PLS HELP!! 2011 ranger motor/tranny feels different???

[2NDCHNC]

Hey Everybody, I am a huge reader on these forums and not so much of a poster...BUT I recently purchased a new 2011 4x4 ext cab 4.0L auto 3.73, had the EXACT same truck in 2005 (the "EDGE") with 4.10's and the new truck feels really different. i understand we are now riding on rancho shocks, and a few inches closer to the ground, but it feels like the transmission is mapped out different or the gearing has changed...THERE IS SOMETHING NOT RIGHT ABOUT HOW THIS TRUCK PERFORMS COMPARED TO 2005, and its nothing to do with the suspension. between this and the fact that the stability/traction control "OFF" button, doesnt actually disable the stability/traction, AND the fact that the fuses for these devices are coupled with things like instrument cluster, interior lights, ya kno...the things ya do need!!

Anybody, with ANY information on this subject, PLEASE drop a line. I am actually quite disappointed in the changes from 2005 and would like to hear reasoning behind this madness! haha. in 2005 this truck was better than a damn sports car to me, now i have a shiny red 2000km new truck that i wish was a 2005!!!!! PLEASE HELP

 

[Big Jim M]

Been there...done that! Many times I have been dissapointed with a new truck! Ya got what ya got.. So ya gotta live with it..
Big JIm

 

[2NDCHNC]

do you have any answers for this? i mean These trucks (aside from traction/stability/lowered torsion keys and rear blocks) are virtually the same...or so they say? Anybody with an answer??

 

[Earl43P]

You are feeling the difference from the 4.10s you HAD to the 3.73s you HAVE, no doubt. You might even have a tire size change to compound that different ratio (if bigger than your 05's).

I would think it'd be any easy wiring cheat to disable the traction control. My understanding is they use the rear disc brake ABS tone rings to determine difference in rear wheel speeds (spin), then pulse the faster wheel's brake to regain traction. I'd guess they also retard timing and eventually cut fuel injection duration pulses if the braking pulses don't work (that's how my FIL's 2000 Mercury GM "feels" like it works, on solid ice; you simply cannot rev the engine higher when stuck).

Anyway, it would seem simple enough to splice a single rear wheel's ABS wires to the OTHER wheel's ABS wires and disconnect that other wheel's sensor. That way, the computer would always see both rear wheels at the same speed.

Then you could install a locker in that open rear diff and get some fun back, or at least enjoy some one wheel peels.

Just thinking out loud how I would try to "fix" that, if I had anything that new (not likely!). You absolutely have a different truck and shouldn't expect it to feel like the old one.

 

[2NDCHNC]

sounds like it would work, any body else on this subject??? any thoughts?

I have attended 2 mobile electronic installation schools, and have a strong background in wiring and all tools needed. Any ford mechanics here that have any insight?? would the dealer do this for me? Thank alot guys.

 

[2NDCHNC]

sorry for being off topic, but to switch back to 4.10's do i need ring and pinion set, or whole new axle/housing???

 

[Earl43P]

Just a ring and pinion set and figure on $300 in labor. I'd be really picky about who I let do that job for me.

No way is any dealer gonna disable your traction control like I described. Too much liability.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Here is the low down on the whole ABS/Traction control system:

Anti-Lock Control with AdvanceTrac® and Roll Stability Control (RSC®)
The ABS with AdvanceTrac® and Roll Stability Control (RSC®) system consists of the following components:

• ABS module — attached to the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU), but can be serviced separately from the HCU.
• Front wheel speed sensors — one sensor is located in each front wheel knuckle. The sensors are serviced separately from the knuckle.
• Front wheel speed sensor tone rings — the tone ring is part of the front wheel bearing and is serviced with the bearing on Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles. On Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles, the tone ring is part of the front brake rotor and is serviced with the brake rotor.
• HCU — which contains several valves (inlet, outlet, isolation and dump) and the hydraulic pump motor. The HCU is mounted on the LH side of the engine compartment.
• Rear wheel speed sensors — one sensor is located at each end of the rear axle housing. It is mounted to the brake backing plate and can be serviced separately.
• Rear wheel speed sensor tone rings — one tone ring is located on each rear axle shaft and is available for service separate from the axle.
• Stability control sensors — located inside of the Restraints Control Module (RCM) and consist of the following sensors: yaw rate, roll rate, lateral accelerometer and longitudinal accelerometer. The sensors are integral to the RCM and cannot be serviced separately.
• Steering wheel rotation sensor — located at the end of the steering column on the LH side of the column, the slotted wheel is serviced with the steering column but the sensor can be serviced separately.
• Stability/traction control switch — located in the Instrument Cluster (IC) center finish panel and is serviced separately from the finish panel.

