thought I'd order a new GEM since I have all the symptoms of one that has gone out. Got it from the dealer today but in the box is a sheet that says the programming must be downloaded from the old one then installed into the new one. I have also read online to just put the new one in with no other install but puttting it in and hooking it up. Which is right? Do I need to go to a dealer to get this damned thing put in?

 

What year do you have? Did you have to give your vin# when you bought the GEM?

 

I have a 99 f150 4x4 5.4 only option when I ordered was to get it for a 2x or 4x

 

Should be a plug and play. Might want to read this to know what to expect: https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...ctrical+module

 

There were two versions of the 4X4 GEM modules: one each for manual or electronic shift on the fly systems.

The factory service manual explicitly states that the existing module's configuration has to be uploaded into the NGS then downloaded into the new GEM module. Barring that upload, the as-built data needs to be programmed into the new module using data pulled from Ford's archive.

Steve

 

Thanks for the correction Steve, didn't dig deep enough. Thought with the vin applied the GEM would have correct program loaded.
I've had a question about who will hold all the software applications for the GEMs and PCMs? Looks like Ford only supports 10yrs back so what about a 15yr old F150?