I was told that I shouldn't get a tuner or put any performance parts on it to get more hp because it has so many miles on it and it would put too much stress on the motor. This is my first diesel truck, always thought that the diesel motor was just getting broke in at that kind of mileage??? Would a tuner for better gas mileage be a bad idea? I get around 14 mpg. Anyone running a tuner with these kind of miles or more???

 

That really depends on how well it was maintained during its life...Welcome to FTE,you're at the right place to learn,someone will be by shortly with more knowledge than me...

 

There's a few people here running tunes with already high mileage vehicles, J-Kidd Andrew just comes to mind now, I think you would be fine. But then again, Phil does have a point.

 

How long have you had the truck? Did it have a chip before you got it. Theres a lot of trucks around with that mileage still running Strong with a good chip.

 

I would make sure your engine is running correctly before you try different programming. 14 mpg sounds a bit low to me (assuming you have stock size wheels and tires and 3.73 gears).

My truck was averaging 13 1/2 mpg at 241k miles and it turned out that my injectors needed service. Now I am back to my normal mileage, which is just over 16 mpg on most tanks. (unloaded). However, I am not suggesting that you need injector service. I am merely suggesting that you should confirm your engine is running as well as possible before you start making changes.

How does the engine run right now? Is your truck completely stock? What area are you at? Perhaps you can get hooked up with someone who has an AE or Scangauge and run some tests.

Welcome.

 

I got this truck a few weeks ago from a dealer. The carfax said it had two owners. I see that they put a 2" lift on it, and cold air intake, and removed the muffler to just a strait pipe. It looks like it has been maintained well and seems to run good, but who really knows???

 

I have a DP Tuner on my 99 with 240k. Its been nothing but fun since 231k when it was installed.
I tend to have a heavy right foot (its hard not to with a DP...)
and I haven't had any issues...knock on wood

 

One other thing I forgot to mention,guages,guages,guages...we recommend getting a set of guages(Exhaust temperature,you can heat'em up pretty quick running it hard,or towing with a chip,transmission temperature(if it's an auto),and maybe boost,boost is not as important as the other two,but a boost guage can help you diagnose some issues.I'm just over 200k,and I still run it pretty hard sometimes.

 

Just do it... we put one on a friends truck with 330,000 miles. It runs 10x better then it did pre-chip!

 

I put my chip from Beans on my truck at 280,000 miles. It feels like a new truck. I say just do it and enjoy it.

 

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've got 253k on mine with what I've got in my sig and it still runs great!

Like Greg mentioned, make sure everything is in good running order before adding a chip. A chip can hasten problems that you don't already know about. Also, add gauges and probably a 4" exhaust, don't want to heat things up too much.

Welcome to FTE!
Where are you located? I imagine there is someone close by that can help you out. Also can play into who you get your toones from. When live tuning, it's a lot easier when they are close, instead of driving 12 hrs across country... but it was worth it.

 

I'd add the tuner, but gauges gauges and gauges first. The tuner might hasten a problem, but IMHO as long as you maintain proper maint ( oil and filters ) it makes your truck more efficient and therefore should have no ill effects. Oil is blood,a nd as long as it is good, and you have it breathe right I'd say good to go.