I am the original owner of my 03 with just over 220k on the clock. At 150 I had the trans rebuilt and a new torque converter put in, and that has been about it other than normal wear items.

Up until now the truck has been my daily driver (50 mile each way commute) but we just purchased a boat that will weigh in around 6k that I will be hauling through the mountains as often as possible. I have towed occasionally with the truck with zero issues, but not regularly, and this will be probably the second highest amount of weight.

My question is should I get a performance box? Something like a Juice with Attitude, or a Smarty Jr? I like the idea of being able to monitor EGTs. Maybe just guages? I am not really looking for fuel economy improvements as I get 21-22 on my daily drive anyway, but I guess it would not be bad.

So what should I get to improve the overall drive-ability as well as the towing experience??

Thanks,
-dan

 

Smarty Jr. has my vote awesome programmer!

 

yeah get the jr and then some gauges and then some injectors a new turbo build the trans after you blow it up again..... no really just get the smarty jr it will be a great upgrade

 

smarty is great. it has the small hp gains and the big hp gains. but the edge has saftey features. if u want a small hp bump and saftey go edge. if u wanna have mild to wild get smarty. just my .02

 

Towing 6K is nothing to be concerned about, I'd leave the truck stock (no tuner) and get another trouble free 220K miles out of it. If you want an EGT gauge you can get that a la carte and have a clean install with the SRT-10 pillar mount.

 

Personally I think the early 03-04's need a little kick in the pants. I've put 155K on my truck, most of those miles being chipped or programmed. I'd go with a Smarty Jr. and not think twice about it. Yes you will probably see more trans wear than without it, but Im of the opinion that the Jr. is pretty darn safe in comparison to the others out there. Heck unless you are doing something you shouldn't, Its not going to hurt much as its not super aggressive.

 

On the 03's and 04's SMARTY all the way!

 

For what you have and intend to use it for, I would go with the Edge.......that way you get all your gauges in one unit, and mount it in a pillar pod. You can always get the "Hot" upgrade as well. I bought one of their very 1st units when it came available back in '05 and been running it since without any worries, regrets, or problems.......until a couple weeks ago it started acting up do to a loose connector. Found it after I pulled it all off and inspected everything. While I had it off, I just sent it in for repair and go ahead and get the newest reflash and finally the "Hot" tune. Should be back in my mailbox tomorrow or Tuesday.

 

I already had gauges and didn't want to buy them again so I got the Diablo Predator. It's cheaper and the 100hp is the econ. tune and is awesome for driveability and even towing. It does a little tq. mgnt. down below about 1400 and it's definately safe for my 6spd and I think it's also safe for autos. Craig