Programmer

[Mjsymank]

I own a stock 2005 Dodge Ram 3500, automatic, 5.9 diesel. I am looking for a good programmer and a few of my friends like Mad Smarty Jr. Tuner.
My question is, What do think of this programmer? There is so many out there, not sure which one to chose.

[Redwoodcamper]

With his 05 you are correct. With newer trucks custom tunning affects tranny line pressure and shift points. Most of the canned tunners don't. So they can help preserve your tranny. With the 48re that he has, you are correct.

[Grit_dog]

Agree, can't go wrong with custom tunes, IF they're setup right, but it's not like adding 100hp is easier on your trans coming out of a custom tune than it is from a "canned " tune. Custom tunes can be a bit more efficient though, but for half the price or less (compared to custom stuff + adding gauges, etc), nothing is wrong.
Plus, the good "canned " programmers have safety's built in to defuel if they sense tq converter or trans slip.

[Redwoodcamper]

For the most hp or even the best mpg custom tuning with an EFI live module is so far superior to of all the over the counter options. All of the above will help some, but isnt getting the best of anything. Call up anarchy diesel or Corry Willis at ppei and tell them what you have and what you want. The tunes have cooler egts and better mpg on the tow and eco settings, and way, way more hp on the race settings.

[4x4ord]

I put a tuner on my Duramax. It was incredible fun to drive till it took out the transmission.....about a week.

[Wild_Card]

Dont buyba canned tuner. Get one from a reputable tuner like Double R Diesel. Canned tunes are what hurts trucks.

[djgodden]

I use a Edge Evolution CTS and gained 50HP, 100 torque, and about 1 MPG in the economy mode.

[transamz9]

Sinbadman5024 wrote:
We ran the Edge CS w/attitude on our 03. The reason I went with that one over the Smarty is because of the screen display. I can see what's going on and can makes changes on the screen as to what is monitored. I only ran it on 1 (econ) or 2(tow). If you don't get carried away with the tuner, your trans will last. I had the trans built because I have a friend who does them for me, inexpensively. We would average 14-15 mpg towing an 11,000 enclosed trailer.

I went with Bully Dog for the same reason. I like seeing what goes on. Also I like the fact that it de-tunes when it gets to preset parameters.
I towed on the tow tune for the first couple trips and then I just put it on the 140 hp tune and left it. Unlike fish, not all of us race our trucks just because they are fast. My ole truck is right at 100,000 miles and still running the factory 48 that everyone says is junk. Been towing way over the trucks capacity on the 140 hp tune for at least 50,000 of those miles.

[Sinbadman5024]

We ran the Edge CS w/attitude on our 03. The reason I went with that one over the Smarty is because of the screen display. I can see what's going on and can makes changes on the screen as to what is monitored. I only ran it on 1 (econ) or 2(tow). If you don't get carried away with the tuner, your trans will last. I had the trans built because I have a friend who does them for me, inexpensively. We would average 14-15 mpg towing an 11,000 enclosed trailer.

[Nicholsfamily05]

We used a bullydog in our 2012 Ram 2500 5.7. We liked it added mileage to the tank and some good power.
We didn't go over board with the tune. Changed the shift points slightly and set it at moderate tune.

We pulled a 40' Bunkhouse with it and on our trips we could keep the truck at 10-11mpg.
We also did a cold air intake and we cut just the muffler out and welded in a 40 series flow master muffler.

Whenever the truck went into the shop they never gave us a hard time about the tuner and did all the warranty work.

[FishOnOne]

Smarty...

With any added power be sure to budget some extra $$$$ to upgrade your torqueflight (48RE) auto transmission. ATS and Suncoast makes some nice upgraded transmissions.

Good luck...

[Grit_dog]

In order, for best tuners/programmers imo:
EFI live
Smarty/Jr
Edge
Bullydog

I have an old Bullydog on my 07. Came with the truck, been tuned since new. It ain't the cleanest one. Overfuels too much imo at low boost/high hp settings and it's easy for me to hit 14-1500 deg egts towing if I let er rip, but it has worked for 10 years now and adds plenty of power.

[Bionic_Man]

I had the Smarty JR on my 03. I really like the way it woke the truck up. With the tuner, my 03 would pull my boat and RV up the IKE faster than my '12 does.

As Scott suggested, I would add at least a pyro gauge. I had a 6 speed, so I wasn't worried about the transmission, but I would suggest you get a trans temp gauge. I never towed above level 2.

[Edd505]

Can't speak to Dodge but I used an Edge Programmer, plugs into OBD port, on my F250, set to tow mode. It was like driving a different truck with no difference in mileage.

[ScottG]

I did a lot of research before getting a SmJr. I had a powerMax PCMR or what ever it's called and it constantly threw codes. Finally ripped that expensive thing out and tossed it in the trash.
Since the Smarty has no hardware to connect, it doesn't junk up connections and have wires hanging all over the eng. It also maintains max. pressure levels set forth by Bosch so there is no unusual stress on the FI system. I've been pulling with it on the 100HP setting for several years and don't plan on changing. If there's a down side to this programmer, I haven't found it. Fuel efficiency didn't change even with the added power. No or very little extra smoke.
You will need to do some upgrades on your auto before using anything above the 30HP setting. I wold also at least install a pyro gauge.