Ranger Mods

Is what I have the correct connection for my PX2 Ranger ?

So, okay I've taken delivery of a "dongle" (obtained from EBay) it comprises of a plug thing with 16 mini pins and has the wording "Ford" (the logo) and "modified" ELM327 on it. It has a meter long cable to a USB plug and there is a tiny "On/Off" switch on the 16 pin plug, I guess I'll figure what thats for later. It also came with a small 225 Megabyte CD. This CD seems to mainly explain how to connect a computer or smart phone to the plug if its a Bluetooth unit.

If this is the correct bit of kit I'll buy the full FORSCAN license once I've taken delivery of the Ranger in late January 2018 and I'll buy a small A4 sized Laptop to use solely for the purpose of monitoring the ECU, I've had bitter experiences in the past of such licenses being limited to only one computer so I'll wait until I've taken delivery of the Ranger and I'll buy a laptop solely for the Ford ECU.

Next question, is a WINDOWS or APPLE system better ? I must admit I'm thinking WINDOWS but I despise WINDOWS 10 with a passion and a new laptop loaded with a reliable version of WINDOWS 7 is only made from unobtanium.

An addendum and that I should have mentioned, the "dongle" has 5 LED lights on it just above the "Ford" logo under which there are the words ON, (under one LED) OBD (under two LED) and USB (under two LED)

Hey Iain,
The dongle that you have reads like it is similar to the one that I use. The switch is so that you can switch between HS Can and MS can.
In regards to the laptop I use an old laptop running windows 7 and it does the job. The program is free to download and use, To make changes to your vehicle modules your need to get an extended licence which is also free at this time, the extended licence only lasts 2 months at a time and can only be used on one computer. Also to get the extended licence you need to join the Forscan forum.
Hope this helps,
Tony.

Thanks for that Tony,
as I said, when it comes to this sort of stuff I'm a total Luddite. Given the low cost of small high powered laptops I'll buy one just for the Forscan program so the licence will be a single use thing - I suspected that this would be the case but thanks to the confirmation. I'll see if a local firm will be able to replace the dreaded Windows 10 with a version of Windows 7 that is more user friendly.
From what I've read the things I need to do on the Forscan are:-

1.) Recalibrate the fuel tank from 80 to 140 litres
2.) Ditto for the 17" tyre diameter/circumference
3.) Ditto for the deletion of the DPF.

I'm going to buy a small laptop just for the Forscan program, the one I'm looking at "Hardly Normal" has WiFi and Bluetooth installed, as well as a conventional QWERTY keyboard it has a touch screen and -- naturally -- Windows 10 and Windows 365 preloaded.
How much memory and RAM do I need ?
Its just over the size of an A4 sheet so it can be left/secreted in the car and be available should it ever be needed.

Hi Stewart,
Should updates be done with the engine running?

Hi Iainboyd,

Get rid of that thing and get the one I have listed here. Its probably cheaper too viewtopic.php?f=56&t=393

Latest version of Windows 10 is a god send and honestly I would use it over Windows 7 these days. Windows 10 of old is not the latest, try it.

Fuel tank size and tyre size changes, yes. DPF delete no.

Forscan from here viewtopic.php?f=56&t=393
Extended licence info here http://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=836

and a basic intro at the start of this thread.

Iainboyd wrote: ↑Thu Dec 07, 2017 3:24 pm I'm going to buy a small laptop just for the Forscan program, the one I'm looking at "Hardly Normal" has WiFi and Bluetooth installed, as well as a conventional QWERTY keyboard it has a touch screen and -- naturally -- Windows 10 and Windows 365 preloaded.
How much memory and RAM do I need ?
Its just over the size of an A4 sheet so it can be left/secreted in the car and be available should it ever be needed.

The cheapest most basic spec computer will fill your needs. A 10 year old laptop running xp will actually fill your needs.

If you want new then from what you have said 4Gb of RAM will be sufficient. HDD space is a personal preference depending and what you want to store on the device.

I just say go new, go to Office works and but the cheapest laptop that you like the feel of. It will do what you want and more, plus more again.

Gesneriad wrote: ↑Thu Dec 07, 2017 4:50 pm Hi Stewart,
Should updates be done with the engine running?

