alt Hacker NewsMy experience is J2534 support is sketchy and if you want to do the things you actually want to do you need a manufacturer approved device with an insane markup. Also the subscriptions are insanely expensive, not even close to reasonable and you need to be a company (at least you used to be with Ford last time I checked, but they accept the UK or Dutch royal residence as a valid company location so there is that...)
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bigfatkitten • today at 7:50 AM
> at least you used to be with Ford last time I checked
Certainly not any time in the last 15 years that I’ve been buying IDS/FDRS and service manual access.
What about using ForSCAN? It allows anyone with the software and a dongle to monitor and to update modules in the ECU AFAIK. I paid under $100 (can't remember) for a dongle and downloaded the free software and it is extremely handy working on one of my vehicles. The other two Fords I own are both pre-OBDII so there is less bullshit on them to begin with. Ford forums are full of owners who use ForSCAN to modify their vehicle's operation. Lots of hacks available.
Just do as /u/bigfatkitten suggests and get the service manuals when you purchase the vehicle.