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Difference between KD Max and Kruiser 4.0

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by davet48732, Apr 22, 2021.

  1. Apr 22, 2021 at 2:13 PM
    #1
    davet48732

    davet48732 [OP] Member

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    Can anyone who tunes list out the differences between the 2?

    HP gains?
    Fuel economy gains or decreases?
    driveability differences?

    Here is my scenario.
    Stock 2019 TRD OR dbl cab.
    In the fall I may jump up slightly in tire size from my stock shoes.
    My main gripe is city driving. I hate the way if I'm stopped at a corner and turn its in 3rd or 4th gear bogging down before I fully get around the turn
    The gear hunting in 5th or 6th on the highway when you don't have a tail wind.

    I really rarely Tow and don't plan on doing any crazy lifts or tire combo's.

    I do drive a lot.....probably 60% city and 40% hwy.

    My goals?....
    better MPG if possible on hwy.....I have never seen a vehicle do worse at hwy speeds for MPG LOL
    better throttle response in lower gears (hate the hesitation when you step on it)

    I really have no complaints on the motors power.....just how it uses it. The truck needs more low end torque(no I'm not going to regear)

    Any input is appreciated
     
  2. Apr 22, 2021 at 2:15 PM
    #2
    Uscgamecock7

    Uscgamecock7 Well-Known Member

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    Kdmax is the new tune, kruiser is the older out dated. Get someone who can hook you up with the kdmax well worth it.
     
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  3. Apr 22, 2021 at 2:31 PM
    #3
    DesertDuck2004

    DesertDuck2004 Well-Known Member

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    Can't speak to the kruiser.....I recently had the KDMax 6 (Super Lite Tip) loaded on a basically stock '20 DCLB OR and it woke it up like a bucket of ice cold water thrown on your face while in a dead sleep. Best mod for the $ I've done. Wish I would've done it the day I drove it off the lot.

    Much Better Throttle Response
    Better MPG's
    Better (smoother) Shifting
    Like driving a different truck!
     
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  4. Apr 22, 2021 at 2:37 PM
    #4
    davet48732

    davet48732 [OP] Member

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    @DesertDuck2004

    can you elaborate on any MPG changes? at 70mph on the highway I'm lucky to clock 16 or 17.......65mph and below i can get 20 to 27 all day long
     
  5. Apr 22, 2021 at 2:42 PM
    #5
    Vlady

    Vlady Well-Known Member

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    Latest KDMX 6.0 has mods to optimal torque maps.
    Don't expect a whole lot of mpg improvement for city driving. You will get somewhere between 18-19 (tire choice depending). Combined mpg should improve a bit.
    Both will address your issues
     
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  6. Apr 22, 2021 at 2:47 PM
    #6
    davet48732

    davet48732 [OP] Member

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    just never seen a vehicle do worse on the hwy.....cars, jeeps, trucks....this is the first one that fails at hwy driving lol
     
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  7. Apr 22, 2021 at 2:53 PM
    #7
    LstMinutePanic

    LstMinutePanic Well-Known Member

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    I like how the 3rd Gen Tacoma engineers decided to go above and beyond by harnessing the aerodynamic benefits of a brick.
     
  8. Apr 22, 2021 at 2:54 PM
    #8
    Wixo

    Wixo Platinum+ Member

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    Honestly, regear it. 4.88s. Ive had the OVTune (not what you’re asking about, but super recommended) in 93P and it was great, but on this second truck I regeared it and its so much better than a tune. I dont have experience with those tunes, I can tell you the OVTune is amazing, but theres nothing like a regear. The cool thing about OVTune is that if you later on decide to regear it you can use all the different tunes offered for regeared trucks, or if when its updated you can use the updated tune, or simply switch back and forth between performance, base, and gear lock.
     
  9. Apr 22, 2021 at 3:25 PM
    #9
    DesertDuck2004

    DesertDuck2004 Well-Known Member

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    LOL....I can't drive that slow or they old lady's will be honking at me.

    I just pulled into the driveway after filling up and a 10 mile hwy drive home and it read 17.3. Has never been much over 16 prior to the tune. I drive 80-85 on the hwy's here in AZ with little to no traffic (I don't drive at high traffic times unless I have to). Guessing it's averaging 15-16 during city driving now, normally averaged 14+ with city driving.

    Basically it gets up to speed much quicker and holds the gears better. I don't have to have my foot in it nearly as much or as long now.