ABS aids in the prevention of wheel lock-up during braking events which will allow the driver to maintain steering control and stop in the shortest distance possible under most conditions. This is accomplished by the ABS module and HCU modulating brake fluid pressure to the affected brake caliper(s) and wheel cylinder(s).
When the ABS activates, the driver may notice the following operational symptoms:

• A rumble or grinding sound may be heard (HCU pump motor)
• If the driver's foot is on the brake pedal, a vibration may be felt in the brake pedal (HCU pump motor and valves)

Stability/Traction Control Indicator and Stability/Traction Control OFF Indicator

Status of the traction control and AdvanceTrac® systems is indicated by a stability/traction control indicator (also known as the sliding-car icon) and a stability/traction control OFF indicator (sliding-car OFF icon) located in the Instrument Cluster (IC). When the driver disables the systems through the use of the stability/traction control switch, the sliding-car OFF icon will illuminate solidly. When one or more of the systems is currently active, the sliding-car icon will flash, and when the system is disabled due to DTCs being present in the ABS module, the sliding-car icon will illuminate in conjunction with the yellow ABS warning indicator.
Traction Control System

The traction control system aids in the prevention of excessive drive-wheel spin which will allow the vehicle to maintain traction during acceleration. This is accomplished in the same manner as anti-lock control but also includes the use of the PCM for modulating engine torque.
ESC and RSC® Systems

Both systems constantly monitor vehicle direction of travel relative to the driver's intended course and aid in keeping the vehicle traveling along that course. The RSC® system also monitors the vehicle roll motion and aids in keeping the vehicle stable during sudden or abrupt maneuvers. This is accomplished in the same manner as anti-lock braking and traction control.
When any of the above 3 systems activate, the driver may notice the same operational symptoms as ABS along with the following additional symptoms:

• A small deceleration or a reduction in the acceleration of the vehicle due to the PCM modulating engine torque and the HCU modulating brake pressure
• The sliding-car icon flashes (indicating a traction or stability event is taking place)

Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)

The ABS module and HCU incorporate a strategy called Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The EBD strategy uses the HCU as an electronic proportioning valve to create a balanced braking condition between the front and rear wheels and minimize the chance of rear wheel lockup during hard braking. A slight bump sensation may be felt in the brake pedal when EBD is active.
Stability/Traction Control Switch

The stability/traction control switch can be used by the driver to disable and enable the traction control, ESC and RSC® systems. When the ignition key is turned to the RUN position, all 3 systems are enabled and the sliding-car icon in the IC will illuminate momentarily as a test. Momentarily pressing the switch will only disable the traction control system. Pressing and holding the switch for more than 5 seconds (with a vehicle speed less than 56 km/h [35 mph]) will disable all 3 systems. When all 3 systems are disabled, the sliding car OFF icon in the IC will extinguish for 3 seconds before illuminating solidly.
There are 2 separate sliding car icons; the sliding car OFF icon and the sliding car icon. The sliding car OFF icon is used to alert the driver that the traction control portion of the AdvanceTrac® system has been disabled by the driver. This icon will only illuminate solidly and does not flash. The sliding car icon is used to alert the driver that a stability/traction event is taking place (flashes twice per second) and to alert the driver of potential concerns in the AdvanceTrac® system (illuminates solidly).
On vehicles equipped with Four-Wheel Drive (4WD), the sliding car OFF icon will turn on and all 3 systems will be disabled when the 4WD Low Locked transfer case mode is selected. Additionally, if one or more of the vehicle dynamic systems has been disabled through the use of the switch and the driver shifts the transfer case into 4WD HI or 2-Wheel Drive (2WD), all disabled systems will be enabled.
If all 3 systems have been disabled by the driver through the use of the switch as described above and the vehicle exceeds 56 km/h (35 mph), the AdvanceTrac® system will enable the ESC and RSC® systems, but the traction control system will remain disabled and the sliding car icon will remain illuminated until the switch is pressed again, or the ignition key is cycled to the OFF position and back to the RUN position.
The conventional ABS system cannot be disabled through the use of the stability/traction control switch.

 

[2NDCHNC]

God Bless you! superb response, more than happy

 

[birdman]

But didnt they come out with all new motor designs and trannys for the 2011s??
If so that would make them feel diffent, and isnt the new ones coil overs in the front not torsion bars? that would also change the feel of the ride