I have noticed that the truck is really resistant to downshifting, staying in gear, or running at a higher RPM when accelerating under part throttle - much more so than any vehicle I have ever driven.

I mean, the powertrain feels so numb as to be described as “nearly dead” unless you whale the crap out of the throttle.

Now, don’t get me wrong - I’m not hot-doggin’ this thing at every red light or anything, but to me the truck’s performance is so restricted as to be nearly dangerous. I strongly suspect that this is to eek out the last 2/10ths of a mile-per-gallon in the Federal EPA MPG test or to squeeze by some dumb phoney pollution dynamometer test.

I have also noticed that the cruise control is so deadened as to be nearly useless - you tap upwards on the control 6 times for 6 mph to be increased on cruise, and you get maybe 2, sometimes 4 mph. The truck completely refuses to downshift if climbing under load, so it will stay at one speed or even slow down.

I was hoping the device would give me normal performance from the currently sleepy throttle, and guess what?

It works PERFECTLY - I have just set it up on the stock setting (Mode 2 - “Power,” range 6 of 9,) and the truck has a throttle that feels like a conventional vehicle - downshifts appropriately, stays in gear until it’s generating some RPM for the next gear, etc.

Cruise now works exactly like it should. It will downshift to maintain speed, accelerates like a normal vehicle to resume speed, and I am having no problems or challenges with any acting up/check engine lights.

I am checking MPG this week to see how badly it will be affected.

Installation was initially a bit difficult - the plug on top of the pedal was quite hard to get leverage on to pop off; the retainer clip is in a difficult position to reach for the release of the clip.

But beyond that it was straightforward, and setup was nonexistent.

 

I would have thought the reason was for off-roading where one wouldn't want much output from small to medium throttle inputs - so nothing close to a touchy throttle. If the issue was milage/efficiency they wouldn't have put in the 4.6.

 

ShiftPower ... same thing ... as is reported by PowerCommander ... the OEM throttle mapping is dead ... no response whatsoever ... for me the ShiftPower module woke up the response and shift points ... with easy Bluetooth adjustment. It also has the benefit of being able to kill the throttle via Bluetooth ... an anti-theft feature ... and also has "Valet Mode" ... 50% power so the parking dudes are not doing donuts while you are having a relaxing dinner. I absolutely hated driving the GX until this module was installed.

 

I’ll try it on the trail - there’s loads of settings, including an Eco setting and “Normal,” so if it’s jumpy, I can tune it out if I need to.

 

Used a pedal commander, same thing. Greatly increased the throttle response. Now I have an ECU tune and don't need it since it also directed same thing but a bit more precise.

 

Please provide a link to the product and keep us posted on the different modes and if you have any issues down the road.
I have been thinking about adding a Banks Pedal Monster to the GX and maybe even the Tundra.
Maybe it is marketing, but it appears the pedal monster is a better and safer product.

 

I have the BeatSonic PowerShift in mine. It does all the good things everyone else says about waking up the drivetrain. It didn't change cruise control behavior at all, as best I can tell.

 

I won’t link the product here because I don’t want to serve as a salesperson for the product, but I have given you enough data to find it at Amazon.

 

The Banks is intriguing, but I would not give up my OBD port for it.

 

I have Beatsonic too, and was happy with it...until I realized same thing is available at 25% the cost.

 

Too late for me, lol.

 

Agree ... the Banks argument is compelling for OBD connection, but is this really an issue ... a solution looking for a problem ?

 

Have this module... works extremely well, with the Bluetooth app being top-notch. The "kill" capability is a great anti-theft feature.

 

I'm looking forward to how your MPG is affected as many cars "eco" mode doesn't do much more than deaden the throttle and make the trans slow to downshift.

 

I have been driving for three days to work now, which involves highway about 37 miles of a 41 mile (one-way) commute. Unfortunately, unless you're driving the highway at 2:38 a.m., you won't be doing a substantial part of of your driving at anything approaching highway speed here in marijuana-legal and Californian-filled Northern Colorado.

I filled my tank Sunday, and have tentatively gotten 19.5 mpg on this tank. Before this, I got 20.1 to 20.7 mpg.

So not a lot of data to claim a significant difference. We'll see if there is any real difference in maybe three weeks.

I must admit I am still getting used to the responsive pedal... and I am frankly mesmerized at the smoothness and throaty V8 sounds all-too-readily-available at the injudicious press of my eager right foot. This may have a somewhat deleterious impact on my truck's efficiency.

😆