GEN 2 Off-roading your Gen 2: Driving Modes, Handling Characteristics, and more

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zombiekiller

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The more I read/hear about left foot braking the more I need to learn how to....

it will save your life if you get the point where you are driving your raptor at more than 7/10.

there is a little paint from my truck on the edges of some boulders and huge cacti in very remote spots in Baja from some unexpected obstacles around blind turns.

One boulder, in particular, was bigger than my truck. I would 100% have probably totaled my truck on it. The other would have probably caused a rollover at about 60 mph, instead, I ended up with some dents on the door.

I watched someone in a VERY built truck, who "don't left foot brake" put the truck into a 6-foot deep washout at speed, thus destroying a trailing arm, bending some lower control arms and destroying the steering rack.

it all happened because he wasn't left-foot braking, started approaching a turn after coming off the jump, and instead of stabbing the brake, transferring the weight to the front, giving the front tires grip, then throttle steering out...


he stood on the brakes and understeered straight into the washout. I'd guess that he was lucky to escape the ordeal alive, but I'm sure the 20K he spent to repair the truck has him considering changing his driving style.
 

Loufish

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it will save your life if you get the point where you are driving your raptor at more than 7/10.

there is a little paint from my truck on the edges of some boulders and huge cacti in very remote spots in Baja from some unexpected obstacles around blind turns.

I consider this very good advice for someone trying to get a little more handling out of their truck...

My last run with the ROC group we had a fair amount of sweeping turns at speed..I was running in Mud/Sand mode manually shifting and as I increased my speed a bit noticed the back come around if braking hard before entering the turn...was starting to figure out timing to get back on the gas after the truck would start pivoting in the corner....had a couple of real nice turns...sure it would be better if I learn how to left foot brake...
 

Halo Raptor

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Question about Baja mode. When hitting higher speeds it seems like its tach'ed out and never wants to shift. It sounds like Im going to blow the motor. I was going back n forth on the last run between Sport mode / 4A and Baja mode. I stayed out of Baja because it just sat in the redline more than I was comfortable with. Anyone have that same experience ?
 
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rtmozingo

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Question about Baja mode. When hitting higher speeds it seems like its tach'ed out and never wants to shift. It sounds like Im going to blow the motor. I was going back n forth on the last run between Sport mode / 4A and Baja mode. I stayed out of Baja because it just sat in the redline more than I was comfortable with. Anyone have that same experience ?

Functioning as intended. Keeps you both in boost while limiting shifting - a sudden surprise shift could send you flying in a direction you do not want. Ford wouldn't have released the truck with the mode if it was going to damage it. The truck rev limits you even in manual mode to prevent damage. The main downside is fuel consumption - if you are doing a more leisurely run (TRR or the like) then manual mode shines here.
 

zombiekiller

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I consider this very good advice for someone trying to get a little more handling out of their truck...

My last run with the ROC group we had a fair amount of sweeping turns at speed..I was running in Mud/Sand mode manually shifting and as I increased my speed a bit noticed the back come around if braking hard before entering the turn...was starting to figure out timing to get back on the gas after the truck would start pivoting in the corner....had a couple of real nice turns...sure it would be better if I learn how to left foot brake...
Functioning as intended. Keeps you both in boost while limiting shifting - a sudden surprise shift could send you flying in a direction you do not want. Ford wouldn't have released the truck with the mode if it was going to damage it. The truck rev limits you even in manual mode to prevent damage. The main downside is fuel consumption - if you are doing a more leisurely run (TRR or the like) then manual mode shines here.

the baja mode shift logic sucks, a lot.

My big gripe is that if you leave it in "D", the truck likes to shift mid-turn if you left foot brake hard. When this happens ( and it is REALLY hard to "make" it shift), the boost comes on immediately and the rear end has a tendency to kick around.

What is also SUPER interesting to me, is that in "D" it doesnt feel like you are getting ANY compression braking. Strangely, in manual mode, you can feel the compression braking.

I've taken to only running in manual mode because no one seems to be able to figure the transmission out. ( every offroad race vehicle that I've ever been in is a manual valve body anyway)
 

Halo Raptor

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the baja mode shift logic sucks, a lot.

My big gripe is that if you leave it in "D", the truck likes to shift mid-turn if you left foot brake hard. When this happens ( and it is REALLY hard to "make" it shift), the boost comes on immediately and the rear end has a tendency to kick around.

What is also SUPER interesting to me, is that in "D" it doesnt feel like you are getting ANY compression braking. Strangely, in manual mode, you can feel the compression braking.

I've taken to only running in manual mode because no one seems to be able to figure the transmission out. ( every offroad race vehicle that I've ever been in is a manual valve body anyway)

Yes I agree, that is why I brought it up. Last run, I got Baja Mode / Manual paddle shift explained to me. I was in "D" and I didnt like it. I am going to try Baja / paddle shift next time to see if I can love it more.
 
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rtmozingo

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the baja mode shift logic sucks, a lot.

My big gripe is that if you leave it in "D", the truck likes to shift mid-turn if you left foot brake hard. When this happens ( and it is REALLY hard to "make" it shift), the boost comes on immediately and the rear end has a tendency to kick around.

What is also SUPER interesting to me, is that in "D" it doesnt feel like you are getting ANY compression braking. Strangely, in manual mode, you can feel the compression braking.

I've taken to only running in manual mode because no one seems to be able to figure the transmission out. ( every offroad race vehicle that I've ever been in is a manual valve body anyway)

I do wish it had more (any) engine braking in auto, that is another big benefit of manual. That said, I've not had unexpected shifts, ever, in my stock supercab. The only problem I've had LFB in tight turns is RSC killing the party.
 

FordPerf Addict

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Baja and sand mode shift much too early when WOT From a stop in the sand. The engine revs up and the tires spin, then its shifts . Only thing is, the truck is going only 20-30 mph. Now the truck is in higher gear, and it realizes it’s barely moving, then has to downshift again for more power. Creates lag and confusion for the computer so when I try and get a fast start or drag in the sand, others are already pulling away


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xrocket21

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why are you guys hooning in auto mode and not manual?

Manual mode, and gears 1,2,3, MAYBE 4 are all you need...
 

FordPerf Addict

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why are you guys hooning in auto mode and not manual?

Manual mode, and gears 1,2,3, MAYBE 4 are all you need...
I switched over to manual mode in the sand and prefer it now tbh , because of my frustrations with the auto


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