All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

does this put more wear on the truck? id guess toyota was cautious on the tune for longevity?

 

OV tune(?) from @BortisYeltzen in SLC.

I wasn't unhappy with the truck before either but, with 285s and the camper fully loaded for a weekend, it was a bit sluggish and revving really high going up hills or in to strong winds. It accelerates much better now and doesn't need to rev as high up hills. The overall pedal feel and driving experience is noticeably better now.

 

update on these pads. i got the set on the right for $21ish. those less pads from the UK were like $80 for 2 pairs after shipping. original SRAMs were like $35. its my rear brake so why not?

I did do a full bleed on my front and rears (code rsc) when I swapped the pads. Put new SRAM organics up front and these Amazon specials in the back. Not sure if it was my bleed or how i bed them in, but it feels like the rear lever doesn't have to pull as much to feel the brake. this is a very miniscule difference though. before i did this my brake levers were hitting my thumbs lol.

i honestly cant tell the difference in the pads. maybe something will stand out more if i get them wet or on a super long descent (ill ride pikes peak and/or monarch crest sometime this summer/fall and will have a better opinion then). but so far around 80 miles and they feel fine.

 

I’ve got lots of options for many Toyota vehicles. For a 2012 Tacoma I’d recommended the Overland Tailor HP Tuners custom calibration:
https://overlandtailor.com/2nd-gen-ott-tuning
Dyno (done here in SLC at Adrenaline on 91 octane)
https://overlandtailor.com/2nd-gen-tacoma-dyno

This is the same tune @SenatorBlutarsky has, it is $600. We load the base, do a test drive/data log up Parleys, then adjust tune, rinse and repeat until you and your truck are happy.

We are also working a lower cost “base” tune for 2005-2015 Tacoma using VF Tuner software. It has lower per vehicle unlock cost. $450 for this base tune. It’s a flash and go tune. The base tunes are equal between HPT and VF, both add good power and TQ and are safe. If you want to really get the most out of your truck, the HPT custom allows for additional optimization to the specific state of the vehicle due to the data logging and optimization process that software currently enables.

If you drive the same, what I’m hearing from customers is similar mpg, many see increased highway (60-75 mph) mpg gains. The revised shift logic plays a big part of this. However, tune for performance, not mpg. If you break even and have better performance, that’s a win in my book. Anything better is gravy on top.

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The increase of low end torque and HP helps your truck hold a higher gear better under load and allows you to pull hills in 5th you used to need to drop to 4th for, and in 4th that you had to drop to 3Rd for, etc… this also helps with fuel economy in many cases. Lower rpm tends to burn less fuel.

 

Been on the fence about this for a while. I was a firm believer in a good road and dyno tune with my turbo Subies, but didn’t think the V6 would get much from it.
What I think would be a huge benefit, and please let me know if I’m wrong, is the shift logic. It’s absolute poo from the factory. I just got the “new” factory shift tune, and it did help.
@BortisYeltzen , I’ll hit you up next summer, when/if I buy this truck out. Thanks for being our local tuner!

 

I have the KDMax Pro tune (not the most recent revision). I have updated a couple of times as they have improved/added features but am pretty happy with the version I have now. I did the tune myself.

I’m running 285’s, an RCI rear bumper plus the standard pro skids so am a little heavy and mainly just wanted the transmission to stop hunting on the highway. Our biggest hill is an overpass and sometimes it would downshift from fifth all the way down to third on interstate, plus I might as well not had a sixth gear.

I am extremely happy with the truck after the tune. It is so much more drivable. No more hunting for gears at highway speed, throttle is not touchy like with early versions of the tunes, it actually will shift into sixth gear, no real change in MPG. My highly calibrated butt dyno also says that it feels like it am getting a little more power but that may just be placebo.

TLDR: Get a tune, it is worth it.

 

Fun day riding Purgatory Bike Park. Absolutely beautiful views and some fun trails! Even pushed the Stumpy to the limits on the rear suspension, or I guess I could say I have it dialed in for what I was riding! My last run, I looked at the mark after and it was even closer to the end. Had fun riding the Divinity Trail today, pushed myself a bit on this trail but enjoyed it!

 

I just want to give a shout-out to Wahoo's customer service. I've had a Tickr 2 HR sensor since 2020. This year it started having issues reading my HR that new batteries weren't solving. (Nothing like finishing a big climb and seeing your HR is 67 BPM and Strava thinks you didn't do any work).

