Who's using a throttle controller? Worth it?

You know exactly what I'm talking about. Our pre 14's were quite peppy to say the least. Members here that never owned a pre 14 have no clue how lame the throttle response is now. LAME! I always hate driving up to the Boulder bubble unless it's when to meet up with you Texas folks..........ahem.............

 

This one is showing the actual voltages at two different angles in various modes. This would correspond to charts posted by the various vendors; such as in post #11.
https://youtu.be/arkAfNvUfQ0

 

I should have jumped on a throttle controller earlier for my 14. Shouldn't have to use S mode and/or Tow/Haul mode to get going. Pedal Commander seemed to be a bit out of my budget for what it offered. Honestly, if you want bluetooth then PC it is.... but the non Bluetooth iDrive with discount that @Squatting Pigeon set up is a budget friendly option with more features than the PC. The same with the non Bluetooth HikeIt, also with pretty kuul features that blows away the PC

 

I hear you on price. I managed to luck out and get a PC at a significant discount. Agree the Bluetooth is less useful unless the device is hidden.

 

https://youtu.be/pusZXECS0mM

 

I came across this one for $159. RoarPedal Thinking I might give it a try.
https://roarpedal.com/products/roar...qXDguboY5wHU3fnbZPQRJYHv1bKCj6YVlF7iMi34HJdPA

 

The boy is about to start driving the 05 4R V8. I've never driven anything that jumpy. I just ordered the iHike to back the thing off for his driving test. We will see. $30 off.

 

I had 33’s and on the max setting it chirped my tires, with 35’s honestly it isn’t doing much good for me.

 

Just arrived.

 

Do either of the HikeIt or iDrive have options to control/disable traction control in a specific mode? Trying to decide if one of these would help out off road, since I usually forget to turn tow/haulass mode back on after I shut my truck off while on the trail.

 

They only alter throttle mapping and have nothing to do with traction control. Same with Pedal Commander.

 

That’s what I thought. I was hoping I could just kill two birds with one stone but I’ll probably still grab one of these and pair it with the auto-TC disabler modules out there. Thanks!

 

Sweet! I ordered mine yesterday and just got the shipping confirmation today. Did you order the black face plate or are they throwing them in? I saw Black Wolf had received one with his as well.

 

I paid the extra $5 for one but it was sealed in the package with the unit. So not sure if they actually individually package it or if they’ve been throwing them in for free and I just over paid by $5.

 

Haha, I guess I will find out when mine arrives. Thanks

 

I need to stop reading these threads.

 

Curious to see where people are mounting their throttle controller. Mine is sitting in the cup holder until I decide. I’ll be using Velcro instead of the tape on the unit.

 

@Dsptundra I don't have one yet but I too have been thinking where to install it. I was planning to have it more hidden but as I talk with @Squatting Pigeon and read post where folks adjusted settings based on conditions (towing or hills or offroading) it makes me want to mount it where the Pigeon put his. Routing the harness by the steering wheel and mounting to the dash to the left of tow/haul and traction control. Easy to adjust on the fly but up out of the way for daily use.

 

Another opinion... (this is a hot topic on Tacoma forums as well), I have 4 Toyota's, a Tundra, Tacoma, Camry and Highlander. They all have different driving characteristics, but they stop when you press on the brake pedal and go when you push on the gas pedal. These throttle controllers manage the throttle mapping to achieve response characteristics differing from stock. I get it. What I don't get is how enthusiasts (most on this site I believe) can't adapt or need electronic assistance to achieve the throttle response they are looking for. Every time I drive a different car, I adapt to the throttle (and all drivability) characteristics of "that" car which are all "different"! For example, all of my cars go "fast" if I push harder on the gas pedal. All can achieve better fuel economy if I drive with a "lighter" touch on the gas pedal. They all "feel" differently, but, achieve the same results by adapting to their throttle (drivability) characteristics. I'm wondering if being an enthusiast today, means just finding an electronic solution to learned driving skills.
Throttle controllers generally get rave reviews as do forum posts, so there must be something that I'm missing.
Like I said, just another opinion (from a guy who remembers column shifters, points and condensers and carb kits).

 

From an old guy ENTHUSIAST.......got my drivers license in 1970. Took auto and metal shop all 4 years in high school. Quite familiar with working on old school cars and trucks. First project was rebuilding my 57 CJ5. Threw in a 283 from a Vette and a Muncie 4 manual. Not too bad for only being 16. A bit more involved than swapping out a condenser or a set of points. Pretty decent driving skills. 51 years worth. I had a 07 Tundra. Very sensitive throttle which I got used to. Drive a 14. Not even remotely sensitive. Sure I can push the gas pedal to make it move and I've figured out how to use the brake pedal too after all these years. I can utilize S mode and Tow/Haul mode. I did. A lot. Fly by wire ECU managed throttle mapping simply sucks especially when I can compare my 14 to my 07 Tunny. Not all driving conditions are equal. A touchy pedal can suck or be quite great. Has nothing to do with "learned driving skills". Seriously? LOL. Example.... Do you want an overly sensitive pedal when trying to navigate thru or over large boulders or backing up to a TT? Don't say put it in 4LO, it magnifies the sensitivity tenfold. It's not like you have a clutch to use since a manual tranny isn't offered. Wouldn't it be nice with a couple of presses to set the throttle sensitivity to your liking? That's what throttle controllers do. I miss having a pedal cable to the carb. YOU had control back then unlike the lame programmed throttle mapping determined by a computer now that a Yota engineer decided was "good enough". I like having options that I can control and it's not about "going fast". SMH

 

I think being an enthusiast means whatever an individual wants it to be. It doesn’t have to mean a precise calibrated foot to use the pedal. I see plenty of mods and changes people on this board make that don’t interest me and honestly I don’t like. However it makes them happy so I am good with it and I would call them an enthusiast because they are enthusiastic about their choices and their vehicle.

 

Ding...ding...ding...

 

@Squatting Pigeon - You mentioned following idrive for a long while before purchase. What made you interested in them over the hikeit?

 

If you are still on the fence about getting one of the various controllers, here is some more info on what these throttle controllers actually do, the science behind them, and why they are so popular.
Rundown on Throttle Controllers – 4WD DIY