Do I need an unlock to tune my transmission with HP Tuners? Every platform, year by year
“Unlock” means one thing: a one-time upgrade HP Tuners requires on certain newer controllers before they will accept a tune. Some you do yourself at the truck in a few minutes, some mean mailing a module in, and most trucks need nothing at all. This page is built from the same list our order form checks against, so it stays current.
Nothing confuses people more at the start of a remote tune than the word "unlock." It gets used for three different things, and the honest answer for most trucks is that none of them apply. Here is what the word actually means, and then the list for every platform we tune, straight from the same data our order form checks against before it lets you pay.
The three answers
| Status | What it means | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to tune | The controller reads and writes over the OBD port. Read the truck, order, flash. Nothing else. | Nobody — there is nothing to do. |
| Direct OBDII upgrade first | A one-time upgrade HP Tuners requires on certain newer controllers, done through VCM Suite with your own interface at the truck. Takes minutes, nothing is removed or shipped, and it never has to be done again. | You, at the truck, before the first write. |
| Send-in service first | The controller has to be physically upgraded by HP Tuners (or an authorized reseller) before it will accept a tune. The module comes out of the truck, ships, comes back upgraded. One time only. | You remove and ship it; HP Tuners upgrades it. We send removal and relearn notes. |
Two rules decide which one you need. The first is the model year and the controller it came with. The second is where the transmission tables live: on Ram Cummins trucks from 2010 on and on Ram Hemi HD trucks, the transmission is run by the engine ECM or PCM, so that module's requirement applies even to transmission-only work. On GM 8-, 9- and 10-speeds, Allisons and every Ford on the list, the transmission has its own module that licenses by itself, and the engine controller does not matter to us.
Platform by platform
Model years, the module that carries the transmission calibration, its status, the interface you need and the HP Tuners credits to license it. "MPVI2 or newer" means an MPVI2, MPVI2+, MPVI3 or MPVI4; where only a newer interface works, it says so.
Ram 68RFE (6.7 Cummins)
2007.5–2024 Ram 2500/3500/4500/5500 — 6.7 Cummins
Ready 2007.5–2009, 2010–2017, 2018, 2019–2021
Send-in service 2022–2024
Not yet 2025+
| Model years | Module | Status | Interface | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007.5–2009 | CM2100 ECM + separate 68RFE TCM | Ready to tune Two modules to license; both read over OBD. | MPVI2 or newer | ECM + 2 for the TCM |
| 2010–2017 | CM2200 / CM2350 ECM (68RFE tables live in the ECM) | Ready to tune No module service. The transmission is tuned inside the Cummins ECM file. | MPVI2 or newer | ECM credits only |
| 2018 | CM2350 ECM | Ready to tune 2018+ Ram has a security gateway — the Smart Access cable is required to read and write. | MPVI2 or newer + Dodge 2018+ Smart Access cable | ECM credits only |
| 2019–2021 | CM2450 ECM | Ready to tune No module service. 2019–2020 trucks that had the Y78 recall carry a different base calibration — send a fresh read. | MPVI3 or MPVI4 + Smart Access cable | 6 |
| 2022–2024 | CM2450B ECM | Send-in service first HP Tuners' RAM CM2450B ECM Service ($1,499.99 send-in), or a Direct OBDII upgrade done through an authorized HP Tuners reseller with no shipping. Transmission-only tuning still needs it — the 68RFE tables are in the ECM. | MPVI3 or MPVI4 + Smart Access cable | 6 |
| 2025+ | — | Not tunable yet Not supported by HP Tuners yet. | — | — |
Ram 66RFE / 68RFE (Hemi)
2014–2024 Ram 2500/3500 — 6.4 Hemi, 5.7 Hemi
Ready 2014
Send-in service 2015–2017, 2018–2024
| Model years | Module | Status | Interface | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | GPEC2 PCM | Ready to tune Transmission is controlled by the PCM; no service needed on 2014. | MPVI2 or newer | 2 |
