KDMax-Pro Tuning--NOW YotaWerx Tuning

Click on vftuner , then click on Tacoma. Stock files should pop up.

 

Okay I’ll try that after work. Thanks @TWTaco!

 

Tire size increase is a bit over 3%, but agreed a slight difference. Not like I'm running 33s or 35s. Also my tires are SL, not LT, so only 9 lb difference from stock, each. Again, not that it doesn't matter since it is unsprung weight, but something I figured (totally guestimating) ~15-20 hp could overcome on the top end?

Will be interesting to see whenever we can get a gear-lock dyno. Could be that the majority of gains are down low. It is my understanding that Toyota has already pushed a lot out of this motor and there isn't a ton to find.

I'd go so far as agree that the intake might be doing next to nothing, but I would doubt it's hurting. ECU should certainly be able to adjust AFR for any small changes.

I will be curious to try the Premium version and run that against the Regular, between the same two trucks. @PapaRee, my friend just sent you some beer funds for the flash I did for him (also went with Regular SLT). As is the major point of this tune, he is enamored with the improvement in normal driving and throttle reaction, since we did that over the weekend.

 

Definitely try the SLT. To me, SLT is where it's at, and if you never knew any better, it's how the truck should drive from the factory. I feel like even LT gives you a "pedal commander" sense, or a "Sport+" mode feel, even in normal Drive. Was a bit too touchy for me in parking lots or when bumbling around on my lawn where I don't want a rear tire slip on the grass.

 

Yeah man, each of these trucks has their own personality. My 2018 had the exact response that you described, and SLT turned out to be GOLDEN on my truck. It's never responded better. The other day, though, I tuned a 2021 just like yours, and he kept wanting more throttle. I even did a ride-along with him, and yep, his truck liked the more aggressive throttle. It's nice that there are enough variations of this tune so that we can find the one that works best with each truck.

 

Yep, it seems like the tune is solid, but the the throttle is the thing that everyone is picky about. Some people like it aggressive, some like light, and some like it extra light.
I even had one guy who wanted it low enough for his wife to drive. I named it "WifeTip", LOL.

 

Wonder if Scottie Pippen has a Tacoma!? Anyway, seems lots of people are balls-deep in love with this tune.

https://youtu.be/GaMJoxqyrbU

 

The stock ECU tune doesn't use feedback loop when you get on it, is a closed loop / open loop system. Not sure if the KDMax tune uses the same CL/OL logic or of it's modified to be in CL 24/7, but if it's not then anytime you're operating in OL the ECU is using fuel calculations based on what it thinks is flowing as far as air. If the intake changes that it will effect AFR.

 

Maybe it’s partly a function of the all up weight? I’m driving it pretty much stock and most of the time with no passengers, and even the LT is a bit much for me, but I read about these other guys that are carrying around a half ton of extra gear... that’s gotta make a difference in how much power it feels like it has jumping out of a stop.

 

For me it seems like the initial 1/16 or so of throttle input is super jumpy, but once u get passed that and hold the throttle steady, it's reasonable. Even with ELT it's still jumpy to me. Feels like I'm driving a manual lol

 

Yea, there’s something really weird about that feels like it’s tied to either gears or speed. It bucks from a dead stop or < 5mph or so if I don’t absolutely feather the throttle. If I’m really careful I can get started without the jump.

But if I’m already going 20 - 30, from foot off the gas, adding a bit more throttle is nice and smooth. Can’t imagine I’m already in 4th gear; it feels like the jump only happens in 1st or maybe 2nd, but even then, only if I’m nearly stopped. Thinking about getting an odb app to get a better feel for exactly what happens.

I’m still on LT... going to try the SLT next time PNWTacoma is in town.

 

I’m on SLT moving 20” wheels with 35x12.50r20 M/T . It’s perfect. I think you’ll find a nice happy medium with the SLT

 

I prefer the stock tip-in, so if that's the WifeTip, then hook me up.

 

Just PM me with your truck specs, I will make you one with the WifeTip.

 

Appreciate it!

