberry Pi4s along with USB adapters but 6 bucks each for flash drives known to work it's not worth fooling around with trying to use them.

-- Chuck

 

[creef14]

just did this today following the CyanLabs method. first install took about 5 mins, it took 30 mins for the 19101, and about 15 mins for the 19274; so a little under an hour total. The updates did delete all my BTs so adding those back probably put right around an hour total time

excited to have maps that are somewhat recent...the other changes appear mostly cosmetic, am I overlooking any substantive changes from moving to 3.4?

 

[G213]

just did this today following the CyanLabs method. first, install took about 5 mins, it took 30 mins for the 19101, and about 15 mins for the 19274; so a little under an hour total. The updates did delete all my BTs so adding those back probably put right around an hour total time

excited to have maps that are somewhat recent...the other changes appear mostly cosmetic, am I overlooking any substantive changes from moving to 3.4?

None that I can think of. You should now have updated maps, station icons (Sirius) and Gracenote databases. Under the hood, there are some new boot screens for upcoming models such as the Bronco.* (You need ForScan to access those) Aside from that, I think it's cosmetic.

*Some of the content in this new version (including boot screens for upcoming models) are under a press embargo. Please do not post pictures or videos of these boot screens. FoMoCo's legal department has contacted other sites with cease and desist orders to remove similar posts.

 

[Ghostwolf]

I successfully upgraded from 3.0 to 3.4 today using the instructions on the Cyanlab link near the start of this thread.

Observations:

• Once you get 3.4.19101 installed, make sure to do the suggested factory reset. If you don't, some of your settings won't migrate over cleanly and can result in funky behavior.
• As long as you store each downloaded Sync version separately on your laptop/desktop, you can easily get away with two drives. After I installed 3.4.19101, I cleared that flash drive and copied 3.4.19274 down to it for the second install. Technically, you could do this on one key drive, clearing the reformat (first, short install) and copying 3.4.19101 to the same drive. The system can't boot after that reformat and will wait for a key drive with an install on it forever. Having two or three certainly saves trips between your computer and Expedition, but it's not a requirement.
• It looks like 3.4 enables a lot more FordPass functionality over the Bluetooth connection than 3.0 had. On my 2016, even a USB connection enabled little more than vehicle information in FordPass; in 3.4 there's a lot more to play with.

2016 Upgrade Path

Sync activity since I bought my 2016 Platinum two months ago:

• Updated from Sync 3 1.0 to 3.0 (downloads from Ford)
• Upgraded to AirPlay-enabled USB hub
• Updated from 3.0 to 3.4.19101 (downloads from Cyanlab; link here)
• Updated to 3.4.19274 (downloads from Cyanlab; link here)

Note that my 2016 came with Sync 3 (version 1) from the factory. 2016 Expeditions with Sync 2.x (four quadrant screen) are SOL.

 

[LokiWolf]

I successfully upgraded from 3.0 to 3.4 today using the instructions on the Cyanlab link near the start of this thread.

Observations:

• Once you get 3.4.19101 installed, make sure to do the suggested factory reset. If you don't, some of your settings won't migrate over cleanly and can result in funky behavior.
• As long as you store each downloaded Sync version separately on your laptop/desktop, you can easily get away with two drives. After I installed 3.4.19101, I cleared that flash drive and copied 3.4.19274 down to it for the second install. Technically, you could do this on one key drive, clearing the reformat (first, short install) and copying 3.4.19101 to the same drive. The system can't boot after that reformat and will wait for a key drive with an install on it forever. Having two or three certainly saves trips between your computer and Expedition, but it's not a requirement.
• It looks like 3.4 enables a lot more FordPass functionality over the Bluetooth connection than 3.0 had. On my 2016, even a USB connection enabled little more than vehicle information in FordPass; in 3.4 there's a lot more to play with.

2016 Upgrade Path

Sync activity since I bought my 2016 Platinum two months ago:

• Updated from Sync 3 1.0 to 3.0 (downloads from Ford)
• Upgraded to AirPlay-enabled USB hub
• Updated from 3.0 to 3.4.19101 (downloads from Cyanlab; link here)
• Updated to 3.4.19274 (downloads from Cyanlab; link here)

Note that my 2016 came with Sync 3 (version 1) from the factory. 2016 Expeditions with Sync 2.x (four quadrant screen) are SOL.

Clarity, No 2016’s had Sync 2. That was 2015.

Do not need to do a factory reset between, just a reboot.


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[Dorzak]

Clarity, No 2016’s had Sync 2. That was 2015.

