Notices
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel 2011-current Ford Powerstroke 6.7 L turbo diesel engine

Ford IDS - Possible? Worth it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 19, 2015 | 11:51 AM
  #1  
txazguy's Avatar
txazguy
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 2
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Ford IDS - Possible? Worth it?

I've seen some stuff for sale on ebay....looks like it's not too expensive but it is made in china or hong kong.

Will it function like it does at the dealerships?
Is it worth it?
Would you do it?

I know the "genuine" ones on ebay use toughbooks...but does the software require a certain PC to run? Or can it be run on any pc?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Newest-Ford-VCM-II-IDS-V90-VCM-2-OEM-Diagnostic-Tool-Equipment-VCM2-A-/261522624748?hash=item3ce3f690ec&item=261522624748&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2015 | 02:24 PM
  #2  
Tofan's Avatar
Tofan
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
Something that costs that much ill just buy the real thing
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2015 | 02:25 PM
  #3  
Just Strokin's Avatar
Just Strokin
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
I am out to lunch on the value. You probably need revision R92 or R93 for 2014 and newer vehicles. These come with version 90 I think it is.

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdi...leaseNotes.asp
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2015 | 02:27 PM
  #4  
txazguy's Avatar
txazguy
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 2
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Originally Posted by Tofan
Something that costs that much ill just buy the real thing
The ~1000% markup is something to think about...
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2015 | 02:28 PM
  #5  
Just Strokin's Avatar
Just Strokin
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
Originally Posted by Tofan
Something that costs that much ill just buy the real thing
The real thang is $1499 and a subscription to the software is $699/yr

https://rotunda.service-solutions.co...spx?search=vcm


wanna go buy the real thang now?...
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2015 | 08:58 PM
  #6  
Tofan's Avatar
Tofan
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
Well damn. Somebody buy one and let us know if it works. Maybe that disk has the software for a laptop.
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2015 | 10:10 PM
  #7  
Just Strokin's Avatar
Just Strokin
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
A laptop is a laptop is a laptop unless you get a Mac. The laptop Ford sells is ruggedized to prevent damage should a tech drop it or bang it about.

Ford software runs on XP (support ended in Oct 2014), Win7 Professional 32 and 64 bit or Win 8.1 64 bit only.

IDS Requirements
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2015 | 10:31 PM
  #8  
Tofan's Avatar
Tofan
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
Ok so this negates a bunch of it. We are still on the hook for the IDS software no?? Maybe ill buy this once I get paid on the 1st.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 19, 2015 | 11:40 PM
  #9  
txazguy's Avatar
txazguy
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 2
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
HA, I'm starting to wonder if it's more beneficial to buddy up to one of the diesel techs
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2015 | 09:32 AM
  #10  
Tofan's Avatar
Tofan
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
Well I've already done that and its cool and everything but having the tools to fix everything on my truck myself would be awesome. I been reading up hardcore on these. The Chinese clones are hit and miss no matter where you order them from. They do come with what I asked earlier though.
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2015 | 09:43 AM
  #11  
EO2SeaBee's Avatar
EO2SeaBee
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 10,107
Likes: 96
From: Hempstead, TX
Originally Posted by Tofan
Ok so this negates a bunch of it. We are still on the hook for the IDS software no?? Maybe ill buy this once I get paid on the 1st.
Matt, the kit in the link comes with a disk containing IDS version 90. Not what you need, but software nonetheless. I'm sure somewhere out in Internetland is a hacked version of the latest and greatest version of the software, but I would have trouble trusting it.
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2015 | 11:19 AM
  #12  
Tofan's Avatar
Tofan
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
Totally agree. Especially somebody who like me is running a tuned truck. The key I think when I pursue this is to have a copy of the base file of the trucks "software" incase something went wrong. Also I would take tuner completely off. There is another forum though that has everything figured out though. So basically we could order one from this eBay guy and it could be great and the next one not work at all. There are sites that sell guaranteed VCM modules, but since VCM II is newer nothing has popped in yet. Hey I am a step closer to factory heated seats! If i could find an aftermarket pad out there that has 3 settings I could just wire up the switch I have now. Hmm.
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2015 | 12:07 PM
  #13  
pstroke67's Avatar
pstroke67
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 2
The Chinese knock offs are not worth first it will not let you reprogram pcm to latest ids calibration and if you connected to Internet when trying more then likely be banned from ford server and lose your subscription to ids and we seen here dealer where some people try view data using chinese vcm and blanks pcm and not able to save pcm
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2015 | 12:14 PM
  #14  
txazguy's Avatar
txazguy
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 2
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Yeah a bricked PCM would suck!
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2015 | 03:24 PM
  #15  
Tofan's Avatar
Tofan
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by pstroke67
The Chinese knock offs are not worth first it will not let you reprogram pcm to latest ids calibration and if you connected to Internet when trying more then likely be banned from ford server and lose your subscription to ids and we seen here dealer where some people try view data using chinese vcm and blanks pcm and not able to save pcm
I can't argue all of this but most of your post is questionable. There are numerous Chinese knockoffs that can update to the latest version. With the Chinese VCMs they require no subscription to the IDS software. Also just viewing data with the VCM its pretty tough to "blank" your data. All its doing is reading values from the vehicle. Its not even close to re writing the PCM.

Again I can't talk from real experience but my knowledge of computer systems pretty much debunks your grammatically correct post.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:23 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE