Forscan unlocks all GOAT modes with any Bronco model trim! How-to DIY instructions

[andrusoid]

11/22/21 update: made a walk through video to show which module and line to change.



Original post:




@D2dhanover figured out how to unlock GOAT modes with Forscan. I tried it tonight on my Badlands and instant sport mode. Took less than 5 minutes. Went on a test drive and everything seems to work exactly as intended. Activates 4A, has the full graphics package, different transmission tuning, different steering feedback, changed throttle response. To those who bought a wildtrak over a badlands to get sport mode you may have been shortsighted. Fortunately it’s not too late to change for a lot of you. Don’t pick your model based on GOAT modes. The true test will be for someone with a base to try. Or say someone with an OBX to try rock crawl.

Instructions:



Update 11/17/21:

2 days now and totally normal with no issues or trouble codes. Any questions of warranty being affected will be between you and your dealer. Most probably won't notice anything different. But proceed at your own risk, especially if you're new to forscan and not sure what you're changing.

Quick summary of how to get Forscan until I have time to do a video showing the change:

1. Download the application here:
https://forscan.org/home.html
You need to register for a username on their forums first to have access.
2. Buy an OBD-USB cable that is supported. I have this one, works flawlessly and doesn't have the "switch" like some of the older forscan cables. There is a list of compatible cables on their website. $50 on amazon.
https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-ex/?ref=forscan
3. Once you have the cable and the software you can request a free product key good for 60 days. I just bought the 1 year license for $10. I think you can get 3 years for $20. I wasn't sure how much I would use it so I just started with 1 year.

This blog outlines the process with some screen shots better than I can quicky type:
https://ohptools.com/blogs/news/how-to-get-the-forscan-extended-license-for-windows

That will get you up and running. You need all this before being able to make changes, so plan to do this about 2-3 days (allowing time for prime shipping on the cable) before you're ready to make software changes.

You da man!! Love that you took the time to figure this out. I am a geek from the previous millenium and you rightfully possess the mantle of firmware wizardry that you have shown to all.

That being said, I will not be applying such firmware hackethry to my lowly VB auto base as it has already has sports mode and, I would not deign to confuse the keepers of differential locking and disconnection of swaybars that existeth not for the other modes that our lesser ilk lack.

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[mpeugeot]

You da man!! Love that you took the time to figure this out. I am a geek from the previous millenium and you rightfully possess the mantle of firmware wizardry that you have shown to all.

That being said, I will not be applying such firmware hackethry to my lowly VB auto base as it has already has sports mode and, I would not deign to confuse the keepers of differential locking and disconnection of swaybars that existeth not for the other modes that our lesser ilk lack.

Actually, you might consider playing with it, you can always revert back. Especially if RC mode does brake hacked compensation without the lockers.

 

[bytheway]

Is there any definitive word yet, as to whether doing this would cause any warranty issues?

Anyone here who can speak for @Ford Motor Company or any dealers watching this?

So far as I understand the law, it shouldn't, but you never know what excuses might successfully be used to deny warranty coverage.

I’ll paraphrase what my dealer said when I asked about doing something like this “in theory”. First off, I didn’t add anything aftermarket. Merely enabled a factory setting. Most dealers probably wouldn’t even notice the change. And by law if they were to try to say this change caused a failure it would be their burden of proof. The worst he could see happening is a software update wiping it out or causing confusion down the road. In the end the dealer will be the one handling any warranty issues, not Ford directly so unless your dealer is a jerk (very possible) you should be fine. If you’re paranoid you can revert back to stock before you take it in for service or warranty. He was unsure if they would be able to see the change via the modem. In the end, what’s the difference between a badlands with sport mode and a wildtrak that has it from the factory?

 

[DumbAzzGuard]

I'm along the CT/MA border. I regularly visit Charlton, MA (Tree House Brewing), but we can figure out the details once we actually get our Broncos.

Seems like a lot of people have gotten good results, so things are looking promising. I just got my new ODB-II adapter today, but realized about an hour ago that I need a laptop. Earlier this month I bought the new M1 Pro MacBook Pro and sold my old MacBook Pro. FORScan doesn't run on Mac, and the new Macs don't run Windows. So... that was dumb of me—way to be an idiot. Hoping Black Friday has something decent.

Love Treehouse! Maybe I'll get my Bronco and shit you a Msg. Good luck on Black Friday.

 

[dgorsett]

Actually, you might consider playing with it, you can always revert back. Especially if RC mode does brake hacked compensation without the lockers.

About this, will RC without front locker use brake assisted Traction Control? Anyone with a non Sas Black Diamond have the answer?

 

[mpeugeot]

About this, will RC without front locker use brake assisted Traction Control? Anyone with a non Sas Black Diamond have the answer?

Well I have a non-sas OBX adv4x4 with RC, but I just need to test it out now. I might be able to throw it up on the lift tomorrow and find out.

 

[andrusoid]

Actually, you might consider playing with it, you can always revert back. Especially if RC mode does brake hacked compensation without the lockers.

