[dennisl2016]

My 2002 f350 7.3 diesel runs OK pulling my 34ft fifth wheel converted to a gooseneck. Also pull a 20ft gooseneck loaded with firewood all over central and southern Nevada. I was considering going to an RV type chip in it and my friend told me that I would probably need a newer tranny if I did go to an rV type chip. I have the original tranny in the truck with a 6.0 cooler on it. I change the fluid every 30,000 in the tranny. Tranny has 250,000 on it. Need some imput on this. Thanks in advance.

 

[blue99stroker]

Well a chip can be beneficial but it's harder on stock parts. At 250k your trans could go at any time.

To be able to use more power efficiently you need some supporting mods.

Gauges, intake, exhaust, and a billet compressor wheel.

Once that is done a chip can be added to safely use the extra power.

 

[Graupp]

It's amazing your tranny made 250K, as I'm on my 3 rd tranny with 260K...
And Yes, I have a chip,,,,I did a lot of towing with my 10K# camping trailer,
and believed it chewed up the tranny with heat [got a 6.0 cooler] and just simple wear & tear
The weak spot in the 7.3 setup is the tranny...
You might spring for a 7.3 Ford Remanf. 4R100 HD if you go the chip route, and do a lot to towing..
I did all the tranny oil changes and it didn't seem to make any difference..
First one went @ 78K/mi, next one went 140K/mi [BTS rebuild]...
I've got 50K on current one [Std Ford Reman], and have not and will not change to oil untill 100K, to see if lasts that long...

 

[[email protected]]

The 4r100 trans gets a bad rep, but it is actually a really solid transmission platform, so long as the tuning is good. A main cause for failure is adding power to the engine without doing anything to compensate for this in the trans. The generic/canned tuners you can buy off the shelf (Edge, Bully Dog, etc.) do not do anything for the trans. Custom tuners (like us) not only tune the engine, but the transmission as well. You will notice a big difference in power and drive-ability, but your transmission will thank you as well.

As stated, intake and exhaust are good upgrades to go along with a chip. They make the engine run more efficiently, so power comes easier and safer.

We can get you setup with any of this stuff if you're interested. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

 

[dennisl2016]

I have a friend who has a Excursion with a 7.3 in it and he hasa little over 200,000 on it and he is on his 2nd tranny. I don't know why mine has lasted so long but of course I am happy with it and will continue with my same maintance policies. I am suer that the chip had plenty to do with your tranny failures. my friends Excursion is chipped and he puts his foot in it pretty good. When you have a chip drivers seem to drive faster, with faster starts and that could have a lot to do with the tranny issues.

 

[RT]

I've got 225,000 on my DP-Tuned transmission. I credit their tunes for getting me this far. I drop my pan every 15K and do a partial fluid change. I get to see my magnet that way. I rarely ever have any magnet fuzz. The DP-Tuner not only puts the shift points at a more logical point for what you are doing (higher shift points for towing, quicker shift points for city driving) they also increase the line pressure to the clutch packs which decreases clutch wear. Now, granted - put more power in the hands of someone not capable of restraining themselves, and you can tear up anything. In he hands of a responsible driver, which you sound like you are, then a tune is going to make your transmission last longer and definitely give you a better driving experience. Of all the mods I've done to my truck, the DP-Tuner is the one you'd have to fight me for.

 

[kench]

Big thumbs up to my DP-Tuner chip (and Justin).

Got it installed last week and already used the high idle tune to jump start a stranded family (battery connections were filthy, so I cleaned them off for them too. Trying to get some good karma points to make up for a lifetime of bad karma points, lol)

The drive through tune was used yesterday. Awesome to be able to order without having to turn the truck off.

Daily driver tune has an unexpected bonus, it downshifts during deceleration. Didn't know that would happen!

I'll be trying the Tow Tune and Decel Tune today while pulling my 45' toy hauler.

 

[TooCoolTwo]

Guess I was one of this forum's most staunch anti-chippers. Until I finally broke down and got my Infinity Tuner from DP-Tuners.

I chose moderate tunes for daily driving and towing. Now I believe it was the best thing I have ever done, in addition to my BTS transmission and Ford Severe Duty AIS system.

The DP-Tuner has made my truck a totally different, enjoyable, vehicle, both solo and pulling our travel trailer many miles over the past year. Even my bride of 53 years said "WOW" when she first took over the wheel to tow a while and give me a break.

And I still have a big grin on my old face each time I drive it. Guess it is just the old hot rodder still in me. Thank you, Jody!