Speedometer calibration questions - again.

[95Z28A4]

Hi everyone. I'm new to this site.

My son-in-law recently purchased a 1997 Toyota 3.4L automatic SR5 4WD 4Runner in excellent condition with 198k miles. It has ABS. It had a blown head gasket and the sell price reflected that. I flat towed it 600 miles home. The 4Runner has been repaired and is running and driving great!

The 4Runner came with 225/75/15 tires and steel wheels. I picked up five 5 spoke alloy wheels, center caps and lug nuts from a salvage yard for $172. The 4Runner is now running factory sized 265/70/16 MasterCraft Trail all terrain tires.

The speedometer is now reading 65 mph when the truck is actually moving at 70-71 mph or about 8% error. No surprise - I have a l lot of experience with lifts and larger tires on Jeeps.

I read several threads on this site and a few threads on ToyotaNation, but most were older and didn't answer all my questions. So......on to the questions.

• Did Toyota use a different ECM or different ABS module to accommodate the different tire size? If yes, can the appropriate ECM or ABS module be swapped in to correct the speedometer?

• I saw a few threads where the Dakota Digital SGI-5E box was used to calibrate the speedometer. Dakota Digital no longer makes the SGI-5E. They now make the SGI-100BT. Has anyone used the SGI-100BT to calibrate their speedometer? I called Dakota Digital. The technician stated: The SGI-100BT should not be used to alter an ABS signal. The SGI-100BT was never intended to alter an odometer reading. Basically, he has been schooled to make statements that would free Dakota Digital from legal liabilities.......which I fully understand. I finally asked him this question: "If the SGI-5E worked in a certain application, will the SGI-100BT work in its place". He replied "it should".

• I've read threads about using the Yellow Box speedometer calibrator. It seems expensive for what it is. Are there any other options?

• I read a thread somewhere about installing the VSS from a Tacoma into the transfer case and using it to drive the speedometer. Honestly, I didn't fully understand it when I first read it and I can't find it to reread it. Anyone use the Tacoma VSS to calibrate their speedometer?

Thanks for the help!

 

[jross20]

I tried to use the original Dakota Digital device on my 2000 and while it worked at first I ran into the problem in which occasionally while driving the speedometer would drop several miles per hour rapidly and then jump back. The problem is that if you were using the cruise control that that drop would cause her to suddenly jump like 1-2 gears trying to basically keep the cruise.

I felt uncomfortable with the whole thing so I ended up removing it and just going back to my original tire size. Honestly unless there's something new I just totally gave up on the idea of larger tires for a 3rd gen.

 

[Bad Luck]

Hi everyone. I'm new to this site.

My son-in-law recently purchased a 1997 Toyota 3.4L automatic SR5 4WD 4Runner in excellent condition with 198k miles. It has ABS. It had a blown head gasket and the sell price reflected that. I flat towed it 600 miles home. The 4Runner has been repaired and is running and driving great!

The 4Runner came with 225/75/15 tires and steel wheels. I picked up five 5 spoke alloy wheels, center caps and lug nuts from a salvage yard for $172. The 4Runner is now running factory sized 265/70/16 MasterCraft Trail all terrain tires.

The speedometer is now reading 65 mph when the truck is actually moving at 70-71 mph or about 8% error. No surprise - I have a l lot of experience with lifts and larger tires on Jeeps.

I read several threads on this site and a few threads on ToyotaNation, but most were older and didn't answer all my questions. So......on to the questions.

• Did Toyota use a different ECM or different ABS module to accommodate the different tire size? If yes, can the appropriate ECM or ABS module be swapped in to correct the speedometer?

• I saw a few threads where the Dakota Digital SGI-5E box was used to calibrate the speedometer. Dakota Digital no longer makes the SGI-5E. They now make the SGI-100BT. Has anyone used the SGI-100BT to calibrate their speedometer? I called Dakota Digital. The technician stated: The SGI-100BT should not be used to alter an ABS signal. The SGI-100BT was never intended to alter an odometer reading. Basically, he has been schooled to make statements that would free Dakota Digital from legal liabilities.......which I fully understand. I finally asked him this question: "If the SGI-5E worked in a certain application, will the SGI-100BT work in its place". He replied "it should".

• I've read threads about using the Yellow Box speedometer calibrator. It seems expensive for what it is. Are there any other options?

• I read a thread somewhere about installing the VSS from a Tacoma into the transfer case and using it to drive the speedometer. Honestly, I didn't fully understand it when I first read it and I can't find it to reread it. Anyone use the Tacoma VSS to calibrate their speedometer?

Thanks for the help!

Different ABS modules will not fix your issue. Tacoma VSS in the transfer case is for people who for whatever reason no longer have abs signals for the vehicle to read (most likely due to front solid axle swaps and/or rear axle swaps.

The SGI-100BT will perform all the same functions as the SGI-5E did and is the only way I'm aware of to change the speedometer for different size tires.

