Banks Pedal Monster review...it's a win!

I wanted to create this thread to comment on my experiences with the Banks Pedal Monster. I have replaced both of my Pedal Commanders in the Tundra and the 4Runner with the Banks Pedal Monster. I am extremely pleased with this purchase.


Now to the good part. I have ran my oldest PC for almost 5 years on two Tundras. It was jumpy on both during acceleration from a dead stop, and would also “gear hunt” quite often. I immediately noticed a driveability improvement after installing the Banks. Both the Tundra and 4R ease into acceleration without the jumpiness or lunging, and no more gear hunt in the Tundra. The whole throttle curve is smooth and feels more controlled. The app is really easy to use as well, and even has a Stock setting if you want to tone it down while towing. I currently run mine on “Sport with 5 bars” which is perfect in Fl traffic. Also having the benefit of the ActiveSafety and Reverse safety is a win and piece of mind. I also run mine using the Banks splitter with my ScanGauge3 with absolutely no issues.

 

@shawn474 @Ginsterkev @Nbab23 @Saltyhero13 @ToyFan @RichterScale @texasrho83 @AGSport

 

Important differences in tech between Pedal Commander and Banks Pedal Monster and how they work. Love my Banks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LSBrGBmCgg

 

Glad the Banks is working for you. Curious if the jumping of the PC was just an issue with yours or if its common to more of their controllers. I know my other brand of control sounds to work more like your Banks, besides having a more responsive throttle I have no indications that I've added something.

Again, good review and I'm glad its working for you

 

Thanks for the feedback, George. I'm looking at installing the Bully Dog and it can tweak throttle response so I'll be pulling the PC out once I install it. I don't think I'll need either the PC or Banks.

 

Yep real happy with mine as well, very refined compared to the PC. I also had the jumpiness on acceleration as well that has since been resolved with the Banks.

 

I'll jump in, I could not agree more with the op as I use the same settings level 5 in sport and no jumpiness at all and very smooth love the reverse feature as well, I'm very happy with my purchase and love that I paired it with there I dash super gauge wich can control the pedal monster and monitor all types of things ....

 

@Tundra234 @RobertD Glad you're enjoying the PedalMonster. We have months of engineering time invested in the throttle curves, not to mention all the safety features. One of the reasons Pedal Commander owners experience "jerkiness" is the throttle curve. We measured Pedal Commander's output in every power level. It "knees" over, which you can feel. And, the ECM sees this "knee" or hard edge. @texasrho83 The Bully Dog may serve you well. However, something you may find useful is PedalMonster's on-the-fly adjustability. You can adjust pedal response as you drive. Simply take your foot off the throttle for a moment, make the change, and keep driving. Flash tuners are typically set, then forgotten. Just an option...


alMonster!

 

Just bought one. I liked the pedal commander on my Challenger R/T but had similar issues as other people.

Looking forward to trying it!

 

I'm anxious to see how you like it. In addition to Reverse Safety, be sure to try out Low-Speed Trim. You'll find it in the menu on the app. Menu > Settings > Speed Trim. The higher you set the trim, the less sensitivity PedalMonster will add below 10mph. This is really handy when towing or driving on slick surfaces. You can leave it in an aggressive mode like Sport or Track without lurching off the line at a green light. As you exceed 10 mph, it rolls in its added sensitivity until it reaches your preset level. Please let me know if you have any questions. I'm at jtilles at bankspower dot com.

 

I have 37" tires on my truck and stock 4.30 gearing.
I'm 'gonna need to try one of these. I've had the pedal commander in the past and didn't care much for the jumpy throttle at low speeds... and when you adjust for that it cripples the feel at higher speeds.
Sounds like this Banks gizmo is just what is needed.

 

You will be much happier with this compared to the PC.

 

Mine arrives Friday. That’s quick shipping! I’m really looking forward to installing this since that initial lag when hitting the pedal is beyond irritating LOL.

I wish Banks had a CAI for the 3rd gen! Are there any plans to make one?

 

This looks real promising and I am considering this over a HP tuners remote tune. What happens in the event I need the OBD plug for something else (or even a dealer or mechanic needs it). Do you need to completely remove the unit? I wasn’t sure how long the install and removal takes.

Dennis

 

You can unplug it from the OBD port, and you do not have to remove the unit. When you unplug it to use the port, it returns the truck to stock pedal.

