vF Tuner for the 3.5L Tacoma

I'm only quoting Shellshock but this question is for everyone working out the settings for AGM battery charging. I've recently bought a CTEK 7 amp charger for desulfation of my primary starter AGM as well as a weekly to bring it back up to 100%. My question to the group is are you basing your voltage numbers to mimmick what the multi stage chargers do? They can go well above 15 in some phases for AGM's. I'm questioning whether it's worth changing the voltage outputs of the alternator if it fluctuates so much and just use the tender as I'm about to add an auxillary to the system. I've only just started reading and haven't uncovered much discussion yet.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/vf-tuner-for-the-3-5l-tacoma-agm-tuning.689652/

Enjoy reading!

 

Bazinga!!!

 

I’m planning to flash my taco and a few of my friends tacos. We all have the 3.5l engines. Hopefully someone can give me some insight.


So, i would have to buy the vf software, tune pack, flash cable, and multiple credits? Not sure if i would have to buy only 1 or multiple tune packs since the ecu id’s are different because we have differing model years.


I also saw a master tune package that’s $5,500. Is that something different or for shops to use?

 

You would need a different tunepack for each different Ecu id

 

I finally feel capable of responding since I've just gone through this process. I started with an OBD Tactrix port and updating my 2018 to the latest TSB release from Toyota. And having that port and connection capability, I then purchased the VFtuner software, and the base level tunes, not that 5k package. I've since come to learn that there are many different tunes floating around on these forums....so do a bit of reading and recon before making any purchases.

 

I did some research on this and it is a little confusing and I'm not sure why. I know you need to buy the VF Tuner software. You also need the adapter either from them or from another vendor like Tactrix. Now the confusing part is whether you need the tuner packs from OV Tunes. It's my "belief" that you do not need the tuner pack per se, but to unlock each ECU ID you need 4 credits. The tuner pack comes with 5. I bought the tuner pack but then I downloaded a forum member's tune and clicked on it to open and it popped up a message that I was about to unlock my ECU ID and was I sure. It then connected to a server in the background and used 4 of my 5 credits which came from the tuner pack purchase. So to answer your question, I don't believe you need to buy the tuner pack but you will need to buy 4 credits @$75 but I believe that with all the tunes you get for $390 it's worth the extra $90. Well actually only $15 because you get 5 credits per tune pack. If any of this is wrong info please correct me as I'm new to tuner software and OVTunes.

 

you get 5 credits when you buy the software. You only ever get credits in multiples of four, ignore the fifth it has no monetary value.

Credits are used to unlock IDs so you can make edits to files.

The tunepack is a set of premade, professionally developed, tunes of various options for tire size, fuel, throttle response, and gears, for a specific ecu id that you request.

If you want those, buy them. If you only want to use what users have made and shared here, do your thing.

 

Hi TW ,

I think I took some time off since OV tune was being developed lol.
Happy to see this as I am so sick of driving this truck up and down hills in the mountains here. It is always doing the gear search.
I have many questions.
I would assume downloadable shared tunes would be as good or better then the ov stock tunes?
Can you use a mac laptop or windows based only?
I have had bullydog tuners on other vehicles so I understand the basics. Will I find this straight forward?
Exactly what do I need to order...
I need an adapter ontop of the kit? I have read through here but i am still confused.

Just trying to understand before i say take my money....

 

You would need to get the tactrix cable, and buy vftuner. If you are ok with using user made tunes, you would not need to buy the tune pack. You would have access to the stock tunes and the ability to modify them, but none of the ovtunes. You can use a mac, and I'm sure you can find someone on here willing to walk you through how to do that.

 

Hey!
Thanks for taking a moment to fill me in. Appreciate it.
Cheers.

 

VFtuner comes with zero stock ov tunes? Hmmm ok.
What would someone like yourself who has the tuner suggest?

 

Correct, for any of the ovtunes, you would need the tunepack. There are some very good user made tunes out there, so you could always try one of those first. If they don't work for you, you could buy the tunepack.
Once you get the cable, or use an obd reader, be sure to see what ecu ID you are. If it's not 04B04 for your 2017, be sure to apply the TSB so you are on the most current calibration before you unlock that ecu.

 

I’m running vf tuner since October 2020. With with new version of vftuner released end of last year, does anyone expect an updated tune pack in the future? I have searched this forum and cannot find a definitive answer.

 

Lots of questions related to torque converter, I'll try to pull up my old paperwork on the torque converter specs. It's mostly in Japanese though.

But from what I recall, there are the main maps that trigger locking + the torque converter also needs a certain amount of torque applied. If I recall it's 200nM at 2000 rpm.

 

Do the credits come with the tuner or the tune pack?

 

You'll get 5 credits with the software.

 

I assume you mean the VF Tuner.

So you need 4 credits to unlock an ECU? If I want more credits I buy them in sets? Packs of 4? If I want to unlock the next ECU can I buy 3? Are there other things you can buy with the credits? Not sure what else but I figured I'd ask

 

ECM unlock is 4 credits.