Ford Transit DIY 8" Screen Upgrade (UPDATED)

We upgraded our 2020 Ford Transit's stock 4" Sync head unit to a fully compatible 8" touch screen with Sync 3 for ~$200 USD.
Instruction Summary:
1. Purchase a Ford Ecosport 8" screen and audio controls on Ebay or local scrapyard. Write down or photograph the Sync version of your current unit.
2. Remove factory 4" screen by removing rear plastic clip and then removing the 3x 7mm hex screws. Unplug the 2 connection clips.
3. Attach 8" screen and new audio controls together and install into your van in the reverse order.
4. Visit www.cyanlabs.net and download the Syn3Updater 2.0
5. Format an install USB and install on the van. Perform a hard reset to the APIM by pressing power and skip forward buttons simultaneously.
6. Enjoy your fully functional 8" screen!
** Approach this DIY task at your own risk.
As always, please LIKE 👍🏻 this video, SUBSCRIBE to our channel, and COMMENT below!
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[@BillMcCulley]

I can happily confirm this method worked for a 2021 Ford Transit 350 with Sync 3 version 3.4.23188, using a screen and controls from a 2020 Ford EcoSport ($150 USD from a local scrap yard). In CyanLabs, the MY2020 option was left selected as suggested and it didn’t brick my APIM. FordPass also still works without messing with ForScan settings. Thanks for the great tutorial!

[@WallsBreakHands]

Just completed this retrofit. Sourced a used screen from eBay. Downloaded the software and followed the video. Had to do the apim reset like the video aswell. Worked flawlessly thank you!!

[@UnhumanNewman]

How long did the “updating software” part take?

[@WallsBreakHands]

@@UnhumanNewmaniirc not long maybe 10 minutes?

[@dantany2478]

Just to timestamp this again, THIS WORKS!! My family and I just bought a 2021 Ford Transit 350 and I bought a Ecosport screen on eBay for $168 and followed the steps in this video, and it works!!! Thank you so much for posting! I really didn’t want to get an aftermarket radio replacement!!! This is awesome!!!

[@ignaciohaley7265]

Do you have SYNC or SYNC 3 already?

[@dantany2478]

Mine showed SYNC 3 already.

[@mikecuautle]

I just purchase a 2022 250 ford transit high roof cargo, but I’m having issues finding what sync it has ?

[@kevinbarnes325]

@@mikecuautle watch the video again, go through the radio settings

[@mikecuautle]

@@kevinbarnes325 thanks I think I have the basic sync

[@AndrewPlett]

Thanks for the great video. Worked like a charm on my 2020 Ford Transit! I also needed to use the power/skip forward to reset the unit. After that, I did a master reset from the settings menu and the radio works perfectly now. What an inexpensive and easy upgrade!!!

[@kiloloop]

Found a screen for $45 and was able to upgrade thanks to your video. I really appreciate the info

[@TimKatie]

Now that’s a bargain! I’m glad you found it helpful. Cheers

[@carolinenadal8629]

hi, any way that i could have the link?

[@vby9588]

where did you find it?

[@WayneBrooksBluaBlue]

I love this. I just bought a new Ford van and it’s amazing but I really felt quite disappointed and let down with the silly little screen. This will be my first upgrade. Thanks guys. Super cool videos. I can’t wait to watch the rest.

[@SlapHappyMofo]

Just did this to my new 2023 Transit. Worked great.

[@DFranklinSwayne]

Great to have you post!

[@RedBatteryHead]

Great you managed this. Good tutorial. Thats the problem with these day swaps. All that software to get right.

[@TimKatie]

Thank you! Yep exactly.

[@EdJones-p5r]

Thanks for this new video! I have been on the ford transit forum since may poking around at all the info on there but wasn't 100% sure as the tranist I have is a company van. I live in Alberta.

[@agaragar21]

Jeez!......this is like the Best RV channel !!!...

[@lifewithkrisb]

Yay! You guys are back! Great video! I was nervous that you bricked it as well. lol

[@sirculito15893]

awesome! I wonder if I can put it in my 2019 Ford Transit

[@wraymedia3324]

Great video! Thank you for sharing!

[@daryl4083]

i picked up a 11" double din for my 2021 Ford Transit 350

[@Coltc2A]

Hey! Is there a reason you downloaded the existing software version and not the latest version? Also, after you got it all set up, were you able to do regular software updates like normal? Thanks in advance!! Awesome and helpful video!

[@catfish24]

This is not a Ford Transit cargo van it's a dam Ford custom van a big difference.

[@ryant82273]

in the video on the site for the updater, it says do not update a 2020 or newer vehicle. it will brick the sync 3. but it seems everyone is doing it and having success. so it appears to be ok to do.

[@1tssen]

Bought a display on eBay and it won't even light up, screen is blank but controls work fine and volume works. This is getting installed on a 2023 Transit. Did I just get a faulty part?

[@supabiscuit]

Subscribed because of this

[@robporteo]

Did you have CarPlay before you upgraded the screen?

[@Vergixx]

So I have this exact same screen in my 2018 Ford Fiesta Style TDCI but in the settings it doesn’t say “about SYNC” does this mean it doesn’t have sync 3? I’m a little lost because no one seems to know

[@istvanszini9572]

Another happy customer and new subscriber! Thank you for posting this information and for Cyanlabs to share the driver for free. I followed your instructions and worked! including the manual reset at the end. I was just a little concerned during the SW update because differently than your video, my screen was duplicated, like two small screens one on top of the other, after the auto reset everything went OK. The Apple CarPlay only seems to work when I have a USB cable connected, is there a setting to connect it wirelessly by default? BTW, this successful installation was done in a Cargo Transit 2023 with a display and audio control from Ecosport 2018 (US$150,00, from Ebay)

[@OpalStephens-w4e]

Can you confirm if all the functions are working after the conversion such as Bluetooth, steering wheel controls for volume, etc ? Also thinking of making this conversion

[@kevinbarnes325]

Hey Tim, thanks for this Video. I'm searching for that new 12 inch screen but can't find it. Can you post a link as to has it. Thanks

[@eaarteaga3308]

Can I use this tutorial for an ecosport 2020 to do the exact same change?

[@Pmason718]

I wonder which one of the new Ford screens will work with the Ford Transit Connect. The Connect comes with a 6.5" screen but I would rather have the 8"

[@hassanedvvn]

Tried mine a couple months ago on my 2020 transit hybrid… Checked the schematics and turns out i had a “sync lite” version which is actually integrated into the radio behind the 4” screen, which meant i could not use the sync 3 module i bought. Sadly i can’t get this for my van. It’s so strange because I’ve never seen anyone mention this version of sync, and i had to find out the hard way :(

[@dadbeatdead]

I have the Sync Connect (lite) version too, it’s so frustrating because I want CarPlay and navigation without have to mount my phone or iPad up as a HUD

[@trrpettus]

How can you tell if its the lite version?

[@hassanedvvn]

I looked through the schematic for my specific Ford transit custom PHEV model. it said 'sync lite'. it is something I have never found anywhere else'@@trrpettus

[@JonFisher-gb1zw]

I could be wrong but I think that’s what I had and it still work. I think that’s partly why you need to update the software

[@austinmatthews347]

Is it reverable

[@JoseLuisLopez-gf1dk]

My 2020 ford transit had remote start through the app and after I did the update i no longer have access to it. Contacted ford and they said it’s over $1000 to fix issue. Bluetooth doesn’t connect anymore I have to connect usb to play music

[@kingtittyjames]

Have you guys ever installed a second row?

[@bjyoungblood]

I have the large screen in my 2021 Ford Transit HD350 already. However, it's failing. Are there other brands that make something compatible that I could upgrade to, separate from any Ford products?

[@Minibikebuild]

I did this now my stop start won’t work

[@aliyordem4253]

Thank you so much for your effort and sharing the details with us. My 2021 Ford doesn’t have Version section in General. I assume it is not even Sync 3 :( I’ll try to find specific for that

[@orlandogalicia7582]

Did you find anything for that? I believe mine doesn't have either

[@CarsGadget]

Any luck with that? Mine don't have that option either.

