Adding Auto Level to Projector Headlamps

[dolsen]

Has anyone added CCD after purchasing their truck? I’m on the fence about it. At the very least I plan to add the auto leveling to my truck that I installed the projector LED headlamps.

As I understand it the CCD will require new rear shocks, both front level sensors (LH and RH) as well as the VDM and any associated wiring. What am I missing?

I believe the auto level only requires the front and rear LH ride height sensors and associated wiring, which is obviously a lot easier/cheaper to install.

I know Jesse has added the auto level but I don’t wanna bother him if I can help it as I know he’s got much bigger fish to fry

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[tbinmd]

You need front and rear shocks. The CCD shocks are on all 4 corners. It would be a big expense and a lot of work.

I finally test drove a truck with CCD and for some reason Ford linked the shock maps to the driving mode you are in. You cannot select the suspension map to run every day. The normal driving map is just too soft for me. I like the sport map, but don't want the engine/transmission in sport. The Raptor allows for the shocks to be tuned independently.

I upgraded my stock shocks to a set of Blistens.

 

[Snakebitten]

You need front and rear shocks. The CCD shocks are on all 4 corners. It would be a big expense and a lot of work.

I finally test drove a truck with CCD and for some reason Ford linked the shock maps to the driving mode you are in. You cannot select the suspension map to run every day. The normal driving map is just too soft for me. I like the sport map, but don't want the engine/transmission in sport. The Raptor allows for the shocks to be tuned independently.

I upgraded my stock shocks to a set of Blistens.

Exactly!
It would be so EASY for Ford to unhitch the damping map from the drive mode. Arggghhhh ?

 

[dolsen]

You need front and rear shocks. The CCD shocks are on all 4 corners. It would be a big expense and a lot of work.

I finally test drove a truck with CCD and for some reason Ford linked the shock maps to the driving mode you are in. You cannot select the suspension map to run every day. The normal driving map is just too soft for me. I like the sport map, but don't want the engine/transmission in sport. The Raptor allows for the shocks to be tuned independently.

I upgraded my stock shocks to a set of Blistens.

I’m certainly not afraid of suspension work. I did lots of it on many of my previous cars (I’ve had a few heavily modded mustangs that went through multiple suspension setups). It’s the electronics that worry me.

However there is absolutely a cost:benefit ratio that I’m concerned with, I guess I didn’t realize it was also the front dampers. My truck rides just fine as it is, it was more of an experiment for fun. I was leaning more towards just the auto level anyways, and that is mostly due to being a much lower cost.

I think I have the part numbers for the front and rear ride height sensors, but I’m not certain they’re correct. Is anyone able to provide them?

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

The VDM is mounted under the truck. Like mentioned you need new rear shocks. You need new front shocks. You need to add the passenger side height sensors. You would need to route the existing height sensors to the VDM. THe shocks all have wiring that run to them to control the hydraulic valves. It would be a tremendous undertaking to say the least. The HCM would need to be reprogrammed for the leveling to be handled by the VDM and not the height sensors.

I had looked into it and thought about it. I decided juice wasnt worth the squeeze for me.

Id be more than wiling to help you if you decided to go the route.

 

[Snakebitten]

I am a bigger fan of the CCD today than I was early on after receiving my special order KingRanch Powerboost.

I also come from a background of improving handling before power/performance on so many different vehicles throughout my long life. I do appreciate vehicle dynamics.

Having said that, FROM the factory, CCD is so inexpensive that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to at least experience it, knowing that I could yank it out if I couldn't be satisfied with it.

And satisfied IS the correct term, in this case. But I spent considerable effort to get it to that level.

The biggest challenge was to find a way to get the damping map for the Normal drive mode to be much closer to what the damping map was for Sport Mode. If it weren't a Powerboost, I would simply drive the truck in Sport Mode and be much happier, but Ford also screwed the pooch on Sport Mode on the Powerboost by nixing EV availability. (Why do they do stuff like that? It's so unnecessary)

Anyways, by adding a rear Antisway bar, a RAS system on the rear leafpak, and editing some values in the VDM module, I was able to "dial it in" for an empty long bed F150 in Normal mode. It's pretty dang nice and like I said I'm satisfied.

But no way would I take that approach if the truck didn't already have CCD. I have some sweet Fox 2.5 coilovers and rear dampers with analog DSC controls that I would send off to Fox to revalve/refresh for a Gen14 with my trucks curb weight.

 

[dolsen]

The VDM is mounted under the truck. Like mentioned you need new rear shocks. You need new front shocks. You need to add the passenger side height sensors. You would need to route the existing height sensors to the VDM. THe shocks all have wiring that run to them to control the hydraulic valves. It would be a tremendous undertaking to say the least. The HCM would need to be reprogrammed for the leveling to be handled by the VDM and not the height sensors.

I had looked into it and thought about it. I decided juice wasnt worth the squeeze for me.

Id be more than wiling to help you if you decided to go the route.

I think I’m just going to go the auto level route for now. I can install the ride height sensors without issue. It’s all of the wiring that I’d need help with. From what I saw it looks like the height sensors run to the HCM directly? And there’s two wires for each going to the HCM? I feel there’s gotta be more than that, but that’s all I could find

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

I think I’m just going to go the auto level route for now. I can install the ride height sensors without issue. It’s all of the wiring that I’d need help with. From what I saw it looks like the height sensors run to the HCM directly? And there’s two wires for each going to the HCM? I feel there’s gotta be more than that, but that’s all I could find

Two height sensors front and rear driver side.

The wires run to the HCM.

 

[dolsen]

Two height sensors front and rear driver side.

The wires run to the HCM.

Thanks, do you have the parts numbers for the sensors and associated brackets?

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

Thanks, do you have the parts numbers for the sensors and associated brackets?

I dont handy.. I can try to get them again. You need the hardware also. The sensor and bracket is all one part front and rear.

 

[Snakebitten]

Jesse, is there only one VDM module for the F150 regardless of the options the truck is equipped with?

I only ask because a VDM on a CCD truck sure has a lot of parameters and Pid support for the data necessary for Active Suspension damping management. Just curious.

 

[dolsen]

This is what I have for a parts list, I *think* this is correct. This is the front and rear LH sensor and the associated hardware. I do not have a part number for connectors, wiring terminals, or wire gauge, but I think I can get all that in PTS... just have to get another 72 hour subscription

 

[dolsen]

I had another member on here verify the part numbers, and what I had is correct. Just pulled the trigger on the ride height sensors and all of the lamps/wiring to add in the factory bed lights as well.

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

Jesse, is there only one VDM module for the F150 regardless of the options the truck is equipped with?

I only ask because a VDM on a CCD truck sure has a lot of parameters and Pid support for the data necessary for Active Suspension damping management. Just curious.

yes . just one

 

[dolsen]

I had another member on here verify the part numbers, and what I had is correct. Just pulled the trigger on the ride height sensors and all of the lamps/wiring to add in the factory bed lights as well.

Crap, I just realized I didn't order the connectors for the wiring. Does anyone know how to cross reference Ford part numbers into Molex part numbers? I believe it would likely be a lot cheaper that way.

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