    I'm on the 87 tune and using 87 gas. Imagine it will only get better if/when I start running 91 octane?

    Toyota is really cheating Tacoma owners both with power/torque and MPG's with their stock tune. It's complete garbage compared to this KDMax tune....
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2021
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  10. Apr 22, 2021 at 3:32 PM
    #10
    davet48732

    davet48732 [OP] Member

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    Another possibly dumb question....
    KD Max from what I find is like a 30HP increase over stock. In my mind the only way to get that is with more aggressive profiles on spark, timing, etc......is that a danger? I mean technically it is pushing the motor harder.....can it affect engine longevity?
     
  11. Apr 22, 2021 at 3:34 PM
    #11
    Skydvrr

    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    Where abouts you live? Bout the same mph/mpg as me.
     
  12. Apr 22, 2021 at 3:37 PM
    #12
    DesertDuck2004

    DesertDuck2004 Well-Known Member

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    Snottsdale, off the 101 by the D-backs spring training facility
     
  13. Apr 22, 2021 at 3:43 PM
    #13
    DesertDuck2004

    DesertDuck2004 Well-Known Member

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    Probably a better question for @PapaRee or @TWTaco (they are the tuning guys that helped me). I won't even change my own oil...LOL

    I've never put more than about 80K miles on any car I have ever owned before trading in/upgrading, so I'm not overly worried about wearing out this toyota engine. I use to own a IS 350 F-Sport and the only real difference between it and the base model was the (performance) tune of the engine. Can't imagine a 'performance tune' doing too much damage to the 3.5L V-6.
     
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  14. Apr 22, 2021 at 4:07 PM
    #14
    N5J_Taco

    N5J_Taco Well-Known Member

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    I'm NO expert but I can tell you IMO Toyota didn't designed/tuned these engines too the MAX hp/torque so there is always room to add to it. Toyota is more into MPG than the performance game. I've logged many many miles with KDMAX and other TW tunes using OBDLink and haven't seen anything with KDMAX worth worrying about, NOW some of the tunes I came up with WELLL another story. Can things happen sure it's mechanical but stuff happens to factory stuff all the time too. You need to decide do you like the way your truck drives now if not IMO a custom tune is the ONLY way to go. I'll say this when I loaded KDMAX 6.0 I was like holy shit the truck came to life and now is a joy to drive. Get yourself a OBD Fusion APP/Toyota pids or something similar and start monitoring your stuff now then tune and compare.
     
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  15. Apr 22, 2021 at 8:50 PM
    #15
    PapaRee

    PapaRee Pro Tuner

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    GTS Dobinson's lift, 33"-Wildpeak Atw3-18x9 -6 Offset ,265/70/18 tires, Raceline Assault wheels, Backflip G2 bed cover, Magnaflow exhaust, Pro tail lights, Pro fog lights, Pro grille, Raptor grille lights, Predator side steps, RedLine Hood Struts, Toyota bedmat, tinted windows, Retrofitted-BHLM-Amber Halo-Amber DRL-HID headlights, LED Highbeams, LED Hood Scoop lightbar, LED hidden bumper lightbar, LED under hood light, LED Bed lights, LED license plate lights, Tacoma tailgate 3d letters, Tacoma glovebox 3D letters, removed air dam, Custom TRD Sport emblems, Pro Shift Knob with Meso ECT Stealth button, Meso LED dome and map lights, Meso V3 smoked mirror turn signals, Meso Stage 2 Tail lights, Meso Mirror Puddle lights, Meso KC-5 Brake/Cargo light, Meso center console bucket with OG lid, Tailgate PNP kit, Garage door opener button in overhead console, Meso Minimalist keyfobs, Matte black Pro hood decal, KTJO4x4 Led door handle LED lights, Pioneer 6x9 3 way front speakers, Rockford Fosgate 6.75' rear speakers, TacoTunes tweeters, AJT black vent rings, JDM Gas cap cover.
    We monitored KCLV, trans temps, coolant temps, Valve angles, misfires, knock f/b and everything we could think of in OBDFusion to make sure the tune was safe for the public.
    This same engine is being boosted with prochargers, twin turbos and superchargers and doing fine so far.
    As far as MPG's, I get better MPG's on the highway than in the city. I run 33" tires with 3" lift. Most people are getting better MPG's with the tune. It is not a guarantee.
    You should go and read the thread. Lots of info and reviews there.
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-kdmax-performance-tune-by-paparee-and-twtaco.713699/
     
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