Solved.. Thanks guys

 

We primarily work with Gear Head.

 

Buy the Hydra from someone like Clay at Riff Raff Diesel without anyone else’s tunes on it to start anyway. You have access to the entire PHP library for the initial cost of $299, chances are the PHP tunes will meet your needs.
I use the PHP Tunes for DD but Andrew Arthur tunes for towing. I did not have a good experience with 1023 tunes both in performance or Customer Service and will never recommend or use them again.

 

Clay at Riffraff also provides the USB cable with the 90* port as part of the purchase price. This is a great thing to have and will save you from having to remove the chip to reprogram the positions or move them around.

I have Gear Head, 1023 and PHP tunes. I use PHP 65HP to tow 18,000 - 20,000 lbs GCVW cross country and removed the other tunes off the Hydra. Just about every tuner will have a wide selection of tunes ranging from "race" to "heavy tow".

Just my experience and yours will probably be different.

The biggest challenge you will probably have is the shifting strategy for the 4R100. That is where most people seem to find issues with tuners if they are running OEM/AD injectors.

Having a chip is no doubt a game changer for the 7.3L and the way it performs, but the engineers at Ford did a good job at keeping the engine reliable well past 500,000 miles oh the stock tuning.

 

The hydra comes with a usb cable.

 

We have the Hydra available with or without custom tunes https://bitterrootdiesel.com/products/hydra-chip

 

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You don't need to know the PCM code if you aren't ordering custom tuning. When he goes to install the Hydra he can get the correct calibrations from the library.

We don't charge extra for shipping.

 

Sous pretty much nailed it here. One main difference from Clay at Riffraff is he includes an extra USB that has the proper 90º end so you can use it while the chip is installed. The one that is supplied with it is only good uninstalled on your desk to load tunes. Start with the tunes that come with it that you can download, then if you want custom tunes there are lots out there to choose from as mentioned.

https://www.riffraffdiesel.com/php-hydra-chip/

 

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The Hydra comes with a USB cable that you install to the chip and can leave under the dash.

 

The great thing about the Hydra is he can order and load tunes from multiple tuners without shipping the chip back. Be sure to get the additional remote cable the guys are talking about, it lets him add/change things without pulling the chip. Basically it’s a 90* printer cable if I remember correctly.

Like the others have said, try the PHP tunes first. He gets access to the entire PHP library with the Hydra. He will use his box code to find the proper files to download from their server.

It doesn’t matter where you purchase. Bitterroot or Riffraff would be good choices. Again, just make sure to include the remote cable.

The main reason for my post is to share this.
He must have a windows PC to use the Hydraflash software required for loading the files onto the chip. If that’s not available then some sellers will load it up for you.

 

I wish PHP did include the 90º one, but they don't. I just put one in my Dad's Early 1999 and can confirm PHP only includes a straight USB cord that if you try have plugged in while the chip is being installed it will break the receptacle on the chip board.

 

Very important piece of the puzzle there! As a fruit using family, I personally do not have that available to me! It is definitely something to consider. I have looked at some Windows emulator programs but have not received confirmation of any of them working for the Hydra software.

 

Jason, this is a good point that I need to remember to include in any future advice I provide for tuning with the Hydra. I am not a fruit user and never will be, so I tend to forget about little "gotcha's" like this.

As for the 90* USB cord, there was not one included in my purchase from Gear Head several years ago, but I bought one on Amazon for like $2. Recently I helped a friend install a Hydra on his 2003 7.3L and the chip bought from Riffraff did have the 90* USB cord.

I don't know if this is a Riffraff included item or if other resellers like Bitterroot or CNC Fab are including the 90* USB cord now as well. Either way, this is HIGHLY recommended!