2nd Gen Pedal commander review.

Glad you're satisfied...Hoping you & everyone trying these things find the 30 day full money back warranty, nothing to lose even if you don't like it...Once you try any product, you probably know a lot more about what that product does than ones who have not tried it. I'm still amazed with these things, now up to appx. 90% pos.

 

Seems a simple way to prove it's effectiveness would be a 0-60 test.

From my minimal research I've only seen 1 video claiming 0.95 seconds faster.

Stock was 7.95
Sprint Booster 7.00

Over the years I've built various old school vehicles 70's models. We'd just use softer throttle springs to allow a quicker response, which is what I imagine is happening here.

 

I've seen claims that it changes the target AFR. Having tuned several Subarus, I know that going from a stupid rich (9.5:1 at points on a stock tune) to a reasonably balanced (11.5:1 was usually my target AFR) setting would improve feel and give a ton of power under the curve. I suspect that that might be more of what this does. Eventually, if I don't end up with a TT LS3 or something similar in my truck, I will seek out a custom tune just to have the target AFR's remapped to something way more reasonable than the stock tune. There really is no reason to push a 10:1 AFR on a non-turbo vehicle, the extra fuel can help with cooling, but most of the time it's literally just wasting fuel. Even on a turbo vehicle, it's just a waste to go that rich.

 

Never seen a throttle controller that changes the AFR. All I've researched just changes the throttle response. luk8272, hard to explain, but nothing at all like just tromping the throttle to the floor.... you mentioned Sprint Booster, they have a no question asked full refund if returned within 30 days. It won't take a hour to know if you like it or not. Installation, "EXACTLY" per instructions is important, down to placing the ign. key 30' from vehicle for 30 min. before installing.

 

Oh I completely understand romping the throttle and watching your 2 gauge needles race in opposite directions (speedo & fuel.)
In reference to my 700hp SS Chevelle.

Each vehicle serves a purpose. Usually mine end up being for enjoyment. Just wish I'd enjoy something practical once in a while.

 

luk, Just a note, I've always kept records of mileage every time I buy gas.. I'd have thought the mileage would have dropped after installing the controller, but on my Taco it has not changed at all, since the controller was installed... Hope you get a chance to try one and tell us what you think.

 

I have 4cyl auto with a 9drive throttle controller and it 100% changes the ride in the truck.
9drive is like a Chinese pedal commander, does same thing bit it cost $60.
Can not imagine driving this truck without it. Love it.

Just installed lce headers and intake spacer and drove it for 1st time last night in the rain.
I have it on 2.1 setting and all the truck did was wheel out constantly.

My 1st complaint on a throttle controller:
Its making my dinky 4cyl drive like a race car and giving me so much torque down low that it might need to be turned way down or off in rain and snow.

 

Thanks for that Fooburger, I studied a lot about buying one of the cheaper ones before I got my, Hi dollar (almost $300 ) Sprint Booster, but their 100% return warranty mad me get that one. If I were getting one today, would probably go with something like the 9-Drive. I don't know what your number, 2.1, means. But with what I'm seeing & hearing most of the throttle controllers are usually set to appx 1/2 way between the lowest and highest setting. My Sprint Booster has a total of 18 settings, mine stays on 10, The higher settings are way too crazy. touchy feeling... Thanks again for your opinions.

 

going to quote myself

You need a proper tune to change AFR (which can also change properly change the throttle pedal mapping - not simulating a different throttle pedal map).

 

Totally Agree, I've not seen any throttle controller that claims any increase of HP nor change in AFR, and they won't. All it claims & does is open the throttle (incoming air) quicker. Yrs. past push pedal to floor and throttle linkage opened wide open immediately. Newer autos no longer have linkage that does that, they have electronic throttle openers that open the throttle plate at a slower speed, the speed it wants to open it. My numbers aren't exact times, but just to understand. If my Taco electronic throttle is set from the factory so if pedal is slammed to the floor, the electronic opener slowly opens the throttle plate to wide open in, just say, 6 sec. with the controller installed & set 1/2 way between off and Hi, the throttle will be wide open in 3 sec. instead of 6, and if set on HI, the throttle will open immediately, just like it would if the old linkage was still being used. I've been looking for what luk8272 found and posted. 0 to 60mph in 7.95 sec. stock & 0 to 60 mph. in 7 sec flat with controller installed. Now I see why it feels like it gives extra HP. a second quicker 0 to 60 mph. is a lot.

