2021 Ford Ranger FX4 TRS-3 Project Build

[Jim Oaks]

Changing Tire Size With FORScan:

In order for the speedometer to read correctly you need to change the tire size programmed into the Ranger.

First go Forscan and download Forscan for your computer:

Download FORScan

Then sign up for a 2-month free extended license key:

Support Request (forscan.org)

When you run Forscan on your computer click the 'about' icon on the lower left that looks like a steering wheel with a question mark. This is where you'll enter the license key that Forscan will email you. The key will be a file that you download. To install the key you'll click a button which will bring up a window where you'll click on the file you downloaded.

​

You'll need to go to Amazon and order this OBDLink EX FORScan OBD Adapter:

​

When you get the adapter and plug it in to your laptop (I have Windows) it will load the necessary driver in to your computer.

Now you just plug it in to your computers USB port and the OBD port on your Ranger.

Turn the key to the on position and click the 'Connect To Vehicle' icon in the lower left part of the screen.

​

I don't remember where I got this when I first used it, but you'll see a message about switching to real mode. Click Yes.

​

You'll get a window pop up telling you to make sure your key is in the ON position. Click OK.

​

You may also get a message telling you that the software in your adapter isn't up to date and it will update it. Click to allow it to update and make sure you have an internet connection to do so.

While connecting to the truck I got this warning message telling me that my adapter was not optimized for maximum performance and asked me if I wanted to improve the baud rate. I chose No since there was a warning that it may not work on some adapters. I may check Yes in the future.

​

When the vehicle is connected the 'Interface' and 'Vehicle' indicators in the bottom left will glow green instead of red.

Click the 'Configuration and Programming' button (3rd button from the bottom in the left column). This will load up the modules.

​

Scroll down to the BdyCM Body Control Module and click on it. Then click the 'Run' arrow button at the bottom left. That will load the module.

​

Scroll down to 'Tire Circumference mm' and then click the 'Edit Selected' button.

​

A window will open and allow you to change the tire size in mm (millimeters).

If you need to know your tire size in millimeters, go to

Tire Calculators, Converters and Charts - TireCalculator.com

Use our calculators and tools to convert sizes, calculate tire dimensions, compare tires, and more.

tirecalculator.com

For me, https://tirecalculator.com/295-70r17-tires tells me that my 295/70/17 tires have a 2656 mm circumference. However that site says that tire size is 33.3-inches in diameter and Thunderer says that my tires are 33.5 inches in diameter, so I used https://tirecalculator.com/285-60r20-tires because that tire is 33.5-inches which has a circumference of 2669, but the speedometer read 3 miles an hour too fast, so I tweaked that number down lower.

Anyway, you can see where I had already changed it to 2669. I'm going to change it to 2656. Once you change it click the check mark button.

​

To get it to actually save you need to click the 'Write' button that's next to the 'Edit selected' button. It will ask you to confirm your changes. In the pic below you can see that I'm changing from 2669 to 2656. Click the check mark button.

When you do this you'll hear a click in the dash and you'll see the radio display screen blink.

​

A new window will pop up and tell you that the block has been programmed successfully and to turn your ignition off and then back on. Click the Ok button after you've done so.

​

That's it. The tire size has been changed. Take the vehicle for a drive and check the speedometer against a GPS. If the speed is off, you can adjust the tire size. If your speedometer is reading to high, make the tire size smaller. If the speedometer is to low, make the tire size larger.

Making The Driving Lights Stay on With The High Beams Using FORScan:

Some people call this Bambi mode. I have no idea why.

Again you'll want to be in the BdyCM Body Control Module.

​

This time you'll scroll down and look for 'Fog lights if High Beam is on'. The factory default is Disabled but you'll see where I have already enabled it in the pic below.

​

Click 'Edit selected' and a window will pop up to choose 0 - Enabled. Once you've chosen that click the check mark button.

​

Once you've done that you'll have to click the 'Write' button to save it. A window will pop up asking you to confirm your changes. Click the check mark button.

You'll hear a click noise in the dash and the radio display screen will blink on and off. You'll get a message asking you to turn the ignition off and back on. Then click the 'Ok' button.

​

That's it, you're done.

Changing The Splash Screen With FORScan:

This is the screen that comes up when you first turn the truck on. The default is the Ford logo.

I changed mine to the Ford Performance splash screen.

​

This time you'll be looking for the APIM module. Click the APIM module and then click the Run icon in the bottom left of the screen.

​

Once it loads, scroll down to 'Splash screen' and click 'Edit selected'.

​

You can scroll down through the options. I did not want to be a poser and choose the Raptor splash screen. I went on down and clicked 'Ford Performance'.

​

Then clicked the 'Write' button to save it. A window will pop up asking you to confirm your selection. Click the check mark button to save your choice.

You'll hear a click noise in the dash and the radio display screen will blink on and off. You'll get a message asking you to turn the ignition off and back on. Then click the 'Ok' button.

​

That's it, you're done.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Why Isn't My Strut Spacer The Size Of My Lift?

​

The lighter blue line above signifies your lower control arm in its stock location.

When you add a spacer (signified by the orange line) it pushes the control arm down lower (signified by the darker blue line). As you can see, the space between the original lower ball joint location and the new lower ball joint location is greater than the space between where the strut mount location is on the lower control arm compared to where it as after the strut spacer. The further down the strut pushes on the lower control arm the more it's magnified at the end of the control arm where the ball joint is (where the wheel would be). There for a 1-inch spacer is going to give you more than a 1-inch lift.

This isn't the best drawing, but I hope it helps you understand.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

Changing Tire Size With FORScan:

In order for the speedometer to read correctly you need to change the tire size programmed into the Ranger.

First go Forscan and download Forscan for your computer:

Download FORScan

Then sign up for a 2-month free extended license key:

Support Request (forscan.org)

When you run Forscan on your computer click the 'about' icon on the lower left that looks like a steering wheel with a question mark. This is where you'll enter the license key that Forscan will email you. The key will be a file that you download. To install the key you'll click a button which will bring up a window where you'll click on the file you downloaded.

View attachment 92580
​

You'll need to go to Amazon and order this OBDLink EX FORScan OBD Adapter:

View attachment 92581
​

When you get the adapter and plug it in to your laptop (I have Windows) it will load the necessary driver in to your computer.

Now you just plug it in to your computers USB port and the OBD port on your Ranger.

Turn the key to the on position and click the 'Connect To Vehicle' icon in the lower left part of the screen.

View attachment 92583
​

I don't remember where I got this when I first used it, but you'll see a message about switching to real mode. Click Yes.

View attachment 92582
​

You'll get a window pop up telling you to make sure your key is in the ON position. Click OK.

View attachment 92584
​

You may also get a message telling you that the software in your adapter isn't up to date and it will update it. Click to allow it to update and make sure you have an internet connection to do so.

While connecting to the truck I got this warning message telling me that my adapter was not optimized for maximum performance and asked me if I wanted to improve the baud rate. I chose No since there was a warning that it may not work on some adapters. I may check Yes in the future.

View attachment 92585
​

When the vehicle is connected the 'Interface' and 'Vehicle' indicators in the bottom left will glow green instead of red.

Click the 'Configuration and Programming' button (3rd button from the bottom in the left column). This will load up the modules.

View attachment 92586
​

Scroll down to the BdyCM Body Control Module and click on it. Then click the 'Run' arrow button at the bottom left. That will load the module.

View attachment 92587
​

Scroll down to 'Tire Circumference mm' and then click the 'Edit Selected' button.

View attachment 92591
​

A window will open and allow you to change the tire size in mm (millimeters).

