So I am running a stock smal pfl speedometer that doesn't have any animations on it (I think thats level 1, the one that doesn't even display your current speed). I did some research and found out that you can simple replace the pfl speedometer to the facelift one with no problems and I ended up buying a facelift st (diesel, same as mine) speedometer on ebay and bought it since I want to change it to the one that has the trip computer that displays multiple info. I was wondering if Ford IDS is the software to use to increase the mileage of the new speedometer since it's lower than my car's, and what else would I need to connect the car to the laptop in order to use the software? Cheers

If you want to use the Ford IDS/FDRS software a suitable diagnostic interface is required. Ford uses the Ford (Bosch/Rotunda) VCM 2 or VCM 3 interface. Including the required software licence (1 Year subscription) these original interfaces cost approximately €2000,-.

There are however much cheaper alternatives:

1. A High Quality Chinese VCM 2 clone combined with an older version of the original IDS software (approximately €125,- to €175,-)
2. The free Forscan software combined with a high quality (modified) ELM327 interface (price fully depends on the type/quality of the ELM327 interface).
3. A Chinese clone of the Russian UCDS system (approximately €15,- tot €20,-).

Apart from adapting the mileage you also need to configure the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster is part of the CCC (Central Car Configuration) system and contains the backup configuration. In case the main configuration inside the BCM fails the instrument cluster is used. If the main and backup CCC configuration files do not match the car can become inoperative. Apart from this the instrument cluster also has another (direct) configuration that is configured by the AS-BUILT data of the car.

I did some digging in this topic and found out I can use your modified FoCCCus software to change the mileage of the new cluster? Also one other member linked a ELM327 module that could be used https://tunnelrat-electronics.fwscart.com/USB_Modified_ELM327/p4541936_17045457.aspx

 

Would these be fine? And how could I configure the new instrument cluster configuration if you wouldn't mind telling me that, my car has none of the features like cruise control or driver hill assist or parking sensors so those features not working on mine wouldn't really matter to me as I don't have them anyway. Cheers