[@TheOne-zz4kf]

You upgraded from the 8 inch to the 12 inch?

[@tpsjy]

Hey everyone, im trying to upgrade my 2020 ford transit cargo van with 4.2 screen to 8” like in this video. However, my van supposedly has sync 3. I called a dealership they said sync 2 and the ford customer rep said sync 3. On the screen when i go to general i only have software license and it doesnt show version

[@CarsGadget]

Have you figured that out? I have the same situation. thanks

[@iluvscully]

I have a 2024 transit 250. can i just pop in a new bigger screen? do i need the software upgrade?

[@TheDrewFalcon]

Any luck? I have a 2024 as well

[@iluvscully]

@@TheDrewFalcon too chicken to try anything yet. its my company's van. lol maybe in a few years if I really think i need it, i cant see crap on the reverse cam especially at night.

[@TheDrewFalcon]

@@iluvscully mine is also a work van, the camera for reverse is almost useless with that screen, everything looks muted. I also discovered that my van doesn't have sync, so I can't upgrade the damn thing anyways. Oh well

[@marcusquintino2171]

Tim I have the 2021 ford transit but my don’t have the sync option. And another question the back up camera will work after we replace the screen? Thanks

[@TimKatie]

If you don’t have sync then this upgrade won’t work. There are some good threads on fordtransitusaforum that have info on how to upgrade non-sync Transit

[@ryancarr7808]

Do you have a video of the 12-in install?

[@TimKatie]

I didn’t install the 12” screen and I don’t believe it can be added aftermarket - I order that van with it from the factory 👍🏻

[@hoeg123]

@@TimKatie So if I understand correctly, the 2023 Ford Transit that you bought came with the 12" screen? My 2023 Ford Transit came with the 4" screen, and I'd like to upgrade to the 8" (or better yet, the 12"). Are you aware of any information on how to upgrade to the 12"? I don't care if the heating/ventilation is integral with the 12" screen. Would greatly appreciate the larger screen like you showed in this clip!

[@josephdigiovanni7041]

Got an update on how it's going? Getting a 2023 hope it should work

[@TimKatie]

No issues after ~2 years 👍🏻

[@Sxsunderground]

did you ever try this on a 2023 model yet

[@Skpstr1]

I was wondering the same thing? I found an 8” screen but when I went to download the cyanlabs syn3 updater it had a link to a video, the beginning of the video says not to install their software on anything made after 2020. The website has the same warning. They warn that it could broken the APIM. Curious if anyone has done this with success on a 2023 transit with sync3 non Nav?

[@1tssen]

I can confirm it works on a 2023 Transit

[@hunterwojo525]

@@1tssenit worked on your truck, did you get the same warning from cynlabs?

[@Skpstr1]

I found an 8" screen but when I went to download the cyanlabs syn3 updater it had a link to a video, the beginning of the video says not to install their software on anything made after 2020. The website has the same warning. They warn that it could broken the APIM. Curious if anyone has done this with success on a 2023 transit with sync3 non Nav?

[@TK-om2so]

Have you tried the swap? I too have a 2023 and I’m curious if this will work

[@hunterwojo525]

@@TK-om2sosame I wonder if it work

[@pfriponneau6832]

does it fit on Transit 2018?

[@TimKatie]

No it will not, only 2020 or newer

[@herc1319]

Its so goddamn lame that the non sync version kills the chance of upgrading

[@MrMr123]

That radio is trash 🗑️ my friend The T’eyes CC3 - 2 K will whoop ANY overpriced radio out there

[@boruchlen]

Great video! I just bought a 2021 transit 250 today, and checked the radio a couple of minutes ago. Unfortunately, it appears it doesn't have sync at all. Any ideas on how to do something similar? Thanks in advance!

[@karampalsinghajji7354]

I wanna to ask Is the android gps working in this screen???

[@carolinenadal8629]

can i do this with a Ford Eco Sport 2018 S?