Customization preferences; any regrets?

[goofman]

Hello from Denver, 1st post here, 1st forum I've been apart of from a first time 4Runner owner.

Just picked up my 15' TEP Barca Red w/OUT KDSS 2wks ago and couldn't be more excited. Been lurking T4R.org and "dreaming" of a 4runner for about 8yrs but money and the timing has finally come together.

Anyways, I printed off the Customizable Features pdf file and started highlighting some things I want to change. With that being said I would like to only go through this process once (having the dealer make the changes). I understand this is a decision that must be made person to person, but was just curious if there were situations you've been in that you regret or are frustrated with the change you've made or ones that you are very satisfied with (in terms of Customizable features).

I know for sure I want
seatbelt reminder completely OFF
shifting out of P locks doors OFF
speed detecting auto door lock ON
interior illumination 30 Seconds

I am still debating moonroof and rear window settings. I owned a Camry in the past that would auto shut moonroof when car was turned off, which was completely nice, but now since everything is a single touch window its not "TOO" much of a task to just do this manually. :bravo:

Thanking you in advance for comments. This forum truly does hold invaluable information and I plan to use it to my advantage and hopefully return the favor, whenever possible.

Hopefully the pic posts (don't know what I'm doing) with her new 275 KO2's.

 

[Jhalko]

Wow, sure you are in Denver? Picture looks like it's from Australia given the orientation? That red sure is sharp looking.

Welcome, I have no advice on settings, I stuck with what came on my truck. Watch your wallet, this site somehow influences money to disappear from it.

 

[KiruxaT4R]

OP:

"Kinetic Gravity Stability System (KGSS) - OFF"

 

[BlackWorksInc]

So apparently your first customization feature was to invert gravity... kudos!

That list sounds pretty standard and easy to do.

 

[d_clark]

I made a few changes, some I liked, some I need to go back and change.

Like.
1. Seatbelt chime. Turned it off.

Don't like
1. Setting to unlock the doors on shift to park - changed from all doors to just the Drivers door. This gets really annoying when you need to get something out of the back seat. Just wish there was a way to specify which doors to unlock.

2. I changed the rear wiper delay. Can't remember the time, but is really long. When you use the washer fluid /wiper function, the wiper will make one pass, wait about 10 seconds, make a second pass. Really weird having the wiper just sit there.


Need to investigate:

1. Window rolldown with keyfob- currently turned off.

 

[NoDak]

start at this post : http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/121604-toyota-tis-techstream-5.html#post1584560

 

[BobsTrail]

I set mine to:
Passenger seat chime on, driver off
Door lock - speed sense
Lights 30 secs

I like these settings, the passenger chime will stop after 15 seconds if they forget the seat belt, not a bad reminder.

Later I added the door key to open and close windows, I like that one.
More Later added the same to the key fob. Handy when walking up the the Rnr on a hot day.

If I don't open the driver's door within 10 seconds, the others don't unlock. If I'm slow getting out, I usually get pissed when a back door or the rear won't open. Have to remember to hit the unlock button.

Some passengers know how to unlock a rear door, others complain that it's locked and they can't get out. I find that amusing but try not to laugh at them.

 

[Rob71]

Congrad on the TEP. I like mind a lot!!
did not do any of this customization yet. But will look into it.

 

[KeithMaine]

Welcome

Welcome, Drew. Nice truck. I always make it a condition of the sale when I buy a new vehicle to have the buzzers, alarms etc customized to my taste. One change I make is to get rid of the chirp and light flash upon locking and unlocking.

I think you'll find that T4R has some great people and resources... I'm sure that you will find it very helpful. Now that you're in Colorado, be sure to hit the monthly meeting of Rocky Mountain Overland which is at Odyssey Beerworks in Arvada on the second Tuesday of each month. They always have a good trip going (two this weekend!) so be sure to visit the website, also.

 

[SmithGoGat0rs]

I changed the same options myself and it was simple once i got the windows XP virtual machine figured out.

I Purchased the Mini VCI cable and techstream software on amazon. I was able to run it on my Windows 7 (64 bit) computer by downlaoding and running a Virtual machine (Windows XP). The software was easy to install and I was able to set the windows to roll down by holding the wireless key's unlock button and turned the seatbelt chimes off.

