KDMax-Pro Tuning--NOW YotaWerx Tuning

Welcome to the team Kevin!

 

I've been KDMAX'ing (I guess it's a verb now) my Tacoma (2020 TRD Off Road, stock gearing, 265/70/17's, TRD Lift Kit) since v6.0 back in 2021 trusting Chris - @wahoobie with the initial tune and each and every upgrade to include the most recent - v10 since then...I've been consistently surprised and happy with the improvements to drivability that each tune has engendered (with one exception explained below)...Pro+XT was simply superb, to that point my truck had never run better, the driving experience was near perfect...I went into v9.0 with some trepidation as I did not know how it could possibly improve P+XT...9.0 as it turned out, was a bit of a disappointment (the exception noted above), in my experience, at least for me and for my truck, the tune felt like a bit of a step backward, the drivability that I loved in P+XT was not there, still better than stock of course, but not the improvement I had hoped for...Shifting seemed off, not as crisp, throttle response was somewhat muted, again, better than stock but not as good as P+XT...With the release of V10 I was hopeful that the drivability I had enjoyed would return...I contacted Chris - @wahoobie, arranged to meet and as always the experience was flawless, for those in the DMV area, I can't recommend him enough...v10, light tip-in was flashed and away I went on a quick test-drive...I was blown-away, I could not believe the improvement over v9.0, my truck felt reborn...Everything I loved about P+XT was back, and somehow better...Butter smooth shifting, perfect tip-in and throttle response, gear changes that maximized the performance of the truck, simply amazing...After a week with the tune, I can say, without hesitation, it is simply the best to date, (see mpg pic below) again I don't know how it will be improved, but I will be there for v11 if/when it's released! Thanks to the entire KDMAX team to include Chris of course, for simply the best tune and best mod available for these trucks...If anyone is on the fence, do-it, it's the best money you will spend to improve the drivability / livability of these trucks...

 

Late adopter here, love the tune! Best part to me, is the everyday street manners, no more up shifts,,, only to down shift.
Full disclosure; I was just okay stock, never had much of a problem, but add a topper, Decked, and larger E series tires, and the up shifting while I was still accelerating became unbearable.

 

Larry made the trip from Oneonta to Rotterdam today with the family so I could tune his 2017 Tacoma TRD Sport. WIth the heavy 33" truck tires, he found it lacking for power. The KDMax Pro tune helped address this for him! Thanks for coming out Larry, and for trusting me to help with your tuning needs. Should you need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out, sir!

 

Always great to work with long-term customers....we've got the support and the continued improvements over the years to make the best even better and I am thank you are along for the ride @Palanterra - getting smiles per miles all over!!

 

I absolutely love the tune the throttle response is beyond amazing and not having the truck find what gear it wants was great. I found myself speeding a few times going oh shit I was barely holding the pedal. Thank you for the tune!

 

Glad you’re enjoying the tune Larry! Thanks for trusting me with your business, sir!

 

For those with manual transmission trucks on the fence about getting tuned, one of the owners I tuned on the 22nd just sent me the following unsolicited message! For the TL;DR folks it sums up to GET THE TUNE!

 

I was just about to ask how the manual and automatic tunes were different, and if any 6M owners would throw in their 2 cents. Thx.

 

We've had lots of positive feed back from M/T owners for sure! A few of the tuners also have manuals as well. I'm sure some others can chime in with their experiences for further insight. I know all of those I've tuned with manual trannys have left very happy with the outcome!

 

@Cement_wheels - One of my recent owner reviews from stock though the consensus is similar for them all with the stock lacking throttle and pull through each gear being less then adequate: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cocn6Z8Oarl/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

Met up with Daniel today to get his truck tuned with KDMAX. I got the classic, "thanks for the new truck!" when we were done! Enjoy your new, new 2023!

