[unixadm]

No, not the thing police (taser) fire into the neighborhood baddies... I'm talking about this thing:

http://www.zautotech.com/tazer.html

I just bought that for my new 2015 Charger Scat Pack I picked up yesterday. The Scat Pack compliments the Durango quite nicely (Bright White Durango, Ivory White Pearl Charger) and it sure as hell is fast!

However I was checking out some posts related to the Charger and people were talking about how additional options could be enabled in uConnect and the EVIC using this "Tazer" device. After thinking it over and the fact the Scat Pack is damn near a full SRT car - I wanted the rest of the bells and whistles in the infotainment system. So I bought it.

I sent them an email and asked if it would support the 2014 Durango, since they say they support the 2015 Durango. They responded and said it should work, but if not to let them know and they'll work with me on a firmware update to fix it. Pretty neat - not sure what it will do. However one feature was "100% RWD on an AWD vehicle". HMM.........

I did a quick search here and came up empty handed. I will post an update when I receive the device and will let you guys know what, if anything it does on my 2014 Durango R/T AWD.

 

[unixadm]

I'll keep you guys in the loop. Like I said, I bought it for the Scat Pack but I'm hoping it will give us a JGC SRT8 experience! Oh man, a sport mode would be nice..... like the 16's are supposed to get. Not sure how long it will take the device to get here, but one thing to note is it doesn't marry to a vehicle so you can use it on as many as you want. In addition, they seem to release firmware updates for it frequently. I'm also going got chat with the guy over there to see if he can do anything about ECO mode.

Check out "Charger Lightshow Tazer" on Youtube. That should be fun in the work parking lot.

Why not show my new baby that made this all possible to get my brain thinking about this:

 

[unixadm]

Oh and who doesn't need a LINELOCK? haha.

 

[unixadm]

It should unlock the SRT pages on the Durango at the bare minimum.

 

[unixadm]

Just to clarify - I did not buy this for the Durango. I bought it for the Scat Pack Charger and simply inquired if it would work on the Durango. The device does not need to remain connected to the car after the changes are made, unless you want to use the line lock feature and a couple of other little things. So we'll see what happens once it arrives.

I will provide them with my feedback and with any luck the Durango owners will gain a few features. If it can help enhance the cluster, that would be awesome.

 

[unixadm]

To make sure I understand correctly, the same unit can be used on all of the dodge vehicles listed? I emailed them yesterday and said I'd be a test subject and see if everything works as advertised on the 14 Durango. We'll see what they say

That's correct. I plan to work with them so why not hold tight, save your money and I'll post up the results once I get the device? I'm not throwing any money away here since I have another known working use for the device. Rest assured, I will keep you guys updated. I am pretty sure the feature set won't be as advanced unless because of the JGC SRT8, some of those features are embedded in the Durango due to the platform being similar. A little time will tell what we can do on the Durango.

 

[unixadm]

Just an update. My device will be here on Friday.

 

[unixadm]

We are over 16 hours into Friday and no update????? JK, (not really). Just hoping it works on the 14's, suspense is killing me :lol:

Just a little thing called work. The device has been delivered. I'll be home in a couple of hours to check it out. ��

 

[unixadm]

Alright, I did some testing and here are my findings. These tests were ran on a 2014 Durango R/T AWD. I have not had any updates done to the Durango except for uConnect about six weeks ago. I have not had any recalls performed yet, so my Durango is like it came from the Factory. Newer updates exist for nearly every computer/module in the Durango at this point. Vehicle was purchased in March of 2014.

