Shock recalibration Info after 2 inch install needed….

[RK Racing]

I was able to confirm the ride height was out of range on mine by reading the PIDs for the ride height values for all four corners using Forscan before performing the recalibration. The values should all be 0 or close to it. if not, run the ride height calibration.

We also found the issue on my friends Braptor with 2”/2” lift. the difference isnt huge, but we both noticed some improvement in ride quality after performing the calibration.

Im sure there are shops that work on F150 raptors down in your area that would be able to knock this out easily. Any shop that has Ford diagnostic software should be able to figure it out, local Bronco/raptor group in Facebook would also be a good resource.

Thank you!!!! Excellent advice and will do.

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[JohnGalt]

FWIW. Open AI summary on the topic…. AI never guaranteed to be 100% correct, but relatively objective overview.

Q: What are the benefits of performing a ride height recalibration on a Ford Raptor after changing spring heights and other suspension changes?

A; Yes—on a Raptor with FOX Live Valve shocks, ride-height recalibration can be quite important after changing springs, preload, collars, or other components that materially alter static ride height.

The key point is that recalibration doesn’t change the physical ride height. It teaches the Vehicle Dynamics Module (VDM) where the suspension’s new static/neutral position is. Ford/Raptor technical communities document the VDM ride-height calibration procedure specifically in the context of suspension modifications and Live Valve operation.

What you gain from recalibration

Benefit	Why it matters
Correct Live Valve damping	The VDM interprets suspension position relative to the calibrated neutral point
Better ride quality	Prevents the system from interpreting normal ride position as compression or extension
Improved compression response	Helps the shocks recognize actual bump/compression events correctly
Improved rebound control	Gives the VDM a more accurate reference for suspension extension
Better Baja/off-road behavior	More accurate suspension-position data helps the control strategy respond to rapid wheel movement
Correct drive-mode behavior	Normal, Sport, Off-Road and Baja damping strategies depend on the electronically controlled shocks functioning correctly
Reduced risk of overly stiff damping	A sensor operating outside its expected/calibrated range can contribute to VDM faults or fail-safe behavior; Raptor technical discussions describe full-stiff behavior when the system sees implausible ride-height data.
Better left/right consistency	Particularly useful if spring changes have altered cross-corner static heights

Why the calibration matters

Think of the ride-height sensor as reporting suspension position on a scale:

Droop ← −50 −25 0 +25 +50 → Compression

The VDM expects the truck sitting normally on level ground to be around its learned zero reference.

Suppose you install springs that raise the truck 1.5 inches.

Without recalibration, the VDM may effectively see:

Truck sitting still = −38 mm suspension extension

The VDM doesn’t inherently know that you installed taller springs. It simply sees the suspension sitting substantially farther into the extension side of its learned range.

After calibration:

New static ride height = 0 mm

Now actual suspension motion is interpreted relative to the new static position.

The biggest benefit for your type of use

Given that you use your Bronco Raptor extensively on desert roads and difficult mountain trails, I think the most meaningful benefit is restoring the correct operating reference for the Live Valve algorithm.

At speed on a desert road, the VDM is trying to distinguish among relatively small body motions, major compression events, suspension extension/droop, and potentially wheel unloading. If the baseline suspension position is already offset because of a spring or preload change, the VDM’s interpretation of those events can be skewed.

Owners and technical discussions around Raptor Live Valve systems commonly associate incorrect ride-height calibration with poor or overly stiff ride behavior, while calibration procedures are used after suspension modifications to reset the VDM reference.

For your Bronco Raptor, I would recalibrate if you’ve changed spring free length, spring rate with a resulting height change, preload/collar position, or gained/lost roughly ½ inch or more of static ride height.

 

[RK Racing]

FWIW. Open AI summary on the topic…. AI never guaranteed to be 100% correct, but relatively objective overview.

Q: What are the benefits of performing a ride height recalibration on a Ford Raptor after changing spring heights and other suspension changes?

A; Yes—on a Raptor with FOX Live Valve shocks, ride-height recalibration can be quite important after changing springs, preload, collars, or other components that materially alter static ride height.

The key point is that recalibration doesn’t change the physical ride height. It teaches the Vehicle Dynamics Module (VDM) where the suspension’s new static/neutral position is. Ford/Raptor technical communities document the VDM ride-height calibration procedure specifically in the context of suspension modifications and Live Valve operation.

What you gain from recalibration

Benefit	Why it matters
Correct Live Valve damping	The VDM interprets suspension position relative to the calibrated neutral point
Better ride quality	Prevents the system from interpreting normal ride position as compression or extension
Improved compression response	Helps the shocks recognize actual bump/compression events correctly
Improved rebound control	Gives the VDM a more accurate reference for suspension extension
Better Baja/off-road behavior	More accurate suspension-position data helps the control strategy respond to rapid wheel movement
Correct drive-mode behavior	Normal, Sport, Off-Road and Baja damping strategies depend on the electronically controlled shocks functioning correctly
Reduced risk of overly stiff damping	A sensor operating outside its expected/calibrated range can contribute to VDM faults or fail-safe behavior; Raptor technical discussions describe full-stiff behavior when the system sees implausible ride-height data.
Better left/right consistency	Particularly useful if spring changes have altered cross-corner static heights

Why the calibration matters

Think of the ride-height sensor as reporting suspension position on a scale:

Droop ← −50 −25 0 +25 +50 → Compression

The VDM expects the truck sitting normally on level ground to be around its learned zero reference.