 

So with the Pedal monster I won't be able to use another OBD2 device at same time. If I unplug it and then plug it back in will it have the settings saved or will I have to re do them? The only other OBD thing I use sometimes is OBD Fusion with a wireless transmitter to monitor Trans temps when towing heavy (rare)

 

So you can use another device at the same time. You would need the OBD splitter that Banks has on their site. To use another device with the splitter, you run the Pedal Monster in No OBD mode found in the settings. I run my ScanGauge 3 full time with mine. The only thing that you lose with running in No OBD mode is the reverse safety feature.

 

Ok, what’s the secret to removing the connector at the top of the accelerator pedal?

 

@Jarrow Please let me know if this video helps. https://vimeo.com/830663054/823d8d1365

 

Thanks. Got it installed and took it for a quick test drive.

Two things - it would be nice if each setting kept its own “power” levels. The power setting stays whether its city or track. So high setting on city means high setting on track, which is crazy LOL. It would be nice to have each mode set at different levels for quick transition.

Other issue is that when you hit the top of the power level for city it switches to sport low, and so on. I probably understand some logic there that if you want to go that high on city, then sport is your next level.

Other issue is that I can’t get reverse safety to turn green. I calibrated it twice but it says it can’t detect the reverse gear.

On the positive side, track mode is freaking crazy fun, that setting might scare a weaker man. City is nice to have that pedal delay removed. I bet this is really useful on the highway, or in my case, when passing slowpokes on country roads.

This is just my initial experience, take it with a grain of salt from a guy who couldn’t figure out how to remove a connector!

 

I just realized I did the test drive in Normal, not Sport mode. Holy smokes.

That was pretty fun, now I gotta try it in Sport mode! Now where’s my helmet…

 

I've had a Pedal Monster on my 2020 for about two years. I meant to do a review and forgot. I love it, and it was one of my favorite things I bought for my truck. I have it set pretty aggressive and it's still so damn smooth. Once I found the setting I like I hardly ever touch it. When I take it into the dealer or let anyone else drive my truck I just change it to stock - takes 10 seconds on my phone app. I have the splitter from Banks so I can run my dash cam at the same time and I never had any issues.

I have a 2023 coming soon, so I'll be selling the Pedal Monster/splitter from my 2020 and looking to order a new one.

 

My biggest gripe about my PC is when accelerating on a bumpy road, it’s like I’m riding a bucking Bronco. I’ve always pinned it to the fact of the sensitivity I have it at and also the E rated Nittos I’m running. They’re like rocks so on bumpy roads my foot bounces off and on the accelerator. I know I could turn down the sensitivity, think I’m only at city +2 but I like where it’s at on smooth roads.
Is this the jumpiness on acceleration with the PC you guys are talking about? And the banks would solve this?

 

The Banks is alot smoother. Sent you a PM.

 

I’m still waiting on answers from Banks about the reverse safety not turning on or this thing is getting returned.

 

Not all vehicles have it. I believe their site says perform a firmware update. Also check to see what mode you are on in the "vehicle setting" in the app. You could also set your speed trim. Did you send Jay an email? @ToyFan

 

Thanks. I did do the firmware update when it was installed. Says its firmware version 13. I will check for firmware updates again the next time I go for a drive.

I guess it doesn’t have reverse safety. I set vehicle mode to “auto-detect” and it says it can’t detect reverse gear. I guess I can set it to city or stock before I go into reverse.

I still think they need to keep the power levels for each setting separate and not have the power levels carry over to each mode unless they have a good reason to do that.

It makes more sense for each mode to have separate settings so the user can keep it on their custom settings they like instead of having to constantly adjust it everytime they switch modes.

Sorry I’m being a little picky about this, just giving feedback about the things that I think should be changed. The rest of it works perfectly, I don’t want it to seem like its not a good product.

I’m curious if anyone else feels the same way I do regarding my (minor) complaints.

 

I am running mine in "NO OBD" and Sport 5 with the speed trim set to high and no issues with reverse. Jay will reply once he sees the post.

 

Oh. I didn’t try “No OBD”. Do I unplug the OBD if I use that setting?

 

I wish i had bought one

I have the bullydog as well. I love the sport trans shift, but the sport throttle is very choppy, im considering a banks unit for the pedal