Livernois Tuning released

[Frenchy]

I can verify that "feel" as mine (and/or me) has learned a 'sweet spot' where the acceleration and shifting is as smooth as glass, constant and where I hope it will be for 100% of all driving. I think a majority of the snap shifting is caused by inconsistent pedal use...namely the lunk driving (me).

If I remember correctly the soft shift os supposed to be the stock shoft profile. Contacting Livernois would be the best way to find out but i dont believe I have the soft shift.

Sponsored

 

[jss81258]

So, when I got the Livernois, I started with the high octane performance tune. Gotta try it, right? Anyway, after running around town squealing tires under moderate acceleration, I took it out before I got into trouble. Not only does the tune offer more power and much firmer shifts, it seems to me that the throttle was changed to something other than linear, like a pedal commander might alter throttle response.

The next tune to try, which is why I went with Livernois, was the tow tune. I ran it for something like 3k miles so gave the transmission plenty of time to learn. I liked the added power fine, but found the 1-2 and 2-3 gear shifts to be a bit too firm. Under light throttle, my head would rock when it shifted. Interestingly, the higher gears acted like stock. I've been meaning to contact Livernois to see if I can get the tow tune with stock shifting.

Right now, I'm running the soft shift performance tune. I actually like this tune overall the most. Plenty of power with stock feeling shifts, and it doesn't seem like the throttle has been altered. So, if I want full power, I pin the throttle. Light throttle results in moderate acceleration.

Qualify this by saying that to this point, I've only hauled light loads and haven't towed with it. So, the soft shift performance tune "feels" fine. I plan to buy a car hauler to tow a car and light equipment and plan to move to the mountains of Virginia. I wanted the tow tune for a little more low end grunt. So, if I can get Livernois to alter the tow tune to stock shifting, I'll be a happy camper.

 

[txquailguy]

Since the wife daily drives the Ranger I've been trying to explain this "tune" stuff to her. From the sounds of it I'm thinking she will like that performance tune with the soft shift. Tuner is out for UPS delivery today. I'm sure it will be a few days before I can get any tunes sent to me with the holidays upon us.

 

[AzScorpion]

Since the wife daily drives the Ranger I've been trying to explain this "tune" stuff to her. From the sounds of it I'm thinking she will like that performance tune with the soft shift. Tuner is out for UPS delivery today. I'm sure it will be a few days before I can get any tunes sent to me with the holidays upon us.

That's the nice thing about Livernois is you can try all their tunes to see which one you like best. I love the 91-93 performance tune and have been running it since August. If you drive it "normal" it has better acceleration and power. Once you lay into it it'll take off like a rocket! I've never had the tires break lose under normal-moderate acceleration like James has but I don't have the stock tires either.

 

[txquailguy]

That's the nice thing about Livernois is you can try all their tunes to see which one you like best. I love the 91-93 performance tune and have been running it since August. If you drive it "normal" it has better acceleration and power. Once you lay into it it'll take off like a rocket! I've never had the tires break lose under normal-moderate acceleration like James has but I don't have the stock tires either.

Tires are coming soon since those DynaPro tires are ridiculous.....I'm looking at Continental performance tires like the Extreme Contact in 265/40 R 18. They have the Pro Contact in a 225/40 R 18 that might look wild on the Ranger with the low profile. I would love to install an air bag suspension and be able to lower this vehicle...it would look sick!!! IMHO

 

[AzScorpion]

Tires are coming soon since those DynaPro tires are ridiculous.....I'm looking at Continental performance tires like the Extreme Contact in 265/40 R 18. They have the Pro Contact in a 225/40 R 18 that might look wild on the Ranger with the low profile. I would love to install an air bag suspension and be able to lower this vehicle...it would look sick!!! IMHO

I went with the Nitto Ridge Grapplers and couldn't be happier. Still very quiet on the road and aggressive enough for off roading. Yeah the Hankooks were the first thing to come off. They're good street tires but I wouldn't trust them off roading out in the desert here.

 

[txquailguy]

I went with the Nitto Ridge Grapplers and couldn't be happier. Still very quiet on the road and aggressive enough for off roading. Yeah the Hankooks were the first thing to come off. They're good street tires but I wouldn't trust them off roading out in the desert here.

I was all about going with big tires when I first started my build. Now I realize I'm on the road A LOT more than off. I don't want to lose power, handling and mpg. I've been getting around fine in the bush with my dynapro's. That's probably why I will stay with a 60 profile so I don't have to worry when I get dirty...lol. Granted I don't do any mudding or crawling or serious off-roading. It was funny to watch on Youtube as the Ranger runs a ring around the TRDPro in terrain control mode with those dynapro's...lol.

 

[AzScorpion]

I was all about going with big tires when I first started my build. Now I realize I'm on the road A LOT more than off. I don't want to lose power, handling and mpg. I've been getting around fine in the bush with my dynapro's. That's probably why I will stay with a 60 profile so I don't have to worry when I get dirty...lol. Granted I don't do any mudding or crawling or serious off-roading. It was funny to watch on Youtube as the Ranger runs a ring around the TRDPro in terrain control mode with those dynapro's...lol.

