Sponsored

Completely Disable Roll Stability Control (RSC) for those without Sand Mode

sunnyD

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2022
Threads
2
Messages
7
Reaction score
11
Location
Beaumont, TX
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger XLT, Titan Swapped Frontier, Civic
I wanted to add some knowledge to this forum to anyone who wants to disable Roll Stability Control (RSC) for driving in the sand, without Ford's "Sand Mode" feature. This is essentially info on how to add a sand mode button yourself. This is shared info that I have newly received so at of the time of posting, it is untested. However, we know for a fact this works on the newest Ford Expeditions, the source is reliable. Just have to do some testing. Read on if interested.

Now, we know that pushing the Traction control button for 5 seconds will not disable RSC, according to the owners manual. The Ranger is totally unusable in sand without sand mode. So, disabling RSC, or adding a Sand Mode Button yourself is the goal. There is no definitive information on any Ranger forums that I could find; I have looked for a solution to this for months.

I just had a conversation with Action Vans in San Clemente, California. They modify awesome Ford Expeditions and defeat RSC for driving in the sand as a paid service. They called me back when I inquired if their method will work on my 2020 Ranger XLT 2wd (within 5 minutes after I emailed them) and offered some assistance with the Ranger even when it didn't benefit them at all! They are clearly passionate about helping the off-road community with Ford mods and advice. Amazing. Call them if you want. Good people.

In my experience, my Nissan Frontier 4x4 will completely disable driver assists (ABS, ABLS, TC) when you disconnect the Yaw Rate Sensor, and reactivate them when you plug it back in and restart. This makes the vehicle a TOTAL ANIMAL in the sand in 2wd, it's really quite amazing how much more capable disabling these features made. I want to do the same for the 2020 Ranger. There's no reason the lighter, more powerful Ranger shouldn't be capable in the sand in 2wd. It's not a matter of deflating tires here, the problem is that, as the Ranger loses traction it cuts power and pulsates and 'intentionally' gets you stuck even with TC Advance Trac disabled.
I have been in this situation so many times and been pulled out (in 2wd no less) by the Nissan Frontier. Aggravating to say the least.

Action vans method uses a similar method here to defeat RSC on their Fords, but they use the Steering Wheel Angle Sensor.

The method Action Vans uses is they cut and connect and inline switch to the black wire connected the RSC. They said the Steering Wheel Angle Sensor is located on the steering shaft; there are 3 wires attached to it and the black wire is the ground wire. A switch can be easily run and mounted anywhere you want.

Action Vans contact says this method on the Expedition does not interfere with anything except the RSC, meaning you'll have to independently hold your Traction Control button for 5 seconds and hit your RSC "Sand Mode" button you wired in depending on what you want to turn off or what you want to keep on.

I am going to attempt the same mod using a normally closed momentary switch, so after you click it, you won't have to switch it "back on" and the next time you restart the RSC will reset automatically.

Any advice is welcome and appreciated. Hopefully this adds some value to this community, and allows ya'll to use ya'lls trucks more capably.

*note, this thread has been edited to make it more readable here and there as of 13:22 on the date of posting
Sponsored

 
Last edited:

D Fresh

Banned
Banned
First Name
Doug
Joined
Dec 10, 2020
Threads
20
Messages
6,272
Reaction score
13,570
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
'20 Lariat FX4, '17 FiST, '16 CX-5, '95 YJ
Occupation
Milkman
I think that's pretty cool


I was ready to answer "sand mode" for what I assumed to be your question. That won't help a 2wd owner though.

Also, disabling RSC is also fun on snow! And it would be cool to be able to do in 2wd. Even for those of us with "sand mode."
 

30AughtTex

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
91
Reaction score
225
Location
TX
Vehicle(s)
07 4Runner, 18 Escape Titanium
Occupation
Oil/Gas R&D
Certainly potentially useful for anyone with 2WD!

I've got a standard 4x4 on order, but plan on adding the TM button and enabling TMS when I get my Ranger in. I don't think I could bring myself to cut into anything to do it though!
 
OP
OP

sunnyD

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2022
Threads
2
Messages
7
Reaction score
11
Location
Beaumont, TX
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger XLT, Titan Swapped Frontier, Civic
Certainly potentially useful for anyone with 2WD!

I've got a standard 4x4 on order, but plan on adding the TM button and enabling TMS when I get my Ranger in. I don't think I could bring myself to cut into anything to do it though!

Easy to solder and heat shrink 2 wires to a switch, and even reverse if you wanted for whatever reason. Takes a lot of courage I guess, lol. Once you get the courage to start modifying things in a positive way, it gets fun and isn't stressful. The rule is not making anything worse. The gains are you like your truck better, and it's more useful. Cheers.
 

20XLRangerFraptor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Clifford
Joined
Jul 7, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
103
Reaction score
225
Location
Waddell, AZ
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger XL
Occupation
Jet Mechanic
Any updates to this? Has anyone tested it? I want to be able to turn off rsc when playing off-road!! I’ve been running through the desert hauling ass sideways and the damn abs kicks in and messes with my flow!!!
 


OP
OP

sunnyD

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2022
Threads
2
Messages
7
Reaction score
11
Location
Beaumont, TX
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger XLT, Titan Swapped Frontier, Civic
Any updates to this? Has anyone tested it? I want to be able to turn off rsc when playing off-road!! I’ve been running through the desert hauling ass sideways and the damn abs kicks in and messes with my flow!!!
I'll order a switch right now. Life got in the way then I forgot about it. Sorry lol
 

Flowgod

Well-Known Member
First Name
Seth
Joined
Mar 14, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
234
Reaction score
563
Location
Utah
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ford Ranger XL
This sounds rad, I might just do this too. All I need is some sand now
 

20XLRangerFraptor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Clifford
Joined
Jul 7, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
103
Reaction score
225
Location
Waddell, AZ
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger XL
Occupation
Jet Mechanic
I'll order a switch right now. Life got in the way then I forgot about it. Sorry lol
Let us know how it goes! Mine has kicked in a few times in situations that almost made it worse! When your pretty sideways around 50mph and it’s trying to lock up the front wheels got kinda sketchy real quick
 

z891t7

New Member
First Name
Z
Joined
May 16, 2024
Threads
0
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Dubai
Vehicle(s)
Expedition Timberline
Ford's "Sand Mode" feature.
Hi there! So if I on my expedition timberline have sand mode, means it will not accidentally pop up side airbags?
 

z891t7

New Member
First Name
Z
Joined
May 16, 2024
Threads
0
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Dubai
Vehicle(s)
Expedition Timberline
Any updates to this? Has anyone tested it? I want to be able to turn off rsc when playing off-road!! I’ve been running through the desert hauling ass sideways and the damn abs kicks in and messes with my flow!!!
Sand /Baja Mode and long press for ESC not worked for you?
 

20XLRangerFraptor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Clifford
Joined
Jul 7, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
103
Reaction score
225
Location
Waddell, AZ
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger XL
Occupation
Jet Mechanic
Sand /Baja Mode and long press for ESC not worked for you?
That doesn’t turn off Roll stability. Sand mode I’m pretty sure is 4wd and I don’t play like that in 4wd
Sponsored

 
 








Top