Price_Dog

Holy smokes! I almost wish I would have just left that Smarty sitting in its box on my kitchen table. Now I know I'm going to have to go get that tranny upgrade! Wow.

Just a quick review from someone relatively new to the whole "moding" these trucks:

I bought my Smarty for 595.00 with free shipping from a great online seller. So I think I got a pretty good price. The Smarty arrived three business days after I ordered and has been sitting for a week. I was a little apprehensive at first because I thought it would be complicated to use. It's not. The instructions are pretty adequate, but really the unit is self explanatory - especially if you're using the stock programs. I'm stacking the Edge JA and have hear mixed success with it but thought I'd give it a try anyway. Hooked the Smarty up to the truck and loaded up SW2 and then recalibrated the ABS to match my 35" tires (great feature). I let the truck sit for a few minutes and hooked the JA back up, and fired up the truck. I kept the JA on #1 (mileage setting) and took off. Pulled out of the subdivision and got on it a little bit and immediately noticed a couple things: 1. The truck took off like a bat out of he!! with the JA only on 1, which isn't normal. 2. The truck accelerated much more smoothly. 3. Maybe it's just me, but the truck shifted better. 4. I had the radio off just to listen and for some reason the exhaust seemed to be quieter - not sure if that's the case or not but it sure seemed that way.

After driving a few miles with the JA on 1, I pulled into the deserted Missouri River bottoms and cranked the Juice up to 3 (drive) and let 'er rip (didn't mash it, just rolled into it steadily) - it rolled a pretty solid cloud of smoke (biggest I've ever seen since owning the truck) and then cleared off as it rocked down the road. Wow. Even "getting on it" once I was up to speed I couldn't get the EGTs over 700 up to 70 mph, which I think is less than with the JA on its own. Also took the GPS with me to check the MPH vs. what the speedo was showing - it was dead on (maybe .5 MPH off)!

I didn't do much more with it, and didn't run it hard, but wanted to see what it was all about. Cruised back home with JA on 1 and was very impressed coming up out of the bottoms, through the hills at the way the truck accelerated up the hills even more effortlessly than before. Needless to say, I'm impressed.

I just re-upped my budget for a new tranny and turned my three month plan into about a month and a half plan for a tranny upgrade in the last hour! haha Looks like I better get on that AD100/150 upgrade pretty quick too. Now I know what all the fuss is about.

PS - The JA stack with Smarty (so far) seems to be very responsive and runs like a champ on my truck.

Thomas

jgiachino

Welcome to the dark side!

JG

MikeyB

You're doomed.

MikeyB

dodgezilla04

whoa, whoa damnit... there is a level 2 on the smarty? oh, mine only has level 9...

dude, turn that puppy up!!!

Totallyrad

Just out of curiosity, where did you find it that cheap? Please tell me it wasn't from an ebay dealer.

Price_Dog

Haha I was pretty tempted to turn the Edge up to 5 and just let it rip . . . but somehow I managed to restrain myself. I figured I need enough transmission left to get to the tranny shop! haha

I am looking forward to turning it up when I have enough fuel to feed it and the tranny to hold it though! Drove it through town once. Some lady at a Volvo gave me a dirty look when I blew a cloud of smoke big enough to turn her automatic lights on, haha.

CTDjoey

I believe it is frowned upon for businesses to advertise the smarty for less than 685. I do not know if someone saying a businesses name would receive such criticism.

Price_Dog

I'm coming to realize the whole less than 685 thing . . . and apparently there's been some discussion on here (which I must have missed). It's been brought to my attention that any Smarty units purchased for less than the set price of 685 (kind of kills the price mechanism of our economy) won't be covered under warranty. Not looking to open a can of worms, and I'll leave my thoughts out of it, but just thought that others who might not be aware of this should know, especially those thinking of buying a new unit.

Thomas

06RAM2500

Ya need to try out moderate torque once. Don't forget about a turbo in the future.

cbrahs

Yes, ALL legitimate dealers for the Smarty are subject to MAP pricing and can not sell below that price. Keeps the playing field level and maintains dealer agreements with the MFG. Marco & Bob work their tails off with everything they do and the customer service, after the sale support, warranty and the free stuff they provide more than makes up for the leveled costs. More and more manufactures are going to this type of pricing and there are some that send out quarterly emails stating the list of dealers that are no longer dealers due to not following by the rules.

AlCorr

YES, I'm curiosity also because I want one. If you can't say the vender's name on here, can you send me a PM?

AlCorr

I won't tell anyone.

Totallyrad

Guys, if you do any research before you buy it's right on the main page of Mads' web site. http://madselectronics.com/ Cbrahs told you straight, the price is fixed by the manufacturer and that's it. The dealers sign an agreement to that affect and if they violate that agreement, Mads can and will cancel their contract and you are left high and dry without a warranty. Pay the full price and be happy about it. The product lives up to the hype.

Price_Dog

Guess the moral of the story is "buyer beware" . . . and ALWAY check the manufacturers site before you buy anything

mcolectd

I bought mine for 645 from a diesel shop on here, and i know its still under warranty