OS Compatibility between F150/Raptor/Expedition/Etc....

I see many threads on this forum where people are "copying" changes from someone else's tune file, and then are having issues as a result. So, figured I would post some useful information for newcomers learning how to tune their Ford.

-Just because you have a 2018 F150 3.5EB and your buddy who shared a tune file with you has a 2020 F150 3.5EB does NOT mean that you can do a compare and copy onto your own tune. Sometime around 2019 and into 2020, Ford went from having a separate PCM (underhood) and TCM (frame mounted on passenger side under passenger front seat) into an all in one integrated unit (only under the hood). With this came Operating System changes. With these OS changes, many parameters had changes to the axis column values within the tune. This is why if you do a compare function on these two trucks for example, most of the transmission section will be greyed out and not allow for copying of parameters.

-The Ford Expedition transmission files are different from the F150 and Raptor files. Again, OS differences. Axis value differences. You can't just copy and paste!

-This should be common sense if your trying to learn how to tune, but a 5.0 hooked up to a 10r80 is going to have significant differences in the OSS tables versus a 2.7 or 3.5 EB application. Don't use a Ecoboost transmission file on your 5.0. Obviously it will short shift at WOT, but it will also bog down and feel terrible considering the low RPM torque differences between the EB and 5.0.

One way you can work around some of these issues is by creating a template through the template applicator. Then apply said template to your tune. VCM Editor will automatically move the changes into your OS. This works way better than using the compare function, however, you still need to double check that your values are the same.

LASTLY-

Ford has made great improvements to the 10r80 over the years. We are 8 years into production on the 10 speed now, and Ford has got these things ironed out pretty good. Pay your local dealer $150 or whatever it is and make sure your PCM/TCM is running the latest updates from Ford. Or if your feeling brave, use the latest Beta Forscan and see if your TCM is up to date. Many of the big name professional tuning companies out there are utilizing the latest Ford TCM updates and only making changes to the shift scheduling and TCC settings, while leaving all other settings (pressures, timing, etc.) alone because Ford has perfected them over the past 7 years.

I won't put names out there, but the "biggest" most "popular" tuning company with a cliche name does this, at least on the Expedition. I have seen it myself as they don't lock down their MPVI3 files through TDN (or at least, they didn't for me), so I was able to read my TCM after flashing and see what changes they made.

Also, for what it is worth, other notable tuners out there that I have personally spoken with and worked with over the years prefer the Expedition transmission settings compared to the Raptor/F150 settings. That is one reason why I base most of my F150/Raptor files off an Expedition file, with great success.

Hope this helps some people.