KDMAX OR OVERLANDER TUNE ?!?!

I would never expect anyone to drive so far, glad you are happy! Stock is terrible!!

 

email sent

 

I am just impressed and very happy that there are so many smart people who are so good at tuning these trucks. I just wish Toyota would hire them to fix the problem at the source. Without all these tunes there would sure be a lot of disgruntled Toyota customers.

 

Reach out to your tuner, some of the KDMax guys still offer both tunes, some do not. Not all KDMax guys have the OTT. Who tuned you to begin with?

 

If you have your own cable and software, you can reach out to info@overlandtailor.com. He is one of the main tune developers and can distribute VIN locked files.

Edit: I see someone answered this earlier in the thread. Sorry for the redundancy.

 

I just don't believe Toyota engineers are at fault..... You think these guys are proud of this sh*t ?
They know what they are capable of and how to achieve their goals. I am sure they want to do their best to prove they ARE the best !

I believe they are being told what guidelines have to be met and what parameters to work within to satisfy EPA standards.

Not dissing any of the guys who have found a way to make things so much better for us, (Thank you all very much).
No, quite the contrary but not for a minute believe they have the resources, manpower, special knowledge and access to all Toyota has after umpteen years in building cars and trucks.

Imagine what Toyota could (and has) produced if the shackles were removed.

 

this is my best explanation that I can give...

I bought my 2020 MT Pro and after driving it off the lot, I thought I'd be through the learning curve and habits of the truck in a couple days.. Driven manuals all my life, but this truck was making me feel like a clown when it was stock. We all know the stock tune is terrible, but wow! I had to fix this querky and awkward running truck. I've been dealing with Dave (Yodatune) for a while now, and started with OVtune. It definitely woke the truck up, but it really felt like an overlay of all the stock feelings, just with amplified pedal feel.

Next was KDMax (XXT i think it was called for the manual trucks) FANTASTIC TUNE! This to me after the OV version was like a miracle tune! everything the truck did wrong, this fixed it, well! It was very smooth.. very linear, easy to drive, way less rev hang, and I saw a substantial improvement in economy. I ran this tune on mostly premium fuel, and felt the biggest gains in what was available.

I found out about Coyoza and asked to try that, as it had so much manual hype. I was super skeptical though, because it would have big boots to fill. The biggest complaint at the time with KDMax was the low levels of bottom end torque, and Coyoza was supposed to be better. well it did make slightly better torque, but I didn't feel it was a very big difference at all (to a stock truck, yes it's a HUGE improvement, but not to the XXT I was already on) and my fuel economy numbers went out the window.. so, after 3 weeks of that I went back to the holy grail. Happy again..

I get a message late last fall about the Heavy Truck Overlander tune that was made for big tires, built trucks, heavy loads towing etc. and I should try it. Skeptical again I figured it can't hurt as long as I can go back to KDMax.. First impressions were it was good, but it lacked something that the XTT had, but was hard to pinpoint.. It just didn't feel as refined, It was less smooth, slow to react to pedal input, and overall it was a lazy, unresponsive truck.. Economy wasn't as good either but, It did make better torque way down low, and that's where I drive my truck the most.. I tend to lug and short shift more than rev it through the range.

Word of a new OTT update coming, after a bunch of dyno time for tuning. I still was missing the KDMax, but figured I'd give it a fighting chance and hope for the best. First drive around the block and it felt very similar, and not too much seat time to evaluate things.. With my old friend still on the back of my mind, I asked to switch it back to XXT so I can do a direct comparison.. Another trip around the block and the difference is plain as day.. the OTT 7.0 just does it better... It makes a pile more torque right off of idle, and it pulls straight up from 900rpm, right off the clutch from a stop light almost without any throttle at all. The KD definitely needs a good amount more input to get things moving, and I'm not talking about sensitivity setting differences etc, it just works harder, lower down the rev scale... the way it should be.

After all that, I am totally satisfied with the latest Overlander OTT 7.0. I would recommend it to anyone, without a doubt.. Torque straight off the bottom, super smooth progressive pedal feel, a very strong top end improvement, minimal rev hang while shifting, and very decent fuel consumption numbers ( haven't been using 91 ethanol free to direct compare to XXT yet, waiting for the summer).

