Tow/Haul Overdrive Lockout

[jhpfennig]

I have a 2005 3500 4x4 with a 4. 10 ratio that I occasionally use to tow my toy hauler 5er. Jim Anderson suggested I do a computer reflash TSB # 21-006-07. Has anyone done this and what will it change when the tow/haul mode is selected ? If I'm correct it will lock out overdrive when activated. I don't want my rpms to change as I like to stay in the 1900-2100 range while cruising @ 65 mph. A thorough explanation would be appreciated. I'm hesitant to do a computer reflash as there is is no reversing it. I made the mistake of doing the deal where the horn blows with the door open while the transmission is in gear. Tough to back into a campsite without sometimes hanging out the door. If you're dumb enough to fall out, oh well ! Thanks for your help.

 

[p-Bar]

Here ya go verbatim:
Date: March 20, 2007

THE DRBIII FLASH FILES FOR THIS BULLETIN ARE AVAILABLE ON DealerCONNECT.

Models: 2005 (DH) Ram Truck (2500/3500)

NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 5. 9L Cummins turbo-diesel engine
and a 48RE automatic transmission (sales codes ETH and DGB respectively).

Overview:
This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Cummins Engine Control
Module (ECM) with new software.

Symptom/Condition:
1. The following enhancement is included with this software:
a. A new 48RE transmission feature that will allow normal shift schedule with full
disable of 4th gear (overdrive gear), when the customer selects the Over-Drive
(O/D) switch.

Prior to the implementation of this new transmission feature, the use of the O/D switch
changed the automatic transmission shift schedule from a "normal" shift schedule to a
tow/haul mode shift schedule, and allowed 4th gear (overdrive gear) engagement

This new transmission feature will not change the transmission shift schedule, but will
allow full 4th gear overdrive disable (lock out). With this new feature the customer
will have the "normal' shift schedule with NO overdrive (4th gear).

NOTE: To enable the new 4th gear disable feature, the ECM must first be
reprogrammed (flashed) with the latest software level, and then the 4th gear disable
feature "O/D OFF ENABLE" must be selected (turned on) using the DRBIII.

Tow/haul mode is not an available feature whenever the DRBIII has enabled the "O/D OFF ENABLE" selection.

 

[Bob4x4]

The change is able to be turned on and off with the drb. For those with a larger turbo or oversize tires it works great. It will allow you to turn off the overdrive with a touch of the button with out the need to push the peddle through the floor.

Yes the 06 guys have it both,tow/haul or od on/off

 

[JJPage]

The change is able to be turned on and off with the drb. For those with a larger turbo or oversize tires it works great. It will allow you to turn off the overdrive with a touch of the button with out the need to push the peddle through the floor.

Yes the 06 guys have it both,tow/haul or od on/off

So basically it changes the 2005 tow/haul feature to mimic the behavior of 03/04 OD Lockout ?

 

[jhpfennig]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure what you mean by the O/D switch. I only have the tow/haul button on the shift lever. Please explain.

 

[HBarlow]

Be careful and think that through before you ask a dealer service department to reflash your ECM.

I may be mistaken but IIRC my '06 w/48RE had both an overdrive lockout and a Tow/Haul select. A single tap of the button in the end of the shift lever would select one, a double tap (no pun intended) would select the other. I could select one or the other but not both.

My understanding was that the '05 only had a single tap capability allowing selection of Tow/Haul mode but not OD lockout. Please, someone who owns an unmolested '05 correct me if I am wrong.

If the OP has the reflash done I think he will gain the ability to select OD lockout but lose the ability to select Tow/Haul mode. Bob or Sag2, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[cerberusiam]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure what you mean by the O/D switch. I only have the tow/haul button on the shift lever. Please explain.

Your TH then becomes an OD off button, thats all.



Don't do it, its a step backwards. The flash looses the TH features that were so much better in the 05 TCM on shifting and lockup. Instead of having the ability to tune a better shift\lockup algorithm your stuck with simplistic 03-04 standard program that is too soft and not aggressive enough. The lockup in drive is not agressive enough nor does it hold long enough to be worth it.



If you tow, the TC is locking\unlocking constantly and the shift patterns are soft. A better solution is BD's OD Controller. With it you get the abiltity to lockuout OD and retain the better shift\lockup strategies. Makes it even better than the 06's.

 

[HBarlow]

Your TH then becomes an OD off button, thats all.

Don't do it, its a step backwards. The flash looses the TH features that were so much better in the 05 TCM on shifting and lockup. Instead of having the ability to tune a better shift\lockup algorithm your stuck with simplistic 03-04 standard program that is too soft and not aggressive enough. The lockup in drive is not agressive enough nor does it hold long enough to be worth it.

If you tow, the TC is locking\unlocking constantly and the shift patterns are soft. A better solution is BD's OD Controller. With it you get the abiltity to lockuout OD and retain the better shift\lockup strategies. Makes it even better than the 06's.

That's what I was thinking!

OP, follow cerberusiam's advice! I promise you you do not want to trade Tow/Haul mode for OD lockout.

