ShiftSense Pro - transmission shift controller for Gen3 Tacoma

Subscribed. So from what im reading is driving in s mode bad because the converter never goes into lockup?

Edit: answer posted above. Thanks

 

Exactly. Looks like it's just simulates the +/- of the shifting manual shifting in S mode while calculating the best time to shift by monitoring the info that is gained by any type of obd2 scanner.

Basically reads obd2 info and using his calculations sends a signal to the transmission input to either shift or downshift.

I can not see how any data is modified to send to any computer part. It's either an "on" or "off" signal...not any different than when you were to manually shift it. It just automates it.

 

so is it basically just controlling the S mode for you to prevent it from shifting?

 

I'm trying to understand, as I am now confused. I was under the impression that by putting it in S mode you force it to lock up.

 

Thanks for the clarification .

 

No, S mode does not force or un-force lockup. The truck will continue to lockup after it gets settled into its gear. As a side-note: Per the Tacoma service manual, torque-convertor will unlock if the accelerator pedal is fully released or if the stop-light switch signal is on, as with any modern vehicle.

I have confirmed the lock-up operation through hundreds of files of data which I've collected and analyzed on the Tacoma when using the ShiftSense.

 

In your opinion , which would be a better programing for towing , ETC.mode in S4 , or your shift sense mode ? I would think allowing the use of 6th and maybe even 5th would not be good for towing .

 

Will be ordering this today. I have a few road trips coming up in the next months so I can't wait to try it out. This such an ingenious device! So it is basically acting as the driver shifting gears in "S" mode, but giving the ability to hold gears longer so the truck doesn't constantly bog down.

My biggest concern is driving against the wind. It's ALWAYS windy here, and if this thing will make my Tacoma hold 5th gear (or even 6th, but I'm still not going to hold my breath yet), instead of constantly shifting down to 4th on the highway and hanging there at 3000+ RPMs, you will have fixed the biggest annoyance of this truck!

 

I am curious to this question here also

 

Me three

 

This sounds

I would like to know this also. As the gadget does its thing, is it constantly displaying shift changes on the dash display? I keep the digital speedo showing there and it would be annoying having that constantly interrupted.

 

It won't make the truck hold gear, it will still automatically down shift. It simply up shifts in S mode for you only so you will have the same issues in cruise control. All S mode does it limit the highest gear the truck will shift to, it will still down shift as necessary.

 

Exactly! There is a much cheaper version of this available, and most people already have it. Your right hand...........

He did a prototype here a while back and that is exactly what he said it did.

 

The ShiftSense device controls all downshifts as well, and has a programmed map for downshifting (separate from the upshifting map). You are correct that S mode limits the highest gear. However, being that the OEM map is so low speed/rpm, 99% of the time the ShiftSense will perform the downshift before the OEM shift-map gets there. In order for the truck to make a downshift on its own, you would have to be quite deep into the throttle, like >85%, then you might see it make a shift down. But this is a very rare occurrence, and doesn't affect the control from ShiftSense. It does continually monitor for any OEM commanded shifts, so it knows what's going on and maintains its situational awareness throughout and keeps right on ticking.

 

I'm thinking the only thing you would see is a small box in the left hand bottom corner of the screen that shows what gear your in. Just like standard S mode.

 

I usually agree with this, that my truck has the tendency to upshift before it's wanted, however between 4th and 5th it's a different story. A lot of times I find myself being pretty light on the throttle to wind out 5th and avoid downshifting to 4th. Not sure if S mode could ever control that due to the way it functions.

Cool idea OP, ill be waiting for others to try this before I make the leap, but i respect what you're doing!

 

So what your saying is adding this will make driving in cruise WORSE However, being that the OEM map is so low speed/rpm, 99% of the time the ShiftSense will perform the downshift before the OEM shift-map gets there

The biggest complaint of the Auto is that it shifts down way too much in cruise control, under slight winds and slight grades. Since your saying this unikt will shift down before the truck does is not good news, the truck down shifts way too much in cruise control.

In order for the truck to make a downshift on its own, you would have to be quite deep into the throttle, like >85%, then you might see it make a shift down. Not in cruise control

 

The reason the truck downshifts "more frequently" in CC is because it's trying to maintain the exact speed you set. In CC, you'll be driving at exactly 55. Without CC, your speed will fluctuate 50-60 (if not 45-65), thus the "less" downshifts. If you actually focus on manually maintaining an exact speed, you'll find the truck shifting as much as it does in CC.

If ShiftSense downshifts earlier, the truck will be at higher RPMs and will get back up to CC speed faster (without first bogging down, as it normally does), which should actually result in a smoother, better experience. Theoretically.

 

I haven't seen anyone with larger tires asking much on this device so i will ask. The OP appears to have added larger tires & lift to his 3rd Gen and has noticed great improvements! So my ? is will this device lesson the need to have a gear change done ? Does it give that much of a noticeable power gains through the gears? Does it hold each gear long enough to remove that lugging feel with the larger tires? If this does it could save a lot of $$$$ in gear changing.I would gladly spend a little to save a lot!! More $$$'s for more mods!!

 

I'm sure it'll help, but whether or not it'll be "enough" will vary from person to person and truck to truck.

If you're on E-Rated 35s, you'll probably still want to re-gear. 33s - who knows. I'm on C-rated 31s, and expect this will be a good match. I'd imagine that skinny 33s should also be great with this.