100% on firing it up the minute it arrives. In all actuality I probably won't have a choice as I'll need to do some recalibrating for the new tires and gears so the speedo reads correctly and the tranny shifts when its supposed to. I believe I read somewhere here that the Tech2 will assist with that. But then again I could be mistakes because I've been absorbing information over the past few weeks like I've been drinking from a fire hose...

I should have added that I'm ditching the 35's and going with 39's hence the dramatic gear swap.

 

I see why you want the lower gears with those monster tires. Anyway, not sure how much help the Tech 2 will be with re-calibration you will need to dig around in the menu's to see what's available. Most of the time you would load TIS2000 onto a laptop, connect the Tech 2 with a loopback plug download and change the option code, for example is you were going from 3.42(RPO U42) to 3.73 (RPO GT4) you would change U42 to GT4 and upload back. Since G51 (4.11) is the lowest ratio RPO code for an H2 that won't cut it. My guess is your going to have to do it via HPTuners or a professional tuner to get the calibration where it needs to be. I changed ratio's in my old 97 2 Door Tahoe from 3.42 to 3.73 and did it with the Tech 2/TIS but this was with the option codes as explained above. Another thing you might do is ask who ever is doing the gear swap for a suggestion. If they do this type of work routinely they should be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck with the swap, keep us updated!

 

So if I understand correctly, an H2 that is prior to 2007 just needs the Tech 2 with the GM card for pretty much everything, other than new programming online through GM? (Mine is a 2003) Correct me if I'm wrong, my understanding is on the older models prior to 2007, all the basic stuff you need is on the GM card.... Resetting modules and whatnot? And does TIS2000 only require the security dongle if connecting online to GM?

 

With the 2002 MY GM jumped in with both feet on enhancing OBD2 and even though the gen 2 high speed canbus interface was not introduced until the 08/09 time frame the older interface still needed the Candi module. I can tell you first hand on my 05 H2 my Tech 2 would keep getting a communication error without the external Candi interface. You don't need a GM subscription to download from your H2, just to update module software revisions and to apply updates released by GM.

 

Excellent. Ordered one with candi...

 

What about replacing modules? Default info on the GM pcmia card? Or will I need to connect to GM? Or are those a basic matter of applying the VIN?

Not the BCM/ECM of course....I figure they need complete programming

 

the one i ordered from china years ago came with a disk with TIS2000 and a patch for the TIS to function standalone i used an old dell latitude D620 running windows xp. that was one of the GM required computers. a D630 should also work fine. you can find one cheap on ebay.

 

the computer is key to programing, the Tech2 uses a serial port to communicate with the computer so its much easier if you have a laptop with a serial port, it not then finding a USB adapter is problematic as the Tech2 software only works with a few adapters, it took me a few tries to find one that would work.
and as bronxtech has mentioned its best to use windows XP,
While TIS2000 and the tech2 offers support for the 08/09 h2 I was never able to get the updated software to load for programing.

Neal

 

I recently changed to 4:56 gears with 37" tires on my 08
I've never tried making changes for gear ratios and tires with the tech2 so I'm not sure if it will make all the calibration changes needed, I made all the changes with HP Tuners as it has a calculator that will make all the needed changes to the speedometer and trans tables based on the gear ratio and tire size you enter.

Neal

 

I've been in the market for one of a clone Tech 2 for some time. I pulled the trigger on the one linked above, placed the order last Saturday afternoon. It arrived here in Oregon today. Total price with the GM card and shipping to the West Coast was $273. Just got done testing it out, works perfectly. Laptop coming Monday for the TIS2000 software. I was wondering how bad the learning curve would be, but no problem. Very intuitive. I would 100% recommend the above link.... Wanted to grab one before any tariffs kick in

Again, extremely nice item considering it came from China. Looks identical to the vertronics unit they copied. Cables and everything appear to be very good quality. They sent me an email stating they tested the item before shipping. I would have to say it appeared so, as the card was already inserted and the twist ties around the cables have been disturbed. Although it states it covers through model year 2013, tried it on my wife's 2014 Escalade as well. Date of manufacture November 2013. I was able to confirm her air compressor for the suspension is leaking air. Get one while you can!