vF Tuner for the 3.5L Tacoma

That is the old Flash Kit. It looks like you are dongleless.

If you need the 2.0 Tunes, just uninstall your existing Flash Manager and install the new version from here:
https://www.ovtuned.com/blogs/news/ovtune-tacoma-flash-manager-overhaul

Then, reinstall your REG file.

From there, do this:

Config / Purge, then Config / Install All Software:


Then, Tuning / Install OVTune Cable Drivers:


And finally, Help / Update:


The 2.0 Tunes will then be in FM and you can flash whatever tickles your fancy.

All 2.0 Tunes are Octane Learning.

 

vF tuner is now available if you wish to edit and customize tunes. The upgrade is $79

Since you are a MT, gear and tire sizes do no do anything within the ECU for your truck. They only affect the shift tables in the AT.

You can change the charging voltage if you have an AGM battery. That’s what I’ve done on mine so far.

 

Sweet, I already have 2.0 and my OVTune matches your screens. So I guess I'm current there.

Also good to know. Feel a bit betrayed with what I paid for the dongleless kit, ha. At least the upgrade is only $79.

I still have the OEM battery so I guess there's nothing else for me to look at.

 

You're in good shape then.

Like @Shellshock said, the only big change so far in vF has been the AGM settings. @OVTune has sent out a Rev Hang test tune for 04B14, but it has not been incorporated in any tunes or editing details given.

 

Hey Shellshock,

Do you have a screenshot of the values you changed and what they are now from the default?

 

Change the base phase duty to 94 from 30 and up
Increase alternator duty cycle by 20%

Mine sits at 14.4-5v

 

Here is a good post with screenshots. Using these values, I measured 14.3 volts at the battery.
Tweak them as you see fit.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/vf-tuner-for-the-3-5l-tacoma.662948/page-37#post-23326969

 

HUZZAH!! Finally caught up and read the whole freaking thread from start to finish and am all caught up. I'm even caught up on the 1.05 Dev thread. The impossible is possible. haha

Anyhow, for those wondering what I've learned.

1. Dongle users can keep their Dongle (looks like a tiny USB mouse receiver), but if they want 2.0 they have to upgrade to VF to allow access to the .p5f files for install. They can do this two ways. Keep your dongle and upgrade for the $75 and use their tactrix cable to flash using the Flash utility, or exchange your Dongle to OV and upgrade to VF for free, and use VF in conjunction with the Flash Utility.

2. Final vs. Full. Lot of confusion here. 2.0 was released in .p5f file format, which is a non-editable/locked/encrypted file format that all "flash kit users" have been previously flashing with up to this point using the Flash Manager, and Tactrix cable. When released about a month ago, 2.0 was initially referred to as "2.0 Final," in reality it should be called "2.0 Full." 2.0 Full is the same overall tune program as what will eventually be in 2.0 Final in the sense that shift tables and load calculations will remain the same from full to final. The exception is that people still want things like Gear Lock (a great feature that I thoroughly appreciated on 1.05 and now am not sure I even need anymore, 2.0 is that good), AGM battery alterations. These will be options that those of us who have upgraded to VF Tuner will be able to activate once the editable tune packs of ECU specific .vft files are released. There is also a plan to release "2.0 Final" versions in time with slight alterations that make them better suited for towing, performance, and Gear Lock.

3.The "Tune Packs" still are yet to be released. Tune Packs contain the editable versions of at minimum 2.0, possibly to include other versions like 1.03, 1.04, 1.04R, 1.05 etc for users of VF to tweak further to their individual likings. These editable packages of tunes for your specific ECU code (ex. 04B04 or 04B31) will be in .vft format and will allow us to alter a vast array of options from gear locking, AGM alternator voltage output alterations, to full load tables and shift tables and a ton of other wazoo stuff. Once these files are released and users edit them to their liking, they will be allowed to share them with others if both parties choose. Be cautious and know you are doing so at your own risk, so only use software you trust. Currently, trusted OVTune developed zip files of .p5f versions (non-editable in VF) 2.0 Full for all ECU ID's are available for download and install.

