ShiftSense Pro - transmission shift controller for Gen3 Tacoma

Have you guys sent one to Toyota corp yet? lol

 

I'm sure they bought one

 

Ordered 5/18/2017. Order #1172. 2-3 weeks until shipment for anyone wondering.

 

To offer some insight regarding the 4-5th and 5-6th shift-points of the ShiftSense...

What we found during design and test was that making the upshifts at lower speed resulted in dropping to an RPM which was too low to sustain for any length of time, especially in wind or hilly conditions. The oscillating shifting up/down/up/down quickly comes back as soon as you touch the throttle.

The 3.5-V6 seems to perform best in the 1800-2300 RPM range which is where the device is designed to keep it, mainly because of the extreme steps in gear-ratio of this transmission. Shifting up sooner leaves it pretty much falling-flat.

It really is a matter of personal preference, and I think since most of us have become used to the very low shift-points of the OEM programming in D (cruising as low as 1200-1600 rpm), it will take a bit of getting used to. But i think after a few weeks you will become accustomed to the difference and appreciate the additional power that is available and the reduction of constant up/down. I know my truck used to shift so much in 'D', it sounded like a musical instrument before installing this!

 

I'm order # 1101 and have the same lead time.

 

I,m order # 1112 (Monday 5-15-17) And all I see is 2-3 weeks. Thats what I get for hesitating to order! I would like to have the op DCZ tell me/we if the trans tsb (1st and 2nd) version are still needed with this device or is the shift sense make them not needed? I like the truck but the motor tranny and shifting are a huge dissapointment after the FJ Cruiser with the 4.0. Oh Progress is great!

 

I've had it installed for a week now. It works really well for around-town driving. I leave it in S-mode most of the time now. I really like how it holds the current gear when you lift off the throttle...that works really well for me.

 

I would say the TSBs aren't NEEDED but probably be good idea to get cause they address a host of other issues with the trans

 

Had both trans tsb done. Rev 1 (second tsb) made a world of difference with shifting in Drive mode - never noticed any difference in the S mode. Bought the SS Pro strictly for towing and S mode.

If you have any shifting issue using Drive mode get the TSB done - a good way to have your issue documented and addressed by Toyota. Get them done before adding the SS Pro to prevent the Service Dept from blaming the SS Pro for crappy shifting - otherwise disconnect the SS Pro before the Service Dept. flashes the ECU with TSB updates. JMO.

 

@dcz108 im hesitant to buy because ECT mode seems to solve the problem. Can u tell me what difference between using your device vs ECT mode? I saw in the post showing a graph on D mode vs shiftsense pro. Maybe I missed it in the post but do you have a graph showing ECT Vs the shiftsense pro?

 

From the website:

How do the shift-mappings differ from OEM and ECT options?

ShiftSense™ Pro shift-mappings differ significantly from the OEM and ECT shift-maps. Maps are established based primarily on speed/throttle position combinations. The stock shift-maps for the Gen3 Tacoma resemble exponential slope curves, which extend to very low speed at low throttle positions. That is the reason it shifts up so early. On the other hand, these same stock curves go to very high speed at high throttle position, hence the need to 'floor it' to get it to accelerate normally. ECT mode is slightly different in that it indexes the stock shift curves up by several MPH, but they still maintain the 'exponential' slope which is not a good match for many driving conditions. The ShiftSense™ Pro uses a more linear shift-map, which provides shifts at higher speeds for low throttle positions, and greatly limits the amount of up-shifting at low-speed conditions.

Equally important to the 'shift mapping' itself, is the ability of the device to hold gears for certain driving situations, select the proper gear for cruising speeds, and perform appropriate downshifting during deceleration and braking. These criteria are extremely important to the overall shifting performance and 'feel', and have been refined in the ShiftSense™ Pro based on extensive testing. In modern vehicles, 'drive-by-wire' has replaced the mechanical connection between the driver, throttle, and transmission by a computer. The ShiftSense Pro relies primarily on accelerator position for shifting calculations, therefore, it effectively re-establishes this 'link' between driver's foot and transmission control.

The ShiftSense™ Pro includes a shift map for normal operation as well as a slightly reduced map for cold operations while the engine is warming up (engine temps <150F). This coincides with the vehicle's stock torque-convertor operation which is prevented from lock-up if the engine temp is less than 158F.

 

So is torque converter lock up with the impeller and the turbine go the same speed and a clutch couples them?

 

Regarding the holding of 4th - I also thought it held it a cunt-hair too long, until I realized just how big the jump is between the 2 gears and yes - the shift sense shift point is actually where it 'should' be, given 5th gear being what it is...

I'm looking forward to reading reviews from people towing with it... somebody - go hook up your trailer and let us know!

 

More or less...
It also uses input from the; engine coolant temp sensor, throttle position sensor, mass air flow meter, input turbine speed sensor,
output shaft speed sensor and crankshaft position sensor.

 

It does use 6th gear on the highway but you need to be close to 70 mph for more than a few miles according to the guy who makes the device. The freeways here are 65 mph limit and I noticed it would stay in 5th gear. I sent a message no recieved a reply that I need to get closer to 70mph then it would make the shift, which it did. I'll try to find the replay from the guy who makes it.

This is his reply to me: Yes considering 6th gear is a double overdrive gear, you wont see it very often with this device engaged. Speed would need to be in upper 70s before it will allow it

 

The shiftsense mapping does not upshift to 6th until speed is in the 76-77 mph range. The reason is because the engine does not produce appreciable torque in 6th at speeds less than this, and it will significantly reduce the constant up/down of the OEM programming. There is nothing to do with distance or 'miles' in this programming.

 

I couldn't remember exactly what you had said in your reply. Thanks for clairfying. I would asume if you're driving down the freeway you don't really need the shiftsense anyway. But it sure works great in town, in traffic or just out and about on a casual drive. Best thing I've bought so far.

 

All of this talk. Still excited when my device come in. I usually set the cruise at 75-80 for long haul trips. Should work perfectly. Waiting to see how it will work with this in the Georgia hills.

 

You're gonna love it. I'm in Southern California so getting up to 70 on the freeway isn't easy, too much traffic. But the OP is correct. Before I had this thing, my truck would be constantly shifting from 5th to 6th driving right about 65. Most of the time I'd just drop it down into 5th anyway. These "learning" transmissions don't seem to get past the 1st grade.

 

I want my shift sense already!!!