Set Sport Mode for 5 speed: OFF
Set Sport Mode for 8 speed: OFF
Set SRT Mode: OFF
Set Performance Pages: OFF (changed to ON, no changes in cluster or 8.4N display)
Set Paddle Shifters: ON
Set Backup camera: ON
Set Backup camera grid lines: ON
Set Fog lights Enable: ON
Set FullDim: NO
Set DRL Dropout: ON (Changed to OFF, keeps DRL's on at all times)
Set Super Track Pak: OFF
Set Drive Modes: OFF
Set Shift Light: OFF
Set In Motion Nav: OFF (Changed to ON in Scat Pack, did not work. Changed to ON in Durango, have not tested yet.)
Steering Wheel Shifting: OFF
Full ESP Disable/Enable: Works holding Traction Button for 7 Seconds
Light Show: Works with Engine Running to get HID's
Clear CELs: Works
Force AWD: Seems to work but I didn't drive my AWD Durango. I could hear actuator changes under the vehicle though.​

I tested this using Tazer version 2.1.8 which was released on 9/17/15.

In my Scat Pack, I got TRACK transmission, SRT Drive Modes, SRT Performance Pages, ECO Mode, Valet Mode, Custom Mode and it does make a difference! Most items work on my Scat Pack Charger.

So back to the the Durango. At this point I can only see these being features worth while:

1. AWD Control
2. Lightshow
3. Line Lock
4. Enabling Fogs / Rear Camera / Paddle Shifters if you've added them to your vehicle
5. DRL Drop​

Perhaps more features will be added at a later date. I will contact the developer with my findings. If we can get a sport mode, ECO save and perhaps Performance Pages, it would be sweet. I'll get some video of Lightshow on both cars. Will be pretty cool if at a little gathering.

 

[unixadm]

I emailed the developer and we'll see. I gave him a list of things.

1. Ability to save ECO or change the default behavior.
2. The ability to get some kind of a sport mode or revised shift strategy.
3. Performance Page / SRT Page / EVIC Upgrades. Think Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

This sucker made a hell of a difference on my Charger Scat Pack though. Breaks the tires loose on 1-2 and 2-3 now without really trying. Drives smoother and the overall transmission programming is much better. I got all kinds of new features on that car but in the Durango, we are not getting much love. I tried to apply the previous 7/15/15 UConnect update after enabling "Super Track Pack" and "Performance Pages", but it didn't give me anything.

 

[unixadm]

Unixadm to Unixadm (I work for RHT as a consultant), does this mean that you DID or DID NOT successfully get a 2wd force mode on the Durango? Or a line lock mode (How would this even work?) given my supercharger, I think I'd really like both of these features! The DRL drop would be useful too

A woman with a supercharged vehicle, who wants RWD mode and knows what Linux/Unix is? OMG! lol

I believe it did go into 2WD drive mode. I can do some testing for you if you want, just let me know. My schedule has been a bit hectic this past week, so most of my attention has been placed on the Charger since it's my new toy.

The linelock works by controlling the ABS module. What it does is locks the front ABS solenoids in the closed position which prevents fluid return to the master cylinder. So you set linelock, depress the brake pedal and then release it. The front brakes should be locked at that point. Once you left off of the steering wheel buttons, the pressure will be released via the ABS module. I could test this as well.

I just ordered a set of 2014 JGC Spider Monkey wheels so that I can install my JGC Brembo's on my Durango. I've been sitting on them for like 15 months and it's driving me crazy. I also need to install my Corsa.

 

[unixadm]

Yeah uhh, I also know how to use BGP, IP Anycast, OSPF, Cisco networking gear, ASA firewalls, F5 LTM/GTM load balancers I can also install and configure EMC VNX/Clariion, Hitachi USP/VSP, and NetApp SAN/NAS devices as well as Brocade switches. I occasional hack on C/C++ or Java and I write python, ruby, and perl scripts. My current project has me deploying OpenStack on ARM and CloudForms as well as evaluting DM-MPIO as a replacement for PowerPath. My home lab is at Index of /rack and http://orchid.mirandagirl.net/desk.jpg It consists of 2 RHEV hypervisors based om E3-1275v3 CPUs w/ 32GB memory running EL6.x and an Intel Avoton based Red Hat Storage server (GlusterFS) with 4x1tB Samsung enterprise SSD drives and a pair of 2TB rust spinners. Yes, I have 10GbE at home

