PathfinderJr

iTrader: (6)

I've got a 2005 Silverado 1500HD. Completely stock. Good truck with the 6.0/4L80E combo, 4x4, etc. Towing is usually a painless experience, but after this last weekend of driving my dad's 2012 GMC Sierra with the gear command buttons on the column shift lever, I got jealous of their usefulness when climbing hills on the highway.

See a big hill to climb ahead of you? Just hit the downshift button on the lever and away you go without having the truck lug itself to the point of finally realizing the need to automatically downshift. Plus you don't have to awkwardly fiddle with the actual lever as you're driving.

I know the Duramax/Allison trucks had this gear command feature in the GMT800 models in 2006 and 2007, so the actual shift lever exists to work in my truck. The Allison has the capability and obviously so does the newer 6 speed auto's that are in the current 1/2 ton trucks like my father's. Question is, does that capability exist for the 4L80E in my 2005 1500HD and is it simply a matter of wiring up the new shift lever and modifying the tune?

Anybody tried this yet? If you don't know what I'm referencing, just google up some pics of the interior of the 2006-2007 duramax trucks and the newer 1/2 tons and you'll see the buttons on the shifter lever that I'm talking about.

PaulyC

i dont know if this is possible with stock stuff but i do know there is a stand alone trans controller that will allow you to shift via buttons on a touch pad. but if you are going to go that far might as well go like a vette and do paddle shifters