Banks PDA info please

[ACF]

Does anyone have any input on the Banks PDA and 6 gun combo, or ottomind for that matter? Does it work as advertised?

 

[HGreen]

I have the Ottomind 6, and yes it does everything the they say it does, now as to the power added, haven't got a dyno, so I can't confirm. The only problem I have had is with a bum PDA from Palm that wouldn't hold a charge, been through the return once, and got a rehab unit that has issues like always showing that its hooked to the charger. This is both on and off the truck. But that's not Banks problem.

 

[JDAnnolfo]

I just installed banks big hoss bundle a week ago. I put approximately 1'500 miles on it in the past week. It has performed flawlessly so far. I am very pleased with the performance of the entire system including the pda. It is doing everything they say it does just as advertised.

 

[ACF]

More questions

Thanks guys, I have a few questions:



A) I want the Ottomind/PDA but only for all the parameters it allows one to keep track of. My truck in an 05 and I do not need more power. In the 0 or stock setting does it change the way the truck runs in anyway? Can you tell a difference?



B) How hard was it to install? Did you have to splice any wires, or was it all plug and play? Do you have to drill the dash to mount the PDA? Were does the PDA mount get its power?



C) Has your dealer been OK with you having it in your truck? Read warranty issues?



D) Does the PDA seem like it is very accurate in keeping track of the Trans temp, EGT, Boost etc? What I mean by this is do you think it is keeping an accurate record like a good set of gauges and is not just a fancy toy?



Thanks for the input!

 

[JDAnnolfo]

The settings are from one to six, one being the stock setting for the truck. And no, there is no difference in the way the truck performs in the stock setting whatsoever. I felt the installation was relatively easy as the hardware and instructions provided are excellent. There are however some tight spots to deal with especially with regard to the camshaft sensor. I'ts not too bad you just have to take your time with it. The PDA draws it's power from the fuse panel under the hood, and banks provides you with everything you need to do this. The PDA no longer mounts to the dash. They now provide you with a suction cup mount for the windshield which leaves the PDA near your A pillar. The other diffficult part of the job would be to mount the thermocouple in the exhaust manifold, as they suggest removing the turbo. Again not a really big deal but it does take some time to do it properly. I am pleased with the information the guages are giving me. I don't believe any of it is "feel good info" so to speak. Phew, I think that covers it!

 

[HGreen]

I have to agree with what JDAnnolfo said. I have a Pacbrake, so my pyro is mounted post turbo for now. The info is correct as far as I can tell. Haven't been to the Dealer, so no comment about that. I would most likely remove the box prior to doing so. I did not use the mount that Banks included, I had some RAM-Mount parts and found a way to mount the PDA just in front of my vent just to the right of the steering wheel.

 

[BigDan]

Installing any of Banks electronics (6gun, ottomind) WILL void your warranty



If you want to keep your warranty you need to leave it stock. The dealer's are voiding warranties even if they think you've done something...



Its just not worth it. These Bank's products arnt going to keep your truck from breaking down. Our trucks are really well built from the factory and there's other way to moniter your truck's egt's and boost instead of spending $3K on a big Banks bundle and getting stuck with a $5K bill and a voided warranty... .



Most every form of electronic hp increasers will void your warranty... except the Smarty.



Goodluck

 

[JDAnnolfo]

Big Dan's absolutely right. If you are still within warranty and this is a concern for you then you may want to consider just installing guages. My 06 already has 72'000 miles on it and before winter is over I will be out of warranty. If between now and then something were to happen I consider myself on my own. If you mod the truck than I really feel you have to accept that risk yourself. From everything I've ever seen on this web site daimler chrysler is the last outfit to test the warranty waters. :-laf

 

[ACF]

I called Banks, they said that one does not have to remove the Turbo in order to mount the EGT probe... ..... what gives? Also I think they still do give the dash mount option, don't they? I think the suction cup is just another way to mount the PDA.



Does anyone have any pics of there Ottomind or sixgun mounted in the engine bay, I would like to see how it is set up. Along with pics of the PDA on the dash.