4. Entirely new purchasers, you need to purchase the VF software, a tactrix cable, and a tune pack for your specific ID. You can purchase these from OV @ https://www.ovtuned.com/collections/vf and by ordering the
vForest Tuner Software + Flash Cable and a
Tacoma 3.5L vF Tune Pack. That's all you will need to get going. Watch for emails from OV and check your spam folders if they don't show up. All instructions are in the emails and very clearly laid out if you actually read the instructions. If you don't read the instructions, and you come back here searching for answers you'll likely end up more confused. Follow the instructions.

5. All software coming from OV including the VFTuner, Flash Manager, and P5flash utility are safe. Your antivirus software is likely to try and kick something back upon install so be prepared to make an "exception" for the install file (.exe) in your antivirus.

6. Upgrading your ECU to the latest TSB revision is generally regarded as a wise move. IN short, each new revision has alterations that stay in the ECU after flashing OV and they're generally regarded as a good thing. If you need to upgrade to the latest ECU ID you can do so by following the instructions in @tonered signature. These files have also been vetted and are considered safe. Your antivirus will hate the, make another "exception."

7. If you are waiting to hear back from OV, give them a week. OV is not a big company. It's literally two guys, Mat and Rafael. So give them some slack. They are currently developing an entire software editing tool (VFTuner), Tunes for over 400 files for the Tacoma ECU, same style tunes for the Tundra, a twin Turbo kit, answering emails daily, responding here, and lord knows what else. Simply put, they're busy. Give them time before you blast them with another email.

8. If you are freaking out about having to read through the VF thread and the 1.05/2.0 threads, know that as soon as you see a post from @OVTune or @Rafael@OVTune you can click on the the left or right arrows below their post on the right hand side and scroll immediately to their next post. Effectively bypassing the clutter in these threads.

9. Pay attention to @tonered @Shellshock @mZiggy and of course @OVTune or @Rafael@OVTune among a few others. Over the last 2 years of me reading every OV related thread, they've got good info.

Finally, If you're in the San Diego area and need help, hit me up.

If I've stated anything incorrectly, feel free to correct me an I'll update to not confuse anyone.

/rant

 

Epic post. Nice work. From hours reading all the threads on this you summed up about everything. Bookmark this post if you want a place to reference peeps.

In case you don't know how, click the post number in the top right of his post, open in a new window, then bookmark it.

 

Thanks. Figured it was in my head, might as well regurgitate it here.

 

Thanks for doing this for the TW community. Very helpful, indeed.

Frank

 

If AT tune packs hasn't been release yet on VF Tuner does that mean we can't make the ECU changes for the alternator?

Edit: Nevermind....I'd read Mr. Nobody's Post.

 

You can if you want to run the stock tune (all the stock files are in vF) with agm changes but I’m guessing you’d want to have the 2.0 tune pack files and not go back to the stock tune.

 

Yeah....I'll pass on using the stock tune. I'll wait for the AT tune packs.

 

i think you covered everything pretty well, only one small thing

in this section
“1. Dongle users can keep their Dongle (looks like a tiny USB mouse receiver), but if they want 2.0 they have to upgrade to VF to allow access to the .p5f files for install. They can do this two ways. Keep your dongle and upgrade for the $75 and get a tactrix to flash using the Flash utility, or exchange your Dongle to OV and upgrade to VF for free, and use VF in conjunction with the Flash Utility. ”

Dongle users already have the tactrix adapter (odb2 plug and usb cable). We just need to request a reg key by sending in our system ID (like a new user would do) once we’ve placed our order (either paid or free)

Once you’ve got the reg key, you can flash any p5f files. Once you’ve got the vF master key, you can use vF and unlock one ECU ID of your choosing. You can also purchase credits to unlock addition ECUs if desired (ex. Tuning a buddy’s truck)

Aside from that I think you got it all covered

 

Updated . Thanks. Honestly I had no idea the Dongle users also had the Tactrix cable and plug.

 

Yeah. The basics of the Flash Kit never changed (PC, Flash software, and Tactrix). Just the licensing tool went from hardware to software. Dongle versus REG file.

Both schemes have their pros and cons for both OVT and us.

 

you must be in law school. nice work lol.

 

HA!! Not quite, but thanks for the compliment.

 

Accusation of being a lawyer is a compliment????