Anyone Try Aftermarket Displays/Head Units??

[axxofreak]

I've seen some aftermarket displays/head units popping up, looks to retain the factory Ford sync completely and just snap in. looks to keep all the controls and info the displays shows (temp ect.). I have a XL 2024 so a screen upgrade that doesnt cost thousands is very interesting. I had always said if an aftermarket display came out in the $500 range it might temp me.

Anyone pull the trigger on a unit like this or know more about them? Saw a similar link to a unit on Amazon in another thread here.


I 100% am not affiliated with them, or have purchased one of their products. I dont even know if it isnt a scam!

https://carabc.cn/products/carabc-1..._content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic


**UPDATE**
I did message the company to see about potentially getting a unit and making an install video/thread here and on Reddit. If by chance they would send one I would 100% review it for us.

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[LSchicago]

Very happy with my 25 Screen. It would be hard to improve it.

 

[Connect]

Very happy with my 25 Screen. It would be hard to improve it.

yeah, would love that screen in my 23.

 

[El Kabong]

Very happy with my 25 Screen. It would be hard to improve it.

@axxofreak has a '24, the radio linked targets the pre-'25 model years with the smaller screen.

Looking at the unit it looks like a generic Android head unit with a frame, CANBUS adapter, and wire harness tailored to specific models, I don't know why there are "high end" and "low end" models, maybe the high-end one is for B&O systems.

From my experience with my old Grand Caravan getting a good unit can be tricky, its more about getting a unit with good firmware (and a lot of the generic units don't get firmware support). The hardware specs on the linked unit look acceptable for any Android version (8GB ram is good, anything below 6gb is going to be painful).

With vendors like this you get stuck with return shipping fees, customs/import duty payments, etc. - so, caveat emptor, though its certainly a lot less money than the option from sponsor @infotainment for the older Mavs, there is some risk buying the generic unit.

Link to below video shows at least one person complaining about it in the comments.

 

[LSchicago]

@axxofreak has a '24, the radio linked targets the pre-'25 model years with the smaller screen.

Looking at the unit it looks like a generic Android head unit with a frame, CANBUS adapter, and wire harness tailored to specific models, I don't know why there are "high end" and "low end" models, maybe the high-end one is for B&O systems.

From my experience with my old Grand Caravan getting a good unit can be tricky, its more about getting a unit with good firmware (and a lot of the generic units don't get firmware support). The hardware specs on the linked unit look acceptable for any Android version (8GB ram is good, anything below 6gb is going to be painful).

With vendors like this you get stuck with return shipping fees, customs/import duty payments, etc. - so, caveat emptor, though its certainly a lot less money than the option from sponsor @infotainment for the older Mavs, there is some risk buying the generic unit.

Link to below video shows at least one person complaining about it in the comments.

I know, I had a 23. I'd be afraid to buy a Chinese screen for a swap. But that's pretty much the only way now to get a bigger screen.

 

[cannon]

I know, I had a 23. I'd be afraid to buy a Chinese screen for a swap. But that's pretty much the only way now to get a bigger screen.

As long as it wasn't made by Israel I think you'll be fine lol

 

[axxofreak]

@LSchicago In a perfect world we could just drop in the 25+ model year displays (for a good price too lol). Really my only issue with my 24, though it isnt even a huge deal realistically. I can see my map and music sounds the same.

@El Kabong Thanks for the video, it actually works better than I would think, and surprised you can fully access the old sync interface too, slick. Might just need to sit it out a bit, see if a deal is to be had. I think at $500 or below I'd pull the trigger.

 

[bajesus8]

Ill give this a shot, Ive had those $1200-1500 options in my bookmarks for a few years now, even checking back on black friday. Delivered at $609 (Sync3+android system(8+128) High-end version console / No (Factory Camera Installed) )

 

[bajesus8]

Ok i tried the install. I dont recommend it.
It adds a 3rd operating system between Ford SYNC and AndroidAuto/CarPlay and i think this causes a bunch of system communication issues. I think i saw it called CARLETTER?

