I bought a used 2001 F150 crewcab with 55k on it, already had dual exhaust, remote start, 20"s. This truck will not run on 87 octane. I figured since the original owner added all of the above, they might of chipped it or supertuned it, I bought it from a 3rd party so can't get the original info. I am wondering how can I tell if either has already been done?

If I put 87 in the truck the idle will surge in the morning upon startup ranging from 600-1200 rpm, will continue to do it until I rev it once or twice. Also if I come to a stop light it will surge from 500-700 just small little revs a couple of times, especially if AC is on. It will also ping under very little load. If I go with 91 (the best I can buy in Sacramento) no problems what-so-ever, very powerful, no ping, no idle probs.

Any help will be appreciated before having a mechanic take a look.

 

look at the pcm and see if a chip is installed in the port or see a switch that you don't know what its for? tuner will be harder to tell--I'm not sure about how to tell if there is a tuner.

 

if you know a tech that works at ford you can have them scan check your computer to see if a tuner has been installed. should leave a code in the computer or throw their diag tools off with unusual readings if there a chip or tuner installed on your vehicle.

 

Don't take it to the ford dealer to get it checked. They do not like the programmers. I would just take it to a shop and they should be able to reflash the computer. Then ford doesn't have to know about it.

You can also tell by taking the truck on a secluded highway and see how fast it will go. I think those trucks governed at 105 mph (168 km/hr). Your gauge in the truck probably only goes to 100, but you should be able to tell by the way it climbs and the RPM's. If you think it goes over 105, then it has been programmed.

 

105 my 250 cute out at around 95 until I put a tuner on it, and the Excursion still does.

 

my 2002 supercrew cut out at 105 before the tuner was used. You must have gotten a tuner that is not capable of removing the governor or that the enigine is not the same. The governor is set at what ever the tires are speed rated at!!