I don't know if their is a difference between the two. tuner or programmer but I have a 98 f250 4.6l 4x4. I want to put one of these in this coming up month and I was wondering if anyone out there recommends a certain brand?
please help

 

The terms tuner and programmer are often used interchangably.
A programmer could just hold a preloaded software patch program that changes some parameter in the stock program without any ability to alter them. It should save a copy of the original program so it can be loaded back in if the altered program is to be backed out.
.
A tuner often will have patch programs that can be changed "within allowable limits" before loading.
For example the transmission shift points, ignition curve changes, fuel amount changes etc that a programmer may not allow.
Bottom line is to know what your getting.
Programs suppled in a tuner have to be restricted so you cannot get into trouble by not knowing what your doing with it.
An example of that could be changing the shift points. If limits are not set in place, values might be loaded in that cause the trans to hunt in upshift and downshift. The reasons this can happen without limits is that the shift program uses two different program lines of instruction for upshft and down shift. If the values loaded in each line are too close in value the PCM tries to use them both and results in a transmission hunting situation up and down.
More than you may have wanted to know but that's some of the differences and between them.
Good luck.

 

Thanks bluegrass. what I want to get is something to help me tow my 25ft travel trailer up hill.

 

Call Mike Butler at 5Startuning.com (or pm Fordmdb - he's a site sponsor).

He'll hook you up.

 

Thanks shotgunz