Add (Unlock) Hill Descent Control - 2019 Ram 1500

[viathanmk112]

I purchased a 2019 1500 with the locking rear diff and 4x4, but did not have the option to get the hill descent (off-road package) at the time. I ran across this forum which talks about unlocking the feature for an F150 due to the fact that it is all electronically controlled.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1503198-forscan-adding-hill-descent-control-to-non-fx4-4x4.html
https://forscan.org/home.html - It would be great if someone came up with a product like that for RAM!

I am wondering if I could find a 2019 PCM from a donor truck which had the option and also add the button to the dash. Would this work or is something else controlling that option? Maybe just the button and the dealer could unlock it with a code?

 

[Creamsicle]

I used FORScan extensively on the F150 I had before my Ram and it was fantastic.

You were able to add auto folding mirrors, change boot up graphics, add features like hill descent control, and modify all sorts of settings.

All mods were easily reversible and undetectable by the dealer.

It would be amazing if someone clever could unlock the same potential with our Rams.

On the upside, many of the adjustable settings are available through the impressive UConnect interface - it is much more customizable than Sync 3.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[illucid]

4 low in 1st gear, you wont need hill descent control trust me...

 

[Wakesnowb]

4 low in 1st gear, you wont need hill descent control trust me...

Curious if anyone on this forum has ever used hill descent and what their situation was. The requirements of 4 low, steep grade, and under 5 mph, seem pretty crazy off road action.

 

[alghawia]

Interested to see if anyone has unlcocked their HDC

 

[ponypride]

Do you any of the RAM trim lines have the option where the vehicle has a function to stop the truck from rolling back on a hill? I have the Laramie trim with the 3.21.

 

[spaightlabs]

Do you any of the RAM trim lines have the option where the vehicle has a function to stop the truck from rolling back on a hill? I have the Laramie trim with the 3.21.

You mean the brakes? Yeah, i have those.

Are you asking about the hill assist? I have that too. Sometimes not that crazy about it - it engages when I am pulling into my garage so I kind of have to gun it to get it rolling again...

 

[ponypride]

You mean the brakes? Yeah, i have those.

Are you asking about the hill assist? I have that too. Sometimes not that crazy about it - it engages when I am pulling into my garage so I kind of have to gun it to get it rolling again...

I am talking about when you stop on a hill it prevents the ability to roll backwards. If this is on our truck, how do we activate it?

 

[Rick J]

I am talking about when you stop on a hill it prevents the ability to roll backwards. If this is on our truck, how do we activate it?

I believe you're talking about Hill Start Assist. I have it on my limited.

Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to mitigate roll back from a
complete stop while on an incline. If the driver releases the
brake while stopped on an incline, HSA will continue to hold
the brake pressure for a short period. If the driver does not
apply the throttle before this time expires, the system will
release brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill
as normal.

The following conditions must be met in order for HSA to activate:
• The feature must be enabled.
• The vehicle must be stopped.
• Park brake must be off.
• Driver door must be closed.
• The vehicle must be on a sufficient grade.
• The gear selection must match vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle backing
uphill is in REVERSE gear).
• HSA will work in REVERSE gear and all forward gears.
The system will not activate if the transmission is in PARK
or NEUTRAL. For vehicles equipped with a manual transmission,
if the clutch is pressed, HSA will remain active.

Disabling And Enabling HSA
This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change the
current setting, proceed as follows:
• If disabling HSA using your instrument cluster display,
refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
• If disabling HSA using Uconnect Settings, refer to “Uconnect
Settings” in “Multimedia” for further information.

 

[ponypride]

I believe you're talking about Hill Start Assist. I have it on my limited.

Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to mitigate roll back from a
complete stop while on an incline. If the driver releases the
brake while stopped on an incline, HSA will continue to hold
the brake pressure for a short period. If the driver does not
apply the throttle before this time expires, the system will
release brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill
as normal.

The following conditions must be met in order for HSA to activate:
• The feature must be enabled.
• The vehicle must be stopped.
• Park brake must be off.
• Driver door must be closed.
• The vehicle must be on a sufficient grade.
• The gear selection must match vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle backing
uphill is in REVERSE gear).
• HSA will work in REVERSE gear and all forward gears.
The system will not activate if the transmission is in PARK
or NEUTRAL. For vehicles equipped with a manual transmission,
if the clutch is pressed, HSA will remain active.

Disabling And Enabling HSA
This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change the
current setting, proceed as follows:
• If disabling HSA using your instrument cluster display,
refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
• If disabling HSA using Uconnect Settings, refer to “Uconnect
Settings” in “Multimedia” for further information.

Thank you. I have a Laramie trim level so I’m not sure it is included. I will have to check the U-connect menu

 

[Rampat]

Curious if anyone on this forum has ever used hill descent and what their situation was. The requirements of 4 low, steep grade, and under 5 mph, seem pretty crazy off road action.

I don’t have it on my Laramie Sport 4x4 but I did have it on my 2016 F150 FX4 and on my 2013 Jeep Wrangler. I used it twice in the snow in Pittsburgh on the steep cobblestone roads in my Wrangler and once in the F150.

The Wrangler predictably was better due to it being a Jeep and how much lighter it was. In the Jeep or was cool kind of fun. In the F150 it was a little scary because of how heavy the truck was, every little fluctuation in speed felt less controlled.

In the end the best thing to do is ride 4wd Low and set the gear limiter to 1 and learn your truck, you’re smarter than a computer.

 

[Rick J]

Thank you. I have a Laramie trim level so I’m not sure it is included. I will have to check the U-connect menu

According to the RAM brochure (under brakes), Hill Start assist is standard on all 2019 RAM 1500's. It is under "safety and assist" in the Uconnect menu.

 

[devildodge]

It has been standard for many years.

I was very disappointed after finding this out in 2013. I bought a new Cummins and was astonished how it had the torque to hold itself on the hill beside my niece's house. Was so blown away. Until I tried to show my wife and it coasted right back. Scrolled through the EVIC and there it was Hill Start Assist.

The brakes were holding it there. My impression of that Cummins went downhill from there.

Hill descent is cool, but I probably wouldn't waste much time trying to get it into A truck that didnt come factory.

 

[theRamguy]

Back to the original question... adding hill descent control anyone successful?

 

[bigdodge]

Back to the original question... adding hill descent control anyone successful?

I have a list of sales codes and this is the one I have found
BNH

get an https://www.alfaobd.com/index.html

and see if you can add it