Dodge Cummins Programmer

Hi im looking at getting a programmer or chip for a 2003 3500 dually. I may need to read some codes, but the main reason I would want it would be improved fuel efficiency. Has anybody had any good luck with a particular brand/model? Thanks

I have the edge evo ht in my 01 cummins. Reads codes and has several different power settings. I really didnt care much to blow a bunch of black smoke or burn the tires off my truck or have one with all the gauges built in since I already have all the gauges. Im pretty satisfied with it and paid around 400 bucks for it. Pretty much a plug and play. Undo a couple wires and plug it in. Gained around an extra 3mpg but I dont drive it like I stole it either. After some reading I believe my next thing Ill do is get 50hp injectors. Some pretty good reading at cumminsforum.com on dodge cummins trucks. You mite also check out or even call edge products.Ive had an edge progrmmer in all my trucks and been nothong but satisfied with there products

we put a 60hp chip in our 98.5 24v dodge about 2 years ago - it's got close to 300000 miles on it. No change in fuel milage worth talking about, BUT it is much more drivable now, power through the whole rev range... it has a 5 speed man tranny and the shift from 3 to 4 used to be a struggle with a big load on, now not too much of a struggle... truck is stock otherwise (bigger lift up last year due to lift pump then injector pump failure) if you do chip it put a better lift pump in at the same time - i'd go with a FASS... worth the extra money

Let me say this, my one friend has a 2001 3500 4x4 with a 5 speed and 3.54 gears . When he bought it it ran well and he got around 15-16 MPG. His was not a high output 5.9 , his brothers was the same year but his is a high output 5.9 with a 6 speed and 3.54 gears and also a 4x4 , this one runs vary well stock and gets around 16-17 MPG . Eugene got talking to the socalled motor heads and they tell him that he needs to install the big exhaust system . And he tells me that this will gain him fuel milage (yea wright). So he installs this noisey system and drops 750 bucks on it. After about two weeks i asked Eugene how much he gained . Well ah , ah it is about the same as before BUT i need to get a tuner and that will really help the mileage . So he drops another 750 bucks on having it installed . About tow weeks go by and i asked him the same question are you getting better mileage??? and i get well ah it is about the same . Well lets see here ya dropped 1500 bucks and it is still the same wright ?? just think how muck fuel 1500 buck would have bought , BUT on the plus side his truck runs better to a point and here is where the down side comes in he has installed TWO SOUTH BEND clutches with the second one slipping again he might as well use a zipper on the transmission as it has been in and out now i do not know how many times . And third gear scynro is on the way out again. Myself i have a 95 Dodge 3500 5.9 with a 5 speed with 4.10 gears and wishing i had 3.54's but not to the point of ripping out the 4.10 and doing a swap. Just don't get off doing that stuff anymore even though i have all the tools to do them. Around here it is hard to find a unmolested Dodge with a Cummin. Yes mine is tweaked a little . Ya was to improve fuel mileage on yours then pull the valve covers and adjust the valves. If you do not know how to do a 5.9 then take it to Cummins and let them set them the correct way . They need done every so often.

I have used Diablo and Banks programs in my Ford's and Chevy's. I would not expect much better mileage, but they are a lot more drivable. It seems to eliminate the turbo lag.

I"m with TV on this one. I have a 300,000 mile 98 1/2 dually with the five speed that needs the zipper. It"s bone stock and it"s staying that way. I"ve replaced the inj pump, done the fuel pump update that replaces the lift pump, two clutches and one rear end. I"m not inviting any more trouble. I do agree that it needs help between 3rd and 4th. You really have to get her screaming in 3rd so you don"t get below the turbo after the upshift to 4th. One thing good about this pickup is it"s two wheel drive so replacing the clutch is a breeze and the tranny is a lightweight so it"s easy to get down from up there. Jim

Save your money on the chip. I had a Juice Edge in mine. It gave it an energy boost in some of the settings but did nothing for mileage. When my pump went out (2002 model) and I replaced it the warranty stated that if the wire to the computer on the pump is nicked as is done with most of the programmers, that they will void the warranty. I never rehooked it to the pump but instead installed the 275 RV injectors. I get a more consistent mileage now and have about the same power as when I ran the chip. Engine runs a lot nicer with the new pump and injectors. The diagnostic screen from the chip is still in the truck and I like the different things I can check with it even though the thing doesn't control the injector pump anymore. 02, 5.9, 5 speed 4x4, 112,000 miles.

