F150 Lightning FORScan thread - Version 2

[digitaldad]

Mine was an August 23 build as well. I’ve got to look and see if there is a connector unused in the other rear wheel well.

Welp, there goes that theory...glad you got them at least. I was minorly bummed that I didn't.

Sponsored

 

[Firn]

@jredondox

I was digging into your post here https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/f150-lightning-forscan-thread.11406/post-244423 regarding changing the drl brightness and maybe you can help.

I want to DIS-able the DRL while the low beam and high beam are on and I do not believe setting the low or high brightness will achieve what am looking for.

I'm not sure how the CFG sections work, are they enablers for other options? There are options like 726-42-02 xxx* xxxx xx-- where you can set the LF Low Beam Crkt Usage Cfg to LFLBCUC LOW_DRL instead of LOWBEAM_ONLY.

Any insights you have would be appreciated.

 

[norpan]

Hi,


I’ve been experimenting a bit with FORScan on my Lightning and wanted to get some feedback from others who’ve gone down this road.





From what I understand, Easy Mode is basically a safer, more user-friendly layer over As-Built, and it only shows options that match the modules/firmware in my specific truck. I’ve seen a lot of guides here that go straight to As-Built hex changes, but I’m wondering:





If a feature shows up in Easy Mode for my truck, is it generally safe to try it and see if it works? My thinking is that Easy Mode should protect you from changing the wrong thing, since it’s reading the module configuration directly.





Example: I just changed my “Seatbelt Reminder/Strategy” to the EU version using Easy Mode, and it worked perfectly – but the forum/manual instructions I found for that mod were all in As-Built format.





Do you guys also try Easy Mode first when possible, before touching raw As-Built? Or are there still good reasons to go straight to hex even if it’s available in Easy Mode?

 

[RLXXI]

Hi,


I’ve been experimenting a bit with FORScan on my Lightning and wanted to get some feedback from others who’ve gone down this road.





From what I understand, Easy Mode is basically a safer, more user-friendly layer over As-Built, and it only shows options that match the modules/firmware in my specific truck. I’ve seen a lot of guides here that go straight to As-Built hex changes, but I’m wondering:





If a feature shows up in Easy Mode for my truck, is it generally safe to try it and see if it works? My thinking is that Easy Mode should protect you from changing the wrong thing, since it’s reading the module configuration directly.





Example: I just changed my “Seatbelt Reminder/Strategy” to the EU version using Easy Mode, and it worked perfectly – but the forum/manual instructions I found for that mod were all in As-Built format.





Do you guys also try Easy Mode first when possible, before touching raw As-Built? Or are there still good reasons to go straight to hex even if it’s available in Easy Mode?

Your assumptions are correct. As a general rule I always try the easy mode. What' I found over the years is even if it's in the easy mode menu, doesn't always = a functioning menu item.

With that said, I haven't used FORscan on the lightning yet, my experience is with my other truck, a 2013 ICE 150 and my wifes 14 Escape.

 

[Henry Ford]

From what I understand, Easy Mode is basically a safer, more user-friendly layer over As-Built, and it only shows options that match the modules/firmware in my specific truck. I’ve seen a lot of guides here that go straight to As-Built hex changes, but I’m wondering:

There are easy mode options that aren't available on your vehicle. For instance, there are IP display options that are Mustang options. You won't be able to activate these options because they don't exist in the Lightning.

If a feature shows up in Easy Mode for my truck, is it generally safe to try it and see if it works? My thinking is that Easy Mode should protect you from changing the wrong thing, since it’s reading the module configuration directly.

Easy mode is easy to undo. In that sense it's safe. It's not always clear what easy mode changes though. That said, I've never seen any unexpected behavior when using easy mode.

Example: I just changed my “Seatbelt Reminder/Strategy” to the EU version using Easy Mode, and it worked perfectly – but the forum/manual instructions I found for that mod were all in As-Built format.

It's possible the instructions were written before the easy mode option was available.

Do you guys also try Easy Mode first when possible, before touching raw As-Built? Or are there still good reasons to go straight to hex even if it’s available in Easy Mode?

I do, but I haven't gotten deep in the weeds of Forscan.

I tried to use Forscan to activate matrix headlights on my wife's Navigator but gave up when I weighed the amount of work required against the facts that I don't know if the hardware is installed and my wife doesn't care about matrix headlights.

 

[bmwhitetx]

So I’m the “owner” of post 1. I have included Easy Mode for a few items. You have to remember that Forscan is maintained by a group of volunteers, most in Russia, who are familiar with non US vehicles.

With that said, they are very smart but require feedback when things aren’t right. You are expecting them to know how a particular feature is modified and program easy mode correctly. For trucks they don’t own.

In post 1 I link to Livinup’s spreadsheet. He’s the expert on F-150’s. Once you understand hex, it is very safe to go the AsBuilt route. The danger is you fat-finger something so it’s important to do a Save All on a module before changing.

I am following on from Livinup’s experience. @rugedraw, who is also very smart when it comes to mods will tell you he never uses easy mode.

I maintain a database of over 80 Lightnings of every year, trim, and major option. Before I put anything in post 1 I validate that it is appropriate for the Lightning. Too many mods you see posted outside of post 1 are for ICE trucks or even other vehicles and can change other things negatively.