Well, I am super tempted just 'cuz looks fun to play. You are def. to be commended for going where none other has tred and talked about it. Would be interesting to be able to create your own tune and have that as a. mode. Would be helpful to know the what the engineers that work in this area know.

 

[BD1]

11/22/21 update: made a walk through video to show which module and line to change.



Original post:




@D2dhanover figured out how to unlock GOAT modes with Forscan. I tried it tonight on my Badlands and instant sport mode. Took less than 5 minutes. Went on a test drive and everything seems to work exactly as intended. Activates 4A, has the full graphics package, different transmission tuning, different steering feedback, changed throttle response. To those who bought a wildtrak over a badlands to get sport mode you may have been shortsighted. Fortunately it’s not too late to change for a lot of you. Don’t pick your model based on GOAT modes. The true test will be for someone with a base to try. Or say someone with an OBX to try rock crawl.

Instructions:



Update 11/17/21:

2 days now and totally normal with no issues or trouble codes. Any questions of warranty being affected will be between you and your dealer. Most probably won't notice anything different. But proceed at your own risk, especially if you're new to forscan and not sure what you're changing.

Quick summary of how to get Forscan until I have time to do a video showing the change:

1. Download the application here:
https://forscan.org/home.html
You need to register for a username on their forums first to have access.
2. Buy an OBD-USB cable that is supported. I have this one, works flawlessly and doesn't have the "switch" like some of the older forscan cables. There is a list of compatible cables on their website. $50 on amazon.
https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-ex/?ref=forscan
3. Once you have the cable and the software you can request a free product key good for 60 days. I just bought the 1 year license for $10. I think you can get 3 years for $20. I wasn't sure how much I would use it so I just started with 1 year.

This blog outlines the process with some screen shots better than I can quicky type:
https://ohptools.com/blogs/news/how-to-get-the-forscan-extended-license-for-windows

That will get you up and running. You need all this before being able to make changes, so plan to do this about 2-3 days (allowing time for prime shipping on the cable) before you're ready to make software changes.

Thank you very much!!!


Sport mode is a blast on my Badlands.

 

[Alfie623]

Has anyone with the Advanced 4x4 figured out a way to get the transfer case to switch back to 2H after turning Sport mode off? When I switch my Badlands to Sport it shifts to 4A but doesn’t shift back when I turn it off. Other modes shift in and out.

 

[Alfie623]

I believe this is just a memory feature. Anyone with factory Sport mode want to confirm? It doesn't hurt anything so I just assumed that's by design. Mine remains in 4A even after I've shut the vehicle off and turned it back on the next time I drive.

Same.

I wasn’t too worried either, just curious.

Next on my hit list is the “key in chime” which gave me some challenges today

 

[tjparisi]

I'm along the CT/MA border. I regularly visit Charlton, MA (Tree House Brewing), but we can figure out the details once we actually get our Broncos.

Seems like a lot of people have gotten good results, so things are looking promising. I just got my new ODB-II adapter today, but realized about an hour ago that I need a laptop. Earlier this month I bought the new M1 Pro MacBook Pro and sold my old MacBook Pro. FORScan doesn't run on Mac, and the new Macs don't run Windows. So... that was dumb of me—way to be an idiot. Hoping Black Friday has something decent.

Look into parallels for running windows apps on Mac

 

[RagnarKon]

Look into parallels for running windows apps on Mac

I spent most of the day Thanksgiving looking into it. Parallels has a Black Friday sale going on right now, and my in-laws spent most of the day yelling at each other regarding politics so I had nothing better to do anyway.

Parallels on the M1 Mac can only virtualize ARM, which means I'd need to run Windows 11 ARM. FORScan only supports Windows 11 x86/64. But Windows 11 ARM does have a virtualization layer for x86/64. So I'd have a Mac that is virtualizing an ARM layer for Windows 11 ARM, which in turn has a virtualization layer for x86/64. So it might work in some strange virtualception sorta way? Not sure, but I might give it a shot.

 

[tjparisi]

I spent most of the day Thanksgiving looking into it. Parallels has a Black Friday sale going on right now, and my in-laws spent most of the day yelling at each other regarding politics so I had nothing better to do anyway.

Parallels on the M1 Mac can only virtualize ARM, which means I'd need to run Windows 11 ARM. FORScan only supports Windows 11 x86/64. But Windows 11 ARM does have a virtualization layer for x86/64. So I'd have a Mac that is virtualizing an ARM layer for Windows 11 ARM, which in turn has a virtualization layer for x86/64. So it might work in some strange virtualception sorta way? Not sure, but I might give it a shot.

It looks like they’ve made some progress with that on the latest version.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.parallels.com/blogs/windowsgames-m1mac/?amp

I’d download the trial and see how it works…

 

[mpeugeot]

I believe this is just a memory feature. Anyone with factory Sport mode want to confirm? It doesn't hurt anything so I just assumed that's by design. Mine remains in 4A even after I've shut the vehicle off and turned it back on the next time I drive.

Confirmed. Standard behavior.

 

[mpeugeot]

What is now irritating me is that air conditioning recirculation randomly turns itself off in the name of saving the earth... Saving the earth is not worth smelling dead highway skunk!

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