Enabling Terrain Management/Elocker (Retrofit)

[Gen5RangerPegasus]

Terrain Management.

I do not believe this is a straight forward mod that some claim it is. I have read that if you buy a Terrain Management Switch, install in it your Ranger, and toggle the "Selectable Drive Mode" to "Enable" in the IPC module using Forscan that you suddenly have Terrain Management. I believe there are further steps that need to be taken in order for this to truly work. Sadly, I think many Ranger Enthusiasts are selecting drive modes with no real change to driving behavior.

Toggles I believe need to be switched:

ABS Module:
- Brake Control
(*Needs to be switched to, "ABS/ESP/RSC/TERRAIN" to handle the braking calibration while using different driving modes)

PCM Module:
- Terrain Mode Management
(Needs to be switched to "All Terrain Control Module" to recognize the module commands)

IPC Module:
- Terrain Management/Selectable Drive Mode
(Needs to be Enabled to recieve prompts from the Terrain Management System)

Further toggles In the IPC I believe need to be turned on:

"Terrain Management Type" (will need to be selected to "Type 1,2, or 3") and finally "AdvanceTrac Control" to "Enabled".

I am not certain that Terrain Management Type needs to be toggled or AdvancedTrac Control as it may pertain to trail control, which cannot be activated using Forscan because of hardcoded firmware in the ABS module from the factory. It may be the same for Terrain Management which would instantly kill this mod.


The only way to truly know is to compare module toggles/As-Built Data. Is anyone willing to share their configurations from a truck equipped from the factory with Terrain Management?

On a side quest I am also looking for the BCM toggle for the elocker. If anyone can see the toggle in that module please let me know as I cannot find it in mine. I only found the toggle in my ABS module and my ICP module.

Let's Talk.

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[GreggCT]

I have to admit I didn't document my process exactly, but it was very straight forward and works great. Here was my main source of info, adding-terrain-management-2019-2023-ford-ranger-4x4

 

[airline tech]

Terrain Management.

I do not believe this is a straight forward mod that some claim it is. I have read that if you buy a Terrain Management Switch, install in it your Ranger, and toggle the "Selectable Drive Mode" to "Enable" in the IPC module using Forscan that you suddenly have Terrain Management. I believe there are further steps that need to be taken in order for this to truly work. Sadly, I think many Ranger Enthusiasts are selecting drive modes with no real change to driving behavior.

Toggles I believe need to be switched:

ABS Module:
- Brake Control
(*Needs to be switched to, "ABS/ESP/RSC/TERRAIN" to handle the braking calibration while using different driving modes)

PCM Module:
- Terrain Mode Management
(Needs to be switched to "All Terrain Control Module" to recognize the module commands)

IPC Module:
- Terrain Management/Selectable Drive Mode
(Needs to be Enabled to recieve prompts from the Terrain Management System)

Further toggles In the IPC I believe need to be turned on:

"Terrain Management Type" (will need to be selected to "Type 1,2, or 3") and finally "AdvanceTrac Control" to "Enabled".

I am not certain that Terrain Management Type needs to be toggled or AdvancedTrac Control as it may pertain to trail control, which cannot be activated using Forscan because of hardcoded firmware in the ABS module from the factory. It may be the same for Terrain Management which would instantly kill this mod.


The only way to truly know is to compare module toggles/As-Built Data. Is anyone willing to share their configurations from a truck equipped from the factory with Terrain Management?

On a side quest I am also looking for the BCM toggle for the elocker. If anyone can see the toggle in that module please let me know as I cannot find it in mine. I only found the toggle in my ABS module and my ICP module.

Let's Talk.

What are you referencing for (Toggles) - Keep in mind Forscan (Settings) are not Ranger Specific - (If you are viewing) the module list
I spent alot of time (As-Built) Compares between the trims.

1. Download your (As-Built)
2. Locate (Online) Sales and get a VIN# and then download those As-Builts, this will show as you go line by line (Every Different) hex line of data
3. To simplify (if there is a change in the line) look at the very last (2) character's on the line (these are the check sum) of that data line
4. A very good ref is use (Cyan Labs) As- Built database - it breaks down the hex lines .
Caution - This is an ad based site - do not click open (on anything) when the pop up shows - click close or (X) - then it will let you view the module data - its a very good site , just takes a learning curve to know which module the (Ranger) uses and I have referenced this site quite a bit for T-shooting

I did this mod - and added the Terrain Management- since it does not throw faults and I can watch the PID data with my scan tools - its registering the events, now you bring a valid point though but I would have to dig some to validate your thinking, basically revisit the mod basically this truck is (Can Bus) driven - and if the IPC is picking up a switch has made a selection the PCM and ABS etc will see that data request - so it would fault (Invalid data) if it saw a mismatch.

