GDE Tune

[Pistoloni]

After 16000 miles I decided to get the GDE tune. I originally thought about doing it immediately when I received the Jeep 10 months ago but held off. Then life happened and all of a sudden it was 16,000 miles later and decided it was time to upgrade.

I just mailed it this morning so I will report back once I have it back and installed. After almost a year I should be able to tell a noticeable difference and give some more insight to those on the fence. I did not opt for a second ecu. More to come.

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[Terpsmandan]

One year and 33000 miles in and it's one of the best mods I've done. Hers is stock so I get a very nice contrast every time I take hers for a spin. One warning is to be easy on the skinny pedal. I had to replace one of the rear tires after only 36k because I was used it too much from a standstill. If you want to do an 0-60's make sure it's in 4-hi. I am on 37's and the Tazer told me that 60 arrived in just under 6 seconds. It will pay for itself in about 40000 miles in improved fuel economy.

 

[Pistoloni]

One year and 33000 miles in and it's one of the best mods I've done. Hers is stock so I get a very nice contrast every time I take hers for a spin. One warning is to be easy on the skinny pedal. I had to replace one of the rear tires after only 36k because I was used it too much from a standstill. If you want to do an 0-60's make sure it's in 4-hi. I am on 37's and the Tazer told me that 60 arrived in just under 6 seconds. It will pay for itself in about 40000 miles in improved fuel economy.

I drive like an old man so probably not spinning the tires, but love that the power is there. Looking forward to the immediate pedal response, little better fuel economy and the shift changes

 

[Booger sugar]

I also did the GDE tune around the 5k mile mark its a nice and very noticeable upgrade. I opted for the regen messaging to appear on the dash and the engine brake now I'm sitting at around 7800 miles and now my rig will regen at 1k instead of the 800 miles.

 

[Pistoloni]

Scroll to the bottom if interested in my experience with the tune.

The wall of text in italics is my experience with the company.

I ordered the GDE tune the week of 3/27. They emailed me and let me know they were on spring break and to not send my ecm in until 4/3 as no one was at the shop. This saved me over a week of having the jeep sit in the garage not being able to be used.

Sent out ecm on Monday 4/3, GDE received Tuesday and sent out same day. Got to my house Wednesday 4/5 mid morning.

Unfortunately I could not leave work early and by the time I had everything installed (the 12-8 cable gave me a hard time. To get to those connectors was a real pita. Something not included in instructions that I had to rely on google for, was where to even find where to plug it in) their offices were closed. I sent in the updated file to them around 530pm est.

I was checking my email every 20min hoping they would get the updated file to me before I went to sleep and I didn't have to borrow the wife's car for another day. Went to bed around 930 and the file still had not been sent.

To my amazement I woke up the next morning, check my email and they had sent the file, after hours, at 940 est. I could not believe it. I am including this, because in their instructions they state evenings/weekends are up to 1 day to respond. I figured after a few hours of after hour checking it would just be the next business day. Even if its a simple few clicks on the computer to send the updated file back, I commend the customer service.


TUNE PART

I immediately notice no turbo lag. I did not notice how pronounced it was or got used to it after 16k miles but it was first thing I noticed now.

Shift changes are drastically different imo. I am still getting used to them. I am light on the pedal so they hang in gear longer than stock shifts but you really do feel the power through out the whole gear now. Notice 8th has a lower rpm that it sits at now. Gears 1-3, if you snap your fingers, you're through them and into 4th.

Slightly different sound from the interior, but not much. If that matters to you. Just notice others have mentioned it. I guess that would mean different sounding from the outside as well.

Have done around 120 miles - mix of highway and secondary roads, my normal commute. Seeing around 29.7mpg vs 27ish before.

It feels much more powerful overall.

Opted for the regen message and exhaust breaking for some "mountain" roads I frequent in VT. Have not gotten a regen message yet but will record when I do and then the next message to start to see the cadence of regens happening.


Thats it for now. Happy with it after 36 hours, really easy install overall (except the security cable connection) and customer service from GDE has been really good so far as well.

 

[ChuckQue]

So if you do the tune and have the spare PCM, how does it look when you plug the spare OEM PCM back in? Does it in fact show different mileage? Is it at all possible for the dealer to detect this stuff?

