Woes of getting a smarty????

[98ramtough]

I have wanted to get a Smarty for my 2010 for years. I was finally getting ready to pull the trigger, then I ran across this info. So my question is... . I can still buy a Smarty Jr ME online. I am a little nervous though. If I run into a code or issue, am I pretty much just screwed?

 

[cerberusiam]

Since MADs does not sell the ME in the US I would guess support would be non-existent. You can still get a regular Smarty Non-ME and that will be supported.

 

[98ramtough]

Dang. I was really wanting to get rid of this DPF garbage. Guess this will be the end of Diesel trucks for me. Cummins should have never made this DPF garbage to begin with. Should have just used DEF from the 2007. 5 on. Oh well. Sad time for Dodge guys. I have had Cummins trucks for 15 years... . I'll soon have a gas truck in the drive way. Guess the gubberment wins... .

 

[RustyJC]

Cummins should have never made this DPF garbage to begin with. Should have just used DEF from the 2007. 5 on.

DEF has nothing to do with use of diesel particulate filters. DEF reduces NOx. Trucks that use DEF still use DPFs.



Rusty

 

[98ramtough]

So do the new Chevy's have as many issues with all the emissions stuff? Why is it the Chevys running the DEF setup have not had nearly as many emissions issues? And they all get 20MPG+ stock? They can't do as many regens can they? Don't get me wrong, I am a die hard cummins guy.

 

[RustyJC]

I've owned my truck since 9/11/10 and have yet to have the first "issue with all the emissions stuff. " It's never been back to the dealer for anything other than routine service, never had a problem message pop up in the EVIC, never a check engine light. As far as I'm concerned, all the emissions stuff has been pretty transparent to me.



According to Ram/Cummins, the switch to DEF is supposed to improve fuel consumption by around 10%, IIRC. If that's the case, my truck that gets 10-10. 5 MPG towing and 16-17 MPG running empty on the Interstate would get 11 or so MPG towing and 18. 7 MPG absolute best running empty. That's noticeable, I suppose, but one has to weigh that against the DEF hassle. DEF or no DEF - neither one is a deal-breaker for me.



Rusty

 

[98ramtough]

Congrats on the trouble free truck. How many miles on it? I have had mine since 2010 and it now has 77k miles. Troubles are starting!

 

[RustyJC]

Nowhere near 77K and probably never will since we only use the truck to tow our 5th wheel RV. The 2002 I sold when I bought this truck only had 46,500 miles. We bought an extended warranty on this truck because of the complexity of the accessories, electronics, emissions controls, etc. , so if it does turn sour, our exposure is limited. Right now, it doesn't look like that was a wise decision - I might not ever need it.



Rusty

 

[JR]

So do the new Chevy's have as many issues with all the emissions stuff? Why is it the Chevys running the DEF setup have not had nearly as many emissions issues? And they all get 20MPG+ stock?

Im not sure where you got your info from, but the emissions equipped Duramaxs get nowhere near that kind of mileage. I think they claim 18ish (dont quote me on that), my friend with his 2011 Duramax 2500 gets 14 to 15mpg running empty.

 

[Bob4x4]

Lol. The Duramax guys want to do deletes also. The guys I know with dura macs complain about mpg all the time

 

[rscurtis]

So do the new Chevy's have as many issues with all the emissions stuff? Why is it the Chevys running the DEF setup have not had nearly as many emissions issues? And they all get 20MPG+ stock? They can't do as many regens can they? Don't get me wrong, I am a die hard cummins guy.

The reason Dodge has had some issues is that they met the 2010 NOX standards 3 years ahead of schedule, where Ford and GM did not. By the time the 2010 standards went into effect, the Punishment Agency had approved the use of DEF to reduce NOX emissions. When Dodge first met the standards in Jan. of 2007, DEF had not been approved and Dodge used a NOX adsorber catalyst instead, which requires almost constant regeneration, which uses extra fuel. Come 2013, the RAM fuel economy should be on par with the others.

 

[DonFitzwater]

So far my "Old technology" 2010 3500 is pulling about 4 more mpg's than my "New technology DEF" 6. 7 stroke was. I've had one small issue with a CEL but that was taken care of by a service bulletin. At least my Dodge doesn't go into limp mode like my Ford did when a check engine like turns on.

As far as the smarty jr goes, just give them a call. You can upgrade your Smarty to the ME specs with a simple download from the internet... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... at least you can for now until the freaking government figures out a way to shut down the net.

 

[cerberusiam]

As far as the smarty jr goes, just give them a call. You can upgrade your Smarty to the ME specs with a simple download from the internet... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... at least you can for now until the freaking government figures out a way to shut down the net.

MADs pulled all that software from their site. I would guess if you did find a pirated download and it ate your Smarty you are on your own.



Download from just anywhere it will probably turn on GPS in the truck and tell the EPA. Pretty soon the black helicopters will show up in your rear view.

 

[JHumphries]

Any Smarty made after 11 Mar 2013, destined for the US will not be compatible with ME tunes.
If you find an older Smarty, and someone that saved the file, it should be possible...

This is Smarty's announcement.

 

[Matt_L]

You could always just get one of these... ...



http://www.raceme.eu/



It looks identical to the unit you're talking about with all the software needed for certain parts to fall off... ... ...



OR, you could buy a pre March Jr/Sr and there are ways of getting the updated ME software.



I had just installed the ME on my truck when all the EPA stuff happened and was in the same boat as you. However the sky hasn't fallen as many have said and with the latest update my truck has never ran better!

A word of caution though, some guys with the later '11's and some '12's haven't had all that much luck with a Smarty on their truck, but it is my understanding that Marco is working on a fix for these trucks.

 

[JJPage]

Look like rebadged Smarty's http://www.raceme.eu/