Remote starter recommendations?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB.
Had Astro start in my last truck, worked fine. Just got a Viper 5500 in my current truck. Also works good. The Viper has much better range and seems to interface with the trucks factory security system better. I also had the starter kill installed and active arming, because I keep forgetting to lock my doors.
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Willow ,Alaska
i have an 04 w/6.0 and put a bulldog RS1100 on it , doesn't have all the bells and wistles but does have a delay that is programable, and has cold/hot start feature they don't make the 1100 any more but the RS1200 is the same w/more features they sell a T harness for the ignition, it took me about an hour and a half to install mine inc door locks but i did not have the chip in the key either. have installed 5 or 6 so far and no problems with any of them and for about $150 bucks it aint bad , they have programable run times ect. i went to bulldogsecurity,com and linked to the site to buy it
Strokin Okie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 21
From: Oklahoma
There are some models that won't work with diesels but many do. I can say they are not all created equal. I had Autopage and hated it! Remote start worked about 50% of the time. I have a Viper Smartstart now and love it!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 889
Likes: 1
From: Ithaca
I have the CopuSTAR installed by local HiFi shop a couple years ago. Life time warranty. Works great good range dont remember how far but good. It is set up with a delay for the glowplugs. I have been very happy with this setup.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Harford County, MD
I had the Smartstart system installed about a month and a half back. I really like the ability to start/lock/unlock, etc. from anywhere regardless of distance using my phone. I have had issues with the starting cycle timing out before the truck starts. I have it adjusted 3 times so far and I still have problems with it every so often. The other disappointment is that some of the features do not work with my 06 because the truck does not have data output like the later models do. My buddy had the same exact system installed in his 2012 Chevy dually and his system can read a lot more info from the vehicle then mine and has more functions available. Would have been nice if I had been advised of this before I spent the $$$.
Strokin Okie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 21
From: Oklahoma
I had the Smartstart system installed about a month and a half back. I really like the ability to start/lock/unlock, etc. from anywhere regardless of distance using my phone. I have had issues with the starting cycle timing out before the truck starts. I have it adjusted 3 times so far and I still have problems with it every so often.
Is your issue a cranking time (duration) or not waiting long enough before it starts cranking? How many seconds does it take your truck to start when using the key?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Harford County, MD
So far, knock on wood, mine has started 100% of the time. I too like being able to start the truck from any where.
Is your issue a cranking time (duration) or not waiting long enough before it starts cranking? How many seconds does it take your truck to start when using the key?
Is your issue a cranking time (duration) or not waiting long enough before it starts cranking? How many seconds does it take your truck to start when using the key?
Strokin Okie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 21
From: Oklahoma
I think it is a cranking duration issue. I have the delay set for 20 seconds which is more than enough but the cranking time just doesn't get it some times. I haven't actually tried to time how long it cranks by key but I'd guess 2-3 seconds sometimes? The guy at the shop who installed it said he was going to research getting the tach signal from a different source? I haven't had time to get it back to him for a couple of weeks.
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