I just bought the tow loc and took a look at all the wires that need to be tapped. I really expected there to be factory style connections since it cost $400. Since I had major electrical issues w/my 03 I am very leary to pierce wires all over the place. My questions are have you installed a tow loc? Do you like it's capabilities? Have you had any issues with it or the install? When using posi tap connectors should you put dielectric grease in the connector? Should I solder them? (prob the better option but I really don't like the idea of cutting any wires. Lastly I would assume that this install like most will void my warranty. Thanks for any input and ideas.

 

My wires have been pierced on for my ATS Comander for 4 years and 142k...and I have had zero issues.

It seems ok for me.

 

I've had mine on for over a year and NEVER had a problem. Its a quality unit.

 

white 97 did you program it w'laptop? Do you like the 4/3 shift? Tell me a bit more about it. Thanks.

 

Yes I did the programming on it. I set it up so it stays on a little longer in the morning (to a higher temp) and also turned OFF the 4/3 downshift. It doesn't work correctly on the 05 trucks because of the stupid tow/haul.

I have the BD Tow haul thing so I can lockout O/D but it's a double click to activate and therefore still doesn't help.

For you (on the 03?) it will work beautifully though.

I like the torqloc setting. It locks up the converter at whatever MPH you set it up to lock at, and stays locked up until a certain throttle position is met. By default it will unlock the converter at 80% TPS.... I have mine set to unlock at 110%.. Therby NEVER unlocking. So, if I'm in that mode, and I get thru 40mph it locks up and stays there.

I don't drive around in that mode all the time, just when I'm out playing. Otherwise it stays in Autoloc mode and that works very well for me.

Chad

 

By the way, its very easy to program. You just set your laptop up as the manual states and get into the menus and set it how you like it.

For the temperature, the lower the value you put in, the higher the coolant temp will be when the brake kicks off (out of warm-up mode).. I like mine to stay on till it's almost up to operating temp.

 

actually this is on my 05. I bought it so that I could have the 4/3 downshift. You are saying that it does not work in this instance. I was told that it will absolutely do this. Please elaborate a bit. thanks

 

To do the 4/3 downshift it basically pushed the tow/haul button for you. IF you are running in regular mode, and you leave the Towloc setup to downshift from 4 to 3 it will turn tow/haul on to downshift the truck. The problem is that the next time it goes to make the 4/3 downshift it turns the tow/haul off.

Its confusing, but states directly in the manual that it should be turned off on 05 models.

To be honest with you, when you downshift from 4 to 3 (I have the lockout button from BD) it creates a good amount of braking power and if it was wet could definitely cause an issue with skidding. I think I woiuld leave it off even if I could use it.

When I'm towing heavy I want to be in control of things like that, not the truck. That's why I bought the BD O/D Lockout.

Now, switch gears for a second... IF you go to the dealer and get the reflash that changes it to the regulard O/D on/off and eliminates tow/haul then you can use the downshift feature.

However, I think if you are a smarty user this will get defaulted back when you install the Smarty. I had the flash from the dealership to get rid of the tow/haul and 3 blocks away I pulled over and installed my Smarty. Well it blew out the programming they did to kill the tow/haul in the first place.

I hope Marco includes something like this at some point, so we could change turn it on or off at will.. Nice for the people who don't wanna shell out $200 for the BD O/D lockout unit.

Chad

 

Chad thanks for the in depth info. I recently had the od off installed. Will this actually enable the bd unit to work more correctly? Thanks

 

When you say you recent had the OD off installed, are you talking about the BD unit that you double click the towhaul button to engage, or the TSB Dealership flash for your truck that disables Tow/haul mode and turns the button in and overdrive on/off button...

Or more quickly, box or flash?

IF its the box, then no it doesn't interact any better with the tow/loc, if it's the flash from the dealership then yes it will work like it did on all previous model years.

Beware that if you put a programmer on it, that change the dealership made will dissapear.

Chad

 

flash. no box yet. thanks

 

anybody else have one.

 

Should work fine for you as long as you don't use a programmer! I think you'll like it.

 

did you use the connectors supplied or did you solder the wires and shrinkwrap them. My biggest concern is effing up my computer as i had real issues w/my 03 and the dealer quickly said that the banks kit caused them. With this install it is permanent, not like i can pul it out quickly. Why can't this be a computer flash like a smarty or something? Once again thanks for th einfo.

 

Installed like the manual says on my truck.. Never an issue. I was concerned about it but didn't have problems.

On wifes truck they are soldered and shrinkwrapped... I should have mentioned that. It costs a little to get it installed that way.. I basically installed the brake, the compressore, and everything to go with it, and just paid a wiring expert to do the wiring part.