finally bought myself a ford! bought a 99 7.3 crew cab lariat with 152k on it. its got a banks big head wastegate, and other than that its all stock. im real psyched. i would like to tune the truck, but im looking around for tuners and programmers, would like to know what the best ones are for the truck, ive been looking at the TS 6pos chip, cause its so similar to my old efi live setup on the duramax. i also plan to put an intake and exhaust, what are you guys runnin for intakes, any inputs appreciated! thanks!

 

Dp Tuner,call Jody. I have been running mine for 4 1/2 years now. Best thing I have ever installed on my truck. I want to upgrade to the new unit that I can download and install new tunes myself.

 

Congrats on the purchase! We like pictures, feed us...

 

First thing is to make sure that EVERYTHING is up to speed with the engine and tranny. Spend that money on AutoEnginuity first, get it running right, then look at a tuner (or whatever). Change out all your fluids. Don't ever say you weren't told to get it right first!

 

DP Tuner generally has a good reputation, but I would also suggest considering the new Hydra from PHP (http://www.powerhungryperformance.com/_hydra_chip.shtml), especially as it comes bundled with standard calibration programs that work with mild mods like intake & exhaust included in the base price; and yet can also load special calibrations from other vendors who use TS 6 pos format calibrations, as well as modified calibrations if you end up doing more extensive mods further down the road.

Oh, and congrats on your new truck!!

 

Congrats! I'm running an AFE Stage 2 CAI. Love it

 

ill get some pics up when i take some. gonna put 03 lights on it and 05 grille. maybe a set of 05 harley lights to keep as a spare set. hm these options are endless!

 

and do 06 mirrors fit these? i have turn signals in my mirrors as it is and i want to get the tow mirrors, wheres a good place to get em? thanks.

 

Tow mirrors.... Next come stacks.......


Anyways I run the 6637 because its cheap and I don't mind hearing my turbo. To put a set of 05 headlights on your truck your gonna have to cut your panel. I don't know about the 06 "tow mirrors".
Custom tunes are the way to go but before you do that get yourself a set of gauges.... Egt boost Trans if its an auto and I recommend a fuel pressure gauge too. If you can swing it you should get AE first thing so you know you'll be building off a great platform that has no issues.

 

Neal has some good advice there, give it a thorough service first and check it for stored codes.

 

yeah i plan on doing gauges very soon. i can get the 6637 at napa right? and its got a new tranny in it, new cooler, probably gonna do the 6.0 cooler on the truck, and an MBRP system, and im gonna keep looking on the tuner idea. the mirrors are the vertical mirrors lol i dont know i call them tow mirrors, i ordered 03 headlights with the clear markers and a newer chrome grill. ill keep everyone posted! what tunes do you guys run? just curious

 

Dont jump on the Dp band wagon.. get u a ts chip that way u can have access to all the tuners except dp. with dp all u can have is his. and as far as tuners id either got with gearhead automotive performance or no limit tuning and design/beans diesel.. i switched from dp to gearhead and let me say it was a very welcome switch. Dp is just too smokey and jerky, good people and good service from dp tho, but gearhead gets my vote hands down

 

Welcome to FTE.
Do you know if you have the early or late '99 engine?

 

Congrats and welcome to your new addiction support group. We won't help you kick your addiction, just help you to feed it.

Buying Auto Enginuity is a good idea if you know you have some issues to tackle or want to stay ahead of any potential issues down the road. However, if you are on a budget (and I don't know many who aren't these days), asking around and finding an experienced AE user and current owner might be a better idea for your wallet at the moment. Once PMS kicks in, you'll naturally gravitate towards picking up your own copy to help monitor the truck's health.

For now, I'd recommend finding an AE user local to you and getting a good feel for what issues the truck may currently have. Diagnose and treat. Where options are available, make upgrades a part of that treatment. A prime example being the up pipes to the back of the turbo.

Once you get the truck healthy, then it is time for it to start hitting the gym and getting it's pump on. Gauges, intake, exhaust and go from there. I've had my truck for well over 18 months now and I'm still trying to get to a base level of health and wellness compared to the majority of guys here. But I have a tight budget and an even tighter schedule, so it slowly goes on.

Where abouts are you located?

 

im out of ct. this isnt my first go round with a diesel, but it is with a 7.3. my buddies all have 6.0s with extensive work done to each, and another buddys is a 7.3 with mid 500 horse. id just like to familiarize myself with some upgrades for my benefit, and keeping it on the road as long as possible!