Also does anyone have the Banks guages? I would love to know how hard it is to mount the overhead mount in the truck... ... ... as well as how difficult they are to mount in general. And also how well they work. Thanks again for all the good info.

 

[BigDan]

Well it sure sounds like the guy's at Banks did a good job on convincing you need to buy everything that they sell from them.



Good luck on that and im sure Banks will be able to handle all of your question's and need's



One thing that Banks wont tell you is that you will most likely need transmission work, and that is because they dont do transmission's. The most important thing you can do for your truck is to keep your transmission happy and adding aditional HP will alway make your transmission unhappy. Most guys know this and invest in a transmission first and then play with the engine.



Dan

 

[JDAnnolfo]

This is starting to get lenghty. PM sent.

 

[DZinger]

HGreen - I am browsing RAM Mounts website looking for a solution like you have. Possible to get some pics and the RAM part numbers you used? I want to do just what you did by your description...



Don

 

[MDTyree]

ACF, I got the six-gun with speedloader and I love it. It was pretty straight forward to hook up. You do have to worry about the warranty but as far as the transmission, all power adders will break something, all though banks has safe gaurds built in. but that also depends on how much foot you put in it.

I'm looking into getting the pda this summer. I want it for the gauges and for all the extra stuff to. Banks does have good products and the prices are not that bad considering what you get.

Good luck.

Mike





04 Ram 2500 quad cab 4x4 auto. banks six-gun with speedloader, s&b cold air intake, airdog 100, and 315BFG's

 

[Redmega06]

There are to many good things being said. I used to have the banks with PDA but after I set the egt limits all the way down and it didn't de-tune I called banks and there response was that their product could not be bad. They also told that to 4wheel parts where I bought it and after that I got rid of it.

 

[MDTyree]

The fact of the matter is that if it is electronic or mechanical, it can and will break or go bad at some time. Sometimes it happen right a way and sometimes it takes a long time. I've read alot of post on hear with people haveing problems with all kinds of programmers and tuners.

 

[TCDiesel]

Redmega06, I think you mean De-fuel,and yes it should, What (Software)Version were you Running. Their are a couple of time delay settings that need to be programed if running 1. 5, if running 1. 7 or higher it is (EGT)preset level 1 thru 6 Time delay is available. although 1. 5 is not longer available from Banks it is available and supported from Us.

 

[Redmega06]

Maybe I am a little confused but I had the Pda with 6gun. I went into the six-gun programming and set the egt as low as it would go and it would not de-fuel. I then set all of the other settings to there lowest points and no defueling. I liked the box but when they told us that it could not go bad I decided to cut my loses and buy another piece of junk called va that I am left praying that someone will finish.

 

[TCDiesel]

I hear Ya,Their is a Time Delay setting that needs to be Programed 0-60 seconds overshoot if never change it seems not to engage at all, if you would have lower it by 1 second it would have work. My biggest Compliant about Banks is the Dealer Network,4wheel parts should have been aware of this, in fact Banks technical is and should have instructed as such. . People are tried of the hassle's that away seem to pop up when Buying New Products regardless of what they are. Most People do not have the time for diagnostics, so it needs to be right the 1st time. Cost is not the primary issue( of Course their is the Basement Buyer But thats around Thread). The foremost advise I can give when Buying aftermarket Products,Do NOT Buy from grocery Dealers (offering everything Under the Sun) that are only Peddlers of the Products they offer.

 

[Redmega06]

Well I thought that I had done that but it has been awhile now. I agree with buying from the grocery store comment. Rookie mistake tried to save a few $$$.

I wish that I had found this site the day I bought my truck. Thanks even though I do not own it anymore I always welcome more knowledge.

 

[WCabral]

banks P. D. A. the question i have is;the transmission slip is showing numbers as high 5 when it is shifting in to another gear,also just traveling on the highway,it will go from 0 to1 and sometimes 2. is this clutch slipping or these numbers are notting to be concerned about. anybody that is using the p. d. a with the the trans slip mode,i would be interested to know what is normal,thanks