APPLICATIONS:

• 2015-2020 Ford F-150 w/4.2″ or 8″ screen
• 2017-2022 Super Duty 250/350/450 w/4.2″ or 8″ screen (2020+ Super-Duty trucks require optional harness)
• NOTE: 2020+ SUPER DUTY TRUCKS WITH BASE AND B&O SYSTEMS ARE SUPPORTED WITH OPTIONAL HARNESSES

WORK TRUCK TYPE RADIO USES FORD EXPEDITION RADIO

Factory Features Retained: (if present)
USB ports
Steering Wheel Controls
Steering Wheel Heater
Ambient Lighting Controls
Heated Seat Controls
Cooled Seat Controls
Massaging Seat Controls
Factory Rear Camera
Factory Front Camera
Factory 360 Camera (additional adapter required for 360 system with touchscreen control of cameras)
Manual HVAC Controls
Automatic HVAC Controls
Factory remote start from keyfob (see note below for Ford Pass phone app remote start)
Factory Wi-Fi hotspot (RETRIEVE PASSWORD PRIOR TO REMOVING THE FACTORY RADIO!)
Bang & Olufsen Audio System (additional adapter required if factory audio module has Blue USB port – see tech tips)

Factory Features NOT Retained: (if present)
SYNC
Ford Pass
Satellite Radio
HD Radio
CD Player
Driver Information Center radio & navigation displays
Factory Microphone
Steering Wheel Voice Command
Auto-Parking/Parking assistance (knob on dashboard that turns steering wheel)
Auto HVAC & heated seats/wheel from factory remote start (manual settings supported)
Rapid Heat Supplemental Cab Heater
Ford Pass Remote Start from phone app (remote start from keyfob is not affected) – NOTE: may not affect all systems prior to SYNC 3 v3.4 Build 20136
2020 Super Duty: Center channel speaker in non-amplified factory systems

Aftermarket accessories NOT supported:
May not be FULLY compatible with some “Amp Research” power steps – may cause short (<1 second) audio dropouts when operating steps
Rough Country or HyperTech Inline Speedometer Calibrator

Note: The list above is what is known regarding integration with factory features and options. Some combinations of factory options may not have been tested in the development of this unit, and may not be supported.

Some factory features may be lost or altered due to automatic updating of the operating system of the vehicle – IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO ALLOW AUTOMATIC UPDATING OF THE FACTORY SOFTWARE, PLEASE DISABLE AUTOMATIC UPDATING IN THE FACTORY RADIO PRIOR TO REMOVAL OF FACTORY RADIO. 

If your vehicle has an option or feature that is not shown, please call before purchase to confirm whether or not it is supported. We do not refund based on non-support of factory features.

Installation Overview:

Installation Difficulty: 2 out of 10Tools & Parts Required: Plastic trim tool, 7mm socket, 10mm socket, Phillips screwdriver, needle-nose pliers or pick tool (for removing trim clips from rear of factory trim piece), zip tiesFor any type of advanced electronics, professional installation is always advised, but most owners are capable of doing the installation themselves if you own some basic hand tools and a spare few hours to dedicate to the installation. If you need any help or guidance, feel free to call us at 253-297-4570 – we’d rather answer your questions in advance than to have you make a mistake because you didn’t understand any of the instructions or installation steps.Installation of the GEN4 T-Style radio in the Ford F-Series trucks is very straightforward and relatively easy, as it is completely plug and play. We rate this install as about 2 on a 10 scale of difficulty, and should take most owners 2-3 hours to install, depending on your level of ability and which factory system your truck came with. We HIGHLY recommend that you watch the installation video below start to finish in order to familiarize yourself with the process.NOTE: The video below shows the installation of a GEN2 T-Style radio, so some of the installation steps will be very slightly different:

• The rear panel of the GEN4 radio will be laid out differently
• USB inputs will be different
• New production units are now coming with an extended wi-fi antenna instead of the small “rubber ducky” style antenna

Installation Video (GEN2 T-Style):

Pre-Installation Steps:

Prior to installation, determine which factory radio is present in your truck in order to determine which other accessories may be necessary for your install.

