Coding for a newLSD

[a_j_u]

Hey folks,

I have a 2019 1500 DT that I've had since new. I have about 45k miles on it. It's a level 2 Big Horn - pretty well equipped and definitely a keeper (this is the longest I have ever owned a vehicle). The couple of complaints I do have about the truck are: the tow mirrors are not heated, it doesn't have auto wipers or high beams, the traction control is so aggressive in cutting power on wheel slip that I can't back up my quite steep driveway with even a little snow on it. The last thing is what I'm hope you can help me with.

I have been driving a 2020 Tahoe SSV with the Z71 package during this time, and in the same conditions, it handles just fine. Yeah, it's got more weight over the rear (it's a fire command vehicle, so has a built-in box filled with equipment permanently installed) but it is the LSD that I see making all the difference. So I retrofit an Eaton TruTrac LSD on the RAM to improve its capability.

So that brings me to my question: can I code (using AlfaOBD - android) the truck to recognize the LSD and adjust traction control thresholds and behavior? Have any of you done this? Was it effective? Now, I will get a couple of feet up the driveway and slip gets detected and next thing I know there's no go and I am rolling/slipping forward. I know there's enough grip to do it, but the nannies are just too intrusive.

Thanks!

 

[RamDiver]

Are you using 4WD when backing up the driveway?

Have you tried holding the ESC button for 5-7 seconds to fully disable the ESC?

How to fully turn off the ESC on the RAM 1500 if equipped

How to fully turn off the ESC system on RAM 1500 trucks that are equipped to do so. Always be cautious and well aware of what you are doing. I do not sugg...

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I will check AlfaOBD when I fire up my PC later. I'm using the stupid phone ATM.

And, welcome to Ram Forum.

.

 

[crash68]

So that brings me to my question: can I code (using AlfaOBD - android) the truck to recognize the LSD and adjust traction control thresholds and behavior

There's nothing to change "in the code" if you add LSD.
In really low traction situations, hit the button on the dash to turn the traction control off. Traction control is great for dealing with unknown low traction situations, once it's known it's time turn it off and use old-skol driving methods for the conditions. There's many times even having the factory LSD while in 4X4 that I hit turn the traction control off just so the nannies stay away.
Keep in mind that even with traction control off the ESC will still kick in if wheel speeds exceed about 40 mph, no way to get around this unless you disable the ABS.
As for your Tahoe, it probably has the G80 differential. That's basically an automatic locking dif, it will probably outshine even the TrueTrac in some real world situations.

 

[Daw14]

Add some weight to the bed.
A steel plate can be unnoticeable.

 

[a_j_u]

There's nothing to change "in the code" if you add LSD.
In really low traction situations, hit the button on the dash to turn the traction control off. Traction control is great for dealing with unknown low traction situations, once it's known it's time turn it off and use old-skol driving methods for the conditions. There's many times even having the factory LSD while in 4X4 that I hit turn the traction control off just so the nannies stay away.
Keep in mind that even with traction control off the ESC will still kick in if wheel speeds exceed about 40 mph, no way to get around this unless you disable the ABS.
As for your Tahoe, it probably has the G80 differential. That's basically an automatic locking dif, it will probably outshine even the TrueTrac in some real world situations.

Turning off the traction control on my truck seems to keep the eLSD engaged and bogs down preventing necessary wheelspin in those situations. Maybe I am doing something wrong when trying to fully disengage - I've held the toggle switch down for longer than 5 seconds but never got the confirmation chime or message, just the esc off light (going from memory, so that may not be the exact verbiage).

Yeah, I think it's the G80 - known to be prone to failure due to the somewhat abrupt nature of the lockup. It's been pretty good for me over about 65k mile, though.

 

[RamDiver]

Turning off the traction control on my truck seems to keep the eLSD engaged and bogs down preventing necessary wheelspin in those situations. Maybe I am doing something wrong when trying to fully disengage - I've held the toggle switch down for longer than 5 seconds but never got the confirmation chime or message, just the esc off light (going from memory, so that may not be the exact verbiage).

Yeah, I think it's the G80 - known to be prone to failure due to the somewhat abrupt nature of the lockup. It's been pretty good for me over about 65k mile, though.

With the 4WD Lock engaged, holding the ESC button for 5-10 seconds should produce a chime, then the EVIC will display ESC system off.




It is possible that the option is not available on your truck.

.

 

[crash68]

Turning off the traction control on my truck seems to keep the eLSD engaged and bogs down preventing necessary wheelspin in those situations. Maybe I am doing something wrong when trying to fully disengage - I've held the toggle switch down for longer than 5 seconds but never got the confirmation chime or message, just the esc off light

Just hit the traction control button once(don't hold it down). You should get the yellow car with squiggly lines under it to illuminate. Every vehicle I've drove this has disabled the traction control to the point where I can get the wheels to spins and usually do doughnuts.
You don't need to disable the ESC(holding the traction control button down), that only kicks in if you're attempting to fishtail the vehicle.