Hey folks, I just bought my first F150 and I am already thinking of ways to customize this truck. I want to know if anyone has lots of life out of a chip or programmer. It just seems to me they come stock from the factory for a reason that way. Messing with the power settings would just likely screw with things. Tell me about your experiences with these type of mods. I have the 5.4 liter if that makes any difference to. Thanks!

 

Jeff: it sounds like your basic question is "why mess with Ford's computer in the first place". First, it would help you a lot if you'd just do a search here and then READ!!! The first thing you will find out is that Ford programs the stock computer very conservetivly. The chip will add more power while also tuning up things like your shift points, rev points and makes the automatic shift much better (Ford detunes the shifting because they think women like it that way!!) After reading as much as you can stand, then make up your mind to wheather you want to stick with Ford's mild computer program or see what these trucks can really do
Almost forgot, congradulations on your new truck. Work up a signature so we can see what you got!!

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2k F250 CC SWB 6 speed 4x2 Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
TT Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards, mud flaps
265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd, rechargable MagLite
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate, quick disconnect jumper cables
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate) Western Diesel Turbo Brake (whoa boy)
Finally gauges!!: Pyrometer & Boost on the A-Pillar mount

 

Hey Tina! I see you have yourself a nice, honking F-250. My brother just purchased on last week. I have a question for ya:

When my brother was looking at trucks, he checked out my F-150. He's a big guy (6'-4"; 250 lbs.), and he swore the F-250 gives him a lot more room in the cab. I'm fairly big myself (6'-3"; 215 lbs), and I have no problem with the room in my F-150. Is there that big of a difference?

P.S.--I've already bit him with the Mod Bug!

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* 2000 F-150 XLT Black FS; 5.4L
* 4x4 ORP
* 3.55 Limited Slip
* Stepups
* Sliding Rear Window
* 6-Way Power Seat
* Remote Keyless Entry
* Lund Trident Bug Shield
* Custom Exhaust
* Fumoto Oil Drain Plug Valve (a must for do-it-yourselfers!)
* Wise Bedrug

So many mods, so little cash! On the up side, no wife to create a filibuster.

 

Hi jeffrandol,

I know you're looking for responses from those who are using the product in their vehicles, I thought I would also drop you a note just to give you some background info with regards to powertrain programming in these vehicles..........

What you'll want to know is that these trucks, as Tina mentioned in her post, come tuned very conservatively from the factory, or in other words, deliberately de-tuned below what they can produce. These F-150's come from the factory tuned for regular gas, 85-87 octane, as many of them are sold in fleet sales to big construction companies, etc., who want to be able to run them on the cheapest gas possible.

What the Superchip does is to re-tune the engine specifically for the use of premium gas, and that is how most of the additional power is made. Also, you will have vastly improved automatic transmission shift characteristics, longer clutch & band life inside the automatic due to the reduction in slippage, as well as having the top speed limiter removed, etc.

From the factory, as Tina mentioned, these powertrains are calibrated for regular gas, and the shift characteristics are programmed for the automakers view of what they feel most women want, as women buy a lot of these vehicles these days, too, the F-150 is the worl's largest selling vehicle of any kind, more than 750,000 per year are built & sold. All of this serves to make the entire powertrain much less responsive and slow to react, and the Superchip makes a very noticeable improvement along those lines as well. You'll notice that the powertrain, meaning your engine & transmission, are more responsive to your right foot, it will feel like you're more directly connected.

All in all, the Superchip is going to get you about a 10%-12% increase in power over what you're making right now, and will also work well with other bolt-ons, things like K&N air filters, cat-back exhaust systems, etc.

We also have 2-program Superchip Flip Chips that can be run on regular gas when you don't need the power gain, and then flip the switch and run premium gas when you do want the power gain. Most people simply use the single-program Superchip for premium gas, but some do want to be able to use regular gas at times, so that is available as well.

If you'd like further details, etc., please feel free to give us a shout by phone or email, our contact info is just below.

Good luck with your new truck, by the way, and we hope you'll hang out with us here on F-150 when you have the time!

