KDMax-Pro Tuning--NOW YotaWerx Tuning

If I get the VF tuner tuning kit am I able to buy the latest KDMAXX tune and flash the ECU myself? what are the limitations of doing it this way? Will I be able to flash both of my taco's ECU or just one vehicle? the nearest tuner near me is hundreds of miles away, makes no sense for me to spend all that gas and time for somethingI can learn to do myself. really interested in becoming a local tuner.

 

With your own kit, you can do your own truck. Just one truck (4 credits). No problem
If you are interested in a remote tuning kit, reach out to Chris @wahoobie. He sells these kits and offers support.

To become a local tuner, you have to buy the pro license ($1000) and buy credits (4 per truck) to do other trucks.
If you are interested, reach out to Dave @TWTaco to become a local tuner. He can give you all the details.

 

What are our options for pre 2010 2nd gens? Iv done some scrolling and searching but can’t find find too much that’s relevant.

 

There are some Pre-2010 Tacomas that are supported in vftuner, and some that are not. We have requested that the ones not supported be added. But it is up to VFtuner to add them.
The Manual transmission 2006 (89663-04353) is not supported at this time. The Automatic transmission 2006 (89663-04333) is.

If the file is not supported by VFtuner, we have no way of making a tune for it. Sorry.

 

Ok just upgraded from KDMax-Pro+XT AGM sport to KDMax-Pro-9.0 AGM sport.
105k, '17 OR MT, 1/2 tank 91 dead dino extract.

First key turn, idle is smoother off the bat, almost feels like an electric (!) ie. no sound, rock stable.

Acceleration and drivability is smoother, it pulls almost imperceptibly in a more civilized manner. Sure footed.
What do we use to measure for comparison when you don't have a dyno in your back yard?
It's hard to measure these things from the seat of the pants.
Is it like wine? Superlative terroir with a fine middle foundation layer of harvest berries and do I detect a hint of chocolate on the top note?

Looking forward to a longer drive, flats, hills, mileage, etc.

Did some awesomely smooth snow donuts in the Daniels Summit parking lot, does that count?

 

That is the tastiest review i have read!
Glad your enjoying the Pro-9.0

 

I wouldn't build a 2WD for offroading/overlanding.
A torrential rain and you're SOL waiting for others to help.
And, some might do it for free, others might not move until you pay up, it happened to me a dozen or so years ago while I was out with my then 6 year old son..
I ended up giving them everything I had in my wallet, which was for our family's groceries for the next cpl weeks.., for a simple tug. But I probably would've found half my truck if I went looking for help, and, my son was too young to walk very far.. and, of course there was no cell phone signal..

 

Dear lord! That sounds like it was a hell of a situation. Where did that happen that such exploitation took place? Brings up concerns about the “off-road” community.

 

Unless you’re racing, I put more stock in seat of the pants than dyno #’s. All the dyno is going to give you is WOT #’s.

The factory tune is a good example with Toyota advertising around 280hp, it sounds pretty good but you’d have no idea how miserable the truck actually drives.

I’m on the 9.0 tune and a I actually like my truck now.

Does anybody remember how miserable it was to drive into the wind, almost any wind, at freeway speeds on the factory tune?

 

Oh yes, Pepperidge Farm remembers.

Stock tune '17 MT trying to get up Little Cottonwood Canyon felt like Auto VSC was constantly kicking in, being passed by cyclists...

Had an uphill turn onto LC Rd and always had to wind the heck out of 1st and 2nd to not get stomped by drivers coming from behind. Rev hang was ridiculous, could go out for a coffee break before the driveline would finally engage.

Post tune, I drive this thing like a 5700 pound sports sedan with a frame on body now. If only the MT engagement wasn't so truckish, but then there'd be nothing to complain about...

 

I met a guy named Josh today in a gray taco. In Poway i told him to reach out to you guys I told him the best thing I ever did to my truck was kdmax tune best money I've ever spent

Jerry

 

Appreciate the support Jerry.
Merry Christmas!

 

I know this route all too well both as a motorist AND cyclist. Classic visual

 

I have done a few things, beside KDMax, that greatly improve the feel of my MT. ADM mod, clutch pedal adjustment, Redline MT-90 in the transmission, and a weighted shift knob. The first two were huge. Both are must do IMO if you own a stick. The ADM mod makes the clutch engage at a consistent point every time, unlike stock. Before adjusting my clutch pedal I had 25mm of play before it did anything at all. After I was able to get that below 5mm. Free if you can fit yourself under the dash to make the adjustment. Worth it even if you have to pay someone. The redline made it feel less clunkly going into lower gears. Adding a short shifter down the road, but haven't gotten there just yet.

 

Dave just came down to my house and installed the 9.0 onto my ‘17 OR 4X W/ auto, 3.5. Haven’t had much time in the seat but, I can say this truck was on the verge of being sold, and now she’s a keeper. Throttle response, power and shifting are on point. HUGE difference. Can’t thank you enough Dave and look forward to seeing you soon to do my wife’s Forerunner. And for those of you on the fence, I’ve been following this thread and others for almost two years. I seriously kick myself for not doing this sooner… Nuff said.

 

Thanks Tyson @Hotshot for the kind words. Yes we will need to get your wife's 4Runner dialed in soon.
It was nice meeting you and i hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas.

 

Thomas came in to get some KDMAX-Pro-9.0 Goodness added to his 2014 2ndgen. Thanks for coming in Thomas we have been trying to get you in for a while now.
I am glad your loving the benefits for your 2ndgen.
Merry Christmas!!

 

Have done the Redline MT-90 in the transmission, and a TRD weighted shift knob. Easy fixes.
Haven't done the ADM or adjustment yet, will have to check those out.
KDMAX tune has made it much more dependable but seems there might be some more room to improve, thanks.

 

I wanted to update feedback after spending a full year with the tune.

TL;DR, It is still nothing short of fantastic.

I love driving this truck. I have put a large number of miles on the truck in SoCal since applying the tune, and it still makes me smile to drive it.

A recent experience that I had where I put 2300 miles on it picking up a car and trailering it back from Denver to SoCal, reminded me just how much the experience changed prior to this tune.

In mid 2020 (pre tune), I had to pick up a car from Albuquerque, NM. It was an awful experience. Going through any grade changes or mountains, the transmission would hunt and shift up and down constantly. It made using cruise control impossible as it would not hold an rpm without constant shifting. Towing a car was even more difficult. By the time I got back, I was ready to sell the truck. I actually listed it on this site at one point (I think the post still exists).

The trip I just took, night and day difference. I went the northern route through Utah and Vail. I was towing an empty trailer going out and it felt like it was not even connected. I was able to use cruise control almost the whole way (light traffic). I had to use 4 wheel drive through Vail and had no issues. On the trip back with the car, I went the southern route through Albuquerque. It was the most pleasant drive I could imagine. I was in cruise control 85% of the way doing 70mph and had no issues with gear hunting.

I can't say enough about this tune. It transformed my truck and made me fall in love with driving it. I have no idea how Toyota got it so wrong and it took Dave and Co to sort it out. Hats off to a fantastic tune!

 

Thanks for the detailed review. We get a lot of questions on towing and you give a great real world review when towing. Its nice to hear you love your truck now and wont be selling it anytime soon! Being able to enjoy your truck is what its all about.

Merry Christmas!!