Programer for a 03 4.0 Ranger

[NC bubba]

I am looking for a programer for my FX4 Ranger, I am mostly interested in getting more mpg's, being able to adjust my speedometer and read codes. I read that a custom tunes are best and work best with mods, but the only mod I plan on using is just a better flowing filter. Would the added cost of the custom tunes be worth my modest needs? And where would be a place to get a custom tune?

[Tugly]

There is only so much that can be done to get more MPG out of your Ranger, but chipping isn't likely to be one of those items. Chipping benefits diesels far better than gassers, and MPG isn't the big benefit on those. Sometimes the MPG doesn't even climb on a chipped diesel. It's not a bad idea to get the technology to adjust your speedo and read codes - this might help troubleshoot why your MPGs are low to begin with. I suspect you have bigger tires and are riding higher to prompt concerns of fuel economy. In the physics see-saw of fuel economy, the height of the truck is on one end and the fuel economy is on the other - raising one means the other one is lower.

[Beechkid]

I agree with Tugley.....
With regards to “Chips” and “Tuners”, years ago it was the best that most could do to enhance the ignition timing, fuel curve, transmission shift points, etc. It was (and still is) very important that a person verifies that the “Tuner” is ASE certified in both ECM and Transmission programming and IMHO be have current certification by the OEM whose vehicle you want to modify. There are plenty of persons who advertise their programs to be the best and even offer custom tunes, but in all reality, very few actually have credentials in these areas- but that’s not to say that some of these “geniuses” haven’t really caused damage to a few vehicles- just jump over to flatratetech.com and read just some of the comments from the MSE techs!. Perhaps what is equally important is the parameters that can be adjusted are set by the OEM vehicle software…so there is really no “magic” in what they are doing anyway.
IMHO, if you live near any major city there are excellent tuning specialists with dynos who for the same price (if not less) will tune your vehicle taking into consideration your specific needs including environmental conditions, for your specific vehicle. IMHO, the best bang for the buck!

If you are comfortable and understand how to tune a vehicle, you can also do this yourself. There are several software programs available, that “Speak Common English” that will allow you to tune your vehicles ECM. One company is HP Tuners, they have a website….they offer two core programs, one for those who are doing dyno tuning and one for the home-garage mechanic (which is priced at about the same as most of the “canned tunes on the market) …this version limits the span of adjustments as a safeguard against doing something outside of the oem scope……basically, keeps you from doing something “too stupid by accident” (grin)- but you must have an understanding of how/why you are adjusting fuel mixture and ignition timing....just as if you were looking at a 1965 ford V8 with a carb & distributor.