 

[Bob4x4]

You can go back and forth-the drb just enables it for what you are doing and how your truck is built

 

[Bob4x4]

Your TH then becomes an OD off button, thats all.



Don't do it, its a step backwards. The flash looses the TH features that were so much better in the 05 TCM on shifting and lockup. Instead of having the ability to tune a better shift\lockup algorithm your stuck with simplistic 03-04 standard program that is too soft and not aggressive enough. The lockup in drive is not agressive enough nor does it hold long enough to be worth it.



If you tow, the TC is locking\unlocking constantly and the shift patterns are soft. A better solution is BD's OD Controller. With it you get the abiltity to lockuout OD and retain the better shift\lockup strategies. Makes it even better than the 06's.

My shifts are fine and it does not lock and unlock when the button is set for od off

 

[cerberusiam]

You can go back and forth-the drb just enables it for what you are doing and how your truck is built

Better clarify that a little better. You can go back and forth with a DRB but thats $100 per change at a delaer, not the driveway. Not everybody has a DRB like you.

My shifts are fine and it does not lock and unlock when the button is set for od off

"Fine" is a subjective word to how its being driven and modifications to the transmission. The shifts are great on mine without TH also, but, the trans has been modified. On a stock trans they are OK but not up to the level they need to be.



Unless Dodge has finally done what they promised, the TH feature is gone with the reflash. The shift points and lockup are no where near what the native TH gives on a STOCK transmission. Lockup in drive is not as firm or holds as well as TH on a stock unit. Modified transmission is a totally different story.



The differences are subjective, but, SOP comparisons are substantial between OD off and OD lockout box. Having driven both I would not even consider the factory flash as adequate unless it was a grocery getter. Even then it still is not what I would opt for.

 

[AMcCormick]

the BD lock out works well. I had a hard time towing with out constantly forcing the downshift. Daily driving I drive in the T/H mode on o/d engaged. Romping in the dirt o/d is locked out. Towing really heavy o/d locked out and in t/h. Moderate towing I shift in and out as the terrain dictates. I almost did the reflash and am glad I did not

 

[Bob4x4]

Anybody who has driven or ridden in my truck has been impressed with the way it shifts and runs To satisfy you I should have said it shifts great..... not fine

Tow haul has not gone away it just has to be turned back on. I don't know any serious CTD guys who don't have good access to a friend with a drb.

For all the guys with programmers to get the tow haul back just reprogramming to a different power level will bring back the tow haul as it is the default mode.



I know this site is all about selling modifications,some don't want or need to spend money to be happy with their trucks.

 

[cerberusiam]

For all the guys with programmers to get the tow haul back just reprogramming to a different power level will bring back the tow haul as it is the default mode.

Sure, load Smarty and your $100 reporgramming is gone until you drop another $100 to get it redone. Dealer ships don't do this for free. How can you even compare such a volatile modification to a solid one like the BD controller?

I know this site is all about selling modifications,some don't want or need to spend money to be happy with their trucks.

How many trips to the dealer does it take to pay for parts instead of the flaky flash? How much more useful is the ability to change between the 2 modes with a simple push of a button?



On the contrary, this site is about effective modifications not just selling parts. All the parts in the world are useless if they don't make the changes effective.

I don't know any serious CTD guys who don't have good access to a friend with a drb.

Wow! First you call out the TDR management for being parts pusher then insult the bulk of the members by suggesting they are not "serious" owners if they don't have easy access to a DRB and use it.



For the record, I have 5 CTD's, I do all my own maintenance and most of the repair work, I don't presume on friends to use the relationship for freebies on a DRB, I pay for the usage of company equipment so my friends and acquaintances don't loose their jobs over stupid stuff!!



If that is what it takes to be "a serious CTD guy" I will leave that to you.

 

[Bob4x4]

So worked up over an option..... maybe more fiber in your diet would help.

 

[Bob4x4]

Every forum is driven by profit not just this one Not picking on Tdr or it's members:-laf

 

[Prairie Dog]

Seriously, you've got to be kidding about any body having to have a $2000 scan tool to be a "serious" owner.

 

[p-Bar]

Bob4X4 would drive 60 miles to my house with his DRB III and have a look at my CFM+ intake for a beer:-laf

 

[JDKammin]

I also installed the BD lock out and like it. One tap of the overdrive button and I am in tow/haul mode. Two quick taps on the OD button and I am locked out of overdrive, but still have tow/haul mode.

 

[goodguys75]

I know this site is all about selling modifications,some don't want or need to spend money to be happy with their trucks.

So worked up over an option..... maybe more fiber in your diet would help.

I disagree with that statement... this site is awsome and gives you insite to lots of options and results... ... not only to factory stuff but also aftermarket... no one is saying that you must buy what anyone tells you about... it is just good general info, that may keep a person from spending way too much money and not get the result that they are looking for... ... . Im sorry you feel that TDR is trying to sell you certain parts from certain vendors... . Im sure that is not there intention... ... .