If you need to know your tire size in millimeters, go to

Tire Calculators, Converters and Charts - TireCalculator.com

Use our calculators and tools to convert sizes, calculate tire dimensions, compare tires, and more.

tirecalculator.com

For me, https://tirecalculator.com/295-70r17-tires tells me that my 295/70/17 tires have a 2656 mm circumference. However that site says that tire size is 33.3-inches in diameter and Thunderer says that my tires are 33.5 inches in diameter, so I used https://tirecalculator.com/285-60r20-tires because that tire is 33.5-inches which has a circumference of 2669, but the speedometer read 3 miles an hour too fast, so I tweaked that number down lower.

Anyway, you can see where I had already changed it to 2669. I'm going to change it to 2656. Once you change it click the check mark button.

View attachment 92589
​

To get it to actually save you need to click the 'Write' button that's next to the 'Edit selected' button. It will ask you to confirm your changes. In the pic below you can see that I'm changing from 2669 to 2656. Click the check mark button.

When you do this you'll hear a click in the dash and you'll see the radio display screen blink.

View attachment 92592
​

A new window will pop up and tell you that the block has been programmed successfully and to turn your ignition off and then back on. Click the Ok button after you've done so.

View attachment 92593
​

That's it. The tire size has been changed. Take the vehicle for a drive and check the speedometer against a GPS. If the speed is off, you can adjust the tire size. If your speedometer is reading to high, make the tire size smaller. If the speedometer is to low, make the tire size larger.

Making The Driving Lights Stay on With The High Beams Using FORScan:

Some people call this Bambi mode. I have no idea why.

Again you'll want to be in the BdyCM Body Control Module.

View attachment 92586
​

This time you'll scroll down and look for 'Fog lights if High Beam is on'. The factory default is Disabled but you'll see where I have already enabled it in the pic below.

View attachment 92594
​

Click 'Edit selected' and a window will pop up to choose 0 - Enabled. Once you've chosen that click the check mark button.

View attachment 92595
​

Once you've done that you'll have to click the 'Write' button to save it. A window will pop up asking you to confirm your changes. Click the check mark button.

View attachment 92596​

You'll hear a click noise in the dash and the radio display screen will blink on and off. You'll get a message asking you to turn the ignition off and back on. Then click the 'Ok' button.

View attachment 92593
​

That's it, you're done.

Changing The Splash Screen With FORScan:

This is the screen that comes up when you first turn the truck on. The default is the Ford logo.

I changed mine to the Ford Performance splash screen.

View attachment 92597
​

This time you'll be looking for the APIM module. Click the APIM module and then click the Run icon in the bottom left of the screen.

View attachment 92598
​

Once it loads, scroll down to 'Splash screen' and click 'Edit selected'.

View attachment 92599
​

You can scroll down through the options. I did not want to be a poser and choose the Raptor splash screen. I went on down and clicked 'Ford Performance'.

View attachment 92600
​

Then clicked the 'Write' button to save it. A window will pop up asking you to confirm your selection. Click the check mark button to save your choice.

View attachment 92601​

You'll hear a click noise in the dash and the radio display screen will blink on and off. You'll get a message asking you to turn the ignition off and back on. Then click the 'Ok' button.

View attachment 92593
​

That's it, you're done.

There's a hidden menu I can't remember where or how to get to it but there's YouTube videos on how to activate it but you can change your Sync screen to several different options but it reverts back to factory once you turn the ignition off.

 

[Jim Oaks]

​

Loving the Skyjacker Ford Ranger 3.5-Inch Suspension Lift, and Thunderer Trac Grip M/T 295/70/17 mud terrains on ProComp 41 Phaser Series wheels.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Trail Comms:

​

I added a CB and GMRS radio to the TRS-3 Ranger for trail comms.

For the CB I bought a Uniden Bearcat Off Road CB Radio CMX 760. It's a very compact radio with all of the controls built into the mic. I used a 4-foot Firestik FS CB Antenna kit from RightChannelRadios.com along with an antenna spring. This is the same company I got my CB antenna for TRS-2 from.