Sorry for the long post, but I hope this sheds some light to anyone who is on the fence. Both are fantastic, but I give the final nod to Overlander..

 

So kdmax pro+ is just longer shift points to keep rpms higher for heavier trucks . It's what I'm running but slightly more modified to my likings. Customer service is great. I need the tc to stay locked longer past 60 mph it unlocks after 67mph

 

I flash my own tunes from tuners and reason I go with kdmax is they treat returning customers I can't justify paying xxx amount of money to flash a new tune I might as well pay a tuner at the price they are asking for . I'm down to flash any tune but the price has to be fair for ones that have vf tuner. Before tuners made it very fair for us to flash our own tunes . It's starting to trend now that tuners are even price gouging for us that tune are selves . They can do that but it puts a bad taste in well my mouth and others . Honestly I think we give the better reviews cause we have tried em all . We should get a substantial price break .

 

I would love to give ott a chance but not for what price they are asking for . But that's me

 

Shoot John a message at info@overlandtailor.com

We have options.

 

Awesome write-up - thank you.
Great to hear very detailed input on an M/T!!

 

If anyone who is near a tuner that offers both (KDMax by @PapaRee and @TWTaco) and (OTT by @Boltripper and @JustDSM)... here is a list of some guys that can do a side by side comparison to see for yourself.

Colorado - @MGMSangTaco
Florida - @HCFR TACO22
Kentucky - @NickJacq23
New Jersey - @xXgOdLyXjEwXx
Nevada - @InternationalHarvester
Texas - @KalebG98 , @A_Tacoma01

I'm sure the list of tuners that offers both will grow as it already has... cheers to those lucky enough to be near someone that can have you do a side by side comparison.

Recently the two Texas tuners made the jump to offer both.

 

I do believe I’ve been talking to @Boltripper all day, and awaiting my ott tune. I really can’t wait, the suspense is killing me…

 

You bet..

Even though we manual guys don't have to deal with all the drama of the auto shifting problems, there are definite specific issues of our own to deal with, and with such small numbers to collect data for improvements, I feel like the more educated we all can be, the better off we are as a group. You can't deal with the stock tune very long before you end up cursing the irregular and erratic cycling of intake flappers, variable valve timing changes, fuel injector swapping etc. that these things deliver, it'll give you a sore neck in a few days..

For the record, I always prefer the least sensitive throttle settings for routine driving, and it also helps to keep more control on the pedal in low range when playing in the trails. I wish we could have a function button like the ECT in the auto's that would offer a second pedal sensitivity map so we can tone it right down when off roading.. that would be the ultimate tune!

 

Just flashed today, let’s see what it’s all about

Edit: just went for the first drive, I’m going to sound like everyone else…I cannot believe the difference the tune made. Throttle feels much better, I don’t have to give near as much throttle input. Actually feels like I have power throughout without having to rev the truck. I’m sure it’ll only get better from here. I like the throttle map on ++ but will swap at some point to feel the difference.

Great job @Boltripper and @JustDSM

 

Thanks for writing this all up! This post sold me on the OTT7... getting it in a few weeks

 

I too had to try out OTT. I am a self tuner and started back in 18-19 on this journey to find the tune so my Tacoma did not feel like a huge turd! PapaRee has been great to me his tune was a big improvement over ovtune. This has been such a slow process. Jealous of they guys that go from stock to OTT in 1 day!

I too feel an improvement from kdmax pro+ to OTT. It feels like the torque and the way it holds a gear is better. Truck feels stronger threw everything. I live in the NGA mountains and I really needed the transmission to be right.With Kdmax pro+ when I would go up a long climb it would want to kick up a gear where it really needed to keep holding it until I got to the crest. I hope kdmax and OTT can keep competing but I loaded OTT 7.0 cruise control medium and this is where I will stay until another improvement. I am glad I spent the money. Thank you John!

 

I have been running KD Max pro and I have been quite happy with it. I really don't want to drop $400 plus on another tune to see if its better although my interest is peaked.

KDMax has been very attentive and have provided impeccable customer service.