Suppose you install springs that raise the truck 1.5 inches.

Without recalibration, the VDM may effectively see:

Truck sitting still = −38 mm suspension extension

The VDM doesn’t inherently know that you installed taller springs. It simply sees the suspension sitting substantially farther into the extension side of its learned range.

After calibration:

New static ride height = 0 mm

Now actual suspension motion is interpreted relative to the new static position.

The biggest benefit for your type of use

Given that you use your Bronco Raptor extensively on desert roads and difficult mountain trails, I think the most meaningful benefit is restoring the correct operating reference for the Live Valve algorithm.

At speed on a desert road, the VDM is trying to distinguish among relatively small body motions, major compression events, suspension extension/droop, and potentially wheel unloading. If the baseline suspension position is already offset because of a spring or preload change, the VDM’s interpretation of those events can be skewed.

Owners and technical discussions around Raptor Live Valve systems commonly associate incorrect ride-height calibration with poor or overly stiff ride behavior, while calibration procedures are used after suspension modifications to reset the VDM reference.

For your Bronco Raptor, I would recalibrate if you’ve changed spring free length, spring rate with a resulting height change, preload/collar position, or gained/lost roughly ½ inch or more of static ride height.

Thank you very much for that info. If you’re ever in my hood. (LAX Airport Area) I owe you some tacos and beer!……………… the reply above about going to a F150 Raptor site and looking for locations where to have it recalibrated was a great idea also.

 

[Breptar]

Thank you very much for that info. If you’re ever in my hood. (LAX Airport Area) I owe you some tacos and beer!……………… the reply above about going to a F150 Raptor site and looking for locations where to have it recalibrated was a great idea also.

I’m in the valley and might be able to help you with forscan. Shoot me a DM

 

[RK Racing]

I’m in the valley and might be able to help you with forscan. Shoot me a DM

I will this weekend. Today is over the top day…….lol.

 

[Nibroc99]

Not to hijack the thread but I’m about to do a 3” lift. What’s this about having to recalibrate the computer?

I see you have a badlandsa - this only applies to the Raptor... check the forum category of this thread

 

[vrtical]

I really should check mine just to see for reference... I will come back and update this since I am running collars only on OEM springs that is less then 2".

Forscan - VDM Module

• FL_HEIGHT
• FR_HEIGHT
• RL_HEIGHT
• RR_HEIGHT

 

[JohnGalt]

a couple comments JIC on the Forscan ride height calibration, but I think this is all in the Forscan instructions as you work through the process…

first up, it will want you to put the vehicle on flat ground.

take any significant variable stuff out of your car including yourself before running the calibration. It will even prompt you for fuel level later

Then put it in Engineering Test mode. Honestly getting it in engineering test mode has been hit and miss for me. When it wouldn’t take, I just proceeded. You’ll have a small “ET” in lower part of digital dash if successful

Id run the PID before the calibration for the variables in the VDM that @vrtical posted above to get a before snapshot Of ride height.

Run the calibration. I believe it just says it was successful.

check PIDs again for after results. You may see a 1 or 2 mm on one ore tires. Good enough!

good luck!

 

[Breptar]

a couple comments JIC on the Forscan ride height calibration, but I think this is all in the Forscan instructions as you work through the process…

first up, it will want you to put the vehicle on flat ground.

take any significant variable stuff out of your car including yourself before running the calibration. It will even prompt you for fuel level later

Then put it in Engineering Test mode. Honestly getting it in engineering test mode has been hit and miss for me. When it wouldn’t take, I just proceeded. You’ll have a small “ET” in lower part of digital dash if successful

Id run the PID before the calibration for the variables in the VDM that @vrtical posted above to get a before snapshot Of ride height.

Run the calibration. I believe it just says it was successful.

check PIDs again for after results. You may see a 1 or 2 mm on one ore tires. Good enough!

good luck!

It took me a bit of tweaking with the sensor rods. I have aftermarket ones. Initially, I was so off it would lock me out of the pcm. I’d get an error on my dash. Once it’s so far off mm wise than what the factory allows, it WILL lock you out and you have to play with the sensor to get it back within spec.

 

[JohnGalt]

It took me a bit of tweaking with the sensor rods. I have aftermarket ones. Initially, I was so off it would lock me out of the pcm. I’d get an error on my dash. Once it’s so far off mm wise than what the factory allows, it WILL lock you out and you have to play with the sensor to get it back within spec.

Sorry to hear that but good to know! I could imagine breaking the ride height linkage on the trail could also throw it into a fit. Thanks, very useful

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