​

For the GMRS radio I got a Midland MXT 275 Mico Mobile GMRS radio. This radio is also very compact with all of the controls in the mic. People will ask why I only got the 15-watt radio. It's because I only use this when travelling with other people that usually aren't that far away. I also don't have a big budget to afford and justify a more powerful radio. For the antenna I bought a Midland MXTA25 3DB Gain Ghost Antenna and a NMO L Shape Mount Mobile Antenna Bracket with NMO mount and 16-foot of cable to mount the antenna to.

​

Installing The CB Antenna:

I mounted the CB antenna to the rear of my toolbox and used a couple rubber coated clamps to run the cable along the side of the box to the beds bulkhead. I drilled a hole in the plastic plug and routed the cable through there and then through the plug on the rear of the cab.

​

I actually removed the plug in the rear lower passenger corner and used a 3/8 extension to pull the bottom lip back a little to fish the cable through.

​

I used some wire that I spooled up in the cable connector to help pull the wire through the hole and fish it into the bed.

​

On the inside I fished the wire under the carpet so it was out of the way. The plastic storage container has a bolt securing it to the floor on one end, and the rest of it snaps in place. With it removed I was able to get under the carpet. I also removed the rear bolts in the front seat so I could have room to feed the wire under the carpet. It comes out in an opening in the carpet under the seat.

​

Mounting The CB Radio:

I took some flat stock and cut it to fit the width of the seat rail, mounted the cb radio bracket to it, and then mounted it to the plastic covers that cover the seat rails.

​

I added some mic holders in case I want to mount the mic's under the seat out of sight, but this will not be their normal mounting location. In the picture below you can see just how small this radio actually is. I chose it because I didn't want a lot of stuff cluttering up the cab.

​

Tuning The CB Antenna:

I moved the Ranger to an open area and adjusted the Firestik antenna with an SWR meter until I was getting a reading of 1 - 1.5. I'm really happy with how well it tuned.

On a side note, I purchased a 3-foot antenna because the 4-foot seemed awfully tall, but I couldn't get the 3-foot Firestik to tune at all, so I stuck with the 4-foot antenna.

​

Mounting The GMRS Radio:

I bolted the radio mounting bracket to the side of the console making sure to mount it forward enough so that the seat has room to slide forward if I should ever let a shorter person drive my truck.

I ran the GMRS antenna cable similar to how I ran the cb antenna except it comes through the drivers side of the cab. I ran the cable up in to the side of the console and dropped it down under the radio mount.

​

Here's how both radios look all mounted up.

​

Mounting The GMRS Antenna:

Figuring out where to mount the GMRS Antenna was a bit more challenging. A company makes a mount that goes in between the cab and the 3rd brake light that mounts a NMO antenna, but they're a few hundred bucks. The company offered to reimburse the purchase price if I wrote up a review on it, but I still struggled to justify spending more money for an antenna mount than what the radio and antenna cost.

My solution was to spend $12.00 on a piece of 2-inch wide flat metal stock. I put it in my vise and bent it to mount on the front of the tool box. I mounted the l-shaped NMO bracket and NMO mount to the other end of it and drilled small holes in the bracket so I could zip-tie the cable to it.

My after thought concern is the NMO ground plane. I'm concern that the bracket may not have a good enough ground so I'm going to add a ground strap from the bracket to the bed.

​

The bracket doesn't sit directly on the top of the bulkhead. I put some velcro between them to help secure it.

​

Auxiliary Fuse Block:

When I add accessories to my vehicles, I like to add an auxiliary fuse block instead of tapping into the existing block or wires. I bought a 6-Circuit Fuse Block off of amazon and mounted it to the passenger side kick panel. I couldn't find any place better to mount it to where I could easily get to it if I needed to. This fuse black has a light next to each fuse holder that lights up if the fuse blows.

