Tackled the install of an Astrostart auto starter from Max Power today. Installed it on my new '05 truck. I only installed the auto starter today, security will be next weekend. Was missing the IM-HDT module for controlling the locks and trunk option on the 03+ trucks but the truck still starts without it. I'm only missing it because I bought this back in early December with plans to install it on my '02 before I changed my other mind and bought the '05 so Tony had to send the IH module last week which hasn't made it here yet.

Install was very straight forward. Anyone that can splice wires (solder preferrably) can do this. Tony provides great directions with plenty of pictures. That and the manuals that come with the kit should be all anyone would need. There are a LOT of wires and it looks like a mess when you start, but with some time and patience it all comes together. It took me about 8 hours with a lot of stops to check this site, eat, drink, you know. Also made a couple calls to Tony just to make sure I wasn't screwing things up (got a little confused since I ordered it for an
'02 and was installing it on an '05 which changes some things with the install). Now knowing where to hook each wire and where the best place is to run them I am sure I could do this in two hours or less now.

I'm going to test remote range throughout the week and will report back on how it does. I just wanted to give Tony a huge thumbs up for providing a great product and great service!

With all the good things being said about Tony and Astro Start, I placed an order with Tony today. Hopefully will be in by this weekend. Its gonna be cold for us (-7 Saturday) and I will have a garage I can use.

Also ordered Eric's high idle kit, (yes I know its only a wire) but I had to pick up a couple things from his site anyway.

Looks like a busy weekend.

High idle is a cake walk. Keep us posted on the install (s). Good luck and keep calm.

Ben

High idle is a cake walk.

Especially on a LLY :D

Seriously, the high idle install should only take you thirty minutes... Give yourself a lot longer for the Astrostart.

With all the good things being said about Tony and Astro Start, I placed an order with Tony today.Hey Nate,

Post the contact info/website.:confused:

Max Power --> local deisel addict.

http://www.rathwellhardware.com/truck/index.html

I have talked with TONY in the past and seems like a good guy. I would buy from him. He is the one to hook you up for your remote start.

Ben

Can The High Idle Be Activated Via The Astro Start...lb7 Or Lly? Or For Any Other Remote Starter?.....would Be A Cool Option

Can The High Idle Be Activated Via The Astro Start...lb7 Or Lly? Or For Any Other Remote Starter?.....would Be A Cool Option
Great idea! I had thought of that one as well. I dont know. I am sure someone that know the answer will pipe up.
Ben

To contact Max Power just send him a PM on the board. He's easy to get in touch with and always responds within a couple hours max.

Yes, the Astrostart can be setup to activate the high idle on the LB7 using the trunk feature (which normally pops the trunk but since we don't have 'em, might as well use 'em for something good). The LLY has an automatic high idle (or at least mine does) so it activates automatically when the temp outside and the engine temp are below certain levels... I am using my trunk button to activate my seat heater...

i did it a couple weeks ago. very nice, also remote the heated seat on. it was discussed on this thread):h



http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21020

To contact Max Power just send him a PM on the board. He's easy to get in touch with and always responds within a couple hours max.

Yes, the Astrostart can be setup to activate the high idle on the LB7 using the trunk feature (which normally pops the trunk but since we don't have 'em, might as well use 'em for something good). The LLY has an automatic high idle (or at least mine does) so it activates automatically when the temp outside and the engine temp are below certain levels... I am using my trunk button to activate my seat heater...

THANX FOR REPLY... GOING TO KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN I PUT ONE IN

You can also activate the high idle on an LLY with a remote start. You need to do the PTO install similar to what we do on the LB7's then you can activate that with the remote start. There is a diffence between the increased speed of the PTO idle and the automatic high idle built into the LLY. The automatic one will warm up the truck faster since it uses the vairable vanes on the turbo to increase the back pressure and put more a of load on the engine.