 

2.1 is:
It has diff modes: 1.1 - 1.9, up to 3.9., 2.1 about middle-ish.
You could also return it within 30 days at Amazon. Well now with Xmas, think everything’s returnable to Jan 31st.

There is absolutely NO WAY ANYONE would return it, unless its defective
, or maybe you 6cyl guys decide to get it tuned within 30 days to get a little back, for the tune.

If you are in hear reading about it, looking for a little umph,
you won’t be returning it, because it does what’s it’s supposed to do.

I swear before I got it, I’d be going up a hill, feeling like I’m going slower as I’m goin up,
I floor it, and nothing happens, just putting along…
Now at any time, if I floor it, it goes faster, 10x more fun to drive, best $65 I ever spent.

 

Lots of people say it doesn’t give you any HP, just opens throttle quicker, your only feeling butt power.
All I know is, without it, my 4cyl was impossible to spin the tires. After installing it, I can spin my tires and take off. There is no chance my 0-60 times would be the same with or without it..made my truck faster

 

I hope people know that you can improve a 0-60 or 1\4 mile time without increasing HP\TQ or a tune. Weight reduction or gears, heck simply launching properly.
Thus if these things increase opening speed it's entirely plausible.

It's like beating a dead horse in here, lol.

 

Inline pedal commander type things don't open the throttle blade any quicker at all on our trucks. If you stomp on the throttle to the floor the servo motor will open the throttle blade and quick as it can (which is very quick... Like less than 1/4 of a second quick) unless you break traction and the ECU goes too much throttle for conditions.

 

This statement has got to be someone who has never driven a Taco with a controller "that was working". Absolutely nothing farther from being correct...

 

Agreed, this guy is attracted to 'controller' threads like a moth to flame. I will trust my personal experience over his internet "research". The benefit of the controller is that you don't have to stomp on the accelerator to get a response. Stomp versus a slight accelerator pressure is the essence of control. For me, I rather have a faster response to a slight increase in pedal pressure than have to mash the pedal to the floor to get an adequate response, but to each his own. I've had my Sprint Booster for a long time, I'd buy it again and, yes, I'd recommend it to a friend.

 

Any update on your Amazon pedal commander? Was thinking of purchasing the original pedal commander and then I saw your post. Is your truck auto or 5 speed? Thanks in advance

 

Aight, I'll chime in. All these things do is open the throttle faster for a given input. Think of it more as a change to the scaling of the throttle plate. Everyone knows about the dip in the throttle map on at least the v6 Tacomas. It's super noticeable and incredibly annoying. So when you set one of these jobbers to open the plate quicker, all it's doing is scaling the input (throttle pedal) to make the plate think you're pressing the pedal further.

Now- I came across one of these 9Drive throttle controllers on Amazon back before Christmas. I got it for $39.99, so I figured it's cheap enough to try it out. I installed it the first weekend of December, and there is a HUGE difference in throttle response. They do what they claim as far as the FEELING of the throttle plate opening faster. In reality, the plate moves at the same rate as if you floor it, but it's scaled to open SOONER based off less throttle input from the pedal. So they make a huge difference.

I figured I'd probably return it after trying it out, but for $40, really, ya can't go wrong. When I get the truck tuned (which is the best option here), I'll sell it on Tacomaworld for $25 or $30 shipped. Cheap enough for someone to enjoy a big change in response for a little money, and it'll have held me over until I get a tune.

Now, this thing coupled with the accumulator delete is going to be fantastic, and even better once I get rid of it for a tune (which gets rid of that damn rev hang) along with the accumulator delete.

That's my .02

I'd never pay $300 for one, that's just not worth it to me BECAUSE I'm going to get the truck tuned. But $40? Well worth it. It's listed on Amazon as: iKiKin Throttle Response Controller 9 Drive Modes For Toyota Tacoma

There are several variations of this, some of them are $150 or more, but it's packaged nearly identically, and maybe has a different name branded on it.

Edit: Just to be clear- before I put this thing in I couldn't break the tires loose in 1st (6MT) from a roll. Now the truck will light 'em up. Don't even try the "race" mode, it's useless. Makes the throttle like an on/off switch. I think I have mine on like 2.1 or 2.2.

 

Mines up for sale if anyone’s interested, using the money for other mods…other than that…it will be missed.

 

I've got a Sprint Booster [same concept, more expensive] and your description of operation is as good as I've read on here. Not having to floor it to get a response, for me, is a real plus, foot control versus needing a 'mash'. I have a four, no tune available. I'd get mine again.