BoiseF150

Hey Everybody,
I've got a 2004 SCREW with the 5.4. 300HP, factory 3.73 gears but 139K miles and was wondering if any of you have high miles and run a programmer? I'm not looking for a race horse but want to start pulling an RV and would like a little extra HP/torque for pulling hills. Am I just looking for trouble? Thanks in advance!!!

rdsii64

I don' know squat about these programmers, so take this with a grain of salt. If the RV you want to pull is within the capabilities of what your truck set up to tow, I would leave it alone.
Maybe 4.10 gears would help some but your gas milage would go to s@#t.

BIGDAWG2

A little more information about your truck like 2 or4 wheel drive and what size tires you are running and if you are keeping your present tire size. Cause you only want to regear once I would go with gears if you tow a lot but then your still going to have to reprogram your truck to recognize the lower gear set. A lower gear ratio doesn't always mean gas MPG will suffer it will take less throttle to move that load and will be able to maintain that speed easier. Hope this helps.

BoiseF150

Sorry to leave out more information on the truck. It's a 4x4 and currently running stock tires. Was thinking of going up a size or 2, nothing drastic. The trailer is a 23ft, ~4500lbs dry. I'm just worried about trashing the engine since its a bit on the high side with a programmer. Thanks!

BIGDAWG2

Don't think a Programer will hurt your engine but don't think it will give you the gain your looking for. Towing takes Torque I'd go with gears that is where you can actually feel a difference.

60DRB

It's not the engine, but the transmission that you should be thinking of. Personally, I don't think of your trucks' mileage as especially high. Most programmers have a tow setting that will help with transmission shifts when hauling a load. They also allow you to set the actual tire/wheel size, which affects shifting and other things (like mph for one). A transmission cooler would be another thing you might want to add if your truck doesn't already have the "tow package". ... just noticed your location and the "hills" mention. A trailor brake system is also in your best interest.

Franchi Motorsports

iTrader: (9)

A tune isn't really affected by mileage at all, whether high or low. It's all electronic in nature. So it's gonna work equally well on a lower mileage vehicle or higher, not going to negatively affect the vehicle in any way.

athede1

im running and edge evo and have been ive got 170k on it and that 3:73's that helped a ton when on the towing setting go for it all day. i make lots of trips from michigan to ks towing with out a problem love the edge!!! best bang for your buck!

Maulerman

I don't have a programmer and don't tow a whole lot but I recommend when you tow to take the trans out of overdrive. It will affect mileage somewhat but it will reduce the heat build up in the trans fluid extending the trans life. Besides the constant shifting into and out of OD is annoying.

BoiseF150

Thanks everyone. Sure appreciate the information. My main concern was trying to goose to much out of the engine. Sounds like it shouldn't be an issue. As always any advice is appreciated. I'll use the seach for types of tuners.