ShiftSense Pro - transmission shift controller for Gen3 Tacoma

I am content with my Gen3 and 33s running ETC Power on. How much better is this unit than ETC Power? Does ETC power make this better yet after installation? Is an OV tune worth the extra $600 compared to the ShiftSense? Any advice is helpful.

 

I have the dreaded shift flare on occasion when the truck seems to have sat up for a while. Always have. Done everything Toyota said to do, yet still, some mornings, I get a minor flare. It was touched on a bit earlier in the thread, but has anyone purchased one of these with the flare and seen any sort of improvement at all?

 

I would really like to have the OVTune but can’t justify the expense at this time. The SSP has made a considerable improvement in the overall driveability and the throttle feels more responsive. The only complaint I have about the SSP is not being able to prevent premature downshifts. I think the OVTune addresses that.

I rode in my nephew’s 2017 Tundra this weekend and observed it downshifting going up hills. It was so much smoother and wasn’t announced by the town bugular sitting on the end of the Tacoma’s exhaust pipe.

The nephew works for Toyota in Plano, Texas and addresses recall issues. I have unloaded on him to the point he looks to see what truck I drive up in. I told him I like the GM twins but believe the Tacoma is a much better truck overall. However if they don’t start addressing some of the issues owners have and their customers’ concerns he might see a new Ranger pull up one day. If Toyota tames the transmission, I will probably get a new Tacoma Limited. Currently have a 2017 DCSB TRD 4x4 Off Road.

 

Good to know! I agree with you about the GM twins as well. I've always been a believer in Toyota. Solid reputation, this 3rd gen Tacoma though is a wreck. I refuse to switch though, I just want my baby better...

 

And that is the bottom line.

I could purchase two OVTunes for less than the tag and tax for a new GM twin. I would use one in mine and the other in my daughter’s 2016. She lives in Florida and is just now telling me of all the problems she has had with that one. Both of us think of our Wranglers. The biggest difference between a Tacoma and a Wrangler is we expected problems with the Wranglers. 11 Wranglers total.

Just for fun, this is what you do to a Wrangler after driving it from Oklahoma City to Seattle in three days. Actually this is my step-son hugging it after I took it to him. That’s what you do for a Navy Chief.

 

I had it(cold, 3-4 upshift), even with Shift Sense.

Haven't had it since I had the T-SB-0077-16 Rev. 1 reflash.

 

I noticed the flare the most when transitioning from park to reverse, letting off the brake and turning steering wheel at same time. The truck would lung back, as if I hit the gas peddle. Almost hit a parked car at one point because of that. The SSP does not address any other mode than "S" mode on the transmission. So that flare up condition would/has remained the same. With that being said, I have noticed the downshift/harshness when approaching a stop has been better with the SSP. My route to work in the morning had a repeatable turn where I came to a stop. Before SSP the downshift was so harsh it felt like someone bumping the back of my truck. But now it is almost non existent. I have tacked on some miles since the harsh downshifting. Who knows, maybe the TCU learned it was being rough and adjusted accordingly.

Hope that helps a little. As others have said, SSP helps a lot and for the price tag I think it is worth it. Does it make the truck perfect, no. Should Toyota release an update TCU flash, YES!!!

Lets just say Toyota set the bar as low as they possibly could have, the SSP helps raise that bar up quite a bit.

 

I believe it is due to you turning the wheel. I noticed going around a drive through the engine would rev up. Tested it out by turning the steering wheel when I was stopped and that was what was causing it

 

That is correct, and oh so weird. When truck was downshifting harshly, if I was going in a straight line it was much less noticeable. Warm or cold the engine rpm flares up when you use power steering. Not sure if it was coincidence or not, but at least with the SSP the downshifting, even when coming to a stop while turning, seems smoother. After this current tank of gas, I will go back to driving w/o the SSP and see if the harshness comes back.

