G.O.A.T. Modes
What is a G.O.A.T Mode?
G.O.A.T stands for Goes Over Any Terrain (technically the lawyers say Goes Over Any Type of Terrain, but the acronym for that is G.O.A.T.O.T, so we're going to keep it simple).
G.O.A.T. Modes are primarily combinations of Transfer Case and Hero Bar settings that are reasonable starting points for the conditions they describe. They can also adjust throttle sensitivity, steering feel, as well as transmission shift points which are things we can't access without using a G.O.A.T mode.
What do each of the G.O.A.T. Modes Do?
There are a total of 8 G.O.A.T. Modes available across the different trim levels (technically there are a couple more if we include the Raptor, but for now we are talking about non-Raptor versions), but the most in any vehicle directly from Ford is 7.
Normal
Transfer Case Setting
2H
Available Transfer Case Settings
2H, 4H, 4A, 4L
Traction Control Setting
Normal
Front Locking Differential
Off
Front Locking Options
Off, On
Rear Locking Differential
Off
Rear Locking Options
Off, On
Throttle
Normal
Steering
Normal
Sta-Bar Disconnect
Off
Sta-Bar Options
On, Off
Eco
Transfer Case Setting
2H
Available Transfer Case Settings
2H, 4H, 4A
Traction Control Setting
Normal
Front Locking Differential
Off
Front Locking Options
Off
Rear Locking Differential
Off
Rear Locking Options
Off, On
Throttle
Soft
Steering
Soft
Sta-Bar Disconnect
Off
Sta-Bar Options
Off
Sport (4)
Transfer Case Setting
4A
Available Transfer Case Settings
2H, 4A, 4L
Traction Control Setting
Off
Front Locking Differential
Off
Front Locking Options
Off
Rear Locking Differential
Off
Rear Locking Options
Off, On
Throttle
Aggressive
Steering
Tight
Sta-Bar Disconnect
Off
Sta-Bar Options
Off
Slippery (5)
Transfer Case Setting
4A
Available Transfer Case Settings
4A, 4H, 4L
Traction Control Setting
Extra
Front Locking Differential
Off
Front Locking Options
Off, On
Rear Locking Differential
Off
Rear Locking Options
Off, On
Throttle
Soft
Steering
Soft
Sta-Bar Disconnect
Off
Sta-Bar Options
Off
Sand
Transfer Case Setting
4H
Available Transfer Case Settings
4H, 4L
Traction Control Setting
Extra
Front Locking Differential
Off
Front Locking Options
Off, On
Rear Locking Differential
On
Rear Locking Options
Off, On
Throttle
Aggressive
Steering
Soft
Sta-Bar Disconnect
Off
Sta-Bar Options
Off, On
Mud and Ruts
Transfer Case Setting
4H
Available Transfer Case Settings
4H, 4L
Traction Control Setting
Off
Front Locking Differential
Off
Front Locking Options
Off, On
Rear Locking Differential
On
Rear Locking Options
Off, On
Throttle
Normal
Steering
Soft
Sta-Bar Disconnect
Off
Sta-Bar Options
Off, On
Rock Crawl
Transfer Case Setting
4L
Available Transfer Case Settings
4L
Traction Control Setting
Off
Front Locking Differential
Off
Front Locking Options
Off, On
Rear Locking Differential
On
Rear Locking Options
Off, On
Throttle
Soft
Steering
Tight
Sta-Bar Disconnect
On
Sta-Bar Options
Off, On
Baja
Transfer Case Setting
4H
Available Transfer Case Settings
4H, 4L
Traction Control Setting
Off
Front Locking Differential
Off
Front Locking Options
Off, On
Rear Locking Differential
On
Rear Locking Options
Off, On
Throttle
Aggressive
Steering
Tight
Sta-Bar Disconnect
Off
Sta-Bar Options
Off, On
| Mode | Icon | Transfer Case Setting | Available Transfer Case Settings | Traction Control Setting | Front Locking Differential | Front Locking Options | Rear Locking Differential | Rear Locking Options | Throttle | Steering | Sta-Bar Disconnect | Sta-Bar Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | | 2H | 2H, 4H, 4A, 4L | Normal | Off | Off, On | Off | Off, On | Normal | Normal | Off | On, Off |
| Eco | | 2H | 2H, 4H, 4A | Normal | Off | Off | Off | Off, On | Soft | Soft | Off | Off |
| Sport 4 | | 4A | 2H, 4A, 4L | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off, On | Aggressive | Tight | Off | Off |
| Slippery 5 | | 4A | 4A, 4H, 4L | Extra | Off | Off, On | Off | Off, On | Soft | Soft | Off | Off |
| Sand | | 4H | 4H, 4L | Extra | Off | Off, On | On | Off, On | Aggressive | Soft | Off | Off, On |
| Mud and Ruts | | 4H | 4H, 4L | Off | Off | Off, On | On | Off, On | Normal | Soft | Off | Off, On |
| Rock Crawl | | 4L | 4L | Off | Off | Off, On | On | Off, On | Soft | Tight | On | Off, On |
| Baja | | 4H | 4H, 4L | Off | Off | Off, On | On | Off, On | Aggressive | Tight | Off | Off, On |
- Only available in 4L. Only available when going under 20mph. Will automatically disconnect at speeds over 25mph
- In Normal, Eco, Sport, or Slippery mode, Only available when going under 20mph in 4H. In Sand, Mud and Ruts, Baja, or Rock Crawl modes, can be engaged at any speed.
- The Stabilizer Bar Disconnect can only be operated in 4H and 4L (i.e. not in 2H or 4A).
- Vehicles not equipped with the Advanced Transfer Case will be in 2H in Sport mode, rather than 4A.
- Vehicles not equipped with the Advanced Transfer Case will be in 4H in Slippery mode, rather than 4A.
What models have what Goat Modes?
| Model | Normal | Eco | Sport | Slippery | Sand | Mud and Ruts | Rock Crawl | Baja |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | X | X |
| Big Bend | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | X |
| Black Diamond | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X |
| Outer Banks | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | X |
| Badlands | ✔ | ✔ | X | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Wildtrack | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | ✔ |
| First Edition | ✔ | ✔ | X | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Everglades | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X |
| Heritage | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | X | X |
| Heritage Limited | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X |