My wife convinced me to email Wahoo even though the HR sensor was way out of warranty. I sent them my issue and acknowledged I was outside of the warranty period. All they asked for was a few photos showing the device and various numbers on it, and the original order number (or receipt if it wasn't through them). No questions asked and they sent me a new one, which has a redesigned strap. It has only been a couple of rides but my read issues seem to be fixed, entirely.

 

Any recommendations on a solid tubeless rim tape? Re-did them on my wheels using gorilla tape and the uber-tight Vittoria bead just tore up the tape. Running 30.5mm inner i9 wheels.

 

I’ve used this for years. Side by side comparison says it’s pretty darn close to Stan’s tape if not the same thing.

$12 3M Scotch Strapping Tape 8896, Blue, 24 mm x 55 m

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00C0Z1Z5C?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Local shop likes this stuff, a little more stretchy than the blue tape.

WHISKY - Tubeless Rim Tape - 30mm Wide, for Two Wheels

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07H8P931C?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I’ve had good results with both but have also used Gorilla tape in an “emergency”.

 

Excellent timing, a buddy was about to pull the trigger on an Arktos and AJ saved him another $155 bucks. Thanks man

 

You should definitely be getting full travel on the Stumpy on that step down. Looks like a solid drop.

Whisky works for me too. Muc-Off also works well, but never liked Stans.

 

You are too kind! Thinking I took that sucker! Hahah. I just liked that spot as I was enjoying my ride up on the lift! Nothing like that for me! Green and blue runs only! There were a few decent drops and jumps that I did take and feel I actually jumped them correctly compared to what I do normally. I think the big difference was speed going into the jumps.

I did see a guy take a pretty big drop off a cliff while on the lift. That was pretty cool to see him take that! Tried to video but I couldn’t get at my phone quick enough.

 

I don't have any recommendations but I can say that I'm not a big fan of Stan's tape which is basically the same as WTB. Those are the only two I've had experience with and they are annoying to put on. I could just be really bad at applying rim tape though...

 

Too soon to tell for sure (vehicle is still learning after the resets) but I think there is a mild MPG increase on the highway. Maybe 1 mpg or so. I'll update after more time.

Similar here. I didn't like it but dealt with it. Looking ahead to some road trips really got me thinking about finding some increased drivability and I'm sure glad I did!

From my research I'd look in to the Overland Tailor Tune (OTT if you search) or the YotaWerks/Nexus Blackhawk tune (which is what I got). Really comes down to who is in your area, but both of these really emphasize drivability as their primary goal (vs max power or something).

It's more about drivability via low end torque, throttle response, and shift logic rather than maximizing power. Also the stock tune seems to have a tendency to detect knock and pull timing in certain areas which isn't exactly what I'd call a safe tune. My unprofessional opinion is that no, it will not cause any more wear and tear. Toyota just did a terrible job.

I would have gladly accepted a hit in mpg for the increase in drivability. I can't stress enough that the change is huge in a good way and not just some super subtle difference. The 3rd gen is the same way. The manners on the highway are so much better. The low end torque, new shift logic, and throttle mapping just lead to it driving...like a normal vehicle on the highway. Can pull up slight grades without shifting up and down, but is quick to shift to the appropriate gear when needed. Then get back to a higher gear when the load demand is gone. But it does hold a gear much better on the highway.

Do it! Seriously! The shift logic is a huge part of what makes it better, but there is for sure more low end power/torque and the throttle mapping is much better too. I haven't really stomped on it much, but initial impressions are that it pulls out to highway speeds much faster and smoother than before. Then maintains them beautifully.

 

I use DT Swiss rim tape and have never had an issue. Biggest trick is to pull it super tight while installing it to both get it under the hook of the rim, and make sure there are no air bubbles.

 

Thanks for the info! If I'm in the area, and ready for it with finances, I'll hit you up!

 

Anyone running the new Continental Kryptotal tires? Thinking of giving them a go for the rear. I love my Assegai too much to move away from it for now.

 

Dang that drop looks pretty spicy. Gotta be a 15-footer by time time you hit the landing .. That's above my pay grade for sure!

 

Nah it's trash, I usually have to re-apply it every 2nd or 3rd time I swap a tire with Cushcore XC. I've had a way better experience with the DT tape.