​

The red wire is the power coming in from the battery (it's fused at the battery), the blue wire goes to the Midland GMRS, and the green wire goes to the Uniden CB. I really hate it when people use the same color wire for more than one thing.

​

I ran a wire through the huge rubber wiring housing under the drivers side of the dash and routed along the fender to the battery.

​

Then added a waterproof fuse holder where the wire comes off of the battery.

 

[Jim Oaks]

My Jaguar XJ8 has been sitting at another house an hour from here. Today I rented a uhaul auto transport and hauled it home with the Ranger.

For some reason when I tried to rent it online it kept telling me that I couldn't haul this car with my Ranger, but it would let me haul my 1996 extended cab 4x4 Ranger.

Played around with my options and found that I could tow a BMW 3-series, but not a BMW 5-series that listed the same weight and dimensions. I came to the conclusion that Uhaul must not have entered every possible vehicle configuration. Checking my cars dimensions I knew it would fit.

My only concern was whether the air dam would drag on the ramp. Just to be safe I brought some 2x8 and 2x10's to put under the ramp to lessen the incline.

​

I also put one under each of the front tires to make sure I didn't hit the air dam on the tire stop on the front of the trailer. I don't think I needed them, but I had them and used them anyway.

​

It towed good but if I got over 70 MPH (yes, I know the uhaul trailer says 55 on the fender) the trailer would start to sway a little, so I kept it under 70.

​

 

[Roert42]

U haul told me ford didn’t make a 4.0l ranger in 2011.

 

[sgtsandman]

U haul told me ford didn’t make a 4.0l ranger in 2011.

Did you ask them if they would like to see one?

 

[Roert42]

Did you ask them if they would like to see one?

Yes, for some reason they were not impressed.

 

[sgtsandman]

Yes, for some reason they were not impressed.

The computer told them different and if it isn’t in the computer, they won’t entertain it.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The computer told them different and if it isn’t in the computer, they won’t entertain it.

Lot of places are like that anymore, the computer is never wrong to them, even if it’s provable that the computer is indeed dead wrong. Facts mean nothing to these useless idiots anymore and critical thinking is being brutally squashed. But I’ll stop there before it gets into politics and all…

Pretty sure that the logic is that the computer was programmed by someone smarter than they are, and computers are supposed to be accurate so the computer MUST be right. Problem with that logic is, computers are programmed by humans who can and do make mistakes.

 

[Blmpkn]

I think its more about $ than politics in a lot of cases.

Uhaul makes more money if their employees just take direction from the computer or whatever.. looking at a screen and reading what's essentially a 'yes' or a 'no' and then saying such to the customer is a lot quicker than said employee actually having to use their brain.

Liability for them too.. that's a huge amount of $ right there.

 

[sgtsandman]

Lot of places are like that anymore, the computer is never wrong to them, even if it’s provable that the computer is indeed dead wrong. Facts mean nothing to these useless idiots anymore and critical thinking is being brutally squashed. But I’ll stop there before it gets into politics and all…

Pretty sure that the logic is that the computer was programmed by someone smarter than they are, and computers are supposed to be accurate so the computer MUST be right. Problem with that logic is, computers are programmed by humans who can and do make mistakes.

Garbage in = Garbage out

 

[JohnnyO]

The computer told them different and if it isn’t in the computer, they won’t entertain it.

People would run into that with U-Haul on the Sport Trac boards. U-Haul won't rent a trailer to be towed by anything that says Explorer on it no way no how due to the Firestone tire fiasco from 20 years ago.
Lotta dudes would say they had an F-150 4-door and U-Haul didn't know the difference.

 

[AgPete139]

They are doing it to cover their ass. If for some reason you got into an accident with the wrong vehicle information, even though we all know the specs and dims are within the parameters, it would open them up to legal trouble. Even if it is a towed vehicle.

I've had to tell them I had an F150 to tow a Civic before, even though I pulled it with my Ranger. 4600# Gen II.