Smarty Jr? Help me get off the fence
#1
Smarty Jr? Help me get off the fence
I have posted here several times asking about the Smarty Jr and weather or not to get it. I have come so close several times, but then I chicken out mainly because of the fear of slipping my auto tranny. I drive "normal", meaning I dont do burnouts or anything like that. I do tow pretty much everyday( approx 5k) and at least once a month I tow 11k.
Im all about reliability, but the "bug" has bit me alittle and Id like to add a little something in the power dept. For all you guys who have the Jr. and tow with the auto, what do you think? Is it safe or am I setting myself up for repairs? I promise, this is the last time I ask for opinions. Im either gonna get it or put it out of my head. TIA.
Im all about reliability, but the "bug" has bit me alittle and Id like to add a little something in the power dept. For all you guys who have the Jr. and tow with the auto, what do you think? Is it safe or am I setting myself up for repairs? I promise, this is the last time I ask for opinions. Im either gonna get it or put it out of my head. TIA.
#5
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I had made a post a while back about my jr. slipping the trans in my truck. It would do it empty or loaded if under 2000 rpm. Now that I have upgraded to the beta 4 version, it doesnt slip at all, smoke is almost non existant (unless you want it) and it feels just as strong as the original version. I have been towing in the mountains up 8% grades with 10K trailer and the truck holds OD and just powers up it. This is in the tow 70hp setting. I am more than happy with mine, and would not go back to the stock programming. I realize that the stock auto is not made to hold all the extra stress, but mine is doing great so far with the beta, so I am pleased. The egts are the best part about it though, cooler than stock and more power. Best of both worlds. Im like you though, I drive for economy, not hot rodding everywhere I go, so I think that driving it properly will help with the long term reliability of the truck. With mine on the 70hp program all the time, I have gotten a solid 2mpg gain (all hand calc.) both towing and empty. These are the things I have gotten out of my jr. and love about it, so take it for what its worth, but I dont think that you can go wrong.
PS Like Akita said, beware though, it becomes a fast spreading disease.....
PS Like Akita said, beware though, it becomes a fast spreading disease.....
#6
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: "I don't live in Dallas, I live in TEXAS!"
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i am a power lead foot guy. That said with the fuel prices and having crushed trannies on 5 different trucks (one is a brand not listed in my sig that starts with an "F") I have decided to play nice with my 07' I have 40k on it and tow 5-7.5k 5 days a week. I also have 35's and when taunted by a ricer or a mustang with a robot sticker on the side through caution to the wind. I just got my trans flushed and the bands tightened and the guy at dodge said everything was in good shape. I drive around in #1 and tow with it also. It sees #2 when i'm unloaded on the weekends and is darn quick. My tranny shifts like new and am confident i will go to 100k with little/no prob. I had an 05' with same lift and a senior on perma #5 and when it was stolen it still shifted great even though I didn't treat it great. Sorry for the rambling...its hot here. My point is the jr in #1 or #2 should be fine well over 100k if you don't flog it all the time. The only problem is flogging it is sooo fun and smoke is cool!
#7
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I got 116k miles out of my stock trans and I wasnt nice to it at all. I drag raced, did burn outs, etc., and I run the Smarty Sr. I did have other chips in the beginning, but I started modding around 20kmiles. If you behave, your trans will last a long time. A Jr. on lvl 1 or 2 will not hurt unless you abuse it, infact I dont think you could hurt it to bad on lvl 1 even if you were trying!
Anything more, with abuse, will land you in the tranny department!
Anything more, with abuse, will land you in the tranny department!
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#10
I have posted here several times asking about the Smarty Jr and weather or not to get it. I have come so close several times, but then I chicken out mainly because of the fear of slipping my auto tranny. I drive "normal", meaning I dont do burnouts or anything like that. I do tow pretty much everyday( approx 5k) and at least once a month I tow 11k.
Im all about reliability, but the "bug" has bit me alittle and Id like to add a little something in the power dept. For all you guys who have the Jr. and tow with the auto, what do you think? Is it safe or am I setting myself up for repairs? I promise, this is the last time I ask for opinions. Im either gonna get it or put it out of my head. TIA.
Im all about reliability, but the "bug" has bit me alittle and Id like to add a little something in the power dept. For all you guys who have the Jr. and tow with the auto, what do you think? Is it safe or am I setting myself up for repairs? I promise, this is the last time I ask for opinions. Im either gonna get it or put it out of my head. TIA.
No question, get it! Especially since you're running stock rubber...
Only real reason I waited for a Smarty is 'cause I'm running 35's with 3.73's. That combo plus added power and my right foot = carnage w/o a built trans...
#11
I was the same way when I fist bought my XZT box, I was afrais of hurting my trans, after running it for a while I found the trans to be fine and I wanted more. I got the JR with the same worry about the trans and after running it for around 10K now, my trans is unfased and the truck is more fun to drive. Get the jr, you will not regret and your trans will be fine, just hope you don't have weak lift pump like me.. Airdog, here I come.
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