Pedal Commander vs Banks Power Monster.....the more you know!

This is something very much worth watching if you are considering one of these.

I was faced with the decision of the Pedal Commander or the Banks Pedal Monster. I chose the Banks PM because when you shift to reverse, it uses the OEM throttle response without boosting it, making it much safer.

After watching this very informative video by Gale Banks I'm very glad I chose wisely. It has done it's job perfectly and unlike the Pedal Commander, has safety features built in which I consider important when it comes to throttle operation.

At he end of the video, Banks presents the award for bull*hit marketing to Pedal Commander.......made in Turkey.

P.S. As you can see towards the end of the video, Pedal Commander had diversified and is now also churning out a similar device under the brand name "Fukin Tuned".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL3pKztZirA

 

I like Gale Banks but just floor it for the same effect.

 

Perhaps, but it's just like brakes or steering differences between different vehicles. I much prefer the feel of the throttle response with the Banks Pedal Monster, YMMV. Have you ever had one?

 

I had a pedal commander for 3 years and one day set it to off. About 4-6 months went by and I didn’t miss it so I gave it so someone on this forum. It made low speed moves jerky and I was able to replicate what it did with my foot by jabbing on the throttle harder than I normally would and tapering off as the revs came up.

 

That is actually expected based on how the Pedal Commander works and is one of the things Banks covers in the video. I wouldn't want it either doing that. If I had any of that or anything else I wouldn't still have my Pedal Monster. Thankfully it's been flawless.

 

I just jab the throttle now and it’s still slow turd. I will say that buttons are useless when it is phone app capable but many mount it to their dash so they can see it and the visual parts adds to perceived throttle responsiveness.

 

I disconnected the pedal monster for a couple of months, it was downright painful how sluggish the throttle felt at first but eventually got used to it again. Plugged it back in recently and it feels "normal" again, like a cable.

Have it set pretty high, with the low speed bypass disabled. Only downside I've noticed is that cruise control resume is rather aggressive.

 

So what exactly is the "Power Commander" referenced in the thread title?

 

I have the Hike-it controller, which comes with a very slim remote. I actually have it hidden, I don't want to see it, I typically don't mess with it. I just leave it on auto. I have the wire draped over the top of the steering column, and it sits flush between the side of the column and the dash.

I do notice a difference whether it's on or off. I get what you're saying about just jabbing the throttle, but I like not having to drive like I stole it and still get a reasonable throttle response. I also feel like it enables the transmission to kick down sooner, but maybe that's just me. When it's off I feel like I really have to get into the pedal to trigger a transmission kick down.

Also agree on jerky movements at low speed, I actually shut it off or even set it to eco when I'm off-roading.

 

A simple electronic "throttle booster", which takes the input signal from the pedal sensor and remaps it with a steeper output signal to negate the ostensibly gas-saving factory curve. The Banks does the same thing but draws power and vehicle data from the OBD2 and has no display or buttons (just hide it and program with a phone). Pedal Commander draws power from the throttle control circuit, which has caused some users error codes and failures. They also have a very aggressive marketing team to make up for that.

Oh wait, you meant the typo lol. I don't think OP meant to reference the Dynojet Power Commander.

 

You missed my point. I know what a throttle controller device does, I'm not asking that. I wanted to know why the thread title says Power Commander vs Banks Power Monster, then goes on to compare a Pedal Commander to the Banks.

Never mind.

 

Yeah they all have dumb names.

 

I ran a Sprint Booster for a while, then removed it after having a tune done.

I was not aware of the voltage issues mentioned with pedal controllers that are connected in line with the pedal input vs the obd connection, though. Interesting if true.

 

Woops. I corrected the title to Pedal Commander FWIW, I also have Power Commanders on a couple motorcycles

 

I wasn't either until I saw the video. Then, with further searching I found many people having issues, dangerous issues with the Pedal Commander. Even Viking Garage has a video where he had issues with it. I must have watched 20 videos of people in dangerous situations with the Pedal Commander like the voltage issue causing no throttle response while in traffic and throwing a lot of codes.

I really just wanted anyone considering a device like this to see the video first. It's very thorough and explains/demonstrates quite clearly.

 

I have a Pedal Commander in my '23 Limited. I've had it installed for several weeks now, no issues with it at all. The concern about the vehicle's throttle response being the same in reverse, whether or not that's true, is absolutely not an issue. Banks can't be totally unbiased in this video, so take it for what it's worth. I chose the Pedal Commander because I'm an analog guy in a digital world, and prefer using the buttons as opposed to some bluetooth app gizmo on a phone. I did like the part on the video where they opened them up and compared the circuit boards, that was a good point in favor of the Banks product. The Pedal Commander is VERY easy to install, don't have to mess with the OBDII port at all, just plug into the throttle harness down by the gas pedal and mount the controller.

 

Glad to hear you're pleased with it. Hopefully you never experience any of the voltage issues. The Banks is also super easy to install. Plugging in the connector to the OBDII port takes all of 2 seconds. Another big point for me is how the Banks throttle response curves are truly linear rather than the sharp angularity of the Pedal Commander.

 

Or just get a good tune. Enjoy more responsive throttle and a bit more torque through the whole rev range. https://overlandtailor.com/5th-gen-4runner-tuning I got OTT9 flashed last year and I've been really happy with it.

 

That's a great option for sure and I've heard nothing but good things about them. Since I have a blower, I just needed the steeper throttle curve the Pedal Monster provides and the combination is great. I might consider the OTT this summer but still on the fence if I even need it at this point.

 

I'd wait until the vehicle is out of warranty before installing a tune. Dealers can tell if a tune has been uploaded, even if the stock tune has been reloaded prior to taking it to the dealer for service. I know all about the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, but a dealer and Toyota have deeper pockets than most people. So it's easy for them to deny a warranty claim because of a tune, and leave it up to the consumer to challenge them in court.

 

^There isn't a single common issue in the 5th gen powertrain to fail within the 5yr/60k period. In the unlikely event it does happen, you can get it flashed back to stock.

 

As I said, that's not going to fool the dealers. They can deny the warranty claim based on the tune, and let the consumer take them to court. They have more money and time than most consumers, so it's easy for them to deny a claim. And truth be told, a tune affects a heck of a lot more stuff than a throttle controller does.

 

That's correct.

 

That's the whole point. A tune is better because it makes more improvements than simple gas pedal remap.

Toyota dealers don't look for tunes. And even if they did, flashing it back to stock leaves no trace.

 

That may have been true several years ago, but dealers can tell, even if you flash back to stock, don't fool yourself into thinking they can't. Is it worth potentially voiding the warranty to install a tune? The owner will have to weigh the risks.

 

That's 100% correct. I know people at a couple dealerships and they absolutely can tell if you've flashed back and they do check. If there is ever any kind of warranty work required, it's the first thing they do.