My bad...The Smarty JR works ok on the second setting with a stock trans and some common sense...But we tell all of our customers (few listen) to do the trans first. Get at least a converter/vb in there while the trans still works ok, and that might save you for a decent amount of time. Add power and big tires first...gotta go through the whole tranny.

 

Upgrade the tranny too.....OR ELSE...... My TC started slipping with a Quad Std. on level 1 (30 hp) setting. If you do it, keep the RPM's up. Mine would slip at 60 MPH on a slight grade in 4th.

 

Omaharam ... thank you for noticing every one is up graded. Not that i dont want to i just have bigger fish to fry right now.I still think i'd like getting a Smarty : over an edge or other module but the comption has settings like tow or economy, and thats the sw# of Smarty i'd like to hear about w/ my stock tranny.

 

Before getting a smarty, or doing tranny work for that matter, I would seriously look into regearing. 4.56:1 would be my advice. I shutter to think what is going to happen if you put a smarty on with those big tires and high gears. Sure you will make plenty of power to turn those tires, the problem lies in the stress on the drivetrain. You put all that power into gears designed for stock tires and you're just asking for broken pinion shafts & chipped ring gears, not to mention blown up trannies (if autos), ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE TOWING!!!!! Gear it properly, then upgrade the tranny, then look into performance upgrades. BTW, just the regearing will feel like a whole new truck and probably give you the performance you're looking for in itself.

 

Well I called 4 wheel parts and was quoted some thing like 1,756$ for re-gearing; w/ no no 4.30's ava. for the AAM re-end 4.10's or 4.56's only ... So Smarty sr. or should i still think about re- gearing...? I app. all input

 

Sad to say there is no cheap way out...
Changing gears will help power and stock tranny at the expense of mileage..
Add the Smarty and mileage will go up but if you are not careful the power will eat the stock tranny.

Upgrading your tranny is the next mod you should do if you do not want to hurt what you already have. I had the 19.5s and power adders before I did my tranny and had the drive very defensively to keep the tranny alive. I did not want to lower gears as part of the reason I added 19.5s was to get the gearing lower for highway MPG improvement. I do not tow heavy and is the only reason it worked for me. After doing my trans last winter I wish I had done the trans right after I did the guages.. Should have been the 2nd addition to my truck.

Good Luck with your decision.
Love my Smarty!!!

 

Smarty and trans!!! MPG gains from the smarty running unloaded will add up. Especially at freeway speeds. Lower gears will negate the taller tires. I tow a 15k lb 5ver from time to time with both my trucks. You may want to watch the temp gauge with the smarty for fun. The lower EGTs go into the radiator. I could see my temp gauge go just passed 205 when towing on level 3. Definatly wont hurt anything but the heat has to go somewhere. moving the trailer today and going to try level 6. I have a 6spd and lost the stock clutch at 60k miles while towing the trailer. Finished the trip but would slip when shifting. Con OFE went in the same time as the Smarty. Wish I said screw the warrenty years ago. Good luck on your decision.

 

I am SO glad I have a stick. But I had to do a clutch job, which wasn't cheap... but Erik gave me a great deal and did top-notch work, so I'm VERY happy.

I fried a built auto on my '96 years ago... that's when I decided against modding an automatic truck, so I never touched my 03.

Rob