Certain programming options are available depending on the MY.
FORScan is a free tool that interfaces with certain OBD2 adapters. More information is available here.
FORScan can read and reset all Ford diagnostic trouble codes (most other OBD2 readers can only read standard codes) and can run certain diagnostic and service procedures. It can also monitor all live data sent over OBD2 for diagnostic purposes. Most importantly, it can program many things and change many settings on your car!
FORScan requires an Extended License for the more fun options. A 90-day extended license can be obtained by signing up on their forum and applying here.
If you wish to continue using FORScan after the license expires, simply apply for another.
You will need a Windows laptop to use FORScan. While mobile apps are available, they are not free and cannot perform the more important functions.
You will also need an OBD2 device. The BAFX OBD2 Diagnostic Interface is confirmed to work. Refer to the FORScan website for other compatible adapters. You should use a Bluetooth OBD2 adapter, which will require that your laptop supports Bluetooth. If it does not, many small and cheap USB Bluetooth adapters are available online.
If you are using a USB OBD2 device, you do not need Bluetooth, but USB is not recommended because it prevents you from using the device with your phone through another app, such as Torque. There are also some known issues with USB OBD2 devices, specifically with speed.
If you are using a WiFi OBD2 adapter, you do not need Bluetooth, but the adapter may not be supported by your phone. Additionally, while connected, you will not be able to access the internet on your laptop over WiFi.
On 98-05 vehicles, FORScan is somewhat limited. On 06-11 vehicles, due to the addition of CAN bus, FORScan supports many more options. Therefore, unless noted below, these features are only known to be supported on 06-11 vehicles. Note also that not all 06-11 vehicles are guaranteed to support all of these features - some may be added or removed based on FORScan’s knowledge of what each bit in the module settings does! Additionally, some of these features can be enabled and disabled through programming procedures listed in the Owner’s Manual.
Note that these features are not organized in any specific fashion and might require some searching to find them all.
To access settings that are not preprogrammed into FORScan, such as TPMS, you will need to configure modules using the "As-Built" format. For more information on working with this data, see the As-Built Data section.
Ford IDS is a proprietary software package maintained by Ford that allows technicians to reprogram all reprogrammable things in Panther cars. Its main benefit over FORScan is the ability to reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which allows for enabling and disabling cruise control (officially called “Speed Control”). IDS can also perform a variety of other service procedures that FORScan does not (yet) know how to do. It is shown in detail here (page archive, PDF archive).
Only Ford dealers and higher-end mechanics have IDS. The IDS software requires a specific OBD2 adapter called a VCM that is very difficult to come by at a reasonable price for home gamers. Worse, even with the VCM, the IDS software requires a license fee of around $700 per year. Unless you are planning on enabling cruise control on a fleet of multiple Panthers, it is cheaper to just go to the dealer. Most dealers will charge $100-400 for a diagnostic charge of hooking up IDS, which should take less than an hour, assuming you can convince them it’s an option.
If you are the risk-friendly type, IDS/VCM clones exist out of China that supposedly will work but use old versions of IDS (not like that matters much for Panthers) and are not guaranteed to work at all. These can go for $100-200. If you can find somewhere that will let you return it if it doesn’t work, go for it - the dealer will charge you that much, if not more, for an hour of labor anyway.