Ranger Mods

Sync 3 units do have an additional mini USB socket in the back although the plug it self is proprietary a standard plug pits in perfect and is tight.

I thought why not put an additional hub in the console so I can put the IPOD in there. But no;

• The second USB port only supports charging and not data. This was quiet annoying as I wanted IPOD in the console.

• The port needs to be enabled in asbuilt.

• Very late model Sync3 units do not have the second USB port.

Anyway I'm still going to install it inside the console for charging purposes;

• It lights up like the original so you can see inside the console.

• It will be fitted on the front most part near the cold air outlet.

• There is always something I want to charge but do not want it floating around the car.

• The console at the top has a little cutout from factory for the charging cable to come out without be squashed if need be.

I did it this way for a few reasons. I had the parts and genuine hub sitting around, I had the console out anyway, some items I want to stop charging when the ignition is off, it looks factory.

I have other USB sockets powered full time for other items if need be but would not have done the above if I didn't already have the parts sitting around.

Hi Stewart,

Could this extra USB on the Sync 3 be run to the Standard position in the front console for charging only, and connect the new one in the centre console to the original data USB.

My thoughts are; I rarely use apple car play, so my phone only really needs charging as do most other devices, but I carry A 160gb iPod and USB sticks of music which are always floating around in the forward console with cords etc. It would be great to move them permanently to either the centre console or Glovebox?

In addition, I am a massive fan of what you are doing here and thanks for all the work that you do.

Thank you !!!

Hi Andrew,

You could do that. What you need to keep in mind is the 2 USB holders in the back of the unit are a proprietary holder and one is left hand and one is right hand. This means for the front USB hub you cannot just move the existing plug on the from from one sock to another.

To accomplish what you want to do you would have to;

1. Run a new Mini USB male to male cable from the grey USB socket on the Sync3 to the Existing hub, unplug the old proprietary cable on the USB hub and rest aside. This will then give you charging only.

2. Run a new mini USB female to male cable from the existing cable you pulled from the old hub to the new hub. You will also need to connect the power to the new hub, this can be taken from the existing 4 pin plug on the original hub to run both, keep in mind you would also need a suitable plug and pigtail for this, or pull apart the hub, remove the pins and solder directly to the board.

I hope this makes sense. It can sometimes be difficult to picture these things when you don't have them in your hand.

Thanks, don’t sweat, makes perfect sense, run the new cable to the hub (now power only), extend the original cable to a new hub in a new position, and power it.

I have not pulled my dash apart yet, I want to make sure I have everything ready to go, and hopefully only do it once (lol). This is mainly around an complete audio upgrade speakers, subs etc, plus trailer brake controller, plus additional switches, plus UHF, plus some other electronic goodies I have.

Have you or anyone yet on a sync 3 managed a line level preamp output yet? I’ve seen it done on the Ford Fusion and Mondeo, but don’t know if it will convert to ranger.

Thanks again.

Additionally, I could not find any specific thread for audio, so happy to be re-directed if it exists.

Thanks

What you have seen should transfer across ok. I have not tried it myself but know what you have read. Just remember to backup your asbuilt before making any changes.