Tuning a 4l60/4l80 for RACING and taking advantage of the Tow/Haul button

There was one thing that was broken on UglyTruck since before I got my hands on it, and that was the tow/haul mode in the transmission. It appeared that the button simply was not working, and I wanted to fix it because I could use the alternate shift strategy to help with any kind of racing event. We cover replacement of the shift handle and button which is very simple, and then using HP Tuners software to make some changes to the shift timing, pressure, torque converter lockup, and more. And of course, we take the turbo 8.1 silverado for a test drive to make sure the changes are doing what we want. Next time you see this truck, I should be installing a 2-step to help get the big S480 turbo spooled up and get a better launch off the line!
Dorman Shift Handle w/Tow Haul button
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#turbotruck #hptuners #s480turbo
Chapters
0:00 Fixing an old problem
2:23 Shift Handle Removal
4:35 Installation Overview
5:29 Final Assembly
6:21 Tuning Tow/Haul Mode
11:26 Road Test

[@piercesgmc9112]

The second this was uploaded I had to watch, by far my favorite account on KZbin

[@LawrenceTolman]

much appreciated!

[@17slickace]

Big facts

[@lonelybikr]

I'm always learning something new. Thanks LT

[@dalehall2993]

Slingshot engaged!😎👊🏻

[@krnwhitlow]

great video LT i had same problem fixed it with a momentary button switch ,right where the break in the wire ,where they all break, drill a hole in the plastic bezel ,install button switch. you wont have same problem later like the shifter one will . this is a cheaper way to go guys ..keep the videos coming LT

[@cloudbydayfirebynight618]

LT. Love ur channel. You saved KZbin

[@RAWRMotorsports]

Hell yeah can't wait to get my truck done

[@Awesomeness3738]

That's pretty neat. Never knew there was a second tuning option for tow haul. Great video

[@LawrenceTolman]

the options are nearly limitless

[@teaguegearhart9851]

Great. The ugly truck now has a race mode button. Yes!!! 🙌🏻

[@albertchaidez6317]

Sweet man. Enjoy tow/,haul made

[@jwg34]

Super cool mod using factory features to meet your needs.

[@ZackNakazora1]

its really useful for drags to have that tow haul set up for shift strategy. you can keep the stock speeds around and make it feel like a truck ( try to get SOME sort of gas milage) in normal but in tow haul have it be a bit spicer.

[@xozindustries7451]

Neat idea, lots of functionality to think abou5 using on my swap

[@artdecon4567]

You sneaky son if a gun. I like it.

[@mikewest5529]

Nice!! This is getting good!! She will be pure beast! That 2 step is like rolling anti lag?? Can’t wait for the built trans!! Oh yeah a guy by me has a similar truck converted to manual!! It’s sick!!

[@LawrenceTolman]

anti-lag would be for when you let off the gas and need the turbo to keep spooling, but in a similar sense, the rolling 2-step will allow me to build boost without accelerating, but when I let off the button it releases it all at once

[@mikewest5529]

@@LawrenceTolman That needs a.. kaboom!! Button!! Thanks for that sweet info! Information is power!!

[@brandonk7061]

Good info dude!

[@LawrenceTolman]

Appreciate it!

[@keithbartlett7679]

Love Hptuners.

[@andrewturner616]

I’m so glad that I’m not the only one that knows of le tow haul (ass) button

[@dalehall2993]

It should be called the "TOLhaulin" ass mode..

[@highboymountaingrow1117]

Dang man, please do more little videos like this.

[@LawrenceTolman]

thanks, will do

[@samuelmayhew2749]

Been tuning for a while. I have been using this trick for "race" mode for a few years. Shit my daily even has it setup like this. Pretty nice. Get 60 mph out of a pretty stock 5.3 in first gear. Then a nice fast crisp shift into second.

[@bruceshepard1136]

Hi Samuel I have a 2008 Silverado 4.8 2wd 4l60e with with 373 gear my problem is I pull a trailer every day with this and the converter won’t stay locked causing trans temp to get high can can customized tuning the transmission help with this I only ask because you mentioned you’ve been playing with this stuff for a while thank you for any direction

[@samuelmayhew2749]

@@bruceshepard1136 it can, and also a large trans cooler bypassing the factory one in the rad also helps with trans temps.

[@FortyTwoAnswerToEverything]

This is awesome. My 03 Envoy 5.3 never came with a tow button, but from what I understand, it comes with the older truck-style computer. Makes me wonder if I could use a momentary switch to trigger a second shifting strategy (after a tune likely).

[@kismofer1]

this...guy is GREAT!!! 👍🏼 ...I wonder if I can use my stock silverado and use tow haul just for fun ...my 00 silverado it has little upgrades...

