Hey all I'm new to diesel and this site. I am in the process of buying a 2006 ram 2500. It's the 5.9 and a 4x4. It has 84000 miles and is an automatic. I want to put a single stack on her and a tuner. Problem is I have heard a tuner can blow the tranny. I know smarty is the best for cummins. My question is what would Yall recommend I do? I just want better mpg and wanna be able to blow a lil smoke here and there. Should I put a smarty Jr on it and what setting would be best for mpg and have least chance of messing up the tranny? Thanks ahead for any input

 

It's the skinny pedal that kills the tranny.

 

Welcome to DTR.
The Smarty jr is designed with the stock truck in mind. In other words, tuned to take advantage of what stock parts (turbos, fuel pumps, tranny, and etc.) can be expected to give. A general rule of thumb is that the 3rd gens can use 100hp over stock and still be "ok" generally speaking. You still have to be smart about using it though. Put 100 extra hp and tow 16k up a steep hill with the throttle mashed and you are asking for trouble. So make sure you put some gauges on there too so you can monitor the engine and keep things in the safe zone.

Your question about what setting has least chance of messing up the tranny is: stock! As you add power on any level you increase the chance of messing the tranny.

With the Smarty there is no "one setting fits all". All trucks react a little differently to settings. So I'd start on level (sw) 2. Torque management on stock (that is hardest on the tranny) Timing on 2 or 3 and rail pressure on 1 or 2.

That's a good place to start to play with but as always, be judicious in the use of the throttle.

Good luck!

Upon Edit: My response on "Torque Management" is misleading. I meant to say that increasing Torque Management is harder on the tranny and leaving it stock is the easiest on the tranny.

 

At 84k I would check all fluids and at minimum drop the trans pain, drain her and check the bands. As stated if you don't want to upgrade further Smarty Jr is tough to beat, another option that I think is better on an 06 is EFI Live but your going to pay more. Good luck whatever you decide.