removing CCD

[Left Coast Geek]

At 76000 miles, my CCD are getting kinda bouncy. I swapped out the 22" wheels for 18", so I doubt I really need CCDS, and I'm thinking of using conventional Bilsteins.

I've gone over the wiring diagram, and as far as I can tell, the CCD shocks just have 2 wires into them which I'm assuming go to a solenoid hydraulic valve actuator , so I am thinking I can just connect those with an appropriate sized resistor and fool the CCD detection. Has anyone done this, and happen to know what size resistor worked? Guessing it would need to be a relatively large wattage resistor, like 25W or something, as its replacing a solenoid actuator of some sort inside the CCD shock, and of course, 4 of them, 1 for each shock.

 

[5280tunage]

I have no idea but my initial guess is it's not a consistent resistance. That is, most of these work by adjusting the valve which could mean the resistance might change from completely open to completely closed if you will. Like hydraulic pumps that as the pressure increases, the resistance (as well as wattage/amperage) increases. Otherwise how would the system know the position and/or volume/pressure? I would have to assume the module is using a combination of that and the height position sensors etc. But hey, I could be completely wrong.

 

[Left Coast Geek]

a solenoid actuator against a spring, the position will be proportional to the current. my guess is, the controller uses PWM to vary the voltage/current. The coil of the solenoid will be fairly constant impedance.

 

[5280tunage]

i'll take your word for it, something just tells me it's not that simple. I would have to imagine there are power-on self tests that might use more than one measurement. Having said that, and i haven't looked, is there a test you can initiate via forscan for testing your hypothesis?

 

[GixxerJasen]

IIRC, Icon was working on a delete for our SUV's. Supposedly they came up with one for the F150 but I haven't seen one for the Expedition. I think someone tried it with the Expedition and it worked for the most part except for an annoying message on the dash. If it were as easy as a resistor, I'm sure Icon would be cranking those things out to get people to switch over to their suspension, while making a killing on the "Delete Kit." I haven't looked into it in a while, so I'll grab some popcorn and see what you are able to find as I might be interested in the future.

 

[Rednecked]

IIRC, Icon was working on a delete for our SUV's. Supposedly they came up with one for the F150 but I haven't seen one for the Expedition. I think someone tried it with the Expedition and it worked for the most part except for an annoying message on the dash. If it were as easy as a resistor, I'm sure Icon would be cranking those things out to get people to switch over to their suspension, while making a killing on the "Delete Kit." I haven't looked into it in a while, so I'll grab some popcorn and see what you are able to find as I might be interested in the future.

I was at the sand show in California earlier this year. Went to the icon booth and specifically asked if the delete device would work for the Expedtions with CCD suspension. The gentleman said they tested it on an expedition and it started doing all kinds of funny things. The demand is not great enough for them to figure it out. So us with the CCD BS is S.O.L. Sorry. lol

 

[caddelma]

Off-road Research has a device that is supposed to allow non-CCD shocks to be used. This is supposed to work for up to 2021, even though listing only goes to 2020. Pricey for what it is, not aware of anyone actually trying it yet.

https://www.orrsrch.com/product-page/orrsrch-raptor-gen2-did-damper-interface-device

 

[XeBeast]

The CCD shocks uses a magnetic fluid not a valve that opens and closes.

 

[caddelma]

Has any one ever tried to remove the "bung" on the side of the shock to "fool" the system in to thinking the CCD shocks are still installed?

 

[5280tunage]

The CCD shocks uses a magnetic fluid not a valve that opens and closes.

Not sure I completely believe this. Almost ever CCD manufacturer uses electromagnetic valves that manipulate fluid flow. For example, this video, at about 2.40 shows the exact functionality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80PI8d1dXdo. Same with this video, but not as much detail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jQZwajws4E

What good would a magnetic fluid do? Everything in the suspension is made of ferrous materials, the fluid would be "attracted" to everything around it. anyone have anything that shows otherwise?