| 2015–2017 | GPEC2A PCM | Send-in service first HP Tuners' Dodge PCM Service: send-in upgrade (about $250, 2–4 business days) or a new pre-upgraded PCM. Required even for transmission-only tuning — the 66RFE is run by the PCM. | MPVI2 or newer | 2 |
| 2018–2024 | GPEC2A PCM | Send-in service first Dodge PCM Service as above, plus the Smart Access cable for the security gateway. | MPVI2 or newer + Dodge 2018+ Smart Access cable | 2 |
GM 6L80 / 6L90
2006–2019 Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade; 2500HD/3500HD 6.0 gas (6L90); Camaro, Corvette, G8, CTS-V
Ready all years listed
| Model years | Module | Status | Interface | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–2014 | T42 / T43 TCM | Ready to tune Straight OBD read and write. | MPVI2 or newer | TCM licenses free (T43) |
| 2015–2016 (HD 6L90) | T87 TCM | Ready to tune No service. | MPVI2 or newer | 4 |
| 2017–2019 | T87A TCM | Ready to tune As of Nov 2025 the T87A no longer needs HP Tuners' unlock service — read and write over OBD. | MPVI2 or newer | 4 |
GM 8L90 / 8L45
2015+ Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Yukon; Corvette, Camaro, CTS
Ready 2015–2016, 2017–2019
Send-in service 2021+ Global B models
Direct OBDII upgrade 2019–2024 (Global A)
| Model years | Module | Status | Interface | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–2016 | T87 TCM | Ready to tune No service. | MPVI2 or newer | 4 |
| 2017–2019 | T87A TCM | Ready to tune No unlock service needed since Nov 2025. | MPVI2 or newer | 4 |
| 2019–2024 (Global A) | T93 TCM | Direct OBDII upgrade first One-time Direct OBDII upgrade you do yourself in VCM Suite at the truck (since Mar 2026). No shipping. Pre-refresh Silverado/Sierra, Camaro, and most 2019–2021 trucks. | MPVI3 or MPVI4 | 4 |
| 2021+ Global B models | T93 TCM (Global B) | Send-in service first 2021+ Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade, 2022.5+ Silverado/Sierra 1500, Cadillac CT4/CT5: the TCM goes to HP Tuners for the Global B service (about $300–400, roughly two weeks) and needs an MPVI4. | MPVI4 | 4 |
GM 10L80 / 10L90
2017+ Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade; Camaro ZL1
Ready 2017–2018
Send-in service 2021+ Global B models
Direct OBDII upgrade 2019–2024 (Global A)
| Model years | Module | Status | Interface | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2018 | T87A TCM | Ready to tune No unlock service needed since Nov 2025. | MPVI2 or newer | 4 |
| 2019–2024 (Global A) | T93 TCM | Direct OBDII upgrade first One-time Direct OBDII upgrade done in VCM Suite at the truck. No shipping. | MPVI3 or MPVI4 | 4 |
| 2021+ Global B models | T93 TCM (Global B) | Send-in service first Send-in Global B service for the TCM; MPVI4 only. Engine-side tuning on these trucks needs a separate ECM service ($999.99) — not required for a transmission-only tune. | MPVI4 | 4 |
GM 9T50 / 9T65
2017+ Blazer, Traverse, Acadia, Equinox, XT5, Enclave — in testing, not taking orders yet
Ready 2017–2019
Direct OBDII upgrade 2020+
| Model years | Module | Status | Interface | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2019 | T87A TCM | Ready to tune No unlock service needed since Nov 2025. | MPVI2 or newer | 4 |
| 2020+ | T93 TCM (confirm by VIN) | Direct OBDII upgrade first Most 2020+ use the T93 — Direct OBDII upgrade on Global A vehicles, send-in service on Global B. Email us the VIN and we'll confirm before you order. | MPVI3 or MPVI4 | 4 |
Allison 1000 / 10L1000
2006+ Silverado/Sierra HD — Duramax
Ready 2006–2016 (LBZ, LMM, LML), 2017–2019 (L5P)
Send-in service 2024+ (Global B)
Direct OBDII upgrade 2020–2023 (L5P, 10L1000)
| Model years | Module | Status | Interface | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–2016 (LBZ, LMM, LML) | Allison A40 / A50 TCM | Ready to tune Straight OBD. | MPVI2 or newer | 2 |
| 2017–2019 (L5P) | T87A TCM | Ready to tune No unlock since Nov 2025. The E41 engine ECM needs its own upgrade only if you want engine tuning (2018–2023 can do that over OBD; 2017 is send-in or kit). | MPVI2 or newer | 4 |