Can you use the remote start to turn on seats AND high idle?
Ben

Yep :)

Just out of curiosity, why would you want to activate the PTO on an LLY with a remote start? Usually a remote start is used because it gets the truck warm w/o you getting cold to start it... If the high idle does this, and it does it automatically on the LLY, why would you want to engage the PTO as it's not going to warm things up any faster.

Some people are control freaks. :D Seriously, I don't know. I don't do it on mine but I get lots of requests for it.

chad.. becuase we can. And thats kewl!

Everyone has just been in awe in this poor little town that such a thing exists to start the truck w/o being in it in the first place... I'm sure I'd kill a few if I made louder with the same remote!!

Lol

You know you live in a small town when your new remote start is the talk of the town. :D

As long as you don't say "redneck" I'm fine with that :)

You know you live in a small town then your new remote start is the talk of the town. :D
Isnt that the truth. When I moved here my friend had one and I was shocked that they even had them. I moved from a town of 550 people in BFE Nebraska. I did indeed lead a sheltered life.

Ben

Hey Tony

You responded to my question about having the heated seat/high idle all with the same remote. If I got this unit from you, how much harder is it to install? Would you send info when I do it? With the heated seat option does that also turn on the passenger seat?

I know I am a PIA.
Ben

I did the Astrostart 2205 on my truck and I'm amazed at how today's electronics actually make things like this install much easier. It took me about 4 hours and I have not had a problem.

Mine is on the way. I am hoping to have it for the upcoming single digit temps. I ordered it with the high idle option. Seems like a no-brainer option to me!

I installed my remote starter from Max Power on Christmas day. Tony goes out of his way to make sure every question you may have is answered. I PM'd him a couple times back and forth on a sunday, talked to him the following monday and the starter (and my cloud rider winter front) shipped the same day. To say his instructions are comprehensive is an understatement. Not only does he supply the install documents that a professional installer would use to identify wires and locations on the truck, but he also includes his own write up of each connection that is specifically tailored to the truck. I think I PM'd him twice during the installation and that was only to confirm his instructions.

I would not hesitate to do business with Tony again!

:ro) :ro) :ro) :ro) :ro) :ro)


Rock on Tony!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now my wife is wondering why I need to get one. She has lived 37 yrs without one. I had a cheap unit on a different vehicle and loved it. I will end up getting one sometime I am sure of that. Wives --> cant live with em, and well you cant live with em:D

Ben

Got er' done! It was not as easy as I thought it would be. You must be very confident with your soldering skills and not be afraid of getting in deep into the wiring system of the truck. This was my first experience with one of these. The next one will go easier I am sure. One thing for sure is that Tony was very helpful and I would not have even started the project without knowing I had someone with his experience only a phone call away to help me through it. I hooked up the trunk button with the high idle feature. That rocks!

Thanks Tony! http://www.rathwellhardware.com/truck/index.html

Mark

Mark I've done my own, assisted Maverick with his and now gearing up for a third install on a co-workers S-10. Max does make it easy with his guidelines for install. Not fun, but not nearly as dreadful as it seems when you first open up the box and see all the loose wires.

I agree with Victory Red http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/forums/images/metoo.gif Tony Rocks Dude! http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/forums/images/banger.gif

I'm beginning to wonder if there's anything about these trucks that Tony doesn't know about. He is an incredible asset to all of us! ):h

Tom http://dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=107

I was going to order the 5204 from Tony but my "lovely" wife ordered it from somewhere else for me as a surprise before I got the chance to get it myself. It's suppose to be here on Wedesday. I sure would have liked to get it from Tony so I have someone to call if I run into problems . So where did you guys mount the brain box ?

I'll bet Tony would still be willing to help you out. Just PM him. Brain was mounted to the left of the BCM on the left side of the metal trim support... Fits nicely there and is where Tony recommended.

PM me your email address and I will send you all the necessary information. Also let me know what bypass kit you ordered (passlock and doorlock) and i will help the best I can.

Thanks a lot I appreciate it !! :D