I've got a coworker who says he used to work at the toyota facility in socal. I vented to him about having to buy an aftermarket shifting device just to get the truck to drive (normal) better. He said to contact Toyota Corporate (not dealership) and file a complaint about any/all issues with the truck. He said that is the only way they will do something about it. Unless they have formal complaints on record, they don't care how much we complain on a forum. If enough people complain about the same problem, then they will have to address it. Some wishful thinking I guess...and I am sure it has been said before around here...

Anywho, to keep this on topic...Thank you SSP for at least making my truck drive better than Toyota could!

 

Is this thing really worth it? And is it possible for Toyota to trace it, say you have a transmission fail while under warranty? Will it throw a code that they'll be able to know if you had this attached?

 

I enjoy mine.

And I don’t see how anyone could trace it. It’s just doing what you could do in “s” mode. It plugs in between the shifter and the transmission so instead of you telling it when to shift the SSpro tells when to shift. You can see the numbers of the gear on the display behind the steering wheel.

Oh and the only thing the OBDII plug does is passively read rpms and speed to determine when it shifts.

 

IMO it is absolutely worth the cost. The OV Tune does much more but I can’t justify that cost at this time. I enjoy the driving experience so much more. The throttle response is improved as well. MPG is the same if not slightly better.

As far as being detected by the service department; it shouldn’t. You unplug and hide the connector. I believe it reads the vehicle speed and changes gears much like driving in sport mode. Others will be able to provide more technical details.

Read about the OV Tune and other products that are available. Determine what you are willing to invest in your Taco and make your purchase. You will be much happier.

I do believe if the OV Tune improves the downshifting at highway speeds that I will make that investment as a last ditch effort to really enjoy the Taco. Much cheaper than a new truck of lesser quality and tag/taxes.

We are lucky to have guys on this forum who have the ability to develop products that address the Taco’s one big weakness while Toyota ignores the consumer.

 

I think it is worth it as well. I was very hesitant initially, but so glad I ordered one. Lets put it this way, after using it, I'm not sure I'd be able to go back to how the truck was stock.

As others have said, no way to trace it. You could do more damage trying to shift on your own in sport "S" mode than the SSPro ever could. Despite "S" mode giving you "manual" control of the trans, the TCU is still going to protect it from harm. SSPro truly is an ingenious way of correcting most of the shifting issues with the truck. If you are concerned about warranties, then I'd say stay away from aftermarket tunes/ECU flashing, especially when they are in their infancy. Not saying OV tune is bad, just weighing the trace-ability of ECU flashing vs. plug and play hardware (SSPro)

Everyday I drove my truck (only had it for a couple months) I got more and more bitter about emptying my wallet to afford it. Was considering a gm alternative. Well, after the SSPro, that bitterness is all but gone.

None the less, still keeping fingers crossed Toyota listens to their customers and actually releases a legit fix...But until that day comes, $185 to lower my blood pressure while daily driving is worth it

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm rather convinced now as well. Someone else told me to just use the ECT button all the time but I'd imagine that won't do what the SSPro does?

 

So, has anyone just left it installed during their visit to the stealership for the 10k checkup?

 

Coming up on the 10,000 mile service at the end of the month. I will unplug mine and hide the plug. There shouldn’t be any way they can detect the device. Mine is tucked away under the charging station.

However if they do refuse to perform the service and/or any warranty work for any reason, the Tacoma will be on a GM lot that afternoon and I will forever wash my hands of Toyota. Yes, Toyota will have won but I won’t have to put up with the shifting issues any longer that the ShiftSense Pro has dramatically improved. And I might be a regular visitor to a GM service department guest area. Most serve good coffee and fresh donuts.

Rant over.

 

Yes. I’ve left mine multiple visits.

I also have aftermarket floor mats and I leave those too.

No problems.

 

Now that's funny!

 

I have after market floor mats also. After market speakers. I removed all of the chrome badging and replaced them with black. They didn’t question the Pro grill.

I have taken the Tacoma to a Toyota service department one time and that was for the 5,000 mile service. Very professional and courteous. The service writer has a 2016 Tacoma and understands the transmission concerns. I don’t anticipate any problems for any reason at my 10,000 mile service.

The SSP is the reason I still have the Tacoma.

 

It’s the only thing they ever comment on