Thank you for doing some testing for me on this. What steering wheel button are you talking about re: linelock? Also, would this tool be usable with my custom diablosport tune? I can't exactly use the stock tune with my boosted application

Ahhh. I need a cold shower! That's awesome. You are quite the Swiss Army knife of the IT world. Nicely done. I've done everything from desktop support through senior IT management, built data centers, managed all virtualization, storage (HDS, EMC, HP 3PAR), networking, ecomm, etc. I have been around the block a few times myself.

I responded in the other thread but the steering wheel buttons for line lock are just a combination push of your existing EVIC and Cruise buttons. Nothing else is required. The device will work with a tune - at least I know it does on the Charger.

 

[unixadm]

I'm a spy. Top that.

Well check this out Snowden! I'm an astronaut. My old ride got retired, but this was me taking it for a quick spin a few years back.

 

[unixadm]

We all worked together to derail the thread. If Mr. unixadm has a problem with it, I'll clean it up.

It's all good here. haha. I was guilty myself.

 

[unixadm]

Let me get it to the track and see what kinda times I get. I'm willing to bet that a regear to SRT gears would be more cost effective if it is technically viable.

The 3.70's from 3.09's would make a pretty decent difference in performance, especially in AWD. You can probably run a 3.92 if you wanted to. It would certainly help the off the line performance. However with the first gear in the 8HP70, I personally wouldn't go any more than the 3.70 which is stock in the JGC SRT8. Problem is, it's not a cheap swap being AWD. I'd probably just find low mile SRT8 third members and swap them complete. Then get the tune updated to account for the new axle ratio.

 

[unixadm]

General Update:

I have provided the developer a download of the Body Control Module (BCM) on my 2014 Durango R/T. He also provided me with a pre-release firmware which has a couple of enhancements, one of which I think people will like related to the Lightshow.

I also provided a dump of my Charger Scat Pack. So we'll see if it helps.

Again a few key things I mentioned to the developer:

1. Disable ECO at startup by default.
2. EVIC and 8.4 Enhancements.
3. Reduce Miranda's max throttle open position to 20%.
4. Attempt to add some form of sport mode or improved shift performance.
5. Oh man, wouldn't rev matched downshifts be awesome?

 

[unixadm]

Soo any update on the most important part, which is the AWD to RWD? Have you been able to do any RWD burnouts or what?

One tire fire? I can test this weekend.

 

[unixadm]

I asked about rev matched downshifts when I first got my D (after test driving the FX50 that had it) but never got a response as to whether that could be accomplished through 3rd party reprogramming. I'm already about 75% on board with the Tazer....rev matched downshifts would bump that way up. Thanks for the research!

I just threw that out there but it's most likely a different TCM or at least different TCM/PCM programming to allow for that to occur.

 

[unixadm]

Keep up the Great Work with the Developer!!! I'll be getting one!!! The latest I heard, is that the Lightshow can be controlled by the keyfob.

You sir are correct and it works quite well.

 

[unixadm]

OP are you ever going to give us any info? It's been 3 weeks since you started this thread and so far the only thing you've told us this thing can do for sure is flash our lights? Not really worried about flashing lights but I am very interested to know how the other functions work

What do you want to know? RWD mode works, traction control can be fully defeated and you can do a one tire fire burnout (I spun it a few revolutions to test). Sorry I can't be here constantly but I was just in Memphis for a week on business. I can't test the vehicle when it's sitting in my garage nor did I have time for forum posting during 14 hour work days.

My initial update indicated that these items did work. I am not using line lock mode since I have no need for that on my Durango but I have no reason to suspect it won't work. I am still working with the developer and as mentioned, I sent a download to him from the 2014 Durango R/T with my feedback.