AsBuilt Data is a Ford-centric term for electronic module configuration data. AsBuilt Data allows for 2 modules of the same part number to have a separate set of features that. This means that by changing AsBuilt Data you are able to change various different properties of an electronic module or enable and disable features that your vehicle has hidden in it’s software.
VehicleLink allows for the reconfiguration of AsBuilt Data to allow users to customize their Ford and Lincoln vehicles. VehicleLink offers data reconfiguration in 2 seperate forms: raw data and automated configurations.
Automated Configurations allow users to customize their vehicles and enable new features in the safest way possible. Automated Configurations are single button functions that read your existing AsBuilt Data, make the desired alteration to it, and then write your AsBuilt Data back to the module. Every automated configuration is tested by VehicleLink’s development team to ensure that it’s both A) Going to do exactly as it says it will do and B) It’s going to allow for the reconfiguration process to be as easy and as safe as possible. The only downside to Automated Configurations is that each feature has to be confirmed by the development team and tested before it is added. This may mean that not every feature that can be reconfigured is available as an Automated Configuration.
Raw Data is only for experienced users. Raw Data refers to the act of reading the AsBuilt Data from a module using VehicleLink, manually making changes to the AsBuilt Data and then using VehicleLink to write it back to the module. Raw Data manipulation is a potentially dangerous process and is for those who are far more experienced with AsBuilt Data.
We’ve provided a bit of a FAQ below to answer many of the most common questions about AsBuilt Data.
Q: Does every Ford Vehicle have AsBuilt Data?
A: The vast majority of Ford vehicles produced after 2004 do have AsBuilt Data. However in vehicles prior to 2010 there are very few options that are available for reconfiguration.
Q: Does every module have AsBuilt Data?
A: No. Many modules do not have AsBuilt Data, however newer vehicles do have increasing amounts of modules with AsBuiltData.
Q: Is every option on a module available through AsBuilt Data?
A: No. Many options exist that cannot be changed by AsBuilt Data. However VehicleLink does not currently support that sort of data manipulation.
Q: Do modules with the same part number have the same AsBuilt Data?
A: No. AsBuilt Data is unique to each vehicle.
Q: Is AsBuilt Data Reconfiguration dangerous?
A: AsBuilt Data Reconfiguration can be dangerous. If a vehicle battery is low, an attempt to reconfigure the AsBuilt Data can lead to the failure of a module. VehicleLink recommends all AsBuilt Data reconfiguration be done with a battery tender or booster box if you’re unsure about how strong a vehicle’s battery is.