HD Radio missing in your Bronco? Here's a Workaround

[Rollo_in_Paris]

Hey guys. I have a 2023 Bronco Big Bend with the base audio 7-speaker system and 8" screen. Like others have mentioned I was disappointed to find my build did not include HD Radio. I could have sworn Ford literature at the time included HD radio. Knowing what I know now I should have just ordered the premium 10-speaker B/O system with a 12" screen. It may be the only way to get factory FM HD Radio in a bronco.

I want to share a workaround without having to destroy your dash. First I noticed how good a particular HD radio station (Old School 102.9 HD2) sounded on my F150 with an Alpine head unit. Then I searched for the station on safari. I found it in HD Radio format with "Audacy" app. I downloaded the app and signed up. I searched and found Old School 102.9 HD2. After I connected it in my Bronco it sounded clear and noticeably fuller bass. Audacy is free has over 100,000 radio stations and plays well with Apple CarPlay. I have no affiliation with Audacy but I am saying it just works for me. I hope this helps other HD Radio lovers out there.

BTW I upgraded my sound system last year and this and SiriusXM really makes my system sound good.

Update: I decided to compare my favorite HD radio station native from my Alpine deck versus using the Audacy app. Well, Ford blew this one. The Alpine HD receiver sound is definitely better. Not by much but noticeable. For the same channel the Alpine HD radio channel is warmer and louder. The best way to describe is it sounds like I have a powerful amp driving it. More bass, clear, warm and louder. Like really good analog music would sound. The Audacy app streaming sounds much better than regular FM but it is a little harsher sounding as digital sound is sharp sometimes. Also, a phone has connectivity issues that a native receiver does not. Ford is well aware of that. Ford blew it thinking nobody listens to FM HD Radio. They should have added FM HD Radio to all builds so the customer can decide which music source they prefer. $10-15 more is nothing for the added FM HD Radio sound, cost and reliability.

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[DeathValleyBob]

My MY25 Lux has AM HD but I can’t find the FM HD. Of course there are very few AM HD stations in Lalaland and there are many FM HDs stations. Having HD was one of the major reasons for getting Lux package! Dealer is useless so far

 

[HeliPilot]

My MY25 Lux has AM HD but I can’t find the FM HD. Of course there are very few AM HD stations in Lalaland and there are many FM HDs stations. Having HD was one of the major reasons for getting Lux package! Dealer is useless so far

Huh??? Just hit seek button, if one is in range it auto tunes to HD. And if the station has multiple HD channels, you can scroll thru them with the tune knob or the arrow keys on your steering wheel

 

[Maxwellianation]

2024 Badlands with Lux package and I stream everything the difference is sound quality is very noticeable. I can’t believe B&O put their name on the audio crap in my bronco.

 

[Bugkillah]

Similarly I use iHeart radio. It has all the locals and some locals I like from neighboring cities. Good quality sound.

 

[Timo]

2024 Badlands with Lux package and I stream everything the difference is sound quality is very noticeable. I can’t believe B&O put their name on the audio crap in my bronco.

That's why they used B&O instead of their full name. They get to sell them to Ford and hope people don't figure out who they really are.

 

[Truckin]

This made me go out and check my 25 badlands high lux.
no HD radio! Went through all the settings and nothing

 

[HeliPilot]

This made me go out and check my 25 badlands high lux.
no HD radio! Went through all the settings and nothing

What’s High Lux. It’s either Mid, High or Lux. I believe that anything less than Lux does not have HD Radio. But I could be wrong. Anyone???

 

[Truckin]

Sorry yep Lux. Some have referenced it as high vs mid

 

[Brian_B]

I thought all the Broncos with Nav had HD radio

 

[C6ZZGT]

No HD on ours, 23 and 24 Heritage.

 

[iamcris]

I'm confused. Isn't there some kind of audio setting that the dealer can do? Unlock something or the other? No I don't have for scan, no I'm not getting for scan and Im not begging or bothering someone to do it for me.
If you know please tell me so the dealer knows what I'm trying to say. Thanks.

 

[C6ZZGT]

I'm confused. Isn't there some kind of audio setting that the dealer can do? Unlock something or the other? No I don't have for scan, no I'm not getting for scan and Im not begging or bothering someone to do it for me.
If you know please tell me so the dealer knows what I'm trying to say. Thanks.

NO,Nothing the dealer can unlock

 

[HeliPilot]

I'm confused. Isn't there some kind of audio setting that the dealer can do? Unlock something or the other? No I don't have for scan, no I'm not getting for scan and Im not begging or bothering someone to do it for me.
If you know please tell me so the dealer knows what I'm trying to say. Thanks.

No, when I upgraded to the 12” screen on my Mid Badlands thru Infotainment, I also bought an HD receiver they had in stock and replaced it while I had the dash apart. It’s really a cheap ass move on Fords part to not have HD in all.

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

What’s High Lux. It’s either Mid, High or Lux. I believe that anything less than Lux does not have HD Radio. But I could be wrong. Anyone???

I believe in 2025 they combined the high package into the lux package. Thus “High Lux”.

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