*Edit* Ok, according to others in another thread, no, it does not show a mileage discrepancy. So in theory as long as you have a stock PCM in place, there’s no way for them to know. Yes?

 

[Booger sugar]

So if you do the tune and have the spare PCM, how does it look when you plug the spare OEM PCM back in? Does it in fact show different mileage? Is it at all possible for the dealer to detect this stuff?

*Edit* Ok, according to others in another thread, no, it does not show a mileage discrepancy. So in theory as long as you have a stock PCM in place, there’s no way for them to know. Yes?

thats the theroy lol Im taking mine in for oil change in a few weeks ill swap my stock PCM back and once the maintaince is complete ill let you know what was said from stealership I mean the dealership

 

[Almost]

Unfortunately, they will know. How? Anytime the ECU runs outside of the stock parameters it throws a permanent code (P1400) that is stored not only in the ECU but also the BCM. Swapping the ECU will not solve for this because it's not saved there. If the dealer wants to know they will know.

This is what is stopping me from moving forward with any tuning at the moment. Mine is too new to consider voiding my 100K mile warranty. Having a spare ecu doesn't solve for this and is just extra money unless you're trying to prevent them from writing over your tune. Chances of that are slim since GDE has already said that FCA has already got rid of the team responsible for EcoDiesel tuning so it's unlikely there will be any future updates for the ECU.

 

[chrisc33]

One year and 33000 miles in and it's one of the best mods I've done. Hers is stock so I get a very nice contrast every time I take hers for a spin. One warning is to be easy on the skinny pedal. I had to replace one of the rear tires after only 36k because I was used it too much from a standstill. If you want to do an 0-60's make sure it's in 4-hi. I am on 37's and the Tazer told me that 60 arrived in just under 6 seconds. It will pay for itself in about 40000 miles in improved fuel economy.
[/QUOTE

Im interested in this tune. I read that a few people were having complaints about drivability in lower gears when paired with larger tires. I see you are on 37s. Did you flash the trans tune or leave it stock?

 

[Terpsmandan]

I am using the GDE trans tune as well. It will hold the lower gears longer when cold to help warm up the transmission. Also locks up the torque converter very early. Lift the throttle from about 30 when it’s cold and it feels like a manual. No drivability issues at all.

 

[Pistoloni]

Had regen message pop up the other day. It came on, I continued driving at 65mph for 16 miles until it chimed that it was complete.

I recorded the mileage it came on at to see the frequency it happens. No idea, good/bad about it taking 16miles @65mph to complete the regen process. Just figured I'd share my regen distance and speed if anyone wanted to compare

 

[NyRey87]

Unfortunately, they will know. How? Anytime the ECU runs outside of the stock parameters it throws a permanent code (P1400) that is stored not only in the ECU but also the BCM. Swapping the ECU will not solve for this because it's not saved there. If the dealer wants to know they will know.

This is what is stopping me from moving forward with any tuning at the moment. Mine is too new to consider voiding my 100K mile warranty. Having a spare ecu doesn't solve for this and is just extra money unless you're trying to prevent them from writing over your tune. Chances of that are slim since GDE has already said that FCA has already got rid of the team responsible for EcoDiesel tuning so it's unlikely there will be any future updates for the ECU.

I know this is an old thread but I am going to purchase the GDE tune for my JLURD here soon and called with some questions. One thing I mentioned while talking to Kieth was it was bummer that it would void my warranty. He said it doesn’t and he doesn’t know why everyone speculates it will.

Far beyond my scope of understanding but straight from GDE that the dealer will not be able to tell the ECU was modified.
Not trying to start a debate just sharing info on what I was told.

 

[Pistoloni]

I have gde tune and went in for the hpfp recall. I did not swap ecu or change anything. No issues getting recall or any mention of the tune.

This has been the only time I have taken it to a dealer for work

 

[NyRey87]

After I heard that from him it 100% sold me on it.

 

[cnapierala]

Reviving an old thread with a question for those of you with the Exhaust Braking enabled. My main concern is if this in any way disables your ability to cost down hills or grades? My driving style includes alot of coasting when possible alot of times with a trailer but i could see it being a benifit to have the exhaust brake.

Can anyone describe how it works in more detail and what you can do if it comes on and you dont want it (Manually shift up?) or if your coasting and it isnt coming on (Manually shift down?). I read their description and i think my understanding noted above is correct but would like to hear from those who have used this.

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