No need, ignition on and ignition off when asked too. You're playing on the canbus and programming while running could cause a temporary glitch, chance is slim but safe is just the on position.

Thanks, maybe a quick update to your instruction page would be good.

Gesneriad wrote: ↑Thu Dec 07, 2017 7:51 pm Thanks, maybe a quick update to your instruction page would be good.

Done.

Great guide, thanks.

Have had the OBD for a month or two but not the time to play. went out today with the old 5yo laptop (I run macs) and once I found what I was looking for it was really easy to update the lines one at a time. now have new DTE, new 4WD Mode and Climate menus! Have also activated use touch screen whlst moving but obviously can't test that in driveway

I'm trying to apply for the extended license but I've come up with a problem - the application asks for my "Hardware " identification - whats that ?

Hi Iain,

Fire up Forscan on the laptop or device you'll be using it with, then go to the "About" icon - the bottom one that looks like a steering wheel with a question mark.

About 3 lines down you'll see your "Hardware ID: .......". That's the number you need.

Cheers & enjoy.

Hi all,
Great info re Forscan.
Has anyone put together a full list of modifications you can do with hex codes etc for each ?

Try to use most of the inbuilt dropdown menus for changes! works pretty well!

Eddie Everest wrote: ↑Sun Jan 14, 2018 10:10 pm Hi all,
Great info re Forscan.
Has anyone put together a full list of modifications you can do with hex codes etc for each ?

As above. I supplied the info to help stop the mistakes from happening so the option boxes make a safe change.

I do have every change if every module available but no I have not put everyone of them onto spreadsheets.

Hello Stewart,
I'm trying to load the Forscan applications and licence so that I can alter my fuel tank capacity however I've come up against a wall where I'm asked for the hardware type or some such, what do I have to enter ?

Iainboyd wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2018 8:14 am Hello Stewart,
I'm trying to load the Forscan applications and licence so that I can alter my fuel tank capacity however I've come up against a wall where I'm asked for the hardware type or some such, what do I have to enter ?

Have you had a look at Gerry's post above?

Possibly a screen shot of the issue?

Hello Steward, my Thailand build Wildtrak doesnt comes with TPMS. Is there any way to activate Cluster test mode? I dont see Tyre pressure warnings light on dash. If i buy the sensors and activate it via forscan will it work?

Yes, you will also need to make IPC and BCM changes with Forscan. It has successfully been activated and used in the local Thai vehicles.

Okay, here's the thing.
The Wildtrak is at Bathurst, I live in the Blue Montains. I went there today and plugged in the "new" OBD dongle - fresh from the USA (OBDLink MX rev.2.2/R4 - made 17/03/2017 - it says it contains FCC ID: X3ZBTMOD4 ) -- and happy days I was able to unite and synchronise it via Bluetooth to my Lap-top and I could read several of the information including the fact that the VIN numbers corresponded.
What I'm not able to do is via the ARB workshop Wi-Fi is connect to the internet without numerous drop-outs and obtain a extended license. Can I do this at home, away from the Wildtrak and without being connected to the dongle ?

Yes, get your extended licence at home, then connect to the OBDlink.
Read page 1 again on this thread.

Hi Stewart, are there any cable USB OBD links that you recommend? I'm getting a bit nervous about using the WiFi OBDlink for programming. Connectivity does seem a bit flaky at times with the main problem being my laptop seems to want to drop the OBDlink Wifi and connect to my home WiFi on occasion. To minimise the risk of this occurring, I do (try to remember to) clear the password for my home WiFi when I connect to the car. I like the WiFi for running gauges to my ipad. Reading the Forscan website, I see lots of warnings about cheap knock off ELM327 adaptors and they seem to be recommending the ELS27. From what I understand, these ELS27 adaptors don't need the switch of the MS-CAN bus and provide access to all modules and PIDS. The original seems to come from a site in Russia for $70 USD:

Are these cheap knock offs that should be avoided too?

Read here, I posted a while back.

viewtopic.php?f=56&t=393

I bought one and test and it worked 100%, it was cheaper than those elms with a switch too. Unit is rock solid on connections.