RGB
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 20 
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Post by RGB on Jul 1, 2017 13:38:13 GMT -5
Hello to all you Durango owners out there.
I am still in the market for the perfect Durango Gold to suit my 2014 F250 6.7L.
But, thanks to Edd505, Chuck, and Jetzen I have made a step closer to a purchase. I got airbags.
I had the following installed: Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Plus Jounce Bumber air bags. I do believe it will make a difference.
Thanks again to all of you who have offered up your most excellent advice.
I was wondering if anyone has any comments that would be helpful regarding tuners/programmers.
Are they worth the expense?
Do they work as advertised?
Are the HP/torque gains noticeable when towing, etc?
Do they cause any issues with the Powerstroke "default" settings?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
RGB
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 1, 2017 13:45:23 GMT -5
The air bags only serve one purpose and that is to restore ride height. The F250 will go down quite a bit and the air bags are a good idea.
Tuners are for kids and serve no useful purpose on a modern diesel with 400 plus horsepower.
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Post by argheebe on Jul 1, 2017 16:06:13 GMT -5
Lynmor -- Thx for your comments. I am aware of the help provided by having air bags. I agree with you.
My thoughts on tuners are: They're expensive monitoring devices, and helpful in a "monitor" sort of way,
but from what I gather, they get only minimum results in HP and torque.
Care to elaborate any further?
RGB
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Post by jetzen on Jul 1, 2017 17:04:18 GMT -5
RGB,
I agree that turners, re-programmers, chips what ever you want to call them are expensive and totally unnecessary. On normally aspirated gasoline engines they have almost no effect. On turbo charged diesels your gains will vary depending on the tuner and how much boost it will allow the turbo to make, most any change will take the engine out of it's safe operating parameters. People who use tuners on diesels have never seen a diesel run away and explode I have. Once run away in a diesel occurs it is almost impossible to stop. And I disagree with lynnmor while both are important it's not the horse power, it's the torque the engine makes that will make it able to pull heavy loads |
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 1, 2017 18:10:07 GMT -5
Nope, horsepower is the measure of work that an engine can do. How would one explain that two engines with the same 400 horsepower get up the mountain at approximately the same rate when one has about twice the torque? This is an old argument and there is no point in rehashing it here, folks will believe what they want.
BTW, I have a diesel with high torque and bought it for several reasons, fuel mileage being the main one.
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Post by jetzen on Jul 1, 2017 18:22:16 GMT -5
Nope, horsepower is the measure of work that an engine can do. How would one explain that two engines with the same 400 horsepower get up the mountain at approximately the same rate when one has about twice the torque? This is an old argument and there is no point in rehashing it here, folks will believe what they want. BTW, I have a diesel with high torque and bought it for several reasons, fuel mileage being the main one. |
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 1, 2017 18:35:53 GMT -5
Nope, horsepower is the measure of work that an engine can do. How would one explain that two engines with the same 400 horsepower get up the mountain at approximately the same rate when one has about twice the torque? This is an old argument and there is no point in rehashing it here, folks will believe what they want. BTW, I have a diesel with high torque and bought it for several reasons, fuel mileage being the main one. Thanks for confirming what I just said. Horsepower is the measure for work performed. |
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Post by Chuck on Jul 1, 2017 23:55:35 GMT -5
Well folks
I have to say that I have a 6.0 International turbo diesel in my 2005 F350 DW LB CC
I added a SCT X4 Performance chip which I keep it on tow mode.
I will say that I also told that I had to bullet proof my engine before adding the chip.
Thus I put in new head gaskets, head bolts, oil cooler, rebuilt the turbo and the head was
milled 50thousands, new values an valve guides an springs ...
My mileage has improved both while towing by at least 2mpg to 4mpg an 4mpg normal driving, as well my engine
turbo pressure stay's down. Where I use to have to baby the truck going over the passes at 40mph to 45mph with
a 5th wheel 4000pds lighter. I now go over the same passes now at 50mph to 55mph with a trailer 4000pds heaver
and the turbo pressure stays down along with the heat ... Do I push it that hard or harder, heck know, 50mph is
fine with me going up a 5 or 6 mile or longer 6% grade, I'll even may slow it down at times to not hurt the
engine.
