Hi everyone, I have a 2017 mkz reserve 2.0 with sync 3. It has a 3G tcu I’d like to upgrade to the 4G. I’ve read some threads on here and watched a video on how to do it. However most of them are fairly old. I wanted to see if anyone knows of a newer TCU I can buy, because I’m having trouble locating a HJ5T-14G087-U model for sale. In addition what is the best antenna? I’ve read some will give some sort of error, and I’d like to avoid that, in addition have a strong single as well.
Thanks for any and all help in advance!!
First of all, stay away from the cheap Chinese antennas, they will throw an error and do not work well. Stay with the PIFA antenna as supplied OEM, which will far outperform the other stick style antennas. You will only need 1 antenna unless you plan on using the TCU hotspot (with built-in antenna). You probably already have an antenna in the vehicle…
Ford PIFA Antenna HL3T-19K351-AA.
Don’t forget the cable. You need about a 1 or 3 meter FAKRA cable (RF).
Amazon.com: Bingfu Fakra Z Female to Female Vehicle Antenna Extension Cable 3m 10 feet for Car Stereo Android Head Unit GPS Navigation FM AM Radio Sirius XM Satellite Radio 4G LTE TEL Telematics Bluetooth Module : Electronics
And the power/data connector, unless the unit comes with it…
Ford WPT-242 Power/Data Connector/Pigtail C4803A for TCU
TCU part number needs to be a HJ5T-14G087-UF thru UM for your vehicle.
This is the authorization procedure…
Sync Connect APIM & TCU Programming and Activating.pdf (520.8 KB)
This is good to skim thru…
TCU HJ5T Asbuilt Discussion - Ford / AsBuilt - CyanLabs Official Community
I do have a few questions. Is there a specific 4g antenna you would suggest? The one in my car is only for the 3g. I was told it wasnt compatible with a 4g tcu.
Also when you say the tcu needs to be [quote=“F150Chief, post:2, topic:22189, username:F150Chief”]
HJ5T-14G087-UF thru UM for your vehicle.
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How does their numbering work? Is it UF, then the next would be UG, like alphabetically? Until you get to UM? Is there a better one to get out of those options vs the others?
I am considering getting the hot spot, what would I need to have that if I wanted to use it?
I need to get a OBD to computer connector as well. So any specific products especially off amazon is highly appreciated.
One last and final question, because I haven’t looked in awhile. Has there been any break throughs on how to upgrade sync 3 to sync 4 yet?
Still not worth updating to Sync 4. You will never get updates on it like maps or versions because they are all OTA and VIN specific. Many sites that sell Sync 4 setups are saying the updates are coming soon but they are wrong.
Sync 4 would not be really all that compatible with your vehicle and honestly would be a step backwards. Ford will never release updates for a Sync 4 retrofit for the system or nav. They learned from Sync 3…
The revisions sequence like you say, but may skip letters, etc. You will need to update the TCU unless you manage to get a -UM. You will need the -UM firmware. Not an issue.
3G and 4G are NOT frequency bands, so whoever told you this they are wrong. These are protocol formats and can run in the same frequencies. The same is true with phones with 4G and 5G, any new phone will get both.