[@blackbuttecruizr]

Fun vid... FYI: that was a concrete truck... Cement is an ingredient in concrete, like flour is an ingredient in bread.

[@nicholascooper1193]

T/H = Track/Haul Ass mode. Need to replace the little "wagon" indicator in the dash with a Mr. Horsepower or something cool.

[@gregquante8864]

Smart!!

[@JosephDudeson]

damn. i need hptuners. thats slick.

[@LawrenceTolman]

its a very nice tool to have

[@n8vjefe]

Waiting for the update video.

[@benjaminreinhardt259]

I had to replace the shifter bushings in my 95 F250 and it was a PITA - not terrible, but I remember thinking this should be easier. Looks like Chevy set it up much simpler.

[@17slickace]

They ALWAYS do coming from a mechanic

[@JoeWilly69]

Could you tell me if this would work for the 6l80 sport mode? Thnx I really like your video your easier to understand then most! This shit is very complicated for me.

[@zachowens1412]

Im curious if you could do this on a 2010 Chevy Colorado. They didn't come with tow haul mode. That would be nice to have. I'm not sure if HP tuners will read the TCM though i think these had an odd ball TCM.

[@jakewashere2.016]

Would be cool if someone made a shifter that said “Race mode” instead or “tow haul” lol

[@savage6394]

What’s the plan with the 351 Windsor you took out of the f150? I’m interested and Local.

[@GodlikeGTZ]

This is smart. I don't get why Im not seeing Tow haul or Sport shift profile options on aftermarket controllers and ECUs. It makes them not worth having on a street car.

[@daltonsergent2193]

Would you be able to make a newer 6 speed hold a gear like that in its manual mode with this tuning

[@parkercustoms462]

You could've actually upgraded to the newer model shifter put in the 6 speed trucks and SUVs. It requires some modification, wiring,, and more tuning but it might be worth it for your application.

[@LawrenceTolman]

it would be cool to get the tap to shift thing working as well...

[@mikeday8826]

You can control line pressure with hp tuners.

[@LawrenceTolman]

yup, I wasn't sure when I said it, but later on in the video I went over the exact changes I made, including line pressure

[@josenoyola9851]

Will there be a tow/haul button video for the gmt400s?

[@LawrenceTolman]

perhaps, I have thought about it since I did 0411 swap my suburban, but its kinda low on the priority list

[@JoseHernandez-gp7cd]

i have a 2014 silverado tune with the tow haul racing mode and always when i press the buttom couple secods laters a "grade breaking active " appears what does that mean .?

[@james10739]

I guess it's not useful for roll racing but you should try the sloppy trans brake basically you power up or ground one of the shift solenoids and it commands 3ed gear so you can hold it back without all the mechanical advantage of 1st gear

[@LawrenceTolman]

I had thought about it, and may take advantage of that for a dragstrip visit

[@PowerSportsQuebec]

LT, I'm in a pinch right now, my 6L80E has started slipping under load on second gear. I tow a lot with this 2010 GMC 1500 with slighly modded modded engine HD front springs and custom rear springs. I regularly tow 7000 - 8000 lbs. I know I should get it rebuilt but Covid kinda threw a curve ball in my finances so I need to make it last a while longer. It's not bad once warmed up though. Truck's got 150 000 miles, everything works and I love it. What would you suggest?

[@brendan747]

only thing you can do is some lucas transmission fix

[@MDP454]

That Lucas trans fix might work for a short time. Unfortunately I think you are looking at a rebuild in the near future. I know 1/2 ton trucks are rated to tow 6 to 7k , but doing it every day is going to wear them out quick. That's what 3/4 tons are made for doing every day.

[@PowerSportsQuebec]

@@MDP454 Well you work with what you got. I'm a full time youtuber myself but most of us smaller time guys don't make the big bucks like the very large channels (im in a niche market) So... Though I would love a 3/4 ton diesel, I can't afford a late model at this time. Sooo.. Got to stretch it to the max... Truck is rated to tow 9500 lbs in it's original configuration. It's got fresh fluid and filter (I take care of my vehicles) I'm also a mechanic but with very little transmission experience so I would not try to do it myself. The Lucas stuff is actually very good, might just well do that to stretch it's life cycle a little. Was just asking LT if he had a little pointer on this specific subject.

[@toytowninc680]

I have a stock 96 z71 with 4L80E. How do I find out if I can plug and play a tow haul shift button? Thanks

[@elmacanonmoreno2220]

I dont normally like to bother people with questions but i want to upgrade my transmission on my 2003 silverado 1500 extended cab and you seem very knowledgeable. I was wondering in your most honest opinion whats better for my truck a built 4l80 or a manual trannsmission like a tremec tkx? Ps. Keep in mind It has a 4.8 but wanted to swap to a built 6.0. Thanks

[@LawrenceTolman]

to me, a 4l80e is the best bang for the buck, since a junkyard one will hold up to a ton of abuse (thats whats in my truck). for all out fun, nothing beats a manual trans, although a TKO or Magnum trans will be a lot more expensive...