I do a lot of road driving too and didn't want to kill my mpg either. That's why I only went up one size to 32's with 265/70/17. Between that and the 2.5" RC level I lost about 1 1/2 mpg but with the tune I gained 2 mpg if/when I drive normal.

 

[txquailguy]

I do a lot of road driving too and didn't want to kill my mpg either. That's why I only went up one size to 32's with 265/70/17. Between that and the 2.5" RC level I lost about 1 1/2 mpg but with the tune I gained 2 mpg if/when I drive normal.

If I did go big tires I think it would be the Nitto Terra Grappler G2. A friend of mine has them on his Gladiator and loves them on the road. They seem like a good road tread/off-road mix just looking at them. To me tires are like pistols...lol. You really need to get a feel for them before you buy but that can be hard to do.

 

[Frenchy]

Tires are coming soon since those DynaPro tires are ridiculous.....I'm looking at Continental performance tires like the Extreme Contact in 265/40 R 18. They have the Pro Contact in a 225/40 R 18 that might look wild on the Ranger with the low profile. I would love to install an air bag suspension and be able to lower this vehicle...it would look sick!!! IMHO

If you take your truck offroad(which is figured here in Colorado) then I would suggest staying away from a low profile tire like that. If you do go there you can damage both the wheel and tire when going offroad. I myself run 265/70-17 Bridgestone Dueler Revo 3's and they do well both off and pn road. Will it break loose on pavement? Sure if I get into it. Other than that ot does just fine.

 

[jss81258]

That's the nice thing about Livernois is you can try all their tunes to see which one you like best. I love the 91-93 performance tune and have been running it since August. If you drive it "normal" it has better acceleration and power. Once you lay into it it'll take off like a rocket! I've never had the tires break lose under normal-moderate acceleration like James has but I don't have the stock tires either.

Yeah, I think it goes beyond tires. I don't have this issue with either the stock tune, soft shift performance tune, or the tow tune with the stock tires. I think it's a combination of added power, non-linear throttle mapping, and roads that are slicker than snot. Take any one of the variables away, and the problem (may not be a problem?) goes away. So if the roads in Arizona aren't slick like the roads on the Texas Gulf Coast, then no problem.

I agree that folks should try the different tunes that come with Livernois.

 

[AzScorpion]

Yeah, I think it goes beyond tires. I don't have this issue with either the stock tune, soft shift performance tune, or the tow tune with the stock tires. I think it's a combination of added power, non-linear throttle mapping, and roads that are slicker than snot. Take any one of the variables away, and the problem (may not be a problem?) goes away. So if the roads in Arizona aren't slick like the roads on the Texas Gulf Coast, then no problem.

I agree that folks should try the different tunes that come with Livernois.

Being so hot here my tires stick like glue. lol I can still break them loose and chirp 2nd and 3rd but I have to really lay into it. I've never tried the soft shift tune or the 87-89 tune as I've been happy with the 91-93 performance tune.

 

[jss81258]

Being so hot here my tires stick like glue. lol I can still break them loose and chip 2nd and 3rd but I have to really lay into it. I've never tried the soft shift tune or the 87-89 tune as I've been happy with the 91-93 performance tune.

Hey, while not as hot as Arizona, it does get hot in Texas too. But on the Gulf Coast, it's not a dry heat!

My car has Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires (summer only, may get 25k miles out of them) and in most states, I have little problem with traction. Here, it's ........ interesting.

I really thought I'd like the firmer shifts of both the performance tune and the tow tune, but I guess I'm showing my age. These days, I prefer the stock shifting although the sometimes hesitation I get when transitioning from off throttle to on throttle is a bit annoying. I've not noticed this trait with any of the Livernois tunes.

 

[txquailguy]

Hey, while not as hot as Arizona, it does get hot in Texas too. But on the Gulf Coast, it's not a dry heat!

My car has Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires (summer only, may get 25k miles out of them) and in most states, I have little problem with traction. Here, it's ........ interesting.

I really thought I'd like the firmer shifts of both the performance tune and the tow tune, but I guess I'm showing my age. These days, I prefer the stock shifting although the sometimes hesitation I get when transitioning from off throttle to on throttle is a bit annoying. I've not noticed this trait with any of the Livernois tunes.

I'm from Houston, living in Northern Colorado. Were headed down in the spring for a HS graduation. Can't wait to get some 93 octane in my Ranger and see how she runs down on the Gulf Coast. I tell you what, up here in the high country she runs really good. We can only get 91 octane at the pump here though.

 

[txquailguy]

Do you have to request all the specific tunes from Livernois when you send them that initial request or do they just send you all the tunes available for our trucks? I'm in the middle of emailing them right now....

Sponsored