I have a 03 3500 & put the Edge Attitude in it. Love the screen & the data it can display. Has 5 adjustable levels of HP & torque. You can make it run like a dragster or a stock truck.
BUT better milage, no way. You can run the same or worse but not better.

i got a 2004 3500 cummings ho with stock motor with 4 inch straight tailpipe and k&n air filter and i get 20 to 22 mpg empty and anywhere from 17 to 13 mpg pulling a loaded trailer

I have the 96 5.9. Have adjusted the valves, the injection timing, and raised the fuel plate 3/64 inch. 23 mpg empty, 30 pulling the boat, and runs like it has an afterburner. The fuel plate adjustment seemed to double my torque.

I had a smarty on our 03 dodge good programmer but not much help w/millage. On my 07 dodge w/6.7 I have an H&S got so I could do the deletes and watch temps. On the mild setting I get the best mpg's about 1.5 better than stock setting getting rid of the egr and dpf got me about 4mpg better.I think alot of people get the extra power and it's alot more fun to punch it at every stop light and there goes any gain in millage they would have seen.

(quoted from post at 18:14:31 06/25/13) Hi im looking at getting a programmer or chip for a 2003 3500 dually. I may need to read some codes, but the main reason I would want it would be improved fuel efficiency. Has anybody had any good luck with a particular brand/model? Thanks

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I put a Juice w/Attitude on my 04 3500 dually at about 50,000 miles. Fuel pump went out in less than a week....fortunately Dodge had a recall on it, and did the $1200 in tank upgrade for free. My mileage went up....according to the computer. Checking it manually I think it stayed about the same. Computer is about 3 mpg optimistic....was about 1 without.
As for the truck, I run it in Tow mode mostly, and with loaded trailer I am usually around 18-20k total weight. It sure did give it more torque over stock and I can smoke people out if I want to. I noticed the biggest improvement in the mountains where the Cummins used to lose rpm instantly, now I have to watch the pyro to know when to downshift as it will pull like crazy. I take it easy....still on the stock clutch with 120k miles.

If you pull alot, and haven't upgraded to a bigger exaust and added all the extea gauges, go with something mild. If you put something crazy on these with stock everything else, the exhaust temp can get up there while pulling and cause some problems. 4 years and 70000 miles ago, I put a diablo sport power puck in my 01 5 speed. It sure makes a difference pulling. I didn't gain anything for mileage, maybe lost 1 or 2 mpg. Empty it gained 1 or 2, but nothing too noticeable.
The people that said it killed their pump probably had it going anyway, that's why you need to monitor fuel pressure. If my stock clutch ever goes, it's getting more ponys. The puck added 50 horse and 100ftlbs of torque according to the box.

You don't have to have a programmer to read codes on these trucks. Turn the ignition switch on and off twice and turn it on and leave it on a third time. If there are any codes in the computer they will displace on the dash where the milage normally displays at. If you are after fuel milage and not a lot of added power you could look at a Edge EZ. Its is a chip instead of a programmer. It has 4 connectors and hooks in under the hood of your truck. This is what I had on my 03 that I had. 03 2500 4wd short bed 6spd manual 3:73 gears. All it had was a straight pipe and cold air intake. I got 22-24 mpg consistantly driving back and forth to work 70 miles round trip daily. The EZ isn't much for power but really does help on fuel milage.

Your engine was a 215 Hp. where mine was a 175 Hp.Mine has never been good on fuel( just my luck ) . And in 96 the offered the 3.54 gear where as on the 95's the 4.10 was the only one offered with a 5 speed . My fuel plate is the stock one but set full open and the the aneroid is backed off the RPM is opned up as far as the stock spring will allow . The other down side to my truck is the BOX on the back causes a lot of wind drag. IF the day ever comes when i can have a week to myself the box will come off and i will get my mechanic's body put on and i will not have to climb up and down for my toools anymore , old knees will like that.

tractorvet, I agree with your philosophy, bought a new '04.5/5.9HO/6 manuaul/4x4/3.73/duallie; bone stock-18.2 MPG consistently as DD unless using biodiesel, then about 16.6, 10k tag trailer costs me about 2-2.5 MPG, add mountains-will get around 13-14. Good enough for me since new, now at 185k, running well. BTW state inspections guy tells me diesel inspections will tighten up for unauthorized "tampering" (tuners) which adversely affects emissions (courtesy of EPA).

I have 04 3500 six speed 4;10 rear I have K&N air kit, 4in exhaust I got the EDGE mileage max,I pull a trailer alot give a nice power boost no smoke and 22 to 23 mpg. Had this setup just over 2 years. Air kit and exhaust alone 19 to 20 mpg.

Thanks for the replies, sounds like maybe a programmer might be a waist of money for me, as the truck has a 6speed and already has an aftermarket air filter as well as a modified exhaust. All I will be doing is towing a trailer, not much over 15000 pounds