[@elmacanonmoreno2220]

@@LawrenceTolman thanks alot man i appreciate your input. Thats what i've been hearing. I'll probably go with the 4l80 for now and see how long it lasts me

[@THEBRAINANAYTOR]

Did you know you can add this to the gmt400. You 0411 swapped. I did it to my 96’ and put the 08 lever in the truck. Does wonders.

[@kennygarner1225]

Bradley Harrington, How did you wire it up?

[@tenthousanddays2103]

@@kennygarner1225 I think Lawrence LT Tolman repinned an 0411 on his You Tube channel

[@THEBRAINANAYTOR]

@@kennygarner1225 there’s one pin in the computer that needs a ground signal flashed. So on that connector of the shift lever. One goes directly to a ground and the other you run to the computer.

[@ThatChevy]

I’m in Colorado. Please put my turbo truck back together for me💰💰💰

[@kennygarner1225]

How would I be able to utilize this in a 97 GMC 5.3 swap? what pins on the ecu are used and would I have to have a shifter mounted switch?

[@LawrenceTolman]

not sure on the pin number right off the bat, you don't need a shifter mounted switch, any momentary switch would do. I'm told the late 90's oldsmobile Bravada used a dash mounted tow/haul button that would install easily in the dash.

[@doncote3457]

Lawrence I have an 8.1 496 not really a lot of choice when it comes to intake manifolds for it dart makes one and raylar is going to make one but I was thinking of building my own for mine,was going to buy an ls intake and cut it down and buy runner material do you think it's a good choice or no?

[@LawrenceTolman]

to be honest, the amount of time that would take to properly design and weld an intake would be fairly substantial... I'd just buy a pre engineered solution. (EDIT: or do the 8.1 intake mod where you cut the baffle out of the middle)

[@doncote3457]

@@LawrenceTolman could do that too but the intake raylar is going to make is not a very good looking one, I've already cut mine down not really sure how to go with it.

[@jonallen1985]

What engine do you like better the 454 7.4L or the 496 8.1L?

[@LawrenceTolman]

they both have their strong points for sure, but the one thing I love about the 7.4 is its much easier to modify and source parts for, where the 8.1 is kinda tricky. Some older big block stuff works, but a lot does not.

[@hugieflhr03]

Is heat management going to be a problem without locking the converter? I know a few guys who left the lock up function disconnected on 700r4 and they burnt the Trans up from excessive heat.

[@LawrenceTolman]

no, not really because it doesn't lock up under WOT anyhow, and this mode is only gonna be used while racing or horsing around. While driving on the street in normal mode, the TCC will engage at cruise RPM

[@hugieflhr03]

@@LawrenceTolman great point! I wish HP offered work shops around the country. I know you show us a lot but time constraints and boring some to death forces you to abbreviate. This was a great performance trick that many of us didn’t know was possible! Awesome Job!

[@itseithergonnaworkoritaint7852]

When you're towing a load, wouldn't you want the downshifts to happen sooner to help slow down more?

[@allanb3222]

He won't ever tow with that truck. He just set it up for racing situations.

[@itseithergonnaworkoritaint7852]

@@allanb3222 Well, same deal for racing then. Less braking if in it downshifts faster. Better speed recovery when you hit the gas becuase the trans is already in the lower gear to accelerate.

[@LawrenceTolman]

I suppose you might, but that wasnt how I intended to use the truck

[@itseithergonnaworkoritaint7852]

@@LawrenceTolman Read 2nd response in this thread, the one right above yours.

[@jesus_6.0]

I've changed my shifter 2 times and my tow haul never turns on ... eny recomdations on how to fix it? Is there a fuse? I have a 2001 silverado with a lq9 cammed built transmission 2800 stall and other mods

[@LawrenceTolman]

could be a wiring issue further down in the harness, something in the BCM, or even in the tune? hard to say exactly

[@seanandersen338]

can u do this with holley terminator x max?

[@AndyKid7]

Does this work for 5th gen 6l80s?

[@thomasjohnson1142]

What are you using to tune the truck I found a tuner called the tweaker here in Texas that tunes them year model fords . I’m sorry I was talking about the f150 I know this ain’t about that video .

[@LawrenceTolman]

I'm using HP Tuners software, which should work with most Ford's as well

[@thomasjohnson1142]

@@LawrenceTolman yeah I know with the obd2 cars I’m a tuner as well I was referring to the f150 preobd2. But I did go back and hear your using a stand-alone for the Ford F-150 I just posted on the wrong video

[@_young_sosa_7754]

do you know how to make the bottom down shit??? I need to know to do it to my truck thanks!!!!

