speedo / PCM calibration

[Big Bear Bob]

I'm curious about speedo calibrattion, and how much does it cost on for a 2" lift kit
for a 98 X and if so where can I find one. I have 373 lsd and don't
want to through the shifting ABS ECT out too much. I've heard stories about shifting problems with 31 10.5X 15 and would just like to know how and if I can keep it close without having to go to 30 9.5 X 15".I was told by ford dealer that they
would do a pcm adjustment for about $70.00, then another dealer said that the pcm adjustment was not avaialbe
for either the Eplorer or Ranger.

Thanks again
Bob

 

[Gonzo]

I don't know a whole lot about speedometer calibration, but I think all you need is to swap a gear in the speedometer. Lots of people on here have done it. Do a search, you should be able to find something on here. as for the lift, the only lift KIT I know of is the Superlift 4" lift, which is $$$$$$$! But you can do a 2" lift for about $60. All you need is a set of Warrior shackles for the rear springs, and then twist the torsion bars up front to level it out. I got mine from Desert Rat, Part# WAR153. Of course you will also need an alignment after the lift because the camber on the front wheels will change, and the tires will wear out real quick. If you look on the main page with the list of all the different topics, you will see one called 'list of useful threads' (or something like that). In there are instructions on how to install the shackles, and do the torsion twist.

 

[aldive]

Any Ford dealer can do the computer adjusstment.

 

[Alec]

With a 98, all the adjustment is in the computer. You have the 5R55E tranny which doesn't use the speedo gear. Any Ford dealer can probably do the adjustment, but many are dumb and/or rude. No dealer I called in Houston or Austin would do it for my ex-g/f when she went from 225/70s to 235/75s. Don't ask me why she had those 27" tires from the factory

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Thanks

Thanks guys for the advice. I'll search the area to see if I can find someone to help me out.

Again thank alot.

 

[jimbo74]

also, if i remember correctly, the newer Xs such as yours can only be reprogrammed like 6 times and then they are too fried to be programmed....

 

[DesertSpive]

This may affect Explorers as well. So I will post here too. Okay, I got my speedo calibrated on my '02 FX4, but you have to have a tech that knows what he is doing. On the '02 Ranger (Ex too?), the GEM module's speedo calibration is read-only. So most techs will try and reprogram the GEM and it won't take. So at theat point 90% of them will tell you, "sorry, tires too big, won't work". But there is a trick, a back door way to have it calibrated. According to my tech, most Ford GEMs and associated modules are set up to read eachother's info. On the Ranger, everything reads off of the RWABS sensor. So the trick is to recalibrate the rotations per mile in the RWABS sensor and leave the GEM alone. So anyway, there is your tip of the day.

--Sean

 

[William Schumacher]

the problem is no dealer I came accross will do it,
in fact....I was told by 2 dealers that it against the law to reprogram it ?,I gave up on the idea.

 

[Jefe]

Here's what I know about 98+ Explorer Speedos (since I sense some confusion)

The speedometer reading comes from the ABS sensors (even if only 1 of 3 of them is pluged in). So there is no 'simple' fix like changing a speedo gear.

I went to my local dealership to get my computer reprogrammed and they laughed at me (I've got 35's on my rig). They told me I needed to put stock size tires on first I then went to a larger dealer and was refered to a service rep who knew his stuff. He told me that he might be able to change it 15% and get it close (mine was off by 17%) but they'd have to flash the computer a few times to test how close they could get it. He wanted to charge me $115+ for it though.

My fix: Superlift TruSpeed. $170. Spliced it in following the instructions and calibrated it all in a few hours. I was happy, my Tranny was happy, my T-case (Auto 4x4) was happy . . .End of story

Bob,
As for going to 31's from stock (assuming you've got 29's now) You're going to be less than 7% off. So any quality dealership should be able to reprogram it for you.

Sean,
What an idea. . .reprogramming the ABS module instead of the GEM. Sounds like your tech really knew his stuff.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Originally posted by Alec
With a 98, all the adjustment is in the computer. You have the 5R55E tranny which doesn't use the speedo gear.

What about a '97 with the 5R55E tranny?

 

[DesertSpive]

Originally posted by Jefe

Sean,
What an idea. . .reprogramming the ABS module instead of the GEM. Sounds like your tech really knew hist stuff.

Yeah, and they only dinged me for one hour of labor, $80. This is one of the reasons I keep going back to this dealership, they always go the extra mile. Still cheaper than a True Speed.

--Sean

 

[Big Bear Bob]

damage to vehicle

Thanks for all of the great info.

But just out of curiosity, would it do any damage or cause any problems if the GEM was not reprogrammed right away. We live in the hills and hate having to go to the city for any time, and you know how slow dealerships can be even when it comes to doing simple things.

To be honest the resone for this question was in regards to something I read here. The guy said he dropped to his X that had 31 10.50" to 30 9.5 X 15" because he was tired of the sluggishness of his shifting and poor performance he was experiencing with his truck.

Again I have the SOHV with the five-speed auto tranny and 373 LSD diff.

Thanks again I am hoping to put the tires on tomorrow or Tuesday unless I run into any problems as we have discussed here

 

[Jefe]

Re: damage to vehicle

Originally posted by Big Bear Bob
Thanks for all of the great info.

But just out of curiosity, would it do any damage or cause any problems if the GEM was not reprogrammed right away. We live in the hills and hate having to go to the city for any time, and you know how slow dealerships can be even when it comes to doing simple things.

I only started to feel the tranny doing strange things after I put 4.88's in while running 35's. I figure the speedo was 20-25% off of what the tranny was expecting. I ran 31's with stock gearing for 6 months with no problems.

The only other problems I could see are if you've got the Auto 4x4 system. But I don't think you mentioned 4x4 so I won't go there.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Yes it does have the auto 4x4 not AWD but the auto 4x4 that can be switched to 4 high and 4 low.

 

[Jefe]

actually, nevermind about the auto 4x4. That will only become a problem if you regear your diffs

 

[Big Bear Bob]

can't find anyone in the Inland empire area to do the change

Thanks for the all the help guys but damn if I can find anyone in Redlands San Bernadino, or Riverside to do the calibration for me. if anyone knows of someone who will do it PLEASE leet me know. I live in Big Bear but will take the trip to OC if I need to, I just got the 31's on today and had the CHP follow me half way up the moutain from Redlands.By the way the dealership that told me they would do the calibration today said it was against the law!!

 

[DesertSpive]

I believe Graden Grove Ford off the 22 will do it, call Charlie the Service Advisor. And I had mine done at Sunset Ford in Westminster off the 405/22 and my service advisor is Steve White. I don't know if dealerships frown on it because it is an Explorer, but I had no issues bringing my Ranger in. They didn't even blink, since they sell lifted trucks off the dealership floor.

--Sean

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Alright

Thanks Sean I know where both of those dealerships are and will give them a call asap.

By the way I grew up and went to school in that general area back in the dark ages.

Again thanks allot Sean I appreciate the info

 

[DesertSpive]

NO problem. God I love the internet!

--Sean

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by yob_yeknom
What about a '97 with the 5R55E tranny?

Your '97 with the 5R55E uses the $8 speedometer gear. I changed mine 2 years ago. It's not the 5R55E that dictates whether or not you need a new gear or reprogramming. On a 4x4 the speedometer gear is in the transfercase, so the transmission doesn't even come in to play.