 

@PapaRee Curious to get your thoughts on this. Have you ever logged anything with an intake in use, or are you already sure that it doesn't really matter? If needed, I can try and get logs for you if you tell me what to record (and how to share it, etc).

 

I was just about to come in and give a one week update after getting the SLT tune and ran across some comments that are about spot on with what I was going to say.

Agree here. I've actually had to retrain my foot to sit differently on the pedal. I'm used to having my foot fairly far back and just using the front of my foot towards the lower part of the pedal. I've now had to move my foot up fully on the pedal to allow a smoother action from my heel and that seems to have given me a touch more control over the throttle. However even at that, my wife still finds it a bit snappy from a dead stop. It's like driving with a light switch instead of a dimmer.

Agree here. It holds 2000 rpm through my neighborhood in 2nd gear. The LT tune was bouncing RPM at this speed range so this is far better than that, but it still leaves me telling the truck "shift...shift....are you going to shift?" So while not bouncing like it was with the LT tune, now it's almost afraid to shift.

My honest opinion so far is that there are a lot of upsides to the tune if you're regularly driving 45mph+ and it performs great at highway speeds. However if you spend a lot of time in the slow speed zones then I'm not certain a full performance tune is the right option. A lot of roads around me are 35mph.

I feel there is benefit to the tune for when I do hit the open road, but for city driving it's just not quite there yet. I also haven't had good enough weather to hook up the boat since I got tuned so I can't say how well it tows. I wish I could flip a switch between tunes.

 

I'm actually there with you. This may be the answer to all of my concerns above. @PapaRee and @HCFR TACO22 what do you guys think?

 

So I want to give my initial impression of the tuning process and the KAMax tune from the perspective of someone brand new to tuning. Hopefully this will help support the decision for those of you that are behind the scene, unsure or on the fence about proceeding because of uncertainty or doubts.

A little background first. I have a 2017 OR AT with 45K that I have owned since new. Love the truck but the drivability has always been its weakness in my opinion. I could go on and on but we are all familiar with the Tacoma stock shortcomings. My truck always felt like it was dragging a wet towel!

Last summer I had the dealer flash TSB-0058-18 which made a considerable difference from stock but I still pushed that ECT button every time I started the truck.

This past winter I jumped in and swapped to ECGS 4.88 gears. It was a BIG improvement all around and I was pretty happy but still needed to use ECT to get the most out of it.

After reading a ton, learning the most I could and joining TW to ask questions (anyone who knows me will say I’m the last person to start an online presence!) I dove in head first and decided to purchase VF Tuner and try KDMax.

VF Tuner is fairly straight forward. The instructions can be a bit confusing especially if something does not go as planned and you start second guessing yourself. (I had to reinstall the drivers a 2nd time for it to recognize my ECU and grant access to flash.) All in all, it’s not entirely complicated and I would advise any new users to read, be patience and document your process in case you need to trouble shoot.

Paparee was very helpful answering my questions and was extremely quick to respond and I am thoroughly impressed with the customer service. Being new to tuning, I felt welcomed by his responses and never felt intimidated or unsure about asking questions.

KDmax – I have no prior experience with tunes and have been using the stock and 04B04 tune since the beginning. My expectations were optimistic but I also had a bit of doubt that this was going to make a considerable difference, and in the long run, if I was just wasting time and money. Short answer, all my doubt has been put to rest. It is an immediate difference for the better and I am very happy. The best description I can use is it feels like the truck is a 1000 lbs lighter! I only have 50 miles on it but so far the difference is eye opening!

Thanks to Papree and to those that have answered my questions. From a total tuning noob, I highly recommend especially if you love your truck but feel it needs that little extra push to make it a 100% keeper. I’ll post an update once I get a few thousand miles behind the wheels.

 

I agree with pretty much all of this. Tried slt and now lt. I think the slt is easier to drive but from a dead stop it's so hard to start without jerking. I was out in the rain today and at every red light I spun the tires by accident on the start. Maybe the slt with the wife tip in will fix this. Other than that it sure does wake the truck up