But saying the above
I believe the newer 6.7 turbo diesel have much more power than my old 6.0 an more than likely can pull the
weight of the larger heaver Durango Gold's like 380, thought the 384 which have a GVWR of over 14000pds.
Believe me I am not beating the drum for Performance chips, they have there place, problem being with chips
is that some but not all people abuse their engine when putting in a chip thinking they now have 4 times the
engine they have an push it to those limits well beyond what the engine can handle ...
I also believe chips can be a useful tool if operated in a correct manor for older engines, abuse it and jetzen
stated you will pay the price in a big way ...
I have seen GMC and 12 cylinder Continental engines come apart, with cylinder heads going thought the roof of
of a building, GMC engines coming apart with rods thought the side of the block, abuse an engine and you will
pay the price big time ...
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Post by Chuck on Jul 2, 2017 0:48:58 GMT -5
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 2, 2017 12:34:05 GMT -5
Can't speak to the newer engines but I did notice a difference on my old 7.3 with an Edge tuner. I set it to tow mode and left it there as the truck was used manly to tow the 5W. Mileage up about 2, more pull in the mountains, and altered trans shift points. I'm just moving to a 6.0 like chuck's but srw. It's in the shop getting the engine worked on and it may get a turner depending on how it runs with out. I think the real issue is when they try cranking the HP to the top end. race mode or what ever they call it. It's well known the old 7.3 was not at peak in the Ford trucks.
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 2, 2017 14:57:09 GMT -5
I agree that you could really wake up a lazy 250HP 7.3 with tuning. The 6.7's with 400HP and up do just fine without modification. With the complex emission controls and electronics of recent years, it makes little sense to modify and find problems in the middle of a trip. I am very pleased with a powerful diesel that is quiet, smoke free, and doesn't stink. Also, if a 6.7 is under warranty, any tuning is kept in a permanent memory and the warranty is void.
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 2, 2017 21:53:31 GMT -5
I agree that you could really wake up a lazy 250HP 7.3 with tuning. The 6.7's with 400HP and up do just fine without modification. With the complex emission controls and electronics of recent years, it makes little sense to modify and find problems in the middle of a trip. I am very pleased with a powerful diesel that is quiet, smoke free, and doesn't stink. Also, if a 6.7 is under warranty, any tuning is kept in a permanent memory and the warranty is void. The 7.3 is for sale, great truck still looks & runs like new but I needed more room. F350 6.0 Crew is being set up to tow the KZ. We'll see how it handles on the next trip, be out about 6 weeks so it will be a good test. Tuner might be in it's future. |
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Post by Chuck on Jul 3, 2017 12:41:11 GMT -5
Edd505 I was told by the head mechanic at Ford an also the RV shop I go to, that before I put a chip in my 6.0 to make sure I put in a new head gaskets and new after market head bolts. These two things were the weak points in the International engine. As I stated I went even beyond that with new side and bottom pan gaskets along with EGR, oil cooler, rebuilt the turbo and the head was milled 50thousands, new values an valve guides an springs an a new water pump and new fan belts which all of this was way beyond what was needed .. I also added as you more than likely read air bags which I run a 40psi all the time with or without our trailer. I would have not done such if I didn't like the truck as much as I do, as well 8K is allot cheaper than 40K for a used F350 or F450 or 70K or more for a new one. So now I almost have a brand new used 2005 F350 DW CC LB Ford truck at least engine wise an it may be the last truck I buy who knows  |
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Post by jeff318rlt on Jul 5, 2017 6:47:21 GMT -5
Gentlemen,Ladies,
I pull the 2017 Durango 2500 318RLT with a 2017 F250 6.7 power stroke diesel, with the 5th wheel prep option. All I can say is this combination is absolutely awesome. I purchased air lift bags before I took delivery of the truck, thinking I will probably need them. I don't. I did need them with the '13 F250 that I previously owned.