I thought i would post the links to what items i used

Widnows Virtual Machine (Windows XP)
Download Windows Virtual PC from Official Microsoft Download Center

Note - there are two available versions I used Windows6.1-KB958559-x64-RefreshPkg.msu

Mini VCI cord with Techstream Software
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[On Point]

I changed the same options myself and it was simple once i got the windows XP virtual machine figured out.

I Purchased the Mini VCI cable and techstream software on amazon. I was able to run it on my Windows 7 (64 bit) computer by downlaoding and running a Virtual machine (Windows XP). The software was easy to install and I was able to set the windows to roll down by holding the wireless key's unlock button and turned the seatbelt chimes off.

I thought i would post the links to what items i used

Widnows Virtual Machine (Windows XP)
Download Windows Virtual PC from Official Microsoft Download Center

Note - there are two available versions I used Windows6.1-KB958559-x64-RefreshPkg.msu

Mini VCI cord with Techstream Software
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Where in FL are you?

 

[SmithGoGat0rs]

I am in the Orlando Area

 

[bryantd85]

I need some help... I took my 4R to my local dealership and asked them about techstream and that I wanted to change a few options. She said the CHEAPEST it would be is $70 and that could go up depending upon what settings I wanted to change... That sounds like bullshit to me, but is that accurate?

 

[mattr]

I need some help... I took my 4R to my local dealership and asked them about techstream and that I wanted to change a few options. She said the CHEAPEST it would be is $70 and that could go up depending upon what settings I wanted to change... That sounds like bullshit to me, but is that accurate?

You've got to put yourself in the dealership's shoes on this one. Making these modifications is not a common request. Most owners are not on T4R, and don't know that these are even possible to do, so the service advisor only knows that you need some of a technician's time and some of their equipment so they're probably guessing it's going to take about 30 mins assuming they might have to poke around a little bit and adding a small buffer, I doubt there's a line in the shop time catalog for this task.

If I were you, I would just buy a cable for $50 and do it myself - actually I was you and I did.

 

[goofman]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and info. I have already negotiated for them to make the customizations for no charge, per my agreement with the salesman.

I have read about the techstream software before creating this post and just find it to be a little to far off the path, at least for me. For one, I do not own a windows machine. I am 27 and consider myself tech savvy but not savvy (or worth it) enough to find an old laptop or desktop PC just so I can buy a cable and software on CD and do the customizations myself, especially when the dealer has agreed to make the changes at no cost. I am interested in it and think that it could potentially open up the doors to a ton more customizations I didn't even know were possible. But again, time and money here.

I took the truck up to some mild trails outside of Central City this weekend for my first time driving on an actual trail and pretty much had the time of my life. I am now starting to figure out what mods I would like to make and in which order (outside of these "computer" customizations).

 

[Jaan]

Just a warning for those that have it set to roll down all the windows with the unlock button;

I love this feature on a hot day, but, last winter I was visiting someone in a small condo place, and I had the key fob in my pocket and when I sat down to take my snowy boots off...I must have pressed the button bending over. The next morning I found all the windows rolled halfway down. Luckily it had just stopped snowing when I got there, and nobody went through my truck and stole anything.

 

[philsey]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and info. I have already negotiated for them to make the customizations for no charge, per my agreement with the salesman.
.

Just a note to those who read this prior to a new purchase:

The OP is wise, he got these changes agreed to up front. This has been an often-discussed topic, and the majority of dealers will refuse the seatbelt changes and/or charge for other changes.

Understand what changes CAN BE done, and get it agreed-on with your purchase, in writing.

The passenger-side seatbelt warning can be particularly annoying on long trips.

 

[sandcrawler]

The passenger-side seatbelt warning can be particularly annoying on long trips.

...and when your dog repeatedly jumps from front to back during that trip.

thankfully, ~$20 for a TechStream cable buys you the satisfaction of customizing these preferences however the hell you want—dealer be damned.

 

[mcarey86]

thankfully, ~$20 for a TechStream cable buys you the satisfaction of customizing these preferences however the hell you want—dealer be damned.

I think I'll be buying the cable, just so I can tinker with the settings, and not have to go to the dealership every time I want to change.

Feel things out, see what I like/dislike.

If I have to spend more than 30 minutes there doing this, let alone go more than once, buying the cable is literally a cheaper option for me as far as time/money goes.