If you get one thing working you break something else.
-Backup camera wouldnt connect with lariat harness but i did get it to work with XL/XLT harness
-Long delay getting backup camera on screen compared to stock, also the image looks really bad stretched on a bigger screen. (this may be true for any screen increase?)
-Buttons on steering wheel would work but buttons below screen would not.
-Long loading time to boot up all 3 systems before you get going. compared to stock

-The bluetooth connections couldnt tell what was what. I was connected to the truck and the headunit and it couldnt figure out how to play my music vs FM radio. It had like the Ford SYNC tryin to play FM the CARLETTER trying to play FM and android audio tryin to play Pandora. I think SYNC had control of the steering wheel, CARLETTER had control of the buttons below the headunit and Android Auto was controlling the display buttons.
I usually just connect with the truck and wireless dongle and everything works fast.

They include all parts for Lariat and XL/XLT harness, and include an extra backup camera regardless of what options you choose. The install video only shows XL/XLT install and i got my lariat to work with that initially but when i was experiencing all these issues i went back to the purchase site to discover a reviewer that mentioned the lariat one is included but they dont have an install video.

Anyway i just appreaciate how stock everything just works, so i recommend keeping to the headunit upgrades that only use 2 operating systems (SYNC + AndroidAuto/AppleCarPlay).

 

[axxofreak]

@bajesus8 thank you for the reply! Shocked to see one so soon honestly. I am a bit sad to hear it isnt working like we would hope. I really am liking the idea of this screen.

Are there any places within the android apps that control sync to adjust any of these settings? Any hope the vendor will address anything with you? I'm pretty technically inclined software wise so I still might snag one as they did the hard integration work. But idk at the current price it is worth it after your review.

I still think I'd snag one sub $500. Kinda hoping maybe we see some similar units on AliExpress like sites.

UPDATE:
Also am thinking of the Dasaita unit. They do not say it works for the 24' model year but I think it might be a misprint.

https://www.dasaita.com/products/da...b-rom-dts-audio-optical-output-gps-navigation

 

[bajesus8]

@bajesus8 thank you for the reply! Shocked to see one so soon honestly. I am a bit sad to hear it isnt working like we would hope. I really am liking the idea of this screen.

Are there any places within the android apps that control sync to adjust any of these settings? Any hope the vendor will address anything with you? I'm pretty technically inclined software wise so I still might snag one as they did the hard integration work. But idk at the current price it is worth it after your review.

I still think I'd snag one sub $500. Kinda hoping maybe we see some similar units on AliExpress like sites.

UPDATE:
Also am thinking of the Dasaita unit. They do not say it works for the 24' model year but I think it might be a misprint.

https://www.dasaita.com/products/da...b-rom-dts-audio-optical-output-gps-navigation

My phone is Pixel 10 Pro, i could never get it all to just work where you pick music and it plays, the android auto maps part worked. i can post videos of how nothing worked together but it just makes you appreciate what we have.
the 3rd UI had its own google maps and i could never get it to allow me sign in. said servers down or something.
i never even got around to installing more apps on the 3rd UI. it had its own EQ which was kinda fun to play with when i had the FM working.

Their facility cannot accept returns right now so they are just getting me the refund first and ill keep it boxed up until they ask for it with their new address.

Once i got the factory stuff back in it did take like 2 system reboots to get all music inputs/android auto working instant again. It just never locked in with this headunit for me.

 

[GrayWolf]

@bajesus8 thank you for the reply! Shocked to see one so soon honestly. I am a bit sad to hear it isnt working like we would hope. I really am liking the idea of this screen.

Are there any places within the android apps that control sync to adjust any of these settings? Any hope the vendor will address anything with you? I'm pretty technically inclined software wise so I still might snag one as they did the hard integration work. But idk at the current price it is worth it after your review.

I still think I'd snag one sub $500. Kinda hoping maybe we see some similar units on AliExpress like sites.

