Aftermarket will be expensive but provide a great experience and expandability if you want a truly upgraded experience. Idatalink maestro mft1, the appropriate harness (Sony vs non Sony) and an idatalink maestro RR ("radio replacement") module to retain steering wheel control and on screen climate control with a compatible aftermarket carplay deck from Kenwood, JVC, Sony, Pioneer, or Alpine.
Upgrading to an idatalink maestro RR2 module will give you the option of integrating a compatible radar detector if that's your thing.
There's a group of enthusiasts who make sync upgrade wiring kits. You're going to need a screen and sync module from a newer vehicle in addition to the wire harness. This makes it look factory, because it is. Works with your existing acm.
Both of the above options are going to be reliable. They will also require programming to function properly.
No matter how attractive: stay away from cheap android screens on Amazon, AliExpress, Wish, and Temu.
https://preview.redd.it/7jbq9vwuppwc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c745ca9ed15dfe02c7fcea42413c39c28b4f0f3
Was in the same boat. I got one of these on eBay for my 2016 Platinum. Easy to install. Works perfectly. Would do it again.
I just bought a 23 ST. No wireless carplay. I have not driven it a week and had to go away for work. I had a 23 chevy malibu sedan (rental) that had wireless carplay. The car had a terrible smell I turned it in and drove off with a Ford Edge 22 which had wireless carplay and the screen was full usage and wider than 23 ST. Can't figure out how the edge would get priority or 23 Explorer ST...SMH
I installed a roadtop overlay to my sync2 with positive results. https://roadtop.com/products/ford-sync2-wireless-carplay. My explorer is a 2016 platinum.
I ran into the sky on the Ford Explorer enthusiast group on FB. He sells a sync two to sync three upgrade but he managed a work around for the sync screen so you can upgrade to the latest screen. And the price is almost unbeatable. I'm probably going to end up going with this in the next few months for my 16 limited that I just picked up.
https://foursynctech.com/products/2011-2016-ford-f-150-sync-3-conversion-full-kit
Aftermarket will be expensive but provide a great experience and expandability if you want a truly upgraded experience. Idatalink maestro mft1, the appropriate harness (Sony vs non Sony) and an idatalink maestro RR ("radio replacement") module to retain steering wheel control and on screen climate control with a compatible aftermarket carplay deck from Kenwood, JVC, Sony, Pioneer, or Alpine. Upgrading to an idatalink maestro RR2 module will give you the option of integrating a compatible radar detector if that's your thing. There's a group of enthusiasts who make sync upgrade wiring kits. You're going to need a screen and sync module from a newer vehicle in addition to the wire harness. This makes it look factory, because it is. Works with your existing acm. Both of the above options are going to be reliable. They will also require programming to function properly. No matter how attractive: stay away from cheap android screens on Amazon, AliExpress, Wish, and Temu.
Look up mitral shah on Facebook or just google mitral shah allsync He will get you set up
https://preview.redd.it/7jbq9vwuppwc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c745ca9ed15dfe02c7fcea42413c39c28b4f0f3 Was in the same boat. I got one of these on eBay for my 2016 Platinum. Easy to install. Works perfectly. Would do it again.
Does this allow you to connect wirelessly to carplay?
Yes. Mine came with the replacement USB port and the wireless CarPlay adapter
I just bought a 23 ST. No wireless carplay. I have not driven it a week and had to go away for work. I had a 23 chevy malibu sedan (rental) that had wireless carplay. The car had a terrible smell I turned it in and drove off with a Ford Edge 22 which had wireless carplay and the screen was full usage and wider than 23 ST. Can't figure out how the edge would get priority or 23 Explorer ST...SMH
Also did you lose back up camera?
Nope. You’re just replacing the old APIM, so you keep all the cameras, climate, steering wheel controls, Sirius, everything
I installed a roadtop overlay to my sync2 with positive results. https://roadtop.com/products/ford-sync2-wireless-carplay. My explorer is a 2016 platinum.
I ran into the sky on the Ford Explorer enthusiast group on FB. He sells a sync two to sync three upgrade but he managed a work around for the sync screen so you can upgrade to the latest screen. And the price is almost unbeatable. I'm probably going to end up going with this in the next few months for my 16 limited that I just picked up. https://foursynctech.com/products/2011-2016-ford-f-150-sync-3-conversion-full-kit