Part #: U7158
1999-2004 SVT Lightning
2002-2004 Harley Davidson F150
DiabloSport Edition
In order to do a update your Predator to the latest revision, please follow the instructions below. If you have any questions concerning any of the below directions, please feel free to contact us.
Table of Contents1:
Serial Cable:
Standard straight-through DB9 (9-pin to 9-pin) RS232C serial cable (6 foot cable
is more than enough). Check your computer to see if you have a male or a female
port on the back, as some are different. You will need a male end to go into
your Predator.
(Radio Shack Part # 26-117, 6-ft DB9 male to DB9 female shielded cable.)
2:
Power Adapter:
CLASS 2 TRANSFORMER
OUTPUT : 12VDC 1000mA (1 Amp)
(Radio
Shack Part # 273-1776)
Note: Plug Tip is 2.5mm x 5.5mm, female, and center is positive.
(Radio Shack Part # 273-1717)
Radio Shack normally carries both of these items. Most Wal-Marts have the Power Adapter (multi output version).
Note: If you have a laptop, you can use the vehicle's power to power up the Predator, instead of using a Power Adapter, and just do the following with your laptop and Predator inside of your vehicle.
First download/save the
Next you need to download the update file. In order to find out which update file is compatible with your tool, please power-up your Predator and watch for the second screen:
- If the second screen shows a Progress Bar with text "Booting ford_gas", download Predator Ford Lightning 8r9_for_ford_gas by right-clicking and choosing "Save Link Target As". You might want to choose the same directory as for the downloader program.
- If the second screen shows a Progress Bar with text "Booting lightning", download Predator Ford Lightning 8r9 by right-clicking and choosing "Save Link Target As". You might want to choose the same directory as for the downloader program.
Step 1: VERY IMPORTANT!!!
You MUST return your vehicle to the factory calibration before proceeding further. Per the instructions, on your Predator's main menu, please go to "Options, Troubleshooting, Restore Original Backup", and follow through the prompts. This will restore the Original Backup into the pcm.
Step 2: Hook
your Predator up to your PC via the Serial Cable.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT power the Predator on via the
power adapter yet.
Step 3: Open up
your Ford Predator Downloader software (FordDownloader.exe) on your PC, click
"Download Program to Ford Predator", point the "Open, Look in:" box to the
directory where you have downloaded the Update file (the "Desktop"
was recommended earlier), click on the file, and then select "Open". The Ford
Predator Downloader software will now state "Waiting for Communication" in the
lower left hand corner.
Step 4: Plug your power adapter into the Predator (if you are using the power from the vehicle, instead of a power adapter, please plug your Predator into your vehicle at this time). The Predator will power up, start to boot, and state that it is "Booting " on the screen with an hourglass in the middle. After a few moments, the Ford Predator Programmer Interface will start showing a packet transfer on the lower left hand corner, counting up. This process takes approx. 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the speed of your PC. When done, it will state "Download Complete". Click on "OK". Your Predator will now finish booting up. Once it fully boots up, take note of the revision #. It should now state "Predator v.7rXX", as this is the latest revision currently released by DiabloSport. If you have made it to this point without any issues, please continue to "Step 5" further below. If you are having issues, please see the "Note" directly below.
Note: If you encounter time outs, or if you aren't getting any communication between the computer and Predator, or if your Predator just boots up fully to the main screen without attempting to update, you may need to set your Ford Predator Downloader software, the Predator, and your Computer to all be on the same settings (COM selection & Baud Rate), and/or you may be using the wrong COM port (if you have more than one). Please follow the directions below to set up your COM selections & Baud Rates, but only if you are having issues with communication.
Computer: To check what COM port your computer is using (COM1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), go "right click" on "My Computer" and hit "Properties", then click on "Hardware", then "Device Manager", then click on the "+" sign next to "Ports (COM & LPT)". It will tell you out next to "Communications Port" what your COM port setting is (ex: COM1). Go ahead and "double click" on "Communications Port", then click on the "Port Settings" tab at the top. Please attempt to try 115200 for a baud rate setting first.
Software: Open the Ford Predator Downloader software (FordDownloader.exe) on your computer, go to "Options, Port Settings", and ensure that the proper COM port is selected to match what COM port that your computer is using, as well as matching up the baud rate (default on the software is 115200). Please attempt to try 115200 for a baud rate setting first.
Predator: You can change the Predator's baud rate by going from the Predator's main menu to "Options, Serial Baud". Default on the Predator is 57600 with 115200 as an option. Please attempt to try 115200 for a baud rate setting first.
Note:
If using 115200 does not work, please change the PC software to 57600 and try all the steps above, again.
If you still cannot get the Predator to update, you will need to use our new DSdownloader Rev.1.2.6.0 application.
Step 5: You may now install the Predator's tuning into your vehicle as you normally would using the instructions that came with your Predator.
If
you have any questions concerning any of the above directions, please feel free
to contact us.
Windows DAT Viewer for Ford
The DAT (Data Acquisition Tool) Viewer is a Windows based PC software allowing you to view graphically on your PC the live data obtained using the logging feature of your Predator for Ford.
Documentation
(To download: right-click, select "Save Link Target As" and save to your PC)