Pedal commander, or sprint booster?

Hi,

I have a 2012 4x4 Tacoma. Sometimes I'd like to feel the fun of a good motor power. In the past I used to have V8 Chevrolet pickups and I enjoyed the power, having some pain with the gas consumption.

I love the line and color of my 2nd generation Tacoma, and the pristine reliability after 7 years of having it... Yet, I need the feel of power, specially on highway. I have seen that in Amazon, Sprint Booster and Pedal commander are available. From your experience, which give better results, not compromising mechanics nor electronics (check engine lights) in the Tacoma?

 

They just change how the pedal feels, so its more snappy?

I only recommend them for manual users not happy with throttle delay.

They don't have great returns for the money. I actually hate when they are set on aggressive because on low traction areas you squawk the tires or spin the gravel.

 

Would you open to a real tune?
I think you’d benefit much more from a tune.

 

Indeed I would, yet here in Mexico there would not be as many or as good options as you have in the US

 

I have a Sprint Booster.

It doesn't increase power, acceleration, top speed, or anything like that.

All it does is change the ratio between the pedal depression/throttle body opening and reduces the delay between the two. When I first bought it, I expected more for how much it cost, but now that I've driven with it for a few months, I can't go back. The stock pedal delay feels like an eternity compared to the reduced delay with the Sprint Booster. I have it on the second lowest setting while driving around town and the difference is very noticeable compared to stock. The higher settings are almost out of control on the street (very twitchy and jumpy as you can imagine), but I've had fun with the higher settings off-road.

I like the Sprint Booster over the Pedal Commander because of supposedly better performance (and by performance I mean the two things I described above) based on reviews I read, and because of how minimal/small the controller is. I have it semi-stealth mounted near the steering wheel where it is out of view 95% of the time, but can still access it easily while driving.

 

I had the pedal commander on my 2012. It came in with a high price tag and it was fun when I had it. Problem for me was my ecu got fried and at the advice of my buddy I removed it. It turns out it was another issue that caused it but I never put it back on because of the response I got from the company, or lack there of. At the time, I was trying to find out what the hell could have done that so amongst other things I tried contacting the company. No one ever answered the phone when I called. It just rang and rang. I sent numerous emails to the link posted on their website. Nothing. I tried every way to get a hold of someone I could find. Really sucked. All I wanted was some information on it and to get thier take on it. I eventually got so upset that I just sold it to someone else and now I tell anyone I can how much I was disappointed in the customer service and support. Now another one of my buddies has the sprint booster and loves it. Long story short... I would go with the sprint booster IMO. URD is known for making good products specifically for toyotas.

 

I have a sprint booster for sale if you’re interested.

 

Your truck is manual or automatic? In this and other threads it is mentioned better results are received in manual transmission. What about automatic? Do you get a good difference / result as well ?

 

I have a pedal commander in my 06. Its makes the truck feel soo much faster… at low speeds. Its fun in city in stop and go but when your on the highway, it really just sends ur rpms up and doesnt really make you any faster. It just acts as if you were pedal to the metal. Its cool because you can adjust on the fly, but a tune should give your more of a difference in your top end speeds aswell. (the highway)

 

I don't have a point of reference for a manual Tacoma but, regardless, all that I described above applies to an automatic, as my truck has an auto trans.

 

I have a 4 cyl auto with Sprint Booster. I am very satisfied. The throttle response makes for a more enjoyable drive. I would not agree in any way that its effect is like putting your foot to the floor. The SB gives you more control than a foot to the floor.
I can speak to the felt difference. I drive in fields a lot, I turn it off. In grass, especially wet, the response is a little too quick and the slower response works better. If I forget to turn it on when I am back on gravel, I notice the throttle lag immediately.

 

You can purchase the KDMax-Pro+XT tune and install it yourself. I had a tuner near me so i just went to him. I actually enjoy driving my truck now, worth every penny

 

A while back I found a cheapo Amazon throttle response controller and I'm actually pretty impressed. I had been dreaming of buying a Pedal Commander for a long time, but never could fit it in the budget (or justify buying it to my wife).

I stumbled across this device made by "Newsmart" (most likely Chinese made). It details for $42.99. honestly i didn't expect much from it originally, but I've had it on my truck for a little over a year and I'm still happy with it. Honestly it is probably the only time I have been happy buying or installing a cheap alternative option on my truck. You can always return it to Amazon if you don't like it!
Here's the link

Here's a link:
Newsmarts Throttle Response Electronic Throttle Controllers 9 Mode Driving Pedal Accelerator Fits for LEXUS GX IS350 LS460 / TOYOTA FJ CRUISER TACOMA FORTUNER https://a.co/d/b1mhHFy

 

I have the Banks Pedal Monster in my 2015, plug in and go. Way better throttle response with lots of levels to choose from. It also will revert back to stock if anything go wrong with it. No cutting or splicing wires. Controlled off an app on your phone.

 

Exploring Amazon, there are a couple of options like this one you mention, indeed, could be Chinese, very affordable and a Veronni brand with 13 good opinions from users.

Thank you for sharing this option.

 

The options mentioned in this thread do nothing more than simulate you pushing on the pedal more (sport modes) or less (eco modes) than you actually are pushing the pedal.

NOTHING MORE.

They do not increase HP, Acceleration, Throttle response etc. They dont change the throttle pedal mapping of the ecu. They cant, there is no way they can with the simple analog circuit that is used on our gas pedals.

 

I was wondering how long it would take you to arrive. Some of us are still waiting for the video you promised in another thread to support this theory. As a great man once said, "I'll trust my life experience over your Google search every time."

 

I agree. It does not increase hp or anything, it only simulates pushing your pedal down further. But I have to be honest, it was fun. Enough fun to justify paying that much? In hindsight, no. But I do wonder about a "tune"... wonder if that will be a problem here in L.A. with emissions and such? My truck is a slug. My previous taco (pre-runner) was way more responsive than my 4wd. Even my wife's '16 4runner sr5 is faster... way faster.

 

Technically here in CA a tune is going to fail you on SMOG as the SVN checksum wont be factory.... You could tune for off road use only then flash back when you drive on the street ;-)

 

I’m curious what kind of video you would take as proof. A quick look at a pedal commander install shows that it’s just a box that goes between the gas pedal and the computer. There is no way it can change anything except the signal the gas pedal is putting out.