OVTune worth it?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ovt-flash-feelers.672354/

 

I'm getting an OV Tune on my 2020 Off Road this Sunday. Local guy is charging $250, which seems to be the going rate. Looking forward to seeing what it does. Stay tuned (no pun intended).

 

Oh right, forgot that there is no tune for the 2.7L.

 

Man honestly its not hard at all, you need basic computer skills. If you know how to post pics on TW, you are good to go

 

Thanks Brother

 

My shellshock charged 250, but said updates would be 20$. I've had my truck since 2016. When I first got it it would hesitate sometimes for up to 6-8 seconds from reverse (backing out of a parking spot) to drive. Not only unsafe, but embarrassing. After several failed attempts speaking to the dealer I finally got a tsb printed and took it to the dealer (thanks TW). If updated the Ecu and took care of some issues like not staying in 6th, a few surges, cruise control issue, and the dreaded Reverse to Forward.

I was still not satisfied with the shift patterns. Last year I considered the pedal commander, but it does not help with shift points. I then considered OV tune, but $800 all in and no at home computer made this impossible. Fast forward Shellschock is in my area and I have him due the Vf tune. Night and day difference. I am very happy with it. Shifts better, more power, usually better gas mileage (same with winter blend and cold truck). This is how the truck should have come stock. Toyota really dropped the ball on this.

With the pedal commander I would be hesitant due to issues with check engine light. I have no experience with the pedal commander, but it essentially changes the drive by wire inputs. It does not change shifting points, or help to make it run more efficiently. From all the research I have done it looks like the main issue with the pedal commander is people changing the program while driving and not stopping first, it then throws a check engine code. Again, I have never had one. Just repeating what I have seen in Youtube videos.

I will say that my favorite mod to the truck has been the tune. It is now pleasant to drive.

 

I'm gonna go against the grain and say NO, it's not worth it. It makes the truck drive different but it does NOT fix the inherent problems that this engine/transmission combo has. Engine is lacking in low end torque and the transmission is geared improperly. I've tried about 6 different tunes, from the OV 2.0 to various custom tunes uploaded here. Some of the user-tunes help more, but they create other problems like erratic idle, terrible fuel mileage, etc. One tune made the truck more "fun" to drive around town... Until it snowed. The erratic throttle response was scary on slick roads.
Conclusion, I've gone back to stock.
vF tuner is well done software but it can't overcome hardware deficiencies.

 

You sir .......... are a rare bird. ( No disrespect intended )

 

Driving in the snow and ice here in Iowa I have not noticed that at all. I don't have any numbers to back it up, but it feels more responsive and like the torque is there that did not use to be. I don't think the trans and engine are bad at all, just badly tuned. If you had it and didn't like it I am very surprised. I will say if not using 4wd on ice and snow or turning a sharp corner I will hit that lsd/trac button and it doesn't tend to slide around the corner. I believe the lsd works great on dry cement, but not on ice or snow. One wheel spins, starts to slide, the computer kicks in to slow the wheels and you don't really move. My old Tundra was 2wd, but heavier. It would not even take off from a dead start on ice if not warmed up where the idle kicked down. Once warmed up you really needed to creep out in a straight line, a slight angle and if would slip all over. You couldn't play with the trac/lsd either.

 

So seeing that people kind of have mixed reviews and it's not an end all, be all solution, is there a combination of getting an OV tune plus doing a gear swap and so on and so forth that seems to be THE combo that solves drivability issues from the factory? Or am I going to have to pony up and do a Supercharger as well?

 

Didn't people independently verify on a dyno that there was a gain up to 40 ft/lbs of torque in the lower end? Not peak torque, not an increase where it needed it.

 

I've read a few posts that state the difference for the OV Tune on 2020s and 2021s is not as profound. Can someone with a 2020 or 2021 vouch that the tune is worth it?
Every post on here stating that it is worth it was written by someone with a 2019 or older.

 

The 2020 Tacoma TRD-S I rented on a trip had a vastly better ECU tune on it compared to my 2019 TRDOR, for what it's worth.

 

I am interested in the tuning for my ‘18 manual trans truck but a bit confused.

“Local people” doing the tune? What is meant by this? Charging $125-250 to install the tune on top of the $800 for the OV program?

 

Honestly I waited way too long, I’m surprised this is even a question anymore. Vftune makes the truck a whole new truck, literally the best money I have spent on it. If you’re in CO and need a tune PM me.

I ask for one $250 donation for the first tune and then from then on free adjustments or tweaks if people ever make changes.

 

Want to elaborate on that a bit? I'm in PHX and travel up that way semi often.

 

I am in NW suburbs of Chicago

Is this “vftune” a competing product to the ovtune (orange virus, right?)??? If So I buy the tune for $XXX and them someone like yourself gets $250 for initial install and updates?

sorry not following this too well

 

Personally would not consider OVtune. I did pedal commander for over a year and had no issues with it. But Toyota put out that new update and my 2019 runs perfect sold the PC and have had no issues or complaints on how my truck performs.

 

I totally agree with you, I went back to stock and never looked back. Had the dealer flash an updated tune (04b04) and it drove a lot better, no crazy idle and no other issues. Sold my dongle kit last year with no regrets. One of the biggest reason why I sold it was because of the immaturity and lack of professionalism from Matt.

 

Is there a factory update for a 2019 model year truck? Wondering if this is what I'm looking for, because the 2020 I drove was considerably better and more refined in the tune when compared to my 2019.