New to forum but not to Tacoma's

I figured it was time to join in contributing to this community since I've been gleaning info off of it for a long time.

Where to begin...

I currently am the proud owner of a very nice '12 TRD Sport Double Cab which I have owned since August of '15. I purchased it from a local dealership who acquired it from its' original local owner. It had 29k miles on it at the time and was nicer than any of the new units on the lot. The previous owner had installed lots of tasteful extras and a couple of not so tasteful ones which I promptly removed! It has aftermarket heater leather seats, which I have found to be much nicer than the factory or dealer installed TOYOTA leather. Also has a body matched Leer Tonneau with remote locking. I have since installed some very nice LED lighting underneath it with a tailgate actuated switch. It also has a custom stainless mesh grill set, a stainless bull bar (I know... But it actually looks nice on this one and it was already there so...). I have since installed a 20" LED light bar on aforementioned bull bar with a very nice OEM fit switch (Amazon), '15 4Runner trail edition wheels with 265/70/17 Nitto Terra Grappler G2's, ditched some very nice but not needed stainless step bars, installed a trailer brake controller in a very clean and hidden manner. (Will be glad to share..) installed a nice aftermarket dual USB hub into the center console blank next to the 12v round outlets so I don't have a stupid charger sticking out. I have switched out all fluids for synthetics, installed cryo treated rotors and ceramic pads, put Denso laser TT platinum plugs in and today I had TOYOTA perform the T-SB-0044-14 updated ECM flash... HUGE IMPROVEMENT BTW.

My previous truck was an '04 PreRunner TRD Quad Cab. Personally put a quarter million miles on it without so much as a front end alignment or a check engine light, got almost $10k for it in trade.

Also have a '90 4Runner V6, 5spd, 4wd and an '87 Land Cruiser.

I am 33 yrs old, currently an outside sales engineer for an industrial automation/fluid power company in Ky. I am also an ASE Master tech, not practicing professionally. I enjoy all things automotive related, guns, hunting, sports, etc... Married, 1 kid, mortgage, blessed.


Anyhow, glad to be here and will try to post some pics of all the mods and add ons along with write ups where applicable.

 

Welcome to TW.

 

Welcome

 

Awesome write up! Nice Truck!! Welcome!

 

How do like the Nittos?

 

Welcome to the club!

 

Well, I had run Michellin LTX M/S 2's for years and loved their quiet ride and long wearing. But I wanted something more aggressive this go round, and these do sing a tiny bit and are maybe 10% harsher ride, but a good trade off for sure!

I will say that I put Cooper ATS-3's on the wife's Montero Sport and wow! They are as smooth and quiet as the Michellins but very aggressive ad have nice siping and such for mud and snow. I think they may be a huge bargain!

 

Very good, that's a nice tire package. Thanks for the reply. Glad you had the TSB done.

 

I am too... Took some digging to find it, but I knew there had to be a way to make the damn tranny act like it had some sense... Took all of 45 mins at the dealership. They didn't even question my request.

 

Welcome and nice ride. One word of advice is to get rid of the Bull Ba,r it is a damage multiplier. Had one and hit some ice turning into my street at about 7MPH and it pushed right into the bumper breaking the grill, headlight tabs, buckled the hood, and broke the radiator. Just a word of advice.

 

Nice trucks! Welcome to TW.

 

Yeah, I'm aware... I didn't install it, but I haven't found an alternative that I like/I am willing to pay for yet... So, in the mean time, that's what insurance is for! Lol

 

I had that TSB done for spark knocking. I wasn't aware that it affected the transmission.

 

Most of the reason for the spark knock was the low rpm loading of the engine caused by early TC lock up... The factory trans tune was to achieve a certain epa figure. It was way to eager to up shift and caused a lean/load condition. The 1GR-FE engine family was designed for Lexus duty and as such with high octane in mind. With a very active knock sensor circuit, one can get away with 87 octane but not under load. The new update essentially allows the trans to downshift with much less throttle input and hold the shift points longer to avoid the low rpm/high load lean condition.

After driving it a hundred miles or so today, it would appear that it also smoothed the clutch engagements and the TC lockup on full throttle.

 

Wow thanks. I had mine done back over the summer and could tell a big difference in ride quality. Thanks for thoroughly explaining what actually takes place during the ECM flash.

 

I'm gonna guess that's due to the trans not clunking on take off and decel around town.

 

I'm also curious why just the 2012 - 2014 were affected?

 

Welcome to TW! I'm digging the second gen 4runner. (Just picked up two of them myself.)

 

Well, that same TSB has been around for 6 years or so... My guess is it affects fuel mileage negatively during the EPA's test loop enough that they figure they have to leave it clunky until someone complains enough to fix it.

 

It's interesting. Thanks for the help.