Throttle controller query

[Peter Comber]

Hi all, my mechanic recommended an iDrive throttle controller for my 2003 Y61 GU.
I think (from my search attempt) that they don't make one that suits my model.
Also discovered they're not called iDrive anymore...

Can anybody tell me if there is one for my model and I need to look harder or can anybody recommended a similar 'plug and play' that I should be considering?

Thanks, Peter.

[Plasnart]

Gday Peter, I dug back through your posts to find out you’ve got a ZD30. Why is your mechanic recommending a throttle controller? What are the performance issues you’ve been talking to him about? Are you towing a van, camper, boat and it’s sluggish? General around town/freeway merging performance a bit lacking? I can’t answer your query because I’ve never looked into throttle controllers for my Y61 TD42T or Y62. I’ve never chased incremental performance improvements. I live with the good and the bad of what I’ve got. That might be because I’m lazy, I don’t know. The TD42T was a slug but it was strong and a brilliant heavy tow vehicle, but forget overtaking anything. The Y62 hauls like the clappers but does still have significant throttle lag which I reckon is a deliberate ECU setting because it doesn’t have the old throttle lock the Y61 had for slow rough tracks. But neither of them I would bother putting in a throttle controller. They are what they are. I’m a huge advocate for not over-complicating things. Anyway, let us know the problem you’re trying to solve.

[Peter Comber]

Thanks Plasnart, I don't even know how to look at my old posts (and I wonder what they are even - I'll be working that out soon...)

Anyway, I accidentally misled - I asked him about TCs first, specifically/particularly for soft sand. He recommended AGAINST them for long term/regular use. I'm not interested in being first across the intersection when the light goes green. I was thinking (and a TC user/owner) said they work well for the back and forth forward and backward compact the sand and 'launch out' of your trouble spot.
Otherwise I agree with you, our Patrol is so far very reliable and capable, tows fine, 470,000+km now.
PC

[Plasnart]

Thanks Plasnart, I don't even know how to look at my old posts (and I wonder what they are even - I'll be working that out soon...)

Anyway, I accidentally misled - I asked him about TCs first, specifically/particularly for soft sand. He recommended AGAINST them for long term/regular use. I'm not interested in being first across the intersection when the light goes green. I was thinking (and a TC user/owner) said they work well for the back and forth forward and backward compact the sand and 'launch out' of your trouble spot.
Otherwise I agree with you, our Patrol is so far very reliable and capable, tows fine, 470,000+km now.
PC

Mate, 470k and still reliable and towing well, my advice is do not change a thing! Yes a TC will probably benefit in soft sand and I suppose you could plug one in and only use it there, but sorry I can’t advise which one.

[Peter Comber]

470! - I know. so good.

[Brissieboy]

There is a hell of a lot of hype about throttle controllers. They do not and can not improve any performance or response issues. All they do is alter the relationship between the throttle position and what the ECU thinks is the throttle position. They do not alter the ECU in any way. They do allow better fine throttle control, and can also appear to improve response/lag by telling the ECU that you have heavy throttle when you only gently press the throttle.

[mudnut]

I've watched a few reviews of these devices and remain unimpressed by the "benefits" of fitting them. If fitted to newer vehicles, they potentially give a reason for dealerships to void warranty.

[pollenface]

I'd buy one just to try the economy mode in the bush.

But I'm saving up for other things at the moment...

[BrazilianY60]

There is a hell of a lot of hype about throttle controllers. They do not and can not improve any performance or response issues. All they do is alter the relationship between the throttle position and what the ECU thinks is the throttle position. They do not alter the ECU in any way. They do allow better fine throttle control, and can also appear to improve response/lag by telling the ECU that you have heavy throttle when you only gently press the throttle.

The way I see it, they are "good old cable throttle" simulators.

[mudski]

The way I see it, they are "good old cable throttle" simulators.

Haha! Thats my "poor mans" cruise control.