• 4.2″ screen: NO ADDITIONAL MODULES REQUIRED
• 8″ screen w/o 360 camera system: NO ADDITIONAL MODULES REQUIRED
• 8″ screen w/360 camera system:
  • If you bring up the factory camera on-screen and toggle through all views using the factory “CAM” button only – NO ADDITIONAL MODULES REQUIRED
  • If you bring up the factory camera on-screen and toggle through all views on the touschscreen – 360 CAMERA MODULE IS REQUIRED
• Base and SONY audio systems: NO ADDITIONAL MODULES REQUIRED
• Bang & Olufsen audio system: Trucks with B&O premium audio system can be identified by the presence of a small “B&O” logo on the center speaker on the dashboard.
  • Most 2014-2018 trucks with the Bang & Olufsen audio will have a BLUE USB JACK on the back of the factory CD player or “audio box” and will require the OPTIONAL B&O ADAPTER and follow the instructions below
  • Some 2018-2019 trucks MAY NOT require the B&O adapter – this depends on the presence of a BLUE USB JACK on the back of the factory “audio box” – see the sections below for guidance
  • ALL 2020 SUPER DUTY TRUCKS WITH B&O SYSTEMS REQUIRE THE 2020 B&O SYSTEM ADAPTER 

For 2018-2019 trucks, to identify if you need the B&O adapter, you will need to determine if you have a factory BLUE USB JACK on the back of the factory CD player/audio box. If you DO have the BLUE USB JACK, you will need the B&O adapter and will use the main harness supplied with the B&O adapter and follow the instructions below to retain and remount the CD player/audio box in the dashboard If you DO NOT have the BLUE USB JACK, you will use the main harness supplied with the radio and WILL NOT have to retain the factory CD player/audio box NOTE: ALL 2020 SUPER DUTY TRUCKS WITH B&O SYSTEMS REQUIRE THE 2020 B&O SYSTEM ADAPTER  When using the Bang & Olufsen adapter, the factory CD player/audio box must be retained and remounted in the dashboard. The B&O adapter’s T-harnesses will be connected to the factory harness that was originally plugged into the factory CD player/audio box (female connectors) and plugged back into the factory CD player/audio box (male connectors).

USB Connections:

Because the GEN4 T-Style radio has a dedicated USB input for Android Auto and Car Play, we highly recommend that you read the information on the “USB CONNECTIONS” tab so you are aware of how the USB inputs need to be configured (especially important if you are planning on using an iPhone and Car Play).

Accessory Plug Configuration:

The GEN4+ T-Style radio comes with multiple additional accessory plugs that may or may not be required for your installation. The image below shows the proper locations for all of the accessory plugs.Even though these plugs are keyed to help locate them into the proper ports, it is possible to plug some of them in incorrectly. NOTE: It is extremely important that all plugs are plugged into the proper ports in order for all accessories to operate properly! Damage to accessories or to the radio may result from improperly located accessory plugs! We highly recommend that you plug in ALL of the plugs to the their proper ports even if you are not using them in order to not lose them – for instance, if you ever decide to add amplifiers to your system, you will need the RCA output harness. If that plug is plugged in already, you can’t lose it in the garage somewhere… :- )

CAMERA ADAPTER USAGE:

The GEN 5 Ford T-style radio comes with a standard female RCA video input labeled “FACT CAM INPUT” on the BLACK “CAM INPUTS” plug. This input is designed to accept a rear camera input, whether from an aftermarket camera with RCA output, or from the factory camera (if equipped) using one of the two adapters provided with the system. When determining which factory harness contains the camera wiring, YOU WILL ALWAYS CONNECT THE LINKSWELL CAMERA ADAPTER PLUG TO THE HARNESS THAT WAS PLUGGED INTO THE BACK OF  THE FACTORY SCREEN. Please review the images and descriptions below to help determine which of the adapters you will use if to adapt the factory camera that displays on the factory screen:
FACTORY SYSTEM	CONNECTOR ON RADIO MODULE	USE THIS ADAPTER
4.2″ screenThis module is usually seen on older models or lower trim level trucks
4.2″ screenUsually seen on newer model trucks (2018-2019)
CAUTION:Some later model trucks with the 4.2″ screen also come with a control box that has a plug that fits the 8″ camera adapter (at right).THIS IS NOT THE CAMERA HARNESS! THE CAMERA HARNESS IS THE SMALLER PLUG THAT WAS PLUGGED INTO THE BACK OF THE SCREEN – USE THE 4.2″ CAMERA ADAPTER!
8″ screenThis module is seen on all model years w/8″ screen

Post-Installation Setup & Testing:

We cannot suggest strongly enough that before you place the radio back in the dashboard and screw it in, test every function first! Almost all tech phone calls we get regarding non-working functions (especially USB and Bluetooth mic issues) are due to not plugging the connectors into the proper ports or checking to make sure they are snapped in tight. You will save yourself time, effort and possible damage to the radio or the dashboard by simply testing all functions prior to bolting it in – that way you don’t have to pull it out again multiple times to fix the problems.

Once you have completed the installation, there are some setup steps that need to be completed that allow the radio to communicate properly with your HVAC controls and to modify the clock settings in the Android settings to maintain proper time display. Follow the steps below to set up those systems.

