Breakdown Of Two Leading Throttle Controllers On The Market: Pedal Commander Vs. Fn Tuned – Which One is Right for You and Your Build
Of the many things Toyota’s 4Runner platform has historically been known for, speed and performance generally don’t make the top of the list. In fact, those two categories may never make the list if we’re talking about speed or throttle control. Let’s face it, we drive body-on-frame minivans!
The reality is, the 4Runner is known for off-road performance, engine and transmission longevity, and just all around rugged performance even in it’s stock form. Undoubtedly, future generations will change the speed element with hybrid and electric options as they’re known for torque response.
Until we get to that point, speed and throttle response is something we can and should address now. In fact, there are tons of popular throttle response controllers on the market, and all claim to offer both increased and customizable throttle response. However, two stand out among the rest as they cover the gamut with throttle response options at two different price points.
What Is A Throttle Controller?
In it’s simplest form, a throttle response controller connects directly to your acceleration (“gas”) pedal and adjusts the sensitivity of the pedals response to pressure. Generally, these are small devices that plug into your accelerator pedal and splice to the ECU line connector. I’ve yet to see one that’s not “plug and play” and in most cases, these can be installed in minutes (depending on your mounting preferences).
Many people refer to the lack of throttle response as “throttle lag”. If you own a 5th Gen 4Runner, then you know throttle lag is a very real thing and throttle control units aim to “correct” that issue.
Is The Throttle Response Customizable?
Some throttle response control units offer various settings that allow a driver to customize the pedal response to their personal desire. These settings can be adjusted by way of physical buttons on the unit itself, while other more luxurious models offer Bluetooth and app connectivity.
What may come as a surprise is that some who purchase throttle control units might not be buying for speed, but for economical reasons. Another widely known fact about the 4Runner is that it’s thirsty… real thirsty.
The EPA reports that the 5th Gen 4Runner averages 16.4 MPG for 2021 – 2022 models. Add sliders, steel bumpers, rooftop tents and a truck full of gear, and you’re average MPG drops to the lower teens pretty quickly.
Most throttle control units offer an “Eco” mode which effectively makes the throttle response more delayed. However, this feature claims to offer better overall mileage and aims to keep you at your 4Runner at the most efficient gas pedal pressure and speed.
Are Throttle Controllers Safe/Legal?
The short answer to this question is yes, throttle controllers are safe if used responsibly. After installing one, you would be surprised at how much pickup and speed you gain instantly by unlocking your vehicle’s power. And yes, they are legal.
If you’ve owned your 4Runner for some time, you’ve become accustomed to it’s handling, speed, and acceleration pedal response. And if you’ve gone to the gym for years without taking any supplements to increase your workout performance, you know your limits.
Now, take two shots of pre-workout or slam back a Red Bull before your next trip to the gym. You’ll be throwing dumbbells around the room like a madman! The same principal applies here, and so it’s highly advised that you install any throttle control unit and test the vehicles response in a very empty and/or safe area (i.e., an empty parking lot, a road that doesn’t see a ton of traffic, etc.). I can’t stress this enough.
Why Isn’t Pedal Response Like This Standard?
Automotive manufacturers can make pedal response better, but speed is generally not their primary concern. In today’s economy, gas prices are through the roof and fuel economy has become a driving factor in the design and manufacturing process. In addition to fuel economy, vehicles generally run bigger in the US compared to the EU, and manufacturers here try to balance out size and practicality.
So if you’re reading between the lines, using a throttle controller can have an adverse effect on your fuel economy. With the two we’ll break down below, each offers four (4) different settings and then varying sensitivity levels within each of those settings. A general rule of thumb is that, the higher you go in throttle response, the more likely you’ll see the MPG go down. But, that’s the beauty of being able to customize the response!
This article was originally published at Scout of Mind. Click here to read Brennan's comparison and final verdict.