ah i was close..
i tuned a buddys RCLB 4x4 2500, it woke it up a ton in 4L
Does dirt drags and its just fun, it use to barely even mess the dirt up, now it spins thru the top of 2nd.

 

Yeah. Mine is still a turd out of the hole with all the weight on it.... but a lot less of a turd than stock. 3.73's make 60 mph rolls fun though. Backshifts into second and then hits third just under 100 mph.

 

I found my 02' 2500HD was quite useless and barely downshifted on acceleration. Causing the engine to lug and it fought for every bit it could. I then started to watch the RPM gauge and it would barely every reach over 3000RPM even when I put the pedal down.

I started shifting it manually and revving it over 3000RPM made for a much more satisfying driving experience. I think an HD2 shift kit and an ECU tune would wake it up. A completely built 4L80 with a manual valve body and ratchet shifter would be even better, but not practical for my current DD/work truck LOL

 

Tuning is all you need. I can backshift into 1st putting my into at 70 km/hr now... Way better than stock. My shifts are firm, positive and where I want them. I really don't see a need for an HD2 on my truck. I would put my HD2 in an 80E behind a turbo'd 6 liter..... But a stockish LQ4 in a 3/4 ton..... it's a waste of money imo better spent elsewhere. If you need a new trans, sure toss it in during the build. But it's not like you will gain anything significant from it's installation. I use this thing for work so if it would gain me life or longevity I would install it. I'm not worried about it.

 

There are still some improvements that can be made to the stock trans over a tune, but you are correct that it is still a great improvement.