Given the age of my vehicle (2008 Ram 2500 Cummins 6.7 150k Km) and the various codes I am getting my diesel shop is trying to talk me into a delete kit. I am just an old country boy who drives the truck around on a casual basis, usually when I need to haul a bit of a load. I'm not particularly knowledgeable about trucks other than where the dipstick and key is I'm not particularly concerned about higher horsepower or performance; if it part of the process so-be-it. I'm just looking for dependable trouble free driving. Once installed and set up is a delete kit completely transparent to me? Thanks.

 

It was the best thing I did for my truck. Depends on where you live and regulations as well for smog. The delete and equipment are pretty basic. You need to have the right programmer though to fix the trucks computer. What is your diesel shop recommending for the programmer?

 

Appreciate your comments Mega-Engr. I am still waiting to hear the specifics on the delete from the shop. In the mean time I am still concerned about how transparent this process is. By transparent I meant the shop installs it and no further interventionis required on my part.

i was reading through the manual for the BullyDog tuner and they state that you should un-install any tunes and return to factory state before going in for any service as the dealers will often reprogram the ECM. If this is true and if the same situation exists for any other brand of tuner a DPF delete sounds like a process that can prove far more expensive and troublesome than replacing the original DPF filter. Your comments are appreciated.

 

Other tuners like EFI, Smarty or Raceme can just overwrite any other tuning that's on the ECM so there's no issue with that. I personally wouldn't run a Bullydog tuner but that's just me.

You don't say if you're in a smog testing area or not. If so then you'll have to return to stock tuning and equipment for testing and re-delete afterwards.
If no testing then it is pretty much transparent for you after deleting.

I would recommend that with your limited mechanical knowledge, driving and dependability/ reliability needs that you run a stock power level and not toy with the higher levels. Running higher power and timing levels can lead to future head gasket problems and that falls out of line with your dependability needs.
Besides, for your needs the stock HP level is all you'll ever need.

The cost of the basic delete (EFI Lite and dpf/NAC delete pipe) is around $800 plus labor.
The cost of a new dpf is well over $2000 plus labor.
Your current driving style can impact the reliability of the factory exhaust components so you would benefit from the deletes.

 

Thanks for your reply xcc_rider. 1st. I am in Canada and am not subject to any inspections. 2nd. I don't yet know what tuner is being suggested, BullyDog was just one manual I got my hands on for info. And finally, I did get a big surprise. While talking to my Chrysler dealer to see what it would cost to stay the factory route he suggested a delete kit. They would actually do it, albeit at twice the cost of the independent shop. FYI: in this area, Saskatchewan Canada, the shop price is $1400 while the dealer price is $2600. Still hesitant although cost definitely points towards a delete kit. Again Thanks

 

Still pretty confused. just went to the Smart WEB site to see what I could learn and for pretty much every tuner they suggested 'this tuner will not help with DPF deletes'. What am I missing?

 

Just heard back and the shop I am talking to is planning to use an EFI Live update; supposedly a lot safer than an on-board tuner. Still concerned that once the ECM is re-programmed, how does this affect future troubleshooting and maintence of anything else electronic in the truck? I'll appreciate any comments. Thanks

 

The best part you've mentioned so far is that you don't have to change back and forth for any testing or inspections! I have to do this every 2 years and it is still well worth it.

So, once you do the programming and deletes you will have less issues, more reliability, more options, etc. It will be seamless and better than stock. You will still be able to get the codes and such like normal. Even the dealer suggests doing it, and has no issue working on the truck with the programming and deletes so other than cost there is no really no question to not go for it...