Question for owners of GDE TCM tune

buddy357 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2015 2:42 pm

Those that own either of the TCM tunes, I was hoping for your input. The timing belt should be done in a few weeks and I am already planning for the next upgrades. I know I want to get a TCM tune, but I'm not sure which one. I don't drive it much right now; I plan to drive the jeep round-trip from Baltimore to Raleigh (interstate) regularly, with some camping trips each summer to the mountains, and occasional towing (I'm thinking about getting a teardrop).

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2015 3:58 pm

Occasional towing, I'd go Ecotune, or get both and the device to switch between the two. :2cents:

flash7210 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:29 pm

Mountainman wrote:

Occasional towing, I'd go Ecotune, or get both and the device to switch between the two. :2cents:

what device is that?

Genericly · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:45 pm

Gde sells their flash tool as well as their tunes, so I imagine he's referencing loading both, and swapping. With aforementioned flash tool.

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Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:05 pm

ah yes, flash tool, I couldn't remember. As a side note, I've towed a LOT with a stock tune before the GDE tune and never had a problem with it. I guess I hit the OD off button, or shifted in 2nd...
I think the ECO tune for the trans is excellent for MPG's.

buddy357 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:09 pm

I already have both the hot and eco tune for the ECM. I run the eco now and get a tiny amount of shudder going uphill on really big hills at about 55-60. I only had that going up to the blue ridge parkway. I am waiting till I get a new TC to run the hot tune.

Sorry for the confusion, I meant the transmission tune. I am tempted to get the towing tune, but don't know if my use would be better served by the eco or the towing tune. That's why I included my intended uses

"I plan to drive the jeep round-trip from Baltimore to Raleigh (interstate) regularly, with some camping trips each summer to the mountains, and occasional towing (I'm thinking about getting a teardrop)."

I was hoping for input from those who have either to see how their use worked with either. I haven't been driving the libby much lately, I have a company car now that I get taxed on. But I want this to be a weekends with my boy vehicle, camping and exploring the south and mideast.

Thanks.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:14 pm

No sweat, I caught that. I was talking about the trans tunes, but maybe I'm calling them the wrong things. I thought they were ECO and Tow? :JEEPIN:

buddy357 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:25 pm

Ok. Based on the first couple responses, I thought I didn't say it well enough. I know the flash tool doesn't work, you have to send the TCM in, was the other reason I wasnt sure. The TCM tunes are ECO and TOW. I have neither and am not sure I'll tow enough or be in the mountains enough to make the TOW tune worth while. Thats why I was hoping for input.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:27 pm

Oh, but the Eco trans tune shift points might suck while towing, but then again, the grades in Appalachia aren't all that long or steep. If the trailer is under 4k lbs I wouldn't think it would be too bad, but I haven't towed heavy with the eco trans tune...

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:30 pm

buddy357 wrote:

Ok. Based on the first couple responses, I thought I didn't say it well enough. I know the flash tool doesn't work, you have to send the TCM in, was the other reason I wasnt sure. The TCM tunes are ECO and TOW. I have neither and am not sure I'll tow enough or be in the mountains enough to make the TOW tune worth while. Thats why I was hoping for input.

you can't switch the trans tunes with the tool? oh, that's right. Someone on here switches in between, but they have two TCMs! :banghead:

I would stay away from the tow tune unless I had two TCMs. Hopefully that helps

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:31 pm

flash7210 wrote:

Mountainman wrote:

Occasional towing, I'd go Ecotune, or get both and the device to switch between the two. :2cents:

what device is that?

95Z28A4 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:53 am **Posts:** 297

I have been running the GDE full torque ECO engine tune for 33k miles. It is definitely worth the money. I installed a TCM with the ECO tune this past weekend. Transmission behavior is different. The torque converter lock-ups in 5th gear at 58 MPH and stays locked down to 50 MPH. We haven't run a full tank of fuel through it since the installation, but I am expecting to see improved MPG. Our CRD has the stock converter. We have not yet experienced shudder.

I delayed ordering the TCM tune because I didn't want to give up the stock tune without knowing the full impact of the GDE TCM tune. Doing a TCM swap with GDE will cost $350 ($300 for tune + $50 for exchange). The alternative is to ship your TCM to GDE, have them program your TCM and ship it back to you ($300). I didn't like either option. Instead, I purchased a salvage yard TCM for $100, tested it in our CRD for a week and sent that one to GDE to be flashed. I have the original TCM stored in my shop as a spare.

I also purchased a salvage yard TCM from a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with 5.7L hemi for $25 shipped. It looks exactly like the Liberty CRD TCM. The Dodge Ram TCMs are more available and less expensive than the Liberty CRD TCMs I sent the Dodge Ram TCM to GDE for them to experiment with. If the Dodge Ram TCM will accept a CRD transmission tune, it could be a source of spare TCMs for the Liberty CRD.

ROKTAXI · **Posted:** Wed Nov 04, 2015 7:15 pm

95Z28A4 wrote:

......If the Dodge Ram TCM will accept a CRD transmission tune, it could be a source of spare TCMs for the Liberty CRD.

I would like to hear the outcome of this.

95Z28A4 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:53 am **Posts:** 297

ROKTAXI wrote:

95Z28A4 wrote:

......If the Dodge Ram TCM will accept a CRD transmission tune, it could be a source of spare TCMs for the Liberty CRD.

I would like to hear the outcome of this.

I sent them the Dodge Ram TCM to GDE to keep and experiment with. I do not expect them to give me an update. If you're interested, call or email GDE.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2015 9:11 pm

I also bought a ram tcm and when I asked gde last fall he was not positive it would work. I don't see why it wouldnt. It was cheap on eBay so I also considered doing both.

jws84_02 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2015 9:49 pm

Search on here guys for the ram tcm thread. A few of us have been running them. I'm going on 2 years with mine. I would compare shift points and lock up close to the "Eco" tcm.

buddy357 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2015 10:52 pm

I think I will try the tow tcm tune. I haven't heard from anyone with it, but since I do a lot of highway and a little towing. If not, I suppose I'll end up with the other.

geordi · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2015 11:08 pm

Hey Bud, I had the Eco trans tune, and towed way heavier than a teardrop with it. No worries at all, and very well behaved.

What does your schedule look like for the next week starting on next Thursday? I'm going up the East Coast to NY, can get you on the way up or back. All your parts are already in the car.

ChooChooman74 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:14 am

I have a TCM tune. I towed 3500 miles this summer. Mine is custom with 5th gear shifting at 62 MPH. I have a full sized Rockwood Roo 183 weighing about 4500lbs. I tow at 60MPH. I also commute to Boston and surrounding arwas for work. Any questions, PM me.

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buddy357 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:51 am

Jim , Whatever works best for you. I am good for thursday the 12th through maybe wednesday the next week. I just need to let my manager know.

Question for owners of GDE TCM tune

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