 

[Fizzy]

Not sure I completely believe this. Almost ever CCD manufacturer uses electromagnetic valves that manipulate fluid flow. For example, this video, at about 2.40 shows the exact functionality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80PI8d1dXdo. Same with this video, but not as much detail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jQZwajws4E

What good would a magnetic fluid do? Everything in the suspension is made of ferrous materials, the fluid would be "attracted" to everything around it. anyone have anything that shows otherwise?

It's called "Magneride". A GM innovation, that Ford uses in some vehicles, but not the Expedition CCD by the looks of it.

The dampers are filled with magnetorheological fluid, a mixture of easily magnetized iron particles in a synthetic hydrocarbon oil. In each of the monotube dampers is a piston containing two electromagnetic coils and two small fluid passages through the piston. The electromagnets are able to create a variable magnetic field across the fluid passages. When the magnets are off, the fluid travels through the passages freely. When the magnets are turned on, the iron particles in the fluid create a fibrous structure through the passages in the same direction as the magnetic field. The strength of the bonds between the magnetized iron particles causes the effective viscosity of the fluid to increase resulting in a stiffer suspension. Altering the strength of the current results in an instantaneous change in force of the piston. If the sensors sense any body roll, they communicate the information to the ECU. The ECU will compensate for this by changing the strength of the current to the appropriate dampers.

 

[5280tunage]

thanks @Fizzy that makes a lot more sense.

 

[bb37]

This is the magneto-hydraulic system that GM and other manufacturers use: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetorheological_damper

 

[Bugzi1776]

At 76000 miles, my CCD are getting kinda bouncy. I swapped out the 22" wheels for 18", so I doubt I really need CCDS, and I'm thinking of using conventional Bilsteins.

I've gone over the wiring diagram, and as far as I can tell, the CCD shocks just have 2 wires into them which I'm assuming go to a solenoid hydraulic valve actuator , so I am thinking I can just connect those with an appropriate sized resistor and fool the CCD detection. Has anyone done this, and happen to know what size resistor worked? Guessing it would need to be a relatively large wattage resistor, like 25W or something, as its replacing a solenoid actuator of some sort inside the CCD shock, and of course, 4 of them, 1 for each shock.

Any updates on this? Have you looked into the device that @caddelma mentioned?

 

[Bugzi1776]

Off-road Research has a device that is supposed to allow non-CCD shocks to be used. This is supposed to work for up to 2021, even though listing only goes to 2020. Pricey for what it is, not aware of anyone actually trying it yet.

https://www.orrsrch.com/product-page/orrsrch-raptor-gen2-did-damper-interface-device

Thank you! You’ve helped me narrow down where to get the correct defeat devices!

The ORR_DID2 and 3 will both work on Expeditions (2018-2020 & 2021+), you just have to figure out which CCD module you have. For example, my 2021 has the older generation module so I will get the 2018-2020 device per ORR support.

I plan on getting FCS struts for my replacement. Thought about Blisteins but they don’t make a bolt on, ICONS’s are too rich for my blood.

 

[Left Coast Geek]

Any updates on this? Have you looked into the device that @caddelma mentioned?

I'm at about 80,000 miles and haven't done anything with the suspension yet.

 

[Mr Big]

I personally would never get rid of CCD. Normal and eco are pretty bouncy at times but very smooth. I love sport mode, except it shifts a little bit too aggressive.

 

[GixxerJasen]

I personally would never get rid of CCD. Normal and eco are pretty bouncy at times but very smooth. I love sport mode, except it shifts a little bit too aggressive.

I'll never understand why manufacturers won't let you be more granular with your choices. I hate having everything bundled. Shift like normal with sport suspension. LET ME CHOOSE!

 

[Fastcar]

I personally would never get rid of CCD. Normal and eco are pretty bouncy at times but very smooth. I love sport mode, except it shifts a little bit too aggressive.

I agree! I sorta think that removing it is going to be a nightmare. I don't get why folks want to remove it.

 

[Fizzy]

I'll never understand why manufacturers won't let you be more granular with your choices. I hate having everything bundled. Shift like normal with sport suspension. LET ME CHOOSE!

Our Audi allows this. It has the canned modes - Dynamic, Comfort, Normal, Eco etc - but then there's an Individual mode, where you can choose how you want each setting - suspension, engine, steering, etc. Always thought that was cool.