It is my understanding that Ford, in '17, has built in a 3 inch rake to assist with the "unlevel" appearance of the older models. Let me tell you, it works. This Durango 318RLT has a pin weight of 2000+ lbs, and when I put it on the truck things level out very nice. I don't need the bags, (although I do run 5 lbs of air just to keep some air in them).
Tourqe, Wow, nice runs up mountains and fuel mileage, 2-3 towing MPG better than the 2013 model. I have no complaints. No chip needed. The new 6.7 engine is awesome.
Expensive as *&%*, but I have no regrets. Just bigger payments LOL!
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 5, 2017 22:48:59 GMT -5
Edd505 I was told by the head mechanic at Ford an also the RV shop I go to, that before I put a chip in my 6.0 to make sure I put in a new head gaskets and new after market head bolts. These two things were the weak points in the International engine. As I stated I went even beyond that with new side and bottom pan gaskets along with EGR, oil cooler, rebuilt the turbo and the head was milled 50thousands, new values an valve guides an springs an a new water pump and new fan belts which all of this was way beyond what was needed .. I also added as you more than likely read air bags which I run a 40psi all the time with or without our trailer. I would have not done such if I didn't like the truck as much as I do, as well 8K is allot cheaper than 40K for a used F350 or F450 or 70K or more for a new one. So now I almost have a brand new used 2005 F350 DW CC LB Ford truck at least engine wise an it may be the last truck I buy who knows Just had the EGR delete & new oil cooler, it's at the weld shop getting the rails added, scored a Husky 26K cheap on Craig's List, more hitch than I need but .... I'll sell the 16K Reese with the old 7.3. |
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Post by Chuck on Jul 6, 2017 1:03:47 GMT -5
Edd505 Iask if they would delete the but since it was a Ford dealer an not an independent they would not do it, they did put in a after market oil cooler insisted by the Head maintenance mechanic who was working on it I wish I could afford a new truck like the looks of the 2017 Ford DW CC 4x4 but I have not got 75k to afford one, since I am on a fixed income an do not see winning the lotto any time soon since I don't play it Safe travels Chuck $ Hildi |
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 6, 2017 19:12:27 GMT -5
The mechanic has done 60-80 over the last 9 years. So far really liking the King Ranch, first pull next week andif it pulls as well as the 7.3 I'll be happy.
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Post by Chuck on Jul 7, 2017 1:00:50 GMT -5
Edd505 We have the Ford Lariat F350, next step down from the King Ranch, really a nice truck, very conformable to ride in, so now you can test drive it when you come to the rally next month RIGHT LOL Chuck |
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 7, 2017 21:11:37 GMT -5
Edd505 We have the Ford Lariat F350, next step down from the King Ranch, really a nice truck, very conformable to ride in, so now you can test drive it when you come to the rally next month RIGHT LOL Chuck Loving the King Ranch Crew over my old XLT extended, way more room & lots more bells. Do you use the integrated brake controller? Going to pull the Tekonsha & put it in the tool box just in case. Picked up the truck from weld shop & they did nice job on the install. Did the in bed plug today, put the tool box back in, put the 26K head in. Wife made a bench for my service dog, runs under the back seat arm rest and to the front console box, he like riding between us front feet on the console. We'll stay close to home for a couple weeks to insure there are no issues then meeting friends in WY. Not going to make the rally this year, wish we could just too much going on right now. I need to get some vehicles sold, my shops full! Really nice F250 7.3 for sale, all set for towing. |
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Post by Chuck on Jul 8, 2017 1:23:35 GMT -5
Ok Edd505
Well we have tons of room for sure in ours, as with you we have many bells an whistles, I have the cord to do the
in bed plug but have not done so yet...
Our Great Dane rides in the center between the seats, like to rest his head on your shoulder from time to time,
the other small dog goes to sleep 10 miles down the road and only wakes up when we stop. ...
We will be going across Wyoming headed back east, have not figured out which route off I-84 yet, but we may
take the cutoff in Idaho an come out near Little America instead of going all the way down to Utah an
then cut across. All depends on what the DW wants to see and if there is quilt shops along either way LOL
Safe Travels my friend
Chuck & Hildi
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