| 2020–2023 (L5P, 10L1000) | T93 TCM | Direct OBDII upgrade first One-time Direct OBDII upgrade in VCM Suite at the truck. | MPVI3 or MPVI4 | 4 |
| 2024+ (Global B) | T93 TCM (Global B) | Send-in service first Send-in Global B service; MPVI4 only. | MPVI4 | 4 (ECM is 8 more if tuned) |
Ford 10R80
2017+ F-150, Mustang, Expedition, Ranger
Ready all years listed
| Model years | Module | Status | Interface | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2020 F-150; 2018+ Mustang / Expedition | 10R80 TCM (separate from the PCM) | Ready to tune The TCM licenses on its own; no PCM work needed for a transmission tune. | MPVI2 or newer | 2 |
| 2021+ F-150 | MG1CS036 PCM | Ready to tune Since July 2025 no PCM upgrade service is needed. Send us a full read (PCM and TCM). | MPVI2 or newer | 4 |
Ford 10R140
2020+ Super Duty — 6.7 Power Stroke, 7.3 gas
Ready all years listed
| Model years | Module | Status | Interface | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2022 | 10R140 TCM | Ready to tune The TCM reads over OBD. Only the engine ECM on 2020–2021 6.7 diesels needs HP Tuners' $99.99 MD1 send-in service — not needed for a transmission-only tune. | MPVI2 or newer | 2 |
| 2023–2025 | UTCU4 TCM | Ready to tune No module service (since Sept 2025). MPVI3 or newer required. | MPVI3 or MPVI4 | 4 |
| 2026 | UTCU4 TCM | Ready to tune MPVI4 only. | MPVI4 | 4 |
Ford 6R140
2011–2019 Super Duty — 6.7 Power Stroke, 6.2 gas
Ready all years listed
| Model years | Module | Status | Interface | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2019 | 6R140 TCM | Ready to tune Straight OBD; no service on any year. | MPVI2 or newer | 2 |
Reading the table for your truck
Find your platform, then your model year, and look at the status. If it is green, read the truck and order. If it says Direct OBDII, do the upgrade in VCM Suite first — HP Tuners' instructions walk through it — and then read the truck, because we tune the read from the upgraded controller. If it says send-in, the module goes to HP Tuners before anything else happens; for 2022–2024 Ram Cummins trucks there is also a no-shipping route through an authorized reseller, and if you email us we will point you to one.
The order form asks for your platform and model year and shows this status before you upload anything, so you cannot pay for a tune your truck is not ready to take. When HP Tuners changes a requirement — they drop them more often than they add them, as the T87A, the 10R80 PCM and the 10R140 TCM all show — this page and the form change with it.
Next step: how to read your truck and send us the file.
Questions people ask about this
What is the difference between a send-in service and a Direct OBDII upgrade?
Both are one-time HP Tuners upgrades that make a locked controller writable. A send-in means the module is removed from the truck and shipped to HP Tuners (or an authorized reseller), upgraded, and shipped back. A Direct OBDII upgrade is done by you, at the truck, through VCM Suite and your interface — nothing is removed or shipped. After either one the controller reads and writes like any other.
Can Transmission Tunes do the unlock for me?
The upgrade itself is HP Tuners' service and has to be done on their end or by you at the truck, so no. What we can do is tell you exactly which one your model year needs before you spend anything, send removal and relearn notes for a send-in, and point you to a reseller that does the no-shipping option for 2022–2024 Ram Cummins trucks.
If I only want the transmission tuned, why does the engine controller matter?
Because on some trucks the transmission has no controller of its own. Ram Cummins trucks from 2010 on and Ram Hemi HD trucks run the transmission from the engine ECM or PCM, so that module's requirements apply even to transmission-only work. GM 8/9/10-speeds, Allisons and every Ford on our list have a separate transmission module that licenses by itself.