‍ ‍TUNING GUIDE FOR JEEP JL/JT

A few purchases need to be made by you before tuning. You will also need a Windows Laptop PC for tuning. If you have a Mac, you may be able to use it if you know how to put a Windows emulator on it, but BMP recommends PC for the best reliability and results using HP Tuners.

Please read this guide in it’s entirety. There is a 6 step process to prepare your Jeep for tuning.

A condensed PDF of my tuning guide which has even more detail and a total cost breakdown can be downloaded from the downloads tab. But everything you need can be found here as well. Generally speaking, total cost of tuning a modern vehicle ranges from $1000-$1600 USD all in, depending on year, ECU type, automatic transmission, manual transmission, and if you already have the equipment or not. If you are starting from zero, plan on being on the high side of those numbers. BMP Calibrations’ cost for the tuning itself is a small percentage of the total cost. I promise the total cost is worth it and is usually cheaper than a set of tires. Most of my customers say they would pay double. But I have no intentions on raising my prices! I just want to set clear expectations as I understand this is not a cheap investment.

STEP 1 - Newer Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep/Ram vehicles require the ECU be unlocked PRIOR to tuning. Your ECU must be removed from the vehicle and shipped out for unlocking at a ECU unlock company of your choosing. There is currently no way around this. This is due to the encryption that is on the computers.

ECU removal is very easy and can be done with basic hand tools in a matter of minutes. HP Tuners can do unlocks on all units. Due to their high volume, this process can take 7-14 business days before receiving your ECU back. On my 2025 Wrangler, I overnighted my ECU to HP Tuners and paid for overnight return shipping. I sent my ECU out on a Saturday, and I had it back in my Jeep less than a week later on Friday. Your time may vary, but plan on your Jeep being out of commission for at least a week.

Multiple other companies can also do GPEC2A and GPEC5 unlocking, often times with very fast same day turn around. Use Google and do your research on GPEC2A/GPEC5 unlocking services near you if you don’t go through HP Tuners. This unlock service is NOT a tuning service, it is just a requirement to allow BMP Calibrations to modify your tune file. Please note that for TCU only tunes, the ECU unlock is NOT NEEDED.

There are two types of ECUs used on the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator

GPEC2A

-This ECU has the wire harness plugged into the SIDE of the unit as viewed while installed in the vehicle

-Used in 2018-2023 units, with no clearly defined cut off date.

-This ECU requires unlocking, HP Tuners can unlock this unit for $250, the link for their GPEC2A service is here.

-For the fastest service and turnaround time, plus a lower price of $200, I highly recommend using N2Speed for GPEC2A unlocking

-If using HP Tuners, on that page, you will select “Upgrade” for the service and select “Original (PCM From Vehicle)”

-An extra ECU is not needed, but if you want a spare ECU, purchase a spare through a Mopar retailer and have it programmed at your local dealer prior to unlocking. New ECU’s cost under $200.

GPEC5

-This ECU has the wire harness plugged into the TOP of the unit as viewed while installed in the vehicle.

-Used starting in 2021, mixed in with GPEC2A until 2023.

-Used exclusively on 2024 and newer units.

-HP Tuners can unlock this unit for $250, the link for their GPEC5 service is found here.

-Slowly but surely, other companies are supporting GPEC5 unlock, so if you don’t want to use HP Tuners for this service, shop around. If I find someone other than HP Tuners to recommend, I will post up their link here

-Again, an extra ECU is not needed, but if you want a spare ECU, purchase a spare through a Mopar retailer and have it programmed at your local dealer prior to unlocking. New ECU’s cost under $200.

STEP 2 - 2018 and newer vehicles require a SGW (Security Gateway) bypass cable. There are multiple options on the market to achieve this bypass. If you already have a Z Automotive Tazer, the Tazer itself acts as a bypass and you don’t need to purchase a bypass cable. If you don’t have a bypass, BMP Calibrations recommends the following unit from HP Tuners - HP Tuners Smart Access Cable - $89

STEP 3 -You must purchase a HP Tuners MPVI3 or newer device to tune your vehicle. Used units can be found on Marketplace, but beware of prices that are too good to be true. BMP Calibrations recommends purchasing a brand new HP Tuners MPVI4 directly from HP Tuners or any other reputable automotive retailer

STEP 4 - As mentioned in step 1, HP Tuners credits are required for tuning. You must purchase “universal credits”from HP Tuners. These are essentially tokens that license your vehicle for tuning. These credits are a one time purchase only at $50 each. Jeeps take anywhere from 2 to 8 credits depending on what ECU you have and if you have a manual transmission or automatic transmission. Below is a breakdown of credits needed based on your Jeep ECU and transmission configuration

GPEC2A Models - Total Credits Needed

Manual Transmission Models - 2 Credits

Automatic Transmission Models - 6 Credits

GPEC5 Models - Total Credits Needed

Manual Transmission Models - 4 Credits

Automatic Transmission Models - 8 Credits

STEP 5 - Once all of the above purchases are done, you are ready for BMP Calibrations. You will purchase a tune package from the Payment Links section at the top of this page. Once you have purchased a tune package and are ready for tuning with everything in hand and ready to go, please fill out my Customer Info/Liability Release Form and email it to brad@bmpcalibrations.com when you email me your stock tune.

STEP 6 - You are ready for custom tuning! Refer to the next section of this website for instructions on doing a read of your stock tune.