HVAC/Seat Heater/360 Camera Configuration:

Clock Settings:

Due to a conflict between the Android system clock and the radio’s clock, the Android system clock will need to be set manually in order to maintain accurate time when the vehicle is shut off and restarted.Go to “Settings” > “More Settings” > “Android” > “System“
Scroll to “Date & Time“Turn off “Automatic date & time“Turn off “Automatic time zone“Set the date, time and time zone manually for your locationExit

Troubleshooting

If you read the owner’s Manual, watched the installation video, and followed the installation & setup steps and still are having issues, some of the common things to check are listed below:

• Turn off Notification Chimes:

• Bypass “Accept” Button:
  • Go to “Settings” > “System” > “Factory Settings” > passcode 1660 > “Install Set” > scroll to the bottom and turn on demo mode. Save and reboot
• Radio won’t power on:
  • Overwhelmingly, issues with the radio not turning on are related to the connectors either not being plugged in or not being seated properly – we recommend that all connections made to factory connectors are plugged in and given a tug to make sure they are snapped in properly.
  • Make sure that the two large connectors on the Main Harness (#6 in Owner’s Manual image) are firmly connected to the connectors that were originally plugged into the back of the CD player/Audio box (the silver box below the factory screen that was removed with four 10mm bolts)
  • Make sure that the red data box is SECURELY connected to the Main Harness WHITE plug – this box is what interprets the vehicle data and sends out the 12V to the radio, so it is critical that this be plugged in securely!
• Poor radio reception:
  • It is our experience that almost all aftermarket radios have radio sections that are not the equal of your factory radio, and you may experience slightly less performance from the Linkswell radio than you had on the factory radio – this is normal. However, we have had numerous complaints that the radio reception is non-existent, which leads to doing some basic troubleshooting of the installation.
  • The radio comes with an antenna adapter that needs to be plugged into the BLACK antenna cable in the truck – if the adapter is not seated all the way or is connected to the wrong antenna lead (usually the YELLOW satellite radio antenna connector), radio reception will suffer. The way to troubleshoot radio reception is to try and tune a local AM station first – if you are able to get AM, it means that the antenna system is intact and that you are plugged into the proper factory radio connector. If you DO NOT get any AM radio reception, you will need to double-check where you connected the antenna adapter.
• HVAC is not functioning correctly: 
  • When shipped, the unit comes preset for MANUAL HVAC CONTROLS. If your truck has AUTOMATIC HVAC controls, you must follow the programming guide to set the controls properly. YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL OF THE STEPS LISTED, INCLUDING THE “SAVE AND REBOOT” STEP!
  • THE RADIO DOES NOT CONVERT MANUAL CONTROLS TO AUTOMATIC CONTROLS
• Heated Seats, Cooled Seats, Heated Steering Wheel are not available to control:
  • Heated seats, cooled seats and heated steering wheel functions need to be turned on the in the menu in order to be controlled on the screen. To turn on these functions, go to “Settings” > “Double Gear” icon > “9300” > “OK” and scroll to the bottom of that menu.
  • Turn on Heated Steering Wheel with “WHEEL HEATING” option
  • Turn on Cooled Seats with “SEAT BLOWING” option
  • Turn on Heated Seats with “SEAT HEATING” option
• Backup Camera will not display:
  • If the radio switches to the backup camera input when the truck is placed in reverse and you have a “NO SIGNAL” error, this means that the radio is operating properly and that the camera is not sending a signal to the backup camera input.
  • Consult the guide above for the proper factory camera adapter to use for your vehicle, and make sure the adapter is plugged into the proper factory connector.
  • Make sure the factory backup camera adapter RCA lead is plugged into the RCA female connector on the BLACK plug (#5 in the Owner’s Manual image) labeled “FACTORY CAM”
  • Insure that the BLACK plug with the camera RCA inputs is plugged into the proper port on the back of the radio – it should be plugged into the port directly next to the blue GPS antenna connector (see the image above)
• Backup Camera displays but colors are too dark:
  • Place the truck in reverse to display the backup camera screen, then tap the dark bar at the top of the screen – a video control should pop up in the top left corner – choose “default” in that control to reset the brightness of the backup camera display
• 360 Camera system is not displaying properly:
  • Most 2015-2017 trucks with the 360 camera system will not require the 360 adapter – the way to tell is to press the factory “CAM” button with the factory radio installed: if your camera views toggle by pressing the button repeatedly, you will not need the adapter. If your “CAM” button brings up icons on your factory radio’s touchscreen, you will need the adapter
  • Make sure that you followed the instructions in the 360 adapter setup section above – if the 360 settings are not turned on, the 360 camera system will not display all views, only the front and 360 view
• Right side camera does not display on turn signal activation:
  • The right side turn signal-activated camera is not turned on by default – this must be turned on the menu
  • Go to “Settings” > “Double Gear” icon > “9300” > “OK” and turn on the option for “RIGHT SIDE”. Make sure that the option for “FRONT CAM WHEN IN DRIVE” is turned OFF
• Factory USB port does not work:
  • The factory USB port has a mating connector on the PEACH colored plug (#10 in the Owner’s Manual image) which needs to be plugged into the factory USB harness – this will activate the factory USB hub (but this will not allow Car Play to operate through the factory USB hub – see below)
  • On trucks with the 8″ factory screen, the two-pin plug with orange and black wires on the 54 Pin Camera Adapter labeled “USB POWER” must be plugged into the two pin female plug on the Main Harness to provide power to the factory USB hub
  • The PEACH colored plug carries the USB signal to the radio and can be accidentally plugged into the wrong port! This connector is keyed and should be plugged into the top right 8-pin port next to the AM/FM antenna input (see the image above)

