Forum Discussion

MPI_Mallard's avatar
MPI_Mallard
Explorer
Nov 12, 2018

Bully Dog Rip Off!

The computer on my 07' dodge ram diesel dually took a dump ($5000+ thank you Chrysler stealership!!) and when I went to re-install the bully triple dog e3 program back into the new computer it wouldn't
t load. I called bully dog up and the tech told me that the loader was married to the computer that had failed and it was now a $500+ paperweight however they were kind enough to offer me a $40 discount on the new model they replaced mine with! I think this is total bunk, I bought that programmer when I bought the truck, used it once and it sat in its case since and they should be able to unlock it in the event that the vehicles computer fails but as it was explained to me (in a rather condescending tone) that this is how they protect themselves from owner's sharing their programmers and costing them customers! Well that has failed as I'll never buy another of their products again nor will I refer them to anyone!

Red Green: There's only two things that excite
a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys.

30 Replies

  • IMHO, they should replace or reset your unit to allow it to work with the new engine computer, IF you provide them with a copy of the receipt from the dealer showing you had the computer replaced.
  • Hello MPI Mallard
    I put a smarty jr in my 03 dodge I really like the jr
    good mileage and good mid range power.
    Plus Brian at smarty is great customer service
  • Brewurown wrote:
    I purchased an Edge CTS2 for my 2007.5 Ram 2500. I later traded for a 2012 Ram 3500 and was able to use the CTS2 without any problem.
    That is because a CTS is merely a monitor, not a tuner
  • I purchased an Edge CTS2 for my 2007.5 Ram 2500. I later traded for a 2012 Ram 3500 and was able to use the CTS2 without any problem.
  • If you bought the tuner when you bought the truck, you got 11 years of use out of that tuner. A little over $3.80/month. I'd say you got your money's worth out of it.

    Sorry you are frustrated. As far as I know, all the tuners work that way. I know my Smarty did.

    If you were happy with the Bulldog performance, you could likely find a used one to use on your 07.
  • As far as I know all programs work the same way. But many times they offer a lower cost option to unlock the tuner. It sounds like you have a tuner they no longer supported.
  • You download the 'program' from your tuner replacing the OEM stock program

    YEP......only can be on ONE vehicle at a time. Your NEW PCM is same as another vehicle.
    Bully Dog is NOT the only 'programmer' set up that way
    Same restrictions apply to Smarty and others
    Proprietary Property

    Did you try to remove/go back to stock on your old PCM ?


    Seems like that old adage applies
    Gotta pay to play.
  • That is pretty much par for the course. That tuner is married to that single ECM until the moment it is uninstalled. Sucks in your situation but that is how every major tuner manufacturer insures one tuner cannot program an infinite amount of engines.
  • I have never been a big fan of Bully Dog for diesels or canned tunes in general.

    Custom tunes from devices like EFILive, MM3, or EzLynk are my preferences.
  • I am guessing your old computer contained what is what you call "tunes"?

    Curious what advantage did you get over the stock programming? Asking off topic questions but had to ask someone who had one.

    Thanks