2014, 2015, 2016 4 Cyl - 8 Cyl Trans Shift Lag Solution

Kevin Holcomb · February 6, 2017

Last May I purchased 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Crew Cab 5.3 All Terrain 8 Speed Auto and I love my truck but it needed a 2" rough country leveling kit and I got one of these http://www.rangetechnology.com/pages/v8

to solve my problem with lag. To my understanding they make these for other model years. I got mine today (be careful to watch out for fakes on Amazon and eBay they may not have updated firmware. I will update this thread after I drive the vehicle the rest of this week.

BigBlueLB756 · February 6, 2017

What version do you have?

15_silverado · February 7, 2017

Best thing to do is to order directly from Range. If you order direct you will receive the latest updated version. ( Per the girl I talked to on the phone from Range)

I ordered on from them about a month ago, and it's been working flawlessly so far on my 2017 Silverado 5.3L. I'm very happy with it; it's been the best money I've spent so far on the truck.

Oh, and it was version 8.something

Dnt · February 7, 2017

That range device is a great solution if you want to protect your warranty 100%.

I know someone that bought a Hypertech 2.0 part 2000 hand held tuner. It allows the AFM to be set to only come on above a chosen speed plus you can change the 8 spd trans setting and several other things. It supplies what GM should have done from the factory, gives you driving options Economy / Sport Performance etc. It does nothing radical just makes the truck more enjoyable to drive. As others will bring up on these new vehicles GM can see (if they want to) the total flash counts so you could be put in a bad position if you have an engine or trans problem and want them to cover it under factory warranty and are a truthful type person. I do not judge but the same could be said about a range device...............

Kevin Holcomb · February 7, 2017

Based on my research this unit does nothing to the ECU as far as programming goes so there is no flashing of the computer or reprogramming taking place. This is my third GMC but the first I have ever had with an 8 speed trans. Since this unit only sends a signal to the ECU to basically run in 8 cyl mode all the time, and can be eliminated by unplugging the unit it is undectable by the dealer. So far so good it did trip check engine light but manufacture warned me this can happen but I have an ODB II code reader and can clear the light myself without having to wait for it to go out. Drive truck to city to finish up LED lights installation throughout truck and gained 1 mph in 12 miles. Not bad at all so far.

That range device is a great solution if you want to protect your warranty 100%.

I know someone that bought a Hypertech 2.0 part 2000 hand held tuner. It allows the AFM to be set to only come on above a chosen speed plus you can change the 8 spd trans setting and several other things. It supplies what GM should have done from the factory, gives you driving options Economy / Sport Performance etc. It does nothing radical just makes the truck more enjoyable to drive. As others will bring up on these new vehicles GM can see (if they want to) the total flash counts so you could be put in a bad position if you have an engine or trans problem and want them to cover it under factory warranty and are a truthful type person. I do not judge but the same could be said about a range device...............

inspectorudy · February 15, 2017

I installed the Range device on my 2016 LT and it didn't help anything and certainly did not improve mileage. It also ran my battery to zero when I left it plugged in over a three day period of no use. Almost all of my issues are with the horrible transmission and not the 4-8 cylinder shifting. If anyone would like to buy my 2016 range device for a good price let me know.

Kevin Holcomb · February 16, 2017

I don't think you understand that the unit is designed to stop the engine from flexing into 4cyl mode. That helps stop the lag in the transmission while the engine and transmission decide what gear and how much power are going to be used depending on what you are doing and they warn you not to leave it plugged in if you don't trickle charger or battery tender in your truck. If you think it's just your trans that causes lag you are sadly mistaken my friend. It is the combo but not to worry if you want the device to be affective just purchase one of these and shut off the power to the unit. Tonsiki OBD 2 Cord 16 pin M/F Male to Female Right Angle Diagnostic Extension Cable with Power Switch to avoid battery drain

inspectorudy · February 16, 2017

Of course, I understand what the unit does. Duh! It stops the engine from cycling from 8 cyl to 4 cyl. I used it for four months and found it to be of no use. Around town, the bad downshifts were just as bad and on the open highway, my mileage went down because I never cycled into the 4 cyl mode. If you drive aggressively then it does offer a quicker response to the throttle. That was the only advantage I found. My biggest gripe is the awkward downshifts in stop and go traffic mostly from third to second or the hunting for the right gear when going about 25-30 mph with neutral throttle. The range gadget did not help. Also, for a company to warn you about running down your battery in less than three days but then leaves a switch off of it is really cheap on a $200 item. Mine is for sale if you would like to buy another one.

Jeeperjkjeeper · February 18, 2017

Why not just put in M5 unless driving on the hwy then use D. M5 disables the 4cyl to 8cyl mode

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Kevin Holcomb · February 18, 2017

For me mainly because I don't want to screw with upshifting and down shifting all the time. I live in VT. No flat lands to drive on here. You would be ever shifting, and for me personally I bought an automatic, because I don't want to have to shift it all the time.

Why not just put in M5 unless driving on the hwy then use D. M5 disables the 4cyl to 8cyl mode

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Hoginedgewood · February 18, 2017

For me mainly because I don't want to screw with upshifting and down shifting all the time. I live in VT. No flat lands to drive on here. You would be ever shifting, and for me personally I bought an automatic, because I don't want to have to shift it all the time.

M only sets the highest gear the tranny will shift to. I have been using 5 until I have open highway, free to try, and I like it.

Jeeperjkjeeper · February 18, 2017

For me mainly because I don't want to screw with upshifting and down shifting all the time. I live in VT. No flat lands to drive on here. You would be ever shifting, and for me personally I bought an automatic, because I don't want to have to shift it all the time.

It still shifts automatically in M5.....or M7 if you have an 8 speed

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