Well I finally had one installed just before Christmas. It hasn't been real cold so I haven't used it all that much. Sure is nice to get into a warm truck though, or at least semi-warm.

The brand name is Polar Start. I went with the long range model for $350 CAN installed. I'm pretty happy with it. It starts my truck from the 32nd floor of my building in a parking lot 2 blocks away no problem. However, I've discovered that unless I can actually see the truck, it won't start. It certainly won't penetrate walls or go around corners, I assume this is normal.

I had to take the truck back a couple of times before they got it right, and they tried to blame my stereo installation for the problems the second time. A wire to the stereo had "mysteriously" come undone and caused all the problems. They tried to guilt me into covering part of their "3 hour plus labour bill" to track it down. I said no, that's why I took it to "professionals" in the first place. Argued with the salesman for a while on the phone, but when I got there the owner of the business said no problem, it's their mistake and there won't be a charge. I told him I was impressed with him but that I was VERY UNIMPRESSED with his salesman and that he would make me think twice about doing business with them again.

Anyhoo, long story short, I'm pretty happy with it other than the odd glitch here and there that I could probably solve by reading the owner's manual.

Funny thing though, my gas mileage isn't quite as good as it used to be.

Waxy

 

Sounds like a good deal to me Waxy! I've been wanting one myself, I'm just unsure of putting one in since I have a manual tranny. I'm pretty sure it can be done, but I wonder if it's got anything to tell if the truck is in gear or out of gear. I would hate to think what would/could happen if I tried the remote start with it in gear...

basstardo

2002 F-250 Lariat, 7.3L PSD, 6 Spd Manual, 4x4 Off Road Package, Line-X Liner, grille gaurd, soft tonneau, altezza tail lights (adds at least 15HP ), more to come...

 

It can be done no problem, just costs about $100 more.

Waxy

 

Waxy-
>However, I've discovered that unless I can actually

>see the truck, it won't start. It certainly won't

>penetrate walls or go around corners, I assume this is normal.

Hence the term "line-of-site" your exactly right, by the way the gas mileage is in direct proportion to heat(therms) in the vehicle!

 

I've had remote starters on my trucks for the past 15 or so years. The last couple trucks, Ford has talked me into their "Name Brand" starter for warranty reasons. I'm not near as happy with these as I was my "Polar start". The polar start had great range. My office is about 30 feet from my truck, and I look out the window every time I start it to see if it actually worked. The 6.0 is just too quiet for my ears to pick up.
Matt

 

You guys are lucky! Even though I can see my truck out my window on the 4th floor I don't trust a remote start. Denver is notorius for smash and grabs on vehicles warming up in the winter.

But I have a question after thinking about how they work. Most thefts take place on a vehicle with an extra key in the ingnition and the doors locked. I assume a remote start works without the key or ignition being turned?? Can you shift it into gear w/o a key or the ignition being turned??

Can I install a remote start and have it work with an armed alarm system??

Too bad they just don't have power outlets in the parking lots for vehicles with plug in heaters!!

 

You can't drive a vehicle without a key that has been started remotely. If you depress the gas, brake or clutch pedal, the engine turns off. That is a nice thing about remote starters. They are safer than starting it with a secondary key and locking the doors.

 

So how does that work? Do you just put the key in and turn it to the on position and go or ????

basstardo

2002 F-250 Lariat, 7.3L PSD, 6 Spd Manual, 4x4 Off Road Package, Line-X Liner, grille gaurd, soft tonneau, altezza tail lights (adds at least 15HP ), more to come...

 

>So how does that work? Do you just put the key in and turn
>it to the on position and go or ????

Yep! Start it up from the house, then just put the key in and turn it to run. Just be sure and get the key in before you hit the brake or it will shut down.

Matt

2002, F250 SD, SC, 8' Bed, V10, 3.73 LS, Arizona Beige, ICI Stainless Step Bars, Truxedo Tonneau, Prodigy Brake Control, Flowmaster 40

 

I have a Viper Remote Start/Security System and it works great. It is not optical. Another words as long as it is in range, it will start it. I've had no problems at all and it will work on any truck and has a no questions asked warranty. It has anti-grind sensors and auto shut down with over heating and loss of oil pressure. It is expensive but I have talked to five different dealers and they all agree that it is the best system you can get. But for the warranty to be good it must be installed by a certifed installer. You can add many tricks to it at anytime ie; roll the windows up automatically when you hit the lock button. Rickey

 

Your lights should flash if the system is armed at least their supposed to. Rickey

 

The viper system actually overides the other system. But you get everything that comes with a normal securit system, horn, alarm, flashing lights, breaking glass sensors, warnings if the vehicle has been tampered with at all and many other doo-dads. Rickey

 

> Your lights should flash if the system is armed at least
>their supposed to. Rickey

I have the Sidewinder system which is made by the same folks as Viper. On these systems, you can have it programmed for the lights to flash, or stay on constant. Mine are constant so as not to draw too much attention to the truck when it's running and I'm not around it.

Bluehawk

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=4318&.jpg
F-250 SD XLT CC 4x4 Shortbed; 285/75R16 BFGoodrich T/A KO, MAAP nerf bars, Rally/Lightbar combo, PIAA 1300 driving lights, Lund bugshield, Lund SunVisor, tinted windows, K&N airfilter, Access tonneau cover, Rhino Liner, remote starter/security system, custom built console, Cobra 29 ST/WX CB with a Wilson 1000 magnet mount antenna, Realistic 500 channel police scanner, Kenwood 10 disk CD changer, Compaq laptop, SVP 100 Watt siren, and 24 Strobe lights.

Upgrades for the near future include: Warn Rio Grande pushbar with a 12,000# winch, 4" lift kit, and fender flares.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-16-03 AT 08:19 AM (EST)]I just removed mine from a gas guzzler and bought the PS. Have you had any problems with yours in the diesel? I am impressed with the Viper and have heard that most of the security systems are made by the same company but sold under different names. It doesn't matter as long as it works, right!



2001 LWB DRW 4x4 with all the goodies. Just ordered the Dieablo Dual Chip, hope to put it in this weekend.


Anyone have any does or dont's concerning a mild lift for a DRW 4x4? Just want a little lift (2"-3"). And can you run taller tire than the stock without jeopardizing the tires rubbing each other? Rickey