2nd GEN TACO TUNING

Just curious if anybody here has done a tuning on their Tacoma, specially if there are no major engine mods, i.e. Supercharger.

Looking here specifically:
https://bigdawgstoyotatuning.com/

Any opinions for or against would be appreciated. Just curious if it would really benefit, specifically improving the bottom end power, or if it’s just Snake Oil.

Thanks.

 

Yes.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/overland-torque-tune-ott-by-overland-tailor.759590/

I've run the OTT tune on my NA (naturally-aspirated / no mods) 2nd gen V6 6MT for about 18 months / 4,000 miles and am very happy with it. Improved lower-end torque, reduction of manual-trans inter-shift "rev hang" to a comfortable level, and no noticeable changes to fuel efficiency.

 

I’m looking specifically at Big Dawgs Toyota tuning because it’s within driving distance for me.

This is what I’m looking at:
2005-2007 & 2009-2015 2nd Gen Tacoma OTT Base Tune 15 minutes @ $450.00
- The OTT tune has found a way to ensure accurate and customized shifting from stock to highly customized applications regardless of gear ratio, tire size or vehicle weight.
- Power on the bottom end of your 4.0L where it's needed most. Don't worry, the top end will also get a noticeable increase so there is power delivery throughout the RPM range.

 

Yes, that's the same tune I'm referring to.

As I understand it, the fine details of the OTT "tune" itself are designed & maintained by "Overland Tailor" (https://overlandtailor.com/.) Because the tune process involves some physical hands-on time w/ the vehicle, he then licenses or subcontracts out (?) the actual "installation" process to a number of different 3rd party tuner services across the country. (The "installation" in most cases involves just flashing the software parameters in the ECU / computer brains of the truck.)

In my experience -- which admittedly does not include any empirical testing, only "the butt dyno," - the tune makes a real difference and is not snake oil.

 

So, even though it’s a different “vendor”, I’m really getting the “Overland Tailor” tuning?

 

That's my understanding. I'm not a tech expert on tuning so I would cross-check & verify that with at least a couple other people. @JustDSM is I believe the main man & the originator of the OTT tune series. (I call it a series because there are a number of different 'base tunes' for different generations of Tacoma, manual vs auto transmissions, in addition to customizations of those tunes he releases for special purposes such as FI (turbo- or super-charged) setups.)

 

It's true there isn't alot to be gained horsepower wise on an unmodified NA truck but it sure seems to make the truck alot less lazy, from what I hear it really makes a difference with the automatic trucks since they can change the shift strategy.

I've been running a tune from @JustDSM on mine for around a year and a half and have no complaints, I even gained about 1 mpg average.

They have a thread with alot of info and dyno charts here.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/overland-torque-tune-ott-by-overland-tailor.759590/

 

Sorry, but what is “NA” in “NA truck”?

 

Naturally-aspirated, i.e. not FI or Forced-Induction. (Forced induction is using a turbocharger or supercharger to force more air than would otherwise be possible into the cyclinders. More air --> more oxygen & fuel per cyclinder stroke --> more power.)

 

I do not have a tune. But I can say, that every time I’ve ever had a question concerning the stock tune and it’s workings, the guys from OTT have always responded.

Should I ever decide to tune, they will be the ones I have tune my truck.

Also, this is good reading material on their tune vs “others”.
https://overlandtailor.com/truth-be-told-dyno

 

This^

 

I had the KDMax done here in Ohio. I did it mainly because guy said he would do any ECU updates and I was having the spark knock noise per TSB 0044-14 that required an ECU update. He said that before the tune he updates any TSB's. I figured it was better than taking it to the dealership for the TSB update since I would get a performance tune on top of it.
Anyways, I thought the spark knock issue was fixed at first and got excited but it still does it under the right conditions on 87 octane (I had been running 93 and continued to do so for awhile during summer heat), so I still have the spark knock per the TSB and I don't have any noticeable difference in power or feel of the truck. Shift points may have changed a bit, but after driving for a while I don't really think it offers any value over stock. Overall, I feel like it was a poor use of $400.00

 

Big Dawgs Toyota Tuning is a licensed retailer for OTT calibrations so you can rest assured you're getting the same file from them as you would direct through Overland Tailor Tuning. All of our authorized retailers can be found here: https://overlandtailor.com/retailer-locations

Tuning a N/A (non-supercharged) 2G 4.0L Tacoma does have a merit, and is not snake oil when using our calibration. No one in the world has as much experience tuning the 2G Tacoma as OTT. We've got a dyno proven calibration that will give you what the 4.0L has to offer for the quality of fuel you run. If you run 85-87 Octane, there's really very little actual performance to be gained on these engines. What you will get with our calibration however is an optimization of the engine calibration to make use of 85 and greater octane, matched to a transmission retune to match the newfound output and torque of the engine. You'll find our calibration will have improved response, and intuitive shift scheduling that will match your driving input.


Red: Stock
Green: OTT 87 Octane
Blue: OTT 91 Octane

 

The above is correct.

OTT has developed the calibration and made it available through a network of retailers who have the knowledge, tools, and experience to safely load the tune to the customer's vehicle. This saves the end user the added expense of having to procure the tools and equipment to properly and safely flash their vehicle.

Appreciate you sharing your experience!

 

Interesting. I didn't see that chart on the 4.0 page when I looked last night. (I want to say it just had the OEM and blue OTT lines, without any explanation).

 

Reach out to your nearest OTT tuner and if you're not impressed with our calibration, I'll put a $100 bill in your pocket.

 

On the main OTT thread, I think you are correct in that we only displayed the 91 octane results.

The full test can be found here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1gr-fe-single-vvti-dyno-testing-by-ott.759616/

 

This was the page I was referring to: https://overlandtailor.com/2nd-gen-tacoma-dyno

 

We really do need some work on our website. The service we use is a bit constraining at times on how we can display/post things. Never the less, noted!

 

THIS ^^^ is REALLY good to know since this guy is 3 hours drive north from me. Beats driving all the way to Cali and getting the same tuning