[@onenewworldmonkey]

What is your computer connected to?

[@champspec]

I have tried this fairly extensively w/ HPT…. Since this is a computer controlled transmission vehicle, What i’ve found is that unless you have a scenario where you change the weight in the truck or possibly the tire size, or if you have it sey up as full manual VB.. then there really isnt a whole lot that can be gained from this mod other than TCC lockup on the fly… this is primarily due to the existence of the EPC solenoid. So getting the same truck to shift optimally, then change the settings to make it shift less than optimal, is basically what you’d be doing…. I’ve been tuning this platform for 16 years, but there’s still alot I dont know. Somebody please correct me if I’m missing something.

[@wintermetalhd]

Why do you not want TCC lockup?

[@Bramon83]

I hate that I just found out about the 8.1 like 3 weeks ago

[@pmotorsports8276]

is this pin 71?! l labeled as performance. And if so what signal is it looking for? ground?

[@LawrenceTolman]

I believe it is a momentary pulse to ground, yes. And there is a setting the tune for Serial Data or analog I believe as well...

[@lowiqlsx2593]

I thought you’re doing a 5 speed swap

[@sabero5668]

He did say he was but tbh for the direction he's taken the truck and what he currently uses it for a manual doesn't make a whole lot of sense

[@lowiqlsx2593]

@@sabero5668 I would like to see him put a nv3500 behind that 8.1. People say they can’t handle any power. I know he would show us if it will or won’t

[@sabero5668]

@@lowiqlsx2593 Trust me, I would too, but for the roll racing and drag racing he's doing the auto shifts faster and can keep the turbo spooled between shifts. Maybe he throws one in the suburban

[@davidwalker5748]

Will this work on a 2014 6l80

[@LawrenceTolman]

you can adjust the shift points for tow/haul in any truck or car that has the tow/haul or performance mode

[@MegaDysart]

Just wrapping up a 5.3 swap into an obs k2500 4x4. Using tunerpro and LSdroid and an 0411 pcm, I'm running into a snag where I've gotta let the computer know when the xfer case is in 4 lo. It's an np241 manual shift. Is there a setting that anyone knows of in the tune that will work like this? I think there might be a pin on the pcm that I can send the 4lo signal to, not sure about the tuning.

[@MegaDysart]

Only asking here because it's sorta related. I've seen people saying that you use the pi. For tow/haul and you'd have to manually tune that shift table to account for the slow speed shifting in 4 lo. It's boggling my brain because the tow haul switch is just a momentary ground to the pcm, I'm pretty sure the 4lo signal from the xfer case is either a permanent ground or permanent 12v to the pcm.

[@LawrenceTolman]

I remember when I did my 0411 swap in my big block suburban, there was one pin that was for 4wd low range, and yes, it should be a permanent ground coming from the range position switch in the 241 t case. to make it work correctly though, I believe you need a tune file from a stock 4wd truck, there is some stuff in the background thats missing from a 2wd truck tune file, even though the low range shift tables will still be in visible in a 2wd tune

[@josuepaz9446]

a manual transmission would be nice

[@LawrenceTolman]

it would be so much fun

[@BoostedMigs]

Can I use this for a 4l60e ?

[@LawrenceTolman]

yup, a 4l60 will program almost exactly the same way

[@jonsingle1614]

First ! Good info 😃

[@Darkeiser.7]

If this helps me with HPtuner. I'm in.

[@juanf4739]

Don’t go NV 4500 its a slow shifting truck transmission very nonsportive. I have two of them both in jeeps for crawling. Go with TCI 6speed version of L80.

[@mesanders1113]

You know what Ford hates you to lol 😆😂 j/k

[@LSandL31]

Because I hate Ford’s🤣🤣😂😂

[@matty86suk]

You have my hairline, a little length helps keeping cool.

[@flyguyphil7247]

If your plans are big power, why not go with an allison 1000.

[@ZackNakazora1]

weight, and tuning i reckon. its a little less known about. and the 4l80e is just so sturdy.

[@MDP454]

Allison's are also designed for diesel rpm ranges. You run a diesel transmission over 4000 rpm often you are going to tear it up. You diesel drag racer and tractor pull guys are know to swap in build 4l80 transmissions, because the trans made for normal revving diesels can't handle it. A built 4l80 is hard to beat in high horsepower high revving engines.

[@flyguyphil7247]

@@MDP454 The 8.1's came stock with the the allison as an option.

[@LawrenceTolman]

an allison would be strong, but when it comes to racing, high RPM, and quick shifting, it might not be ideal. a 4l80e is lighter and can be made more than strong enough for a 1,000hp or more 1/2 ton truck

[@coolHandLuke5150]

"Sooooo, basically"