 

First, I like driving my Taco in stock trim and don't have issues with 'gear hunting'. When I researched the pros and cons of a V6 gas 6M configuration I knew I wasn't getting the same pulling power as my 6.5TD 4L80E Chevy (which I still drive BTW). So I really wasn't disappointed with how the Taco performs. The one thing that a tune could do for me would be more torque at low RPMs as it is apparent the engine is tuned to develop its power at higher RPMs. To me this is the way a truck motor should perform. The reverse gear dilemma too. Revving the engine to back up a trailer is irritating to say the least.

 

Here’s a customer on 9.0 just prior to 10.0 release.
https://rumble.com/v2itiha-my-review-of-kdmax-pro-9.0-wow.html

 

Thanks for that link. It’s starting to look like I’m going to pass on the tune. I keep hearing a voice and it’s saying ‘no power increase is for free’. In other words, how is this tune effecting the power train as a whole. The transmission, diffs etc. . Is the Taco so over-engineered that a tune will have no long term detrimental effect on the vehicle? Am I being paranoid? Maybe. Still lots of thought going into this. And thanks to all that have commented.

 

80K tuned here and I am a test truck, dyno truck, kind on the inside truck....these things are overbuilt because 'Toyota'. No pressure here if you do not think it's a good fit but I have worked with over (600) owners for KDMAX Pro tuning and no one has been disappointed, returned to stock, nor had any mechanical issues. We are not trying to make race trucks here and that's kind of the point. Owners get the tune they should have received stock (with options to support their build) but instead they received a dull version of what could have been.

Taking my truck out this past Sat for tuning events across VA and it's never been better. I hope you find a chance to consider trying it out. Any of the resources in the group can revert you back to stock - it won't be needed but we support our owners needs!

 

And I’ll add to what Chris has stated my personal trucks have had KDMAX Pro tunes since KDMAX 6.0 so about 25,000 -30,000 now with no issues. I’m fairly new in tuning business but have about 100 or so running the tune. I’ve had one customer to date revert back to stock out of concerns of “what if the dealership finds out”. Like most worries it energies spent worrying about something that actually never happens!

But I do understand the caution.

Just know that life is to short to drive a mediocre tuned truck

 

For me there is no looking back, the KDMAX Pro 10 tune simply performs as expected and makes my truck as enjoyable as I wish it was when I 1st picked up from the dealer.

 

Noob series of questions.

1) If I have to go into the dealer for some service, and they flash the truck for whatever reason, is my tune gone?
1a) Can a dealer tell if it's been tuned?

2) This is all software, no devices added?

3) Kalifornia. Do I need to do detune/tune cycles to pass smog?

4) I see you have a new person on the list, right here in Hueneme. Someone dropped a card on my truck last week, and it was a different name. Says all they do is KDMax. What is the deal with that? Just an independent guy doing his own stuff?

5) I've been doing quite a few trips up to the cabin recently, and hope at least a few more before we sell. I go from basically sea level to 7000' That final climb up the hill from 2500-7000 was a real challenge witht he gear hunting, I always just dropped it into 3 and then went. This past weekend, that didn't seem necessary. I just left it in D and then just cruised right up the hill. Is Luna learning on her own?

 

Time to break out my typing skill! LOL

1) Yes, the tune would be removed by a repair like this, but your tuner will restore it for you at no cost. Simply reach out and set an appointment to get it taken care of!
1a) The tune will not change the truck's ECU ID, so it will not be immediately apparent to the dealer that is has been tuned. An experienced tech will likely FEEL the difference, but this has not caused any issues for any of customers bringing their truck to the dealer for warranty work.
2) Yes, the tune is a software installed change. No hardware is installed during the tuning process
3) The vehicle will pass smog testing with the tune in place without issue
4) What was the name on the card? You can confirm it is a legit KDMax tuner by checking our website here: https://kdmaxprotuning.com/locations or drop the name here and I can do so.
5) If your truck is new, with low mileage, yes it may still be completing its initial learning process, which Toyota indicates can take up to 1500 miles to complete. Additionally, the learning process is dynamic to some degree and will continue indefinitely as environmental conditions change. This is the very thing that has allowed for the development of octane learning tunes, so you don't have to run a specific fuel after the tuning process is completed

Let us know if you have other questions! Happy to help!