ForScan "Development"/Discovery - How it Happens?

[swamp2]

With my most recent ForScan mod - eliminating the Raptor seat belt OK/nag screen at start up - it got me thinking about related mods.

I certainly know that many mods come from other/similar Ford models. I think this one may have come from the Ranger Raptor.

So, a general question, when a mod isn't available in the easy "GUI" (i.e. obscure manual value edits required), how are new mods discovered
/developed? Trial and error? Unofficial support from Ford insiders?

Also, the success of this mod led me to wonder about the feasibility/existence of control over other OK/nag/warning screens. In particular could these also be removed?

• Off-road use only (e.g. Baja exhaust model)
• Auto start stop disabled
• Pre-collision assist disabled

All of these nag/OK screens disappear automatically with no OK press required. That said, simply fully eliminating them just like the seatbelt one would be absolutely fantastic.

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[B22-2023]

Auto start stop is in Forscan and works for most here from what I can see. i thought pre collision assist was in plain English because it’s off in my Bronco, I must have changed it.

If you troll the Forscan website‘s own forums, you will see there are a ton of trial and error daredevils out there trying out on the F-150, Focus, etc. My 2018 F-150 seemed more receptive to a lot of those feature modifications discovered, but not the ‘23 Bronco. For now I stick to the google docs spreadsheet, a few proven suggestions from 5-6 other people who post here, and sometimes play with the plain English changes I want to try (sometimes they work, sometimes no effect, sometimes a lot of error codes so I revert). Save all modules early and often before locking in any changes!

 

[Brian_B]

A lot of it are folks who compare Vehicle A with the feature to Vehicle B without.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

The Russians are closer to Bosch in Europe and likely have insiders at Bosch sharing the programming notes in an underground fashion.
Forscan was developed because Russians want to import vehicles and many features were not available on the models easy to export/import. For example they probably have fairly easy access to a bunch of white vehicles that are base models, fleet vehicles for example that don't have any luxuries or bells and whistles built in. Their goal has always been to add or delete features and or functions across different models... they wanted to be able to turn a base model into a XLT for example.

Ford does NOT support Forscan. In fact, history has shown the opposite, take a.s.s. for example... it used to be fairly easy to turn it off in forescan on the early year models but now , it seems it is blocked or changed and the feature cannot be turned off (yet). In this case it's probably for EPA issues.

 

[Epiphany]

That said, simply fully eliminating them just like the seatbelt one would be absolutely fantastic.

I feel the same way. I'd love an even cleaner startup without any of that.

 

[adam1991]

Auto start stop is in Forscan and works for most here from what I can see.

not for MY23 and MY24.

 

[EasternSierra]

The Russians are closer to Bosch in Europe and likely have insiders at Bosch sharing the programming notes in an underground fashion.
Forscan was developed because Russians want to import vehicles and many features were not available on the models easy to export/import. For example they probably have fairly easy access to a bunch of white vehicles that are base models, fleet vehicles for example that don't have any luxuries or bells and whistles built in. Their goal has always been to add or delete features and or functions across different models... they wanted to be able to turn a base model into a XLT for example.

Ford does NOT support Forscan. In fact, history has shown the opposite, take a.s.s. for example... it used to be fairly easy to turn it off in forescan on the early year models but now , it seems it is blocked or changed and the feature cannot be turned off (yet). In this case it's probably for EPA issues.

I'm still suspicious of it. I suspect the Russian government got their fingers into it at some point given the opportunity it presents.

Don't be surprised if in the end it turns out to be a back door to be activated at a later date. We may never know, or we may find out in time in a very unpleasant way.

I'm not using it - better safe than sorry with software.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

I'm still suspicious of it. I suspect the Russian government got their fingers into it at some point given the opportunity it presents.

Don't be surprised if in the end it turns out to be a back door to be activated at a later date. We may never know, or we may find out in time in a very unpleasant way.

I'm not using it - better safe than sorry with software.

All it does it edit hexadecimal values in a config file over a serial connection. The more likely risk is this application has embedded spyware taking over your OS on the computer you're running it on. Then again if you're running Windows you're pretty much perpetually screwed from a vulnerability standpoint.

I work in Cybersecurity for a living, and I have absolutely no reservations about using this software, its clean. Take that as you will.

 

[swamp2]

Thanks all. Good feedback - A:B comparisons and somewhat risky trial and error.

 

[Epiphany]

I'd take a look at comparing Explorer vs police Explorer AB data as thay may not have all the warnings. I'd guess its buried in the IPC module. The comparator tool available online works great for this.

https://www.compulsivecode.com/Project_AsBuiltCompare.aspx

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

I'd take a look at comparing Explorer vs police Explorer AB data as thay may not have all the warnings. I'd guess its buried in the IPC module. The comparator tool available online works great for this.

https://www.compulsivecode.com/Project_AsBuiltCompare.aspx

Hopefully, this will allow a top speed change as well.

 

[CalvinT]

I'm still suspicious of it. I suspect the Russian government got their fingers into it at some point given the opportunity it presents.

Don't be surprised if in the end it turns out to be a back door to be activated at a later date. We may never know, or we may find out in time in a very unpleasant way.

I'm not using it - better safe than sorry with software.

Forscan just alters the database where Ford stores the various settings for each model. Those addresses don't contain executable code. Forscan can't see the actual programing. In a way it's shame, there are a few "features" I'd love to change. Number one would be the throttle lag that comes from Ford's drive by wire system.

But, sooner or later there will be a TV program or a spy movie where someone does exactly that. Never underestimate the ignorance of script writers.

 

[EasternSierra]

@JediMcMuffin

@CalvinT

Thanks for info!

 

[Neigh]

So, a general question, when a mod isn't available in the easy "GUI" (i.e. obscure manual value edits required), how are new mods discovered
/developed? Trial and error? Unofficial support from Ford insiders?

I think it is a combination of both. Spreadsheets like this could only come from Ford. There's way, way, way, way too much detail in there for it to have come from anywhere else. In turn, that spreadsheet can be used as a starting point for altering the config of other Ford models on a trial-and-error basis.

 

[swamp2]

...
Spreadsheets like this could only come from Ford. There's way, way, way, way too much detail in there for it to have come from anywhere else.
...

It is my understanding that Ford's view is that FORScan is for Ford only (say for configuring vehicles for different countries (hence regulations and laws) as well as for dealers to install some factory mods) and they do not in any way support the public use of the tool.

Much of what you see in such spreadsheets is available in the Motorcraft as built data.

I suppose you don't have any evidence of this claim?

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