I've seen some ads on the Classifieds here (examples copied below) and other places like E-Bay for used Tuners or Chips...usually from people claiming to have sold the truck it 'fit'. I thought the tuner/chip manufacturers somehow made the tuner/chip linked itself to the 1st vehicle they are plugged into (like logging the VIN or something) to prevent me from buying one and then tuning all my friends trucks for free or starting a backyard tuning business. Not that I'm planning on doing that, but I'm cool with saving some money if I came across what I was looking for...

Is that not true? Can the tuners/chips be re-used?

Examples:
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Headline: hypertech #41026 24103
For sale like new hypertech power programmer for 02-03, and 04 heritage f-150 5.4, never used. asking 275$ includes shipping

Listed By:
joseph dewolf
copperas cove, TX usa
254-220-3634
Click Here To Reply By Email View all classifieds from this user
Posted on: 2/5/2006
Expires On: 4/5/2006



Headline: 1715 superchips for sale! 24102
96-03 Ford F and E series, SUV V8 and V10 Gas engines. Except 02-03 Explorer and Mountaineer. it has: 87 octane tune Tow Performance 91 Octane Tune Custom Tune shift points Custom Tune shift firmness (2nd gear rubber) Raise and lower rpm and speed limiters. Also corrects your speedometer when you change your gear or tire size. Also has a diagnostic trouble code dispplay built in. Bought new 6mnths ago I paid 520 asking 350 obo (canadian)

Listed By:
Dan
Lasalle, ONTARIO Canada
519-919-7864
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Posted on: 2/5/2006
Expires On: 5/5/2006

 

Some products can indeed be used on more than one vehicle - now when buying used, you do need to remember that yo have no recourse on this, as the ONLY way you can re-use one of those tuners is if the previous owner has returned THEIR vehicle back to STOCK. If you pay for it up front, and it gets shipped to you without the previous owner returning their vehicle to stock, then you are stuck.

That having been said, as long as someone is a registered member of this web site for some time (at least a year or longer, I'd say), then usually that can give you a better chance of getting a product that is useable, as most people who hang out here for a length o time tend to be more trustworthy than the Internet at large. For example, I would *never* buy anything from anyone on EBay, there is just far too much risk of fraud. A long-standing member here knows that they risk being exposed here as a fraud if they screw you, so if you want to buy used, using the F-150 Online's Classified Ads section to look for used products that are made for your vehicle who have been members here for some time is probably your best bet if you want to buy used.

One thing to give some thought to if you do not feel comfortable buying used, or just prefer to buy new at a great price - for just a little bit more than those used units, you could get a brand new unit with a Lifetime warranty by taking advantage of our Group Buy going on right now for our Troyer Performance *custom* tuning, and that is what will get the best results - far better than you'll get from either of those products. We have specialized in F-150 performance tuning for 14+ years, and actually provide help to some major chipmakers in developing their applications, due to our expertise on the F-series platform vehicles. This is just FYI so you'll know, and here is a link that will take you to the details of our Group Buy, in case you might like to check that out: https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...4&page=1&pp=15

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!

 

I have bought three used tuners from e-bay and have had good luck. Not that everyone on that site is legit, bu ti have never been burned. There are some protections on e-bay as well, you are covered for up to $1000 if you use paypal as means of payment.