Long term review- OVTUNE + 5.29s for 5k miles - meh to ok

My Taco shifted awkwardly when it was bone stock. It stumbled and gear hunted and never knew what to do between half throttle and wot. I learned how to drive the truck which requires a light and smooth pedal.

Yup, lifted it and put tires on it for preference. It rides great actually. Balanced tires, no wander, still gets 18-20mpg, that's fine. Was I complaining about the drivability, steering or handling? I think someone was trying to flex it's 2wd. Ok. Got me.

Point of this thread was, with gears and tune, it's still awkward, it still stumbles and gear hunts, and still has to be driven a certain way to be smooth. Gears and tune didn't fix the awkward transmission.

 

You really do need to try KDMax tune. My truck drives great now.

 

That looks fantastic sir!

 

I just bought a 2021 TRD PRO and was gonna trade it in for a Rubicon Wrangler or Rubicon Gladiator. They drive so much nicer although they had some windnoise bad at the top of the windshield. To get the Tacoma even close to a Rubicon Gladiator on stock 33 would require 10k in mods when you can buy a Rubicon Gladiator stock ready to go. I was ready to do the trade when I started searching on the Jeep forums for problems with the Gladiator then problems with the Wrangler and decided you know what reliability is just as important as capability. So I kept the Taco. Every Jeep dealership I pulled into the sales guys would run to my truck looking inside and most said that is their next vehicle.

 

Where can you get this tune? how much?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-kdmax-performance-tune-by-paparee-and-twtaco.713699/

 

I had in done in Hoover, AL. Boltripper from the forum here. Total pro!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/alabama-area-tuning-services.710699/

 

Don't put to much credence on the whiners. There are way to many on this forum.

The below needs to be restated:

 

I’d recommend looking into Paparee’s KDMax if you really want power, but you’ll get a sensitive pedal.

Moosedity’s tune will give you a bit less power but good options for gear locking and pedal feel.

My Valley Runner tune will improve the OEM pedal but bring in low end response. I’ve got someone with 35s and 5.29s running it and he loves it.

I’d say give the other tunes a chance before giving up on your truck.

 

Why not have both? There are both dark sides to each vehicle. Keep the truck. You’ll need it when the Jeep goes in the shop for recalls, regularly. MY21 Rubicon fully loaded 6spd v6 custom order

 

recently got mine OV Tuned and I'm loving it
mpg jumped from 15 to 18 and I'm bone stock
most deff would recommend.

 

You're an Ecoboost guy, or you're a 5.0 guy.

I'm a 5.0 guy, every day, and twice on Sunday. There are no free lunches.

 

Turbos are displacement in my mind. Love 'em. I enjoy N/A also.

 

This is actually interesting to hear, sorry for your trial and error though. I'll probably sell my tacoma before I get to regear but it's a plus to kinda hear it's not all worth it too except for mpg maybe?

 

KDmax solves the pathetic factory tune problem with these trucks. I highly recommend.

But you still have to live with the fact these trucks have no torque.