In the end, do what you want. I wouldn’t go crazy and just start changing things with easy mode. Forscan covers all Ford vehicles and easy mode is not Lightning specific. Post 1 is.

 

[norpan]

So I’m the “owner” of post 1.

Thanks a lot for the detailed answer, really appreciate you taking the time to explain how you maintain Post 1 and validate mods for the Lightning. The context about the FORScan team and Easy Mode not being Lightning-specific makes a lot of sense.

What got me thinking of testing in easy mode was this part in post 1:

“FORScan allows you to make modifications to certain module settings that change how they operate. The source of many mods is from FORScan guru @Livnitup. He has maintained spreadsheets with module information. You can find them on this thread. Caution: his spreadsheet has a Common Mods tab that is specific to the ICE truck. Blindly pasting in those values can cause issues with the Lightning.”


I’m curious, since the spreadsheet also has dedicated Lightning tabs, are those safe to experiment with? I’d like to explore beyond just what’s in Post 1, as I have quite a bit of experience tweaking, breaking and fixing things in other vehicles and electronics, but this is my first Ford and my first pickup. One example is that I drive a lot in tunnels and would really like to delay on lights reduced - I found this link that I would like to try (greetings from Norway , where pretty much only the electric cars are relevant).

 

[rugedraw]

Thanks a lot for the detailed answer, really appreciate you taking the time to explain how you maintain Post 1 and validate mods for the Lightning. The context about the FORScan team and Easy Mode not being Lightning-specific makes a lot of sense.

What got me thinking of testing in easy mode was this part in post 1:

“FORScan allows you to make modifications to certain module settings that change how they operate. The source of many mods is from FORScan guru @Livnitup. He has maintained spreadsheets with module information. You can find them on this thread. Caution: his spreadsheet has a Common Mods tab that is specific to the ICE truck. Blindly pasting in those values can cause issues with the Lightning.”


I’m curious, since the spreadsheet also has dedicated Lightning tabs, are those safe to experiment with? I’d like to explore beyond just what’s in Post 1, as I have quite a bit of experience tweaking, breaking and fixing things in other vehicles and electronics, but this is my first Ford and my first pickup. One example is that I drive a lot in tunnels and would really like to delay on lights reduced - I found this link that I would like to try (greetings from Norway , where pretty much only the electric cars are relevant).

I don't use easy mode for anything. I like to see what is being changed so I can change it back easily if I don't get the desired result.

With that said: If you get some undesired results after making some FORScan changes, it's not difficult to revert back to what you had before; even if you forgot to make a back-up or take a picture of what you changed for reference. You can always pull the as-built file for your vehicle directly from Ford's website and use FORScan to flash back original data very easily.

 

[norpan]

I don't use easy mode for anything. I like to see what is being changed so I can change it back easily if I don't get the desired result.

Thx! Do you trust the spreadsheet to find what to change then, or what’s your source of information to know what to try?

 

[rugedraw]

Thx! Do you trust the spreadsheet to find what to change then, or what’s your source of information to know what to try?

Yea, the spreadsheet is the ONLY source I use.

Edit: Well, the spreadsheet or the advice of a very select group of people that I know for a fact know their stuff.

 

[bmwhitetx]

I’m curious, since the spreadsheet also has dedicated Lightning tabs, are those safe to experiment with?

Most tabs apply to all trucks but where a year or model is mentioned, use that.

My reference to blindly posting is all about the first tab in the workbook called "Common". Here you find a list of very common mods. Many work for the Lightning but I have found at least one , Trailer Side View, which is just plain wrong for the Lightning and disables functionality. My post 1 has the correct mod for trailer side view. I explain the issue here.

As long as you do your due diligence on the mods and change the correct values relative to your current value, you should be fine. Each nibble/byte (4 bits) can turn on/off four functions. So you need to start with your existing value.

 

[norpan]

Most tabs apply to all trucks but where a year or model is mentioned, use that.

My reference to blindly posting is all about the first tab in the workbook called "Common". Here you find a list of very common mods. Many work for the Lightning but I have found at least one , Trailer Side View, which is just plain wrong for the Lightning and disables functionality. My post 1 has the correct mod for trailer side view. I explain the issue here.

Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time ans detailed responses here.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time ans detailed responses here.

Great, now do me a favor and update your Account Setting and scroll to Vehicles. Spell Lightning correctly and add your year. Can use mine as an example. Helps us knows when you ask questions.

Yours:

Mine:

 

[norpan]

Great, now do me a favor and update your Account Setting and scroll to Vehicles. Spell Lightning correctly and add your year. Can use mine as an example. Helps us knows when you ask questions.

Yours:

Mine:

Uh, I thought the question was just for the registration, so I wrote it with Norwegian autocorrect on my phone. Thanks! Updated to the correct vehicle now (currently borrowing a 2023 SR, awaiting my 2024 ER that just arrived from the US and waiting for registration and approval here).

 

[Henry Ford]

Uh, I thought the question was just for the registration, so I wrote it with Norwegian autocorrect on my phone. Thanks! Updated to the correct vehicle now (currently borrowing a 2023 SR, awaiting my 2024 ER that just arrived from the US and waiting for registration and approval here).

Borrowed vehicles are the best vehicles to experiment on!

Sponsored