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 01-30-2001).]

 

ragarm: YES, there's more room!! I had an F150 SC before this SuperDuty CrewCab. As far as the front seat is concerned, yes there is more, more, more room. Even the space between you and the front seat passenger is more. I'm only 5'1" and I kind of disapear when I'm driving. Don't even try compairing my rear seat with anything in the F150 class (including the SuperCrew) LOTS of room there!! My 6'4" husband will even ride in the back seat on long trips. Your brother is gonna love that truck

 

Having seen Tina's truck in person at last Summer's Norfolk Rally, I can tell you that it's cabin is indeed spacious, front and rear, and her husband *is* a big guy! A lot of fun, too.

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

 

jeffrandol:

My only modification at this point to my 99 F-150 5.4L is the Superchip I ordered from Mike Troyer. I think it's great! More power, much smoother shifting and just plain more fun to drive. Definitely the first mod I'd recommend. It is easy to install yourself and the only change you need to make is to use 93 octane gas. I put 87 octane in at first after installing the Superchip and my engine was pinging. So if you get the Superchp put in 93 octane and enjoy the ride.

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1999 F-150 XLT Supercab Longbed
Black/Silver, Dark graphite interior
5.4L Automatic

Additions:

• Ford molded mud flaps from local Ford dealer
• Lund Trident bug deflector from carparts.com
• Fumoto drain plug valve from fumotovalve.com

Mods:

• Superchip from Performance Products (Mike T.)

Mods coming soon:

• Borla dual rear exit exhaust system from truckperformance.com
• Airaid FIPK from f150online
• Poweraid from f150online
• JBA Headers (Jet-Black coated) from f150online

 

Ragarm,
I'm 6'9"/270 lbs and have plenty of room in my 2K F150/reg. cab. My father-in-laws 2K F250 SD/reg. cab is more cramped than mine. I do not know why, may be a seat angle scenario. I would like to have a SD CrewCab, but between being married, my '78 F250, AND being married , I cannot justify getting one (in other words, to her -house important, cannot live in big truck-) Doc

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2000 F-150 4x4
4.2L, 5-speed,
3.55 Limited Slip,
reg. cab, short bed,
ORP package (added),
Fog Lights (added),
Super-flip-chipped
...much more to come....

Wife: 2000 Ranger Trailhead Package

 

Hey DOC150 you have a chip in yours, when you say flip chip are you reffering to the chip described to me as one that can be changed from stock settings to a souped up program by switch in the truck? If so how do you like it? For everyone else with a chip which brand chip do you recommend? I had a hypertech programmer 3 in my 96 blazer 4.3 v6, liked it. TIA for the replies!

 

Hey Doc!!!!!

Did Ragarm say he and his brother were big...hahahahaah

By the way Doc...will pic's tomorrow of the installed Airaid.... I had a friend chrome the black tube...Looks and runs great.....

John from NC "6'6" 240, heheheheheheh

 

Jeff,
Yeah, I have the flip-chip w/ the two programs (1-performance & 2-performance/speedo cali- I changed tires on my '99 often, wanted the flexibility ) I really haven't put it in my '00 (traded-kept chip) as of yet, still working on the '00 speedo cali' (changed tires/wheels AGAIN) for my code. Soon though, right Mike I do love the Superchip!! Thanks, Doc

John,
I guess height is relative to those around you....nevermind!! I wanna see that truck of yours w/ the improvements..let me know, Doc "TINY" in NC

 

I suppose big is a relative term...especially when you're talking about your brudder!

------------------
* 2000 F-150 XLT Black FS; 5.4L
* 4x4 ORP
* 3.55 Limited Slip
* Stepups
* Sliding Rear Window
* 6-Way Power Seat
* Remote Keyless Entry
* Lund Trident Bug Shield
* Custom Exhaust
* Fumoto Oil Drain Plug Valve (a must for do-it-yourselfers!)
* Wise Bedrug

So many mods, so little cash! On the up side, no wife to create a filibuster.