We are looking at a predator tuner for our 04 lly truck. All we are wanting is better fuel economy pretty much. We would only be setting it at the tow economy tune or lower. Do you have too get gauges?? Sure wouldn't want too blow the truck up or something!!

For the most part, the 40 hp setting (tow tune) you should be ok; although I never recommend adding a tuner w/o gauges.

Think gauges are cheap insurance you might start out low but soon you want to step it up

even on the tow tune Its nice to keep a check on things

its nice but im 18 years old and run a truck for all its got i got my predator on 65 and i can't run it hot enought to hurt anything on that setting even pullin 10000 up a steep hill its still ok barley but it is and thats with the foot into it

I currently run a Predator on 85 without a pyro and have not had problems yet but I prob should get one to be on the safe side.

Yes you want a pyro. It is B S to say you don't. Also my truck gets better mileage on the higher settings. The higher the setting, the better the mileage. I am usually run on the 85 hp setting, and yes the temps get up there with a 6 x 12 enclosed trailer weighing about 3000 lbs. If you get the tuner do your self a favor and get the gauge. Run tuner on 85 hp setting and enjoy the mileage increase.

i run mine without, wouldnt hurt though

its nice but im 18 years old and run a truck for all its got i got my predator on 65 and i can't run it hot enought to hurt anything on that setting even pullin 10000 up a steep hill its still ok barley but it is and thats with the foot into it

Whats your EGT's w/ 10k up hill?

40horse should be fine

its nice but im 18 years old and run a truck for all its got i got my predator on 65 and i can't run it hot enought to hurt anything on that setting even pullin 10000 up a steep hill its still ok barley but it is and thats with the foot into it

Sounds like a CP3 or FPR valve issue. Might wanna get a Tech2 and check your commanded vs. actual rail pressure MPa. If you're towing 10K up a steep hill with a 65hp tune, and your EGT's stay low no matter what you do, you're not getting enough fuel.

Back on topic you ALWAYS want to have a Pyro, because EGT's can really sneak up on you. And many trucks are different, and you may not have any idea exactly when your truck heats up. I have a friend who has nuked 3 turbos on an LLY with a 65 tune because he refused to get a Pyro.

Whats your EGT's w/ 10k up hill?
about 1200

about 1200


And where do you have your probe, in the exhaust tip? I run the 85 yune and have to watch ,y temps pulling my little 6 x 12 box trailer that weighs maybe 3000 lbs. I can also send my egt's through the roof pulling my 40' toyhauler up the same hill with the 40 hp tune. A gauge is always a good idea with a turbo.

That can't be hammer down then either, my Predator for the short while I had it even on the 60hp tune would be pushing 1600, with the 85 going right past 1600 by the time I got to 75mph getting on the highway. (full throttle temps that I never realized were that hot until I got gauges.... should have bought gauges first!)

Yeah, good point there as well, make sure the pyro probe is before the turbo in the exhaust manifold area somewhere. That way you'll be reading the temps going into the turbo, rather than the ones that have been cooled by the turbo :O

If you weren't towing and were not going to run wide open for 4 miles...........I'd say you would be pretty safe on the 40 tune ! But towing you could easily go over 1200 up a hill at 70 mph or something and not know it without gauges !

I run the 100 tune and tow a 6500 lb boat with it all..........I rarely have to worry about the egt's .........but it's nice to know when your creeping up there so you can back off a little !

Yeah, good point there as well, make sure the pyro probe is before the turbo in the exhaust manifold area somewhere. That way you'll be reading the temps going into the turbo, rather than the ones that have been cooled by the turbo :O


I am confused on this post. I have my pyro on the passenger side exhaust manifold, all the way at the rear of the manifold by the wirewall. Is this the same place as you are talking about? Thanks

I am confused on this post. I have my pyro on the passenger side exhaust manifold, all the way at the rear of the manifold by the wirewall. Is this the same place as you are talking about? Thanks


That is perfect. It is before the turbo, like it should be.

Still looking at getting one of these but leaning more towards the predator!! Another question, our truck has the popular surging issue and for the most part diesel additive takes care of it but it seems to be getting worse, was thinking I had read the getting a programmer would take care of that problem is that true or would it make it worse??

those of you claiming low temps @ 60 and 85 hp towing ANYTHING are full of crap

i can peg my egts into 1600 easily on the tow tune with my toy hauler on the weakest of grades

and those of you ballers claiming your running the 85 hp tune on a stock tranny.....youre gonna effe up your allison.....stock, it cant handle to torq that tune puts out.....you need to upgrade your tranny if youre gonna run it that way.....sun coast

i dont take mine up past the 65 hp tune...and i still get high egts

I will chime in here on the EGTs

I have guages with the pyro in the pass side manifold. Towing my 5th wheel with the 40hp tune on any kind of hill will push the temps over 1400. Before the LBZ mouthpiece they used to go over 1500. I try not ot go over 1350 but it is pretty hard.

I would not recomend using any kind of tuner while towing without guages