Ok, I currently have an 04 F150 5.4L 4x4 SCAB.. I believe I have the 3.73 rear in it. It came stock with the 18" tires.

All I have on it now is a slightly bigger tire, K&N, and Magnaflow exhaust. By spring, I will be doing a leveling kit and 2" taller tires on stock 20's... (275/65/20)

I'll be honest, my truck does not have near the guts my 5.3 GMC had. But its not bad.. Yet. I assume that once I put the larger 20's on, that shift points and speedo are going to be all out of wack.. I believe it will be more sluggish off the line and will have less tow ability because a 34" tall tire is much bigger than than stock..

Doesnt anyone make a once and done programer to reprogram the shift points and speedo? Do the programers like the Edge keep running all the time, or is it basically a once and done program. Can the dealer do it?

I cant see spending 400 bucks to just recalibrate my truck.

Anyone have any suggestions or cheaper reprogram options?

 

All the programmers I've looked at are "once and done" units. Ones like the Edge/Gryphon though also act as "monitors" so you can view readouts of parameters in your engine/transmission that you would otherwise not know. In addition, you can set alerts so that if your transmission fluid temp (or other things) get too high, you'll be warned.

You WANT to be able to return the tune to stock whenever you take your truck into a dealership because if they try to flash your PCM with a custom tune on it, your truck may not start. So, you use the programmer more than once. And, you change your tune for different applications, such as towing, performance, etc.

I don't know of any dealer recalibration that does what a programmer does.

If you continue modding your truck as you plan to, you'll definitely need a programmer! And, you are likely to find it's the best mod you've made!

Check out this website: www.PHPTune.com for what a Gryphon can do for you and then give Bill a call. He's real easy to talk to and won't try to make you buy anything you don't want.

- Jack

 

At this point, it would be RARE if ever that I take my truck back to the dealer. If I cant fix it, then I'll prob get rid of it...

I just cant stomach 4 or 500 for a programer.. Really steep in my eyes.. I could see if my truck was paid off, but that is a whole months payment.....

So changing from one tune to another is as easy as pushing a button..?

 

Almost - You have to push the Menu button, scroll to the tune you want and then press <Enter>. Then you are given the opportunity to customize some of the options (such as WOT fuel, shift points, etc.), and when you are done with that, it tells you to turn your key OFF, then ON again to load the program into the PCM. The loading process takes anywhere from about 15 seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the options you customize, but then you're done! The tune is now loaded and the unit sits on your dash in a monitor mode only until you decide to change the tune again.

- Jack

 

Cool.. Is it a good idea to change the Stock settings that come in the programmer? If I were to change the tire size in a year or so, can I change it from the car, or do I have to have it reprogrammed by the company?

I dont see myself fiddling with it.. LoL.. Would prefer some better MPG, but have a way to get power when towing..

I towed an open trailer with ATV's from PA to Wyoming last year. 8 MPG on the way out. But then again, the 30 MPH headwind did not help. Going home made up for it because the wind was pushing me. Actually hit 20 for the first time... But most of the time is around 13..

Any idea what I could expect to gain as far as MPG go?

 

With the programmer, this is one of the "Custom Options" you can change at will. If you change either your gear ratio or tire size, you simply enter the new data when you enter your desired tune. The unit does not have to go back to the factory. In fact, if you decide to have a new custom tune written for any reason (one I can think of is for an intake mod) you simply tell Bill Cohron at PHP (if you've got a Gryphon) and he makes the new tune available for you to download and install on your unit via the internet.

My MPG improved about 2 MPG, but the improvement is subject to many variables (such as your driving habits). I think the Gryphon for gasoline vehicles is advertised to get you a 20-30 Hp gain.

I know what you mean about headwinds. We drove to California in about a 30 mph headwind - killed our gas mileage. But, the wind resistance was equivalent to driving at 105 mph, so I guess it was to be expected. Coming back, it was calm, so we didn't get anything back for what we lost!

- Jack

 

you can get speedometer correction devices for alot less money-fyi
if memory serves me correctly, a dealer can recalibrate for tire and gearing changes

 

My uncle put larger tires on his F150 and the local dealer charged him 90 bucks just to calibrate the speedo. A total rip off if you ask me. Look for a used programmer, they are a lot less than buying new and work just the same as long as it has canned tunes not custom. Check the classifieds on this site, there are usually used Edge programmers in there. Also check your local craigslist listings. You should be able to get a decent programmer for about 200 bucks.

 

did your uncle regear as well?

 

Nope, just changed the tire size. His tires were bald, so after I had my mud terrains installed I gave him my take offs.

 

I could see 200 for a basic tune. And the 400 for something custom.. I dont know, spending a year in Iraq has made me very cheap I guess. I'm not spending a year away from my family in lovely Baghdad to **** my hard earned money away.. LoL

Thanks for all the info guys.. I'll be keeping my eyes open for a used one I guess.