The GEN5 comes with three USB inputs on two separate plugs:

• WHITE 10-Pin USB plug:
  • This USB can support charging and data and can be used for the USB DVR camera or routed to the glovebox as a spare USB input
• RED 8-Pin USB plug:
  • There are TWO versions of this plug supplied with the radio – both versions have a factory-style USB connector (square) that connects to the factory USB hub, but one has a USB-“C” female connector (at left below), and one has a USB “A” female connector (at right below) for connecting to your phone. Use the one that matches your phone’s charging cable.

The Linkswell GEN4 T-Style radio system comes with the Google Maps app pre-installed for use as the default navigation system, though any navigation app that can be downloaded from the Google Play store can be installed and used as the default system as well. In addition, using the “PhoneLink” app, you can use any compatible Car Play or Android Auto app on your phone for navigation.

NOTE: USING ANY ANDROID NAVIGATION APP ON THE RADIO OR YOUR PHONE WILL REQUIRE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY AND WILL CONSUME DATA.

This means that in order to run Google Maps or any other Android GPS app you have installed on the radio, you must have a data hotspot in the vehicle and paired to the radio – this can be the factory data hotspot, your phone, a portable hotspot, etc.

IGO NEXT GEN NAVIGATION UPGRADE

The iGo Next Gen Navigation system upgrade gives you the ability to navigate without consuming data and is pre-installed on your system – it just needs the license file to make it active.

Adding the license is an extra-cost option that can be added when you order, or you can activate the iGo system after your purchase.

In order to do the upgrade after you have purchased the system, here’s the process:

• Run the “Dev Info” app and on the screen that opens, the “IMEI” number will be shown at the bottom left of the screen
• Copy the IMEI number EXACTLY. NOTE: There are no refunds for licenses generated for the wrong IMEI number!
• Purchase the iGo license here: https://www.adcmobile.com/product/igo-nextgen-navigation-upgrade-for-t-style-radios/
• Provide the IMEI number of your unit during checkout
• We will forward your IMEI number to the manufacturer
• The manufacturer will generate the license (.lyc file) and we will email it to you
• Follow the instructions below to install

Installation of iGo Next-Gen navigation license file:

• Save the “lyc” file we send you to a USB stick
• Insert the USB stick into a USB port in the truck
• Open File Manager app
• You will have “FLASH” and “USB” drive icons on the left column – click on the “USB” drive
• You should now see the “.lyc” file you copied to the USB drive – tap on the box on the far right of the file name to highlight the file (this adds a checkmark to the box)
• Hit the “Copy” icon (bottom of screen – icon on left)
• Tap the “Flash” icon (top left)
• Tap “iGo” folder to open it
• Tap the “license” folder to open it
• Tap the “Paste” icon (bottom of screen – icon on left) – this will paste the file into the “license” folder
• Now start the iGo system and it will walk you through the setup process

If you want iGo to be the default navigation app, open “Settings”. The navigation icon (top icon) should be lit. Double-tap the iGo NextGen icon in the list at right. Tap the checkmark to verify your selection. iGo will now open when you touch the “Navi” icon on the bottom bar or on the Home screen.

FIRMWARE UPDATING:

All firmware updates can be done Over the Air on the radio just by checking for updates once connected to a high-speed internet connection.

NOTE: After updating firmware, if your camera screen is very dark, put the vehicle in reverse, then tap the top left corner of the bar at the top of the screen to bring up the picture adjustment menu – choose “Default” to restore image settings.

Linkswell Tech Tip Videos:

PRODUCT WARRANTY: 1 YEAR REPLACEMENT

NOTE: You must register the unit with Linkswell in order to fully comply with the terms of the One-Year Limited Warranty.

Read the terms and fill out the “Warranty Registration Form” on the Linkswell website to fully activate your warranty.

If you need service under warranty, you must fill out the “Return Request Form” on the Linkswell website.