I have recently talked to BLUEJAY through PM and he has done a great job steering me in the right direction and dumbing down some of the information. He also brought up a good point being that I should get some other opinions. So, here is my story and my question.

2005 F150 FX4 5.4L
Gibson Exhaust
325/65/18 Toyo AT
4" Rancho Suspension Lift

No other engine mods or anything. I do tow a boat. I only use the truck to drive to work, around town, and tow the boat. Sometimes long distance towing.

Since returning from Iraq a couple months ago I have noticed that my truck jumps between gears at about 50 MPH. I am thinking this is because of the tires and lift confusing the truck. I am hoping it is not because of a bad transmission.

My question was what kind of tuner to get.

BLUEJAY's advice: Get the Gryphon and replace the shift tune with a 87 PERFORMANCE tune. That would give me the 87 Performance, Towing, and a 93 Performance tune. He felt the shift tune was not a very good one to keep.

My question to all of you: Do you agree with his advice? If not, what do you recommend and why? If you think I should go another direction please explain why. BLUEJAY has done a great job of not only telling me which direction but why so this is certainly not an opportunity to bash him or his ideas. I just am continuing with his advice of getting some other opinions.

Sorry so long and thanks to anybody that can help.

 

Bluejay gave you good advice (he always does).

I would agree with everything he said. However, I'd like to know a couple more bits of information:I tow a 3500# trailer with stock 32" tires and 3.73 gears. I have an 87 octane performance tune replacing the canned transmission tune and a custom 87 octane towing tune to replace the canned tow tune. I left the 91+ octane tune alone and have never used it. I'm happy with what this gives me.

- Jack

 

Jack,
Thanks for the response.

I have 3.73 gears. I am pretty sure the cause of my shifting issues is the change in tires and weight of the lift.
As for the boat, not sure the weight. I sold my other boat prior to heading to Iraq. I got back a couple months ago and am hitting the Kansas City and Midwest boat shows in January to find a new one! I am shooting for a 21-23 foot deck boat though. Not sure about aluminum or fiberglass hull yet.
So, do you still recommend the tow tune?

Thanks again for the input.

 

I would recommend a tow tune in your case. It would give you more torque and pulling power off the line and most likely keep the rpms while towing in optimal areas. I am running the tow tune right now while I am waiting for my economy/performance tune and it pulls well off the line.

 

Thanks TRUCKGUY. So based on yours and JACK's opinions, I should get a 87 Performance tune (replacing the canned shift tune), a 87 Tow Tune (replacing the canned tow tune), and then keep the 93 performance tune?

Anybody else have input.

Thanks again for all your advice. Definitely making decisions easier!

 

That would be what I would do

 

That's what I did also.

 

And that's what I'm going to do when Edge/PHP releases the 2009 or CS/CTS model.

 

I'm with TruckGuy on this. I'd get the tow tune too. It's only $30.00 more. Sounds to me like your boat-trailer combination could have a bit of weight.

If your original tires were 275/65-18's, like mine, your "effective" gear ratio is about 3.45, which is not a good towing setup. Regearing to 4.10 would be a good idea if you want to restore your original feel of "power".

- Jack

 

You do realize that he already has the same tow tune you do, Level 2, right? He is asking if he needs a custom tow tune or if the canned is adequate.

 

I know, but I think the custom tow tune would give him just a bit more refinement and take his mods into consideration. It doesn't sound like he has a Gryphon yet tho.

Also, OP you should do the Gotts/DWV intake for a bit more power

 

Not yet, but when he gets it, he has the canned tune. And I gree, the custom is always better than the canned, and if it is that heavy a boat, may even be needed.

If I was going to go full ultimate, I would do a 87 Tow, and 87 Perf and a 93 Perf.

 

Thanks again everybody. I think I will go ahead and get the tow tune since I am ordering. Might as well get it all done at once. Thanks again for all your input.

 

You will love the power man!

 

[87 custom tow,87custom perf,93 canned perf] Left that one open for later! . My boat is not that heavy, but looking down the road you never know what you might hall. My case (horses,welder,car trailer). Then you will be ahead of the game. You will love your Gryphon.