Hi ulfr
The tce-load script probably does it using the busybox cp command:
tc@box:~$ busybox cp --help
BusyBox v1.19.3 (2011-10-30 01:47:29 UTC) multi-call binary.
Usage: cp [OPTIONS] SOURCE DEST
Copy SOURCE to DEST, or multiple SOURCE(s) to DIRECTORY
-a Same as -dpR
-R,-r Recurse
-d,-P Preserve symlinks (default if -R)
-L Follow all symlinks
-H Follow symlinks on command line
-p Preserve file attributes if possible
-f Overwrite
-i Prompt before overwrite
-l,-s Create (sym)links
tc@box:~$
Look for a cp command that includes the -s option.