Undriveable 2021 TRD-OR - HELP WANTED

Thanks again everyone who responded. I've learned a ton through your feedback, and feel a lot better informed about how my truck works (and doesn't...). To summarize:

Regarding downshifting/TC unlocking:

1. My expectations regarding the ability of this truck to hold gears going up small hills are NOT realistic
2. In the absence of a supercharger ($$$), this engine simply does not make enough POWER (not torque, thanks Trail Limo for clarifying that) at low RPMs to push this truck up a hill;
3. The changes I've made to the truck (33s, lift, topper) have all exaggerated the issue, so going backward on any/all of those, and cutting weight where possible, would reduce shifting, but even in stock form I should expect downshifts.
4. Regearing would certainly help, but it's never going to go up a big hill in 6th.
5. Knowing that 90% of tacoma owners (ie, ATs without 5.29s and/or superchargers) have learned to live with this makes me a little more confident that I can too.

Regarding pedal/throttle response:

1. At least two responders confirmed that they experienced similar pedal response after a tune
2. No-one (including my tuners) seems to have a clear answer on whether the 1/4" of dead pedal I have is 'by design' vs an issue with my pedal or my specific tune.
3. I should look for an updated tune (either the latest version of OTT or something from Yotaworx), and probably go with the lightest pedal response option.

 

That's a great summary and I would guess that the majority of folks share a similar sentiment. I certainly do. I keep telling myself that the shortcomings on the road are made up for by it's capability off the road. So far I have found that to be the case..

 

It sounds like you’re well on your way to understanding your truck, options, and smart decisions.

 

Yes agreed, that's the bottom line. I'm totally stock except for one tire size up A/T tire in SL. These trucks really do shine off road.

However, fighting traffic in a daily 30 minute suburban commute is not that great with this truck with the auto. I find I have to use use S-Mode regularly to hold the truck in a lower gear, RPMs up to keep pace with aggressive traffic. Flat highway driving is okay when we need to get somewhere via the local highway other than work. I even find DRCC acceptable with flat highway driving. Fully loaded on our regular seasonal 6 hour out of town trips through steep mountain passes require S-mode most of the trip. Other than flat valley floors. I could not imagine adding anything else to these trucks to make them slower.

 

what is the post SEMA certification version?

 

If you hate it, sell the turd gen

 

I'm not exactly sure. That's just what my tuner told me when I asked him what version I was running. Looks like there was an update at the beginning of 2024 that got "SEMA Certified", whatever that means.

 

I think this is what the hoopla is about

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ecu-tune-and-failed-emissions-testing-experience.818248/

 

Ah now i remember

 

They sound like a solid company, trying to push certs through, I’d guess this is no easy or cheap thing to do.

 

OP, Without actually looking back, i think there is more feedback saying there is NO dead pedal from idle, and if so; I would suggest testing your pedal. Dead pedal can be built into a tune, but at what value or thinking? On the other hand, it is possible that the gas pedal pot. is faulty or not aligned perfectly on manufacturing, with an outcome that some pedals mechanically have more or less dead travel, before actually changing the output. It seems to me that this is worthy of some effort, by swapping pedals with a known one that has no dead travel; or testing with an Ohm meter (if the resistance changes during what you know to be the dead area, then it is a software issue, but if the resistance remains unchanged till after the 1/4" travel, then is it the pedal itself.) I have not checked, but if the pedal has only two wires, then testing is simply, un-plug and test the pedal, with Ohm's meter across the wires, would not matter which lead goes where.

Totally driven from my experience of dead pedal travel on the other truck; and this is what I should have done.

 

These trucks I believe have opposing potentiometers; with movement one increases in resistance while the other decreases in resistance. Thus six wires. I would suspect a physical problem before an electrical problem with the accelerator. If something were wrong with one of the potentiometers I would think it would throw a code. Just my thinking.

 

My experience was similiar to yours...I have basically the same set up: "21 Offroad, topper and 33's. On the freeway it always had problems with the shifting. Anyway, I tried a 'pedal commander' and that solved my problems. Truck became fun to drive and the transmission shift problems were solved. FWIW

 

Absolutely no dead pedal with my 23 and the OTT mild/medium tune

 

@Toycoma2021 your handle is spot on!! and so is your sub-text. True words. "The engineering team who designed these trucks still believe the world is flat."

If there is a difference between different trucks, as indicated by feedback here, then the opposing pot/lack of engine code; still allows for some mechanical difference with play or slack in the way the actual pedal moves the Pot. Trigger take-up slack, in Gun language. I do agree with your comment, but I cant get past that; for those not tuned the difference is not at all likely to be in the software, plus what motive would a tuner have to add dead travel? This is what brings me to think that only the physical pedal would be influenced by 'manufacturing tolerances' and a possible explanation for the differences.

 

“Joined Friday.”

 

Your point?

 

lol! My Tacoma’s transmission is my least favorite part of my ownership experience, but I knew what I was getting into. Read the reviews. Test drove. Thought about it. Bought it. Learned that using the transmission as a semi-auto was a fun and engaging way around the issue. It downshifts on the highway more often than I think it needs to, but it always up shifts afterwards.

Mostly it’s the driver’s attitude that transforms a known but ultimately harmless quirk into an unacceptable condition.

 

@Buyersremors

One thing I have not heard you mention. Have you noticed if your transmission sometimes will stay in 5th gear even while going downhill?

 

If I'm in D, I think it pretty much always finds 6th if I'm going downhill. That wasn't always the case before the tune, but things seem to have gotten quite a bit more predictable (with regard to shifting) after the tune.