Mainly curious - what you are using for a (Toggle) reference - so we can look at the actual data line and compare to the (with and without) from factory trims.
I think we locked in - Trail Management and E-Locker was a no go but the selectable drive mode (Terrain Management) works (as if we factor - simple)

 

[Gen5RangerPegasus]

Forscan will pickup whatever modules your truck has in it and whatever factory data your truck came with from the factory. That is if you are using the "Extended License" from Forscan. I believe it may not pick up everything with a "Trial License". If I am not mistaken even Ford Diagnostic and Repair system (FDRS) will pick up all factory As-Built-Data as well.

Too GregCTs point (above), it looks simpler than it is but is that without all the data? My IPC module has well over two dozen configurations.

To your comment airline tech, there are "Non-As-Built" standard/plain text menu configurations where you can see exactly what functions your module uses without using hex code and checksum data. Mind you, the ABS module might be checksum specific if your ABS does not allow specific configurations, as I mentioned with Trail Control and as some have already found out. This is done from the factory and hardcoded for safety reasons.

I realize I can go line-by-line but this isnt that simple because of the different configurations I mentioned above for the ABS/IPC/PCM modules. My hope is to see the plain text version.

I think you misunderstood my comment about retrofitting a locking rear differntial. I am not looking to use Terrain Management with the Elocker. I am looking to enable and toggle the feature in the BCM if it even exists. I have scoured multiple As-Built-Data from multiple donor VIN#s looking for differences and have mapped out a few with no real confidence.

Let's Talk.

 

[Gen5RangerPegasus]

What are you referencing for (Toggles) - Keep in mind Forscan (Settings) are not Ranger Specific - (If you are viewing) the module list
I spent alot of time (As-Built) Compares between the trims.

1. Download your (As-Built)
2. Locate (Online) Sales and get a VIN# and then download those As-Builts, this will show as you go line by line (Every Different) hex line of data
3. To simplify (if there is a change in the line) look at the very last (2) character's on the line (these are the check sum) of that data line
4. A very good ref is use (Cyan Labs) As- Built database - it breaks down the hex lines .
Caution - This is an ad based site - do not click open (on anything) when the pop up shows - click close or (X) - then it will let you view the module data - its a very good site , just takes a learning curve to know which module the (Ranger) uses and I have referenced this site quite a bit for T-shooting

I did this mod - and added the Terrain Management- since it does not throw faults and I can watch the PID data with my scan tools - its registering the events, now you bring a valid point though but I would have to dig some to validate your thinking, basically revisit the mod basically this truck is (Can Bus) driven - and if the IPC is picking up a switch has made a selection the PCM and ABS etc will see that data request - so it would fault (Invalid data) if it saw a mismatch.

Mainly curious - what you are using for a (Toggle) reference - so we can look at the actual data line and compare to the (with and without) from factory trims.
I think we locked in - Trail Management and E-Locker was a no go but the selectable drive mode (Terrain Management) works (as if we factor - simple)

Please See my next post to this thread. It is possible you are creating ghost flags by enabling features that are not actually getting commands from the PCM/ABS modules. This looks simple because the IPC is bringing up the menu for the Selectable Drive Mode feature once enabled and everyone thinks that means the system is operating. The system uses commands from the PCM/ABS modules to activate and operate specific parameters under whatever drive mode you might be using Normal, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, and Sand. Changing the menu option does not prove anything to me, hence the whole point of this thread.

 

[Frenchy]

So I remember adding the terrain modes to my 2019 and after doing the switch I the IPC it had no problems operating normally. No need to mess with the ABS.

 

[airline tech]

I did a quick review of my PID data (available) references
I found 2
In the ATCM and PCM, I will hook up and post (confirmed) that the data transmission is being received and accepted to these modules - When the dial is rotated (correction - button pressed)

These are from my TopDon Scanner, I also have Snap-On and Autel ref screenshots for all PIDs

ATCM

PCM

I do not remember actually looking at these PIDs when out of normal, but if these also change and match the same as the IPC (PID) then its working - I will do a quick plug in and see

I do not see a - Drive Mode (PID) within the ABS live data so the PCM will be the main factor as its holding the transmission data for the 10R80.

