I got my Superchip last Thursday, but was out of town over the weekend so I have to wait until this weekend to install it.

I've got one question before I tackle the install.....

I've got a 2000 Expy Eddie Bauer that I'm putting this into. Is it any harder to remove the computer & install the chip on my Expy since it has the Air leveling system? The reason I ask is that the Bypass switch & harness for the Air system is up above the Passenger Kick panel the same as the computer. When I took a peak last week it seamed like it would be pretty tight to remove the computer with everything else up under there. Is that the case, or is it just me being 6'5" and having not so small hands that makes it look harder than described?

Anyone that's done a chip install with the Air Levelling system installed, can you let me know how it went & if it was any harder than the instructions made it out to be?

Thanks
Ralph

 

I just installed my Superchip in the wifes 99 EB Exp with air suspension last nite. ARRGH, but then I found the A/S on-off switch pushes forward(rear of truck) out of the bracket on clips and the bracket is mounted on plastic studs. It bent back out of the way and went right back to original looking conditon when I was done. Yes I was relieved that it looked good when done. How's that for timing?

 

Dear Ralph,

Towdad's suggestions were right on the money.

And yes, having large hands can make it a bit tougher on those late-model Expy's.

If after your installation you have any suggestions on anything we can do in the installation instructions to make this easier for you, please do not hesitate ot let us know. We include a separate sheet in addition to the manufacturer's instructions, to give the computer location and other info, and we'll be happy to add that information for anyone who has the air suspension on the Expy, if you'd care to give us that feedback. You can shoot us that info in email or by phone, whatever works for you, we'll be very grateful to provide more tips for others with the air suspension in that vehicle.

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

Thanks Mike & All for the tips! I can't wait until Saturday morning to get this installed! I'll take notes of what was different & try also to get some pics with my digital camera that I can send you Mike too just in case you want to add those with the notes on an install in an Expy w/ the Air System.

Thanks Again!

Ralph

 

Well, I got the Chip installed yesterday! Wow, it's awesome!

It did take about an hour & fifteen minutes to do start to finish. But a good chunk of that was trying to remove & reinstall the Air Leveling Switch Bracket. Without removing it, there's no way to get the computer out at all! It's a pretty tight fit to get a ratchet behind the bracket to get the one bolt out, not too mention it's a pretty long bolt!

Anyway, to anyone that's hesitating about getting a chip, don't! Buy it now!

By the way, I got an RMA number for the Jet Chip I bought before I realized how lousy it was compared to the SuperChips, now all I have to do is get down to FedEx to ship it back.

Thanks again everyone for the tips on the install!

Oh Yeah, if anyone would like to see some pics of my Expy here's a couple links. I'm especially interested in feedback on what else I can do to my stereo install.

Thanks
Ralph
ralphhood3@msn.com
www.rhood3.com/expy/stereo www.rhood3.com/expy/exterior

 

I have a question..where did you get the Kenwood navigation map and how much was it? That's awesome!!

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

Dear ralphhood3,

WOW! I too, would like to hear more about the navagation setup you installed. I only had time to look at the first navmap jpg file, but it looks awesome in the middle of your dash, excellent!

If you would like to pass along any tips, etc. with regards to removing the air suspension switch so you could access your computer, we'd love to be able to share that with anyone else in that same situation. I didn't take time to see if you had posted that info as well, so forgive me if I've overlooked it!

We're glad to see you're enjoying your new Superchip, of course.

Looks like you have a *very* nice Expy, congratulations!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

Well, The navigation system is an Alpine NVE-N851A which is the brand new DVD Navigation system from Alpine. It contains the whole US on 1 DVD instead of on 8 or 9 different CD's. I'm very pleased with it, and it plugs in as one of the two available Video inputs on the Kenwood Headunit. Kenwood has a navigation port on the headunit brain, but they've not even hinted at when they'll actually release a Nav unit themselves.

The alpine is great, it can track up to 8 satelites as well as using a speed sensor & gyro's to tell where you are when you're in a parking garage or other place without clear view of a satelite.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions about my install, so shoot em to me!

As far as the install of the Superchip, the only thing to note is that the bolt you need to remove for the Air switch is the same bolt that hold the bottom of the bracket for the computer in place. It's just a super tight fit between the Computer, the heater duct, and the switch itself to get in there to remove & reinstall the bolt. I'd just note to anyone to be prepared to have to remove it with a ratchet about an 1/8th to 1/4 turn at a time with the limited space and like I mentioned it's not a short bolt so it will take 5 to 10 minutes to get it out & another 5 or 10 to get it back in.

Ralph

 

HI Ralph,

Thanks very much for all your information! Glad to hear they've got the nav CD's down to just one DVD for the country, that makes all the difference in the world in convenience, excellent!

And thanks for your comments about installing the Superchip in a Expy with the air suspension, too!

Have fun,

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html