Ford brochure for 2026 lists it as an upgrade.

https://www.ford.com/services/assets/Brochure?make=Ford&model=Expedition&year=2016&postalCode=65613

 

[LokiWolf]

Ford brochure for 2026 lists it as an upgrade.

https://www.ford.com/services/assets/Brochure?make=Ford&model=Expedition&year=2016&postalCode=65613

Nope. You misunderstood.

It is the upgrade from the “regular” Sync to Sync 3. Sync 2(4 quadrant) was not in any 2016.


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[Ghostwolf]

Clarity, No 2016’s had Sync 2. That was 2015.

When I was shopping for my Expedition, one point of comparison was Sync level. Of the 2016s I found, about 1/3rd had “Sync w/MyFord Touch”. This is how it was noted on the original window sticker.

 

[LokiWolf]

When I was shopping for my Expedition, one point of comparison was Sync level. Of the 2016s I found, about 1/3rd had “Sync w/MyFord Touch”. This is how it was noted on the original window sticker.

Yep, Not Sync 2. That is the smaller screen.


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[Michael McC]

Picking up the pieces of this conversation, and asking questions...

On my 2016...

I remember an afternoon or two of frustration getting to Sync 3.0, so I am very reticent to try to upgrade. If I do this through CyanLabs, will I lose 911 assist? Do I need to upgrade my USB first? If so, how? Where do I get the parts? Will I be on a bootleg Euro system? What are the benefits, if I always go to Google Maps anyway since the Nav function on the Sync map sometimes chooses routes that are hours longer?

 

[chuck s]

Looking forward to the upgrade next week. Be interesting if the routing gets as good as my Garmins. Still running a dash-top Garmin GPS in tandem with the Sync navigation system because the Garmin frequently has better routing around traffic and in general. Sync and Garmin disagree? Go with the Garmin. Probably because they update the maps several times a year vs a few times a decade...

-- Chuck

 

[LokiWolf]

Picking up the pieces of this conversation, and asking questions...

On my 2016...

I remember an afternoon or two of frustration getting to Sync 3.0, so I am very reticent to try to upgrade. If I do this through CyanLabs, will I lose 911 assist? Do I need to upgrade my USB first? If so, how? Where do I get the parts? Will I be on a bootleg Euro system? What are the benefits, if I always go to Google Maps anyway since the Nav function on the Sync map sometimes chooses routes that are hours longer?

Lose 911, No. That was because one of the posters made the Nav in Motion tweak. It has other consequences.

If you want CarPlay to work on a 2016 you need the newer Hub, no matter the version of Sync 3.

Swap it out. You need the part number from 2017 Expy. Sorry, I do not know it. I have a 17. Swapped out the one in my Edge, cause it was a 16. Not sure if the part numbers are the same.

No, the files on CyanLabs for download are the US legit files, no bootleg. They were just gotten and released before their official release. Also, there is a good chance that the Earlier than 19 Sync Systems will never be officially updated via Ford to 3.4. Since the process is more involved.

If you aren’t sure about this update, you probably shouldn’t try it.



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[Michael McC]

Lose 911, No. That was because one of the posters made the Nav in Motion tweak. It has other consequences.

If you want CarPlay to work on a 2016 you need the newer Hub, no matter the version of Sync 3.

Swap it out. You need the part number from 2017 Expy. Sorry, I do not know it. I have a 17. Swapped out the one in my Edge, cause it was a 16. Not sure if the part numbers are the same.

No, the files on CyanLabs for download are the US legit files, no bootleg. They were just gotten and released before their official release. Also, there is a good chance that the Earlier than 19 Sync Systems will never be officially updated via Ford to 3.4. Since the process is more involved.

If you aren’t sure about this update, you probably shouldn’t try it.



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Thank you. Nothing about this excites me, so I'm gonna pass! Thanks for your efforts on this site. I think you helped me with the first Sync upgrade.

 

[Dorzak]

If you want CarPlay to work on a 2016 you need the newer Hub, no matter the version of Sync 3.

Swap it out. You need the part number from 2017 Expy. Sorry, I do not know it. I have a 17. Swapped out the one in my Edge, cause it was a 16. Not sure if the part numbers are the same.

There are at least 3 versions of the hub, possibly 4

2 USB port has a Ford and Lincoln version with different LED colors

I do not know if the 1 USB port version has a Lincoln version or not.

The one port version is for vehicles that have a USB port elsewhere in the dash as well. Supposed to be same size physically for both.

 

[G213]

This is the part number for the updated USB module you need to swap out on a 2016.

HC3Z-19A387-B

Simple install; you pop the clips on the old one, remove plugs. Plug into new hub, snap into place.