Predator owners

[TexMax]

Just wanted to know how everyone liked their predators. I think that this is the tune i am going to end up getting. I decided to keep it mild and everyone seems to like them. It also read that you need he pc interface kit, but i'm thinking that it is only on the newer lbz's?? Anyway they're running some good deals right now and just need opinions. Thanks

[Big Angry]

Well, I really like mine, but I have the old 2.0 version. The newer 2.02 version adds boost to the programming and also enables shutting down the egr. I added a boost stick to mine to clean up some smoke and lower egt's. If you decide to get one, and you disable the egr, I still recommend and egr blocker. I toasted my stock tranny on the 85 setting. Since the Suncoast and dual lift pumps went in, it's been on the 100 setting. EGT's can get toasty, but the 40 or 65hp tunes should be good. Tranny relearn takes a little time, but as far as bang for the buck, I don't think it can be beaten. Not the most powerful tuner, but again they are $300 all day long.

[07dmax360]

what do think was the cause of chewing up the tranny, was it the program? or was all the added goodies contributing to failure, I am curious as this the programmer recomended to me by NADP and can't afford the down time on my rig, so I need something reliable as it is a work truck. I don't want to have to do a tranny upgrade to try an get another mpg or 2 with added power to pull my sleds to the mountains, or just to go to work and piss off the rich kids in town with their ricer wanna-bee's

[Big Angry]

what do think was the cause of chewing up the tranny, was it the program? or was all the added goodies contributing to failure, I am curious as this the programmer recomended to me by NADP and can't afford the down time on my rig, so I need something reliable as it is a work truck. I don't want to have to do a tranny upgrade to try an get another mpg or 2 with added power to pull my sleds to the mountains, or just to go to work and piss off the rich kids in town with their ricer wanna-bee's
For the first 2 years I had the truck, it was my daily driver/worker, so it had an exhaust and the tuner only. I did the tranny in before I lifted it, or added any of my other (mild) mods to the truck.
The tranny's demise was the tune, plain and simple. The predator doesn't defuel between shifts and the stock programming does, as does the edge and some others. This is hard when banging shifts under power. It started after about 4 months of hard driving on the 85hp tune. The 65hp setting *should* be safe for everyday driving. Driving it hard (which I did, didn't beat it or abuse it, but I drove it hard) may do it in as well, but I imagine that would take a long time and/or serious abuse. Keep it around or below the 65hp setting, and I imagine you'd probably have a nice long life with your predator. It's just that I know very few people who are actually able to "leave it alone" once they get a taste of the power. Best bang for the buck IMO, but just be careful.

[Sierra H/O]

For the first 2 years I had the truck, it was my daily driver/worker, so it had an exhaust and the tuner only. I did the tranny in before I lifted it, or added any of my other (mild) mods to the truck.
The tranny's demise was the tune, plain and simple. The predator doesn't defuel between shifts and the stock programming does, as does the edge and some others. This is hard when banging shifts under power. It started after about 4 months of hard driving on the 85hp tune. The 65hp setting *should* be safe for everyday driving. Driving it hard (which I did, didn't beat it or abuse it, but I drove it hard) may do it in as well, but I imagine that would take a long time and/or serious abuse. Keep it around or below the 65hp setting, and I imagine you'd probably have a nice long life with your predator. It's just that I know very few people who are actually able to "leave it alone" once they get a taste of the power. Best bang for the buck IMO, but just be careful.
How's your mileage? My dad is considering an exhaust/intake/Predator upgrade for his dually to help with fuel mileage.

[Big Angry]

How's your mileage? My dad is considering an exhaust/intake/Predator upgrade for his dually to help with fuel mileage.
Depends. I honestly haven't ever seen the big increase in mileage everyone talks about with programmers. I get over 16 on the highway unless I start taching over 2100rpms, and around town, stop in go I get about 14. That is with the lift and 295s, and also on crappy winter blend fuel. With the boost stick and new intake, it did go up about 1.5 mpg, but that was right when winterblend, hit, so I hope to gain another 1-2mpg when regular diesel comes back in the spring. If it was stock 245s, I'd probably do a lot better. If I can 18+ on the highway this summer, I'll be stoked.

[TexMax]

Thanks for the info. That's really all i'm looking for is a good value. Probably put it on the 65hp tune and leave it.

Who makes that light bar btw?

[Big Angry]

Thanks for the info. That's really all i'm looking for is a good value. Probably put it on the 65hp tune and leave it.

Who makes that light bar btw?

No prob. Light bar is from Randy Ellis Designs.

[TexMax]

No prob. Light bar is from Randy Ellis Designs.

Alright, cool. Do they have a websight?

[Big Angry]

Alright, cool. Do they have a websight?


http://www.randyellisdesign.com/

[TexMax]

Thanks man.

[wilsonck]

with the v2.02, they did add defueling. Don't buy your tuner from Nadp. Last time I was in there and asked, they wanted about $500 or so. You can get them from a number of places in the states for $300 or so. I got mine from DPPI (vendor from dieselplace) so check with the other vendors here on this board first before you buy.

[TexMax]

with the v2.02, they did add defueling. Don't buy your tuner from Nadp. Last time I was in there and asked, they wanted about $500 or so. You can get them from a number of places in the states for $300 or so. I got mine from DPPI (vendor from dieselplace) so check with the other vendors here on this board first before you buy.

Will do, thanks.

['96 Z-71]

Love my Pred. too. I had it on the 85 setting for a while then decided to try to be easy on it and set it on 100. :badidea: I did get better mileage but I ended up limping it a few times. I put it back down to 65 and now that it's been on there for a while it seems to have gotten a little quicker than when I installed it. I think it really gets used to it after a few months. I would put it on 65 and be happy with it. If you try turning it up once in a while it'll only get you into trouble. If you want to risk it...a lot of people run it on the 85 with no problems...plus if your truck was like mine you'll get better mileage with the bigger tunes. Someday I'll replace the stock alli clutches, add a shift kit and a Suncoast torque converter and run it on 100. I really miss the smoke of the bigger tunes the most though.

[Dmax2500HD]

love my predator 2.02. I leave it on the 40hp setting, just so the tranny doesnt die on me.

[07dmax360]

Depends. I honestly haven't ever seen the big increase in mileage everyone talks about with programmers. I get over 16 on the highway unless I start taching over 2100rpms, and around town, stop in go I get about 14. That is with the lift and 295s, and also on crappy winter blend fuel. With the boost stick and new intake, it did go up about 1.5 mpg, but that was right when winterblend, hit, so I hope to gain another 1-2mpg when regular diesel comes back in the spring. If it was stock 245s, I'd probably do a lot better. If I can 18+ on the highway this summer, I'll be stoked.
I run stock exhaust with the BD diesel performance high flow manifold, and the cat cut out and normal highway driving with a 500lbs tool box I get 18mpg hand calculated. I am hoping to try and hit a min. of 20mpg. I am not heavy on the throtle as I pay for fuel out of my pocket, and at 109.9/L or apprx. 4.84/Gal I cannot afford to have a heavy right foot. So if it helps any will be a huge help

[87c10tbi]

i hear it the best bang for the price cant go wrong