UPDATE:
Also am thinking of the Dasaita unit. They do not say it works for the 24' model year but I think it might be a misprint.

https://www.dasaita.com/products/da...b-rom-dts-audio-optical-output-gps-navigation

Hi,
I just installed the Dasaita unit in my 2023 Lariat hybrid this past week and I love it so far compared to the stock radio.

The install was not bad at all with the help of their YouTube video. The kit comes with lots of extra cables. I only used what I needed for it work with the minimum. I did not need the SIM card, GPS antenna or the extra usb cables. I’m satisfied with the stock look it gives it.

FYI:
The only problem I noticed was that with calls people say I sound far away. So I need to figure out why that is.
The reverse camera seems a little slower to engage than the stock radio.

I did contact the manufacturer support about this and they sent me a link to update the firmware and MCU. I haven’t done this yet to see if it fixes any of these couple issues.

My Maverick came with the no SYNC radio. So installing this unit was nothing too concerning for me.

 

[icb426]

Ok i tried the install. I dont recommend it.
It adds a 3rd operating system between Ford SYNC and AndroidAuto/CarPlay and i think this causes a bunch of system communication issues. I think i saw it called CARLETTER?

If you get one thing working you break something else.
-Backup camera wouldnt connect with lariat harness but i did get it to work with XL/XLT harness
-Long delay getting backup camera on screen compared to stock, also the image looks really bad stretched on a bigger screen. (this may be true for any screen increase?)
-Buttons on steering wheel would work but buttons below screen would not.
-Long loading time to boot up all 3 systems before you get going. compared to stock

-The bluetooth connections couldnt tell what was what. I was connected to the truck and the headunit and it couldnt figure out how to play my music vs FM radio. It had like the Ford SYNC tryin to play FM the CARLETTER trying to play FM and android audio tryin to play Pandora. I think SYNC had control of the steering wheel, CARLETTER had control of the buttons below the headunit and Android Auto was controlling the display buttons.
I usually just connect with the truck and wireless dongle and everything works fast.

They include all parts for Lariat and XL/XLT harness, and include an extra backup camera regardless of what options you choose. The install video only shows XL/XLT install and i got my lariat to work with that initially but when i was experiencing all these issues i went back to the purchase site to discover a reviewer that mentioned the lariat one is included but they dont have an install video.

Anyway i just appreaciate how stock everything just works, so i recommend keeping to the headunit upgrades that only use 2 operating systems (SYNC + AndroidAuto/AppleCarPlay).

I just ordered one of these before I saw your post and it's on the way now. I had read that the install video for the Lariat Lux was missing. Looking at the included cables, I recognized that #11 was to plug into the Sync 3 APIM and was wondering if you connected into that? In order to get to it, the ACM would need to come out so that you can access the APIM because it is mounted above it. I know that would be missing from install video for the XL/XLT, but I had seen it done in a Sync 4 upgrade video and I felt confident I could find it and tap into it without the directions.

 

[CurtisB]

On any of these after market radios with the larger screens, does google maps fill the entire screen or just a portion of the screen? The main reason for me wanting a larger screen is so google maps fills the entire 13" screen. The stock screen is smaller.

 

[bajesus8]

I just ordered one of these before I saw your post and it's on the way now. I had read that the install video for the Lariat Lux was missing. Looking at the included cables, I recognized that #11 was to plug into the Sync 3 APIM and was wondering if you connected into that? In order to get to it, the ACM would need to come out so that you can access the APIM because it is mounted above it. I know that would be missing from install video for the XL/XLT, but I had seen it done in a Sync 4 upgrade video and I felt confident I could find it and tap into it without the directions.

yup thats where it will go, you can actually have all components plugged-in setting outside that whole cavity and test it all before buttoning it all back up.
I never saw an APIM removal video but you can bend those metal legs of the bracket holding the APIM in all the way back to make room in the cavity to drop it and unplug all its cables.

Also all those extras wired antennas behind the monitor will make rattling noises if you dont stick them down on anything.
That little black Ford Sync box included is best stored not behind the new screen but behind the screen audio controls, it will sit on one of your vents

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