Redge58

After alot of research and helpful suggestion from the good folks on this sight I have decided to go with a Smarty Jr. on my truck for now. On the Smarty web site they state you can safely run the Jr. on the highest level without gages because there is no need to worry about EGT or over taxed auto tranny. Do you guys agree with this statement? They also say there is no footprint left on ECM so I retain my warranty (36000mi currently). Does anyone know this to be a fact? Please let me know your likes, dislikes if any and overall satistfaction and other useful info I may have forgot to ask.
Many thanks

.boB

I bought my truck mostly for towing, and winter travel. I bought the Smarty Jr mostly for better gas mileage, and better drivability. Most of the time I turn the PoD way down - Less power means less fuel used, and less strain on the drive train.

Last summer I played with the highest setting. Didn't seem to raise the coolant or tranny temp much. So I don't think I'd worry about it. Unless you're really beating on it hard, and then it's a problem with a stock tune, too.

As for the warrenty, that's true also. I needed transmission work last spring. And it was covered no problem; as it should be. I tow a very light load, and run empty with the power turned way down. For my use, the trans should last forever.

CaptainKelley

I pull 5K wroth of lawn equipment all summer. I run level 3 and default settings all the time with no problem. When it gets over 90 in the summer it will go over 1250 pretty easy on a hill. But you can control that with the pedal. When empty, I can't get the EGTs over 1150. Low boost and full throttle is where you have EGT issues. So as the turbo spools over 15# the EGTs come back down. I was real cautious with it when I first turned it up. Now I only look gauges when I'm pulling a hill.
POD in my opinion is just like putting a block under the pedal. As I understand, POD limits the max value seen by the throttle sensor. So at POD 75, the TPS sees a 25% reduction across the throttle range. That's why I don't run POD.
Sooooooo, IMO, load #3 and run it. Drive sensibly and if you want WOT, mash it. If you want half throttle, use your foot, not the software.
If you loan your truck out, you can turn em down to 75% and they won't be able to hot rod it.
MPG up one maybe. Driveablity is worth every penny.

Ace

I'm quite happy with the Smarty jr. It reduced EGT and smoke on SW1 and has noticeably more power on SW2. I may play with SW3 at some point, but satisfied with it on SW2 for now.

A determined fool can always find ways to break the truck, even stock. Having said that, I think gauges, especially EGT, boost and for auto's, trans temp are necessary features - even stock, if you work it.

WhiteMule

X2 to what ACE said. I think he hit the nail squarely on the head.

Redge58

Thanks for the valuable feedback yall (yes I’m southern so its OK). This will be my first programmer so I’m trying to get educated on the subject so I can get it right. I hate it when I buy something only to wish I had purchased something else. Quoting round numbers the JR is $500 and the s06 Pod is $700. I have a Lance truck camper 3K lbs. and tow a trailer with motorcycle and ATV’s, 4K lbs. I won’t be hot roddin; I know what you’re thinking and your probably right. May hot rod it some but nothing crazy. Would like better derivability and mpg. Truck is mostly used for recreation. I know it’s a decision I have to make for myself, but I value the opinions of people using this stuff. That being said, would the wise choice be spend the $200 and buy the s06 POD? Sounds like gauges are needed, better safe than sorry.

MTC

As far as being safe for a stock tranny....be VERY careful when using the upper settings of the Jr. It WILL slip the tranny if you really get on it.

With that being said, I love the product! EGTs are much cooler and the drivability is awesome. Every now and then I run it in stock software just to see what an awesome product it is when u turn it up.

whitebuffalo

i love mine, but it slips my clutch on level 2 with the aggressive settings. not complaining, just saying.

railroaderone

Love the Jr made towing the the mountains a whole lot easier the stock clutch dosnt like it but cant have cake and eat it to. also increased the fuel millage around town .

just my two cents

newatitdiesel

The Jr. made the truck come alive...all I need. If I did it all over again...Jr., guages, 37" tires...I'd be done!!

retirednak

I bought my POD Sr locally for $650. The instruction manual isn't overly clear and leaves me with more questions then answers. I was going to buy the Jr,but from what I've heard most people upgrade. For the price of a tank and a half of fuel,the Sr upgrade was worth it for me.

CaptainKelley

Smarty will be the last programmer you buy. You won't need any other. I did the same thing debating the Jr and Sr. I decided that I will never have enough cash during the life of this truck to use the Sr. I bought the Jr. for a little insurance against big upgrades. Then I put a clutch in, go figure. Save the $200 and put it towards a good set of gauges. Isspros here.
PS, Setting 3 is a tranny / clutch killer. Make the required upgrades before you brake it. The Sr is over and above the Jr on HP so the upgrades are gonna cost ya. If you look around, most Jr owners are running on 1 or 2 with stock trucks. Level 3 costs about a grand in tranny upgrades.

elirandolph

I love my Jr. I generally run on 3 with all default settings, which is all the power I'll ever need and don't get a whole lot of smoke which is a plus. If youre not going to go crazy with mods the jr is for you. I would still push you to get guages so you can tell what is going on, plus it makes diagnosing problems much easier.

If in the future you feel you want more power you can stack a pressure box with the junior and turn it on when you need it or you can sell the jr and buy a sr.

Redge58

Thanks everybody, this is really good information. Sounds like the Jr would more than meet my current needs. Wounder why Smarty says its OK the run without gauges and no tranny problems. The do say something like under normal circumstances.

Lost Lake

I bought the gauges first. Commander by Quadzilla. Love it. Tells me everything I need and then some.

So I know what my EGT's are before and after. The EGT's running a jr are less than stock. The power and response is instantly recognizable. I get a kick out of putting my jr on other people's trucks and watching their face when they drive their 'new' truck. You DON'T have to get on the throttle to feel the Smarty. It makes the truck so much more responsive. More like a gasser right on the throttle.

Looking at how my truck runs with and without the jr, I'd say there's no need for gauges, but then again I think every truck needs gauges anyway.

Fuel mileage will go up, until you put your foot in it, then you have extra power and it will go down.