As i said you bring a valid point (question) but I suspect that these PIDs will change as well or there would be a - Fault Generated of (Mismatch) data - we shall confirm shortly and I will post my findings - I can also dig (when time) and follow the data transmission path to what modules look at the - Drive Mode (Who needs to know and who ignores it) when that data is sent

 

[airline tech]

I can confirm that
1. The ATCM - changes from non terrain to terrain, when selecting modes out of normal.

2. The PCM - changes to the mode selected

3. The transfer case automatically switches to 4- High when any mode out of normal is selected, I forgot it did this.

I will post my confirmation screenshots in AM when I can connect the scanner and download them.
For me it’s confirmation it’s a fully functional system and not just a display showing you false information.

 

[Gen5RangerPegasus]

I wont argue the validity of your test. I do not have a top tier scanner to view live topology mapping or full-system auto-scans. I am using Forscan. I do not even see the ATCM option in my list to see configurations. My goal for this thread was to view the configurations using Forscan on a model with TM. My question for you would be why would configurations for the Selectable Drive Mode/Terrain Management be enabled in the PCM on a vehicle equipped without it? Usually that is not the case and the configurations need to be changed.

No one has answered the question about the Elocker as well. Is there a configuration in the BCM to toggle enable it. This goes in hand with my question about TM. I see the configuration to toggle the Elocker on in the ABS as well as IPC. Make that make sense.

 

[airline tech]

Even if there is a setting within the. BCM to toggle the ELocker - it still requires the PCM to be software programmed for it - it has been investigated by others and it’s a no go for many reasons, the option for it is to install a Axle assembly and then bypass with a dedicated switch , I never dove into adding it as I do not have a need, I know that others have reported numerous roadblocks

 

[Gen5RangerPegasus]

Thank you for that response and thank you for taking the time to share your findings with me and to listen to me sound more smart than I am! I was playing around with the idea and came to terms it is going to be more practical to install a limited slip differential or an aftermarket elocker of the sort, but this is why I was skeptical of the Terrain Management as well. I still have my doubts but if you and others are saying it is working just by enabling selectable drive mode and installing a switch than I will give it a whirl.

 

[airline tech]

The point of your question does a some validity - its just that Ford allows some mods to be performed with a simple add a module and make some simple As-Built data changes, however they are never approved by Ford and even the dealer will not alter a stock truck with one exception (the ford approved) Tune - ford heavily limits any mods to the PCM (calibration) software this is where the (Tuners) come in - they have the module knowledge and can see the actual breakdown of the data files - publicly this is not common released data at least that I have found for the 5th Gen Ranger
For the E-Locker and Trail Control the PCM -has to have the (programming) inside it to allow the mod to enable fully - this is where your thoughts on (questioning) if it will work is valid.

However a mod such as - Terrain Management does not heavy rely on the PCM for its feature, so a simple as-built change and the PCM will accept it, so it boils down to since the E-Locker requires a deeper modification - replace a complete axle assembly as well as wiring harness and switch - it was cheaper for them to exclude the related parts required and kept it out of the programming, another issue is - Ford will not program the PCM for an E-Locker if if did not come with it from factory.

So far at this time, i do not recall anyone getting the E-Locker to work strictly on factory settings, the ones that have done the mod -there are a few on here -have wired in a dedicated switch. I am quite sure it can be done, it just takes someone with the programming knowledge (tuners) to know what needs changed in the PCM to allow the mod to enable - no matter how you get it - its not a cheap mod.

So in the end , yes ford will allow some easy mods while preventing some of the mods to be easily programmed - why sell a bare bones truck and make it easy for owners to upgrade the expensive sought after features later - its all about the money and some control over it, I see we are lucky they allow (not approved) any software mods at all and if it was not for the Russian based Forscan we would not have anything close to the available programming options

If you search through the forum - you will find some posts of actual E-Locker mods

Anyway here is the screenshots showing Terrain Management - changes

ATCM - Changes to - Terrain Mode anytime when out of normal mode, this PID also drives the transfer case to shift automaticially to 4-High

PCM - Changes to match the selected mode in the IPC menu

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