 

[4RunnerNoobinNC]

I recently installed a Yellow Box. Very simple to install. The premade wiring harness did not work on my ‘01 2wd auto. I have been using it for a few wks now and I have had 0 problems

 

[95Z28A4]

I tried to use the original Dakota Digital device on my 2000 and while it worked at first I ran into the problem in which occasionally while driving the speedometer would drop several miles per hour rapidly and then jump back. The problem is that if you were using the cruise control that that drop would cause her to suddenly jump like 1-2 gears trying to basically keep the cruise.

I felt uncomfortable with the whole thing so I ended up removing it and just going back to my original tire size. Honestly unless there's something new I just totally gave up on the idea of larger tires for a 3rd gen.

Thanks for the information.

It's a little disconcerting. This is the first time I read anything like this about the Dakota Digital box. Was it an SGI-5E? or the SGI-100BT?

 

[95Z28A4]

Different ABS modules will not fix your issue. Tacoma VSS in the transfer case is for people who for whatever reason no longer have abs signals for the vehicle to read (most likely due to front solid axle swaps and/or rear axle swaps.

The SGI-100BT will perform all the same functions as the SGI-5E did and is the only way I'm aware of to change the speedometer for different size tires.

OK. I have a better understanding for the use of a Tacoma VSS. Thanks.

So.....if the ABS module drives the speedometer and all ABS modules are the same, how does Toyota create a different pulse/mile single for different size tires and gear ratios? Is the programming or electronics different in the speedometer? Are the ABS tone rings specific to tire size and gear ratios? I'm having a difficult time wrapping my head around this.

Do you have any experience with the SGI-5E or SGI-100BT?

Thanks for the help!

 

[95Z28A4]

I recently installed a Yellow Box. Very simple to install. The premade wiring harness did not work on my ‘01 2wd auto. I have been using it for a few wks now and I have had 0 problems

Thanks for the feedback on the yellow box. I did some reading on the Yellow Box website. Apparently, they've been in business for 20+ years and their units have a 10 year warranty. I had not heard of them until I joined this site. Is it installed between the ABS module and the speedometer?

 

[Bad Luck]

OK. I have a better understanding for the use of a Tacoma VSS. Thanks.

So.....if the ABS module drives the speedometer and all ABS modules are the same, how does Toyota create a different pulse/mile single for different size tires and gear ratios? Is the programming or electronics different in the speedometer? Are the ABS tone rings specific to tire size and gear ratios? I'm having a difficult time wrapping my head around this.

Do you have any experience with the SGI-5E or SGI-100BT?

Thanks for the help!

I believe it’s the programming in the abs module that changes with the different modules, but there’s no way to guarantee that whatever module you try will be compatible with your vehicle AND will be the correct programming. What tire size do you have and what size are you going to?

 

[jross20]

Thanks for the information.

It's a little disconcerting. This is the first time I read anything like this about the Dakota Digital box. Was it an SGI-5E? or the SGI-100BT?

SGI-5E if I recall correctly. Now, maybe I did something to mess it up? Possibly? I'm no wiring expect by any means. Lol

Maybe it needs like a capacity to smooth out the voltage? Who knows.

 

[95Z28A4]

I believe it’s the programming in the abs module that changes with the different modules, but there’s no way to guarantee that whatever module you try will be compatible with your vehicle AND will be the correct programming. What tire size do you have and what size are you going to?

Standard factory size 225/75/15 to optional factory size 265/70/16.

It seems several different ABS modules were used on the 1997 4Runner.

 

[brillo_76]

So the abs modules control the speed sensor on the abs cables.

I was thinking it was the abs tone rings that control the speedometer speed with 15 inch wheels vs 16 inch rims.

As I have a 15 inch 5 speed that I like to switch to 16 inch rims to match my other ones.

I know the wheel cylinder and calipers are different sizes. So I am following this thread for a solution with keeping my abs and want my speedometer if possible to be accurate with the larger rims.


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[Doc2012]

I have a Dakota digital SGI-5E in mine.

Pm me and we can talk.


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[shadow247]

So the abs modules control the speed sensor on the abs cables.

I was thinking it was the abs tone rings that control the speedometer speed with 15 inch wheels vs 16 inch rims.

As I have a 15 inch 5 speed that I like to switch to 16 inch rims to match my other ones.

I know the wheel cylinder and calipers are different sizes. So I am following this thread for a solution with keeping my abs and want my speedometer if possible to be accurate with the larger rims.


Sent from my SM-A536V using Tapatalk

The ABS module decodes the 1s and 0s coming from the Tone Rings. It's called a tone ring, because it looks like a Square Sine Wave on a Scope when the wheel is spinning.

All the ABS module is doing, is comparing the different Sine Waves, and if they don't match up, it activates the ABS/Traction control. There's a lot going on there with the Yaw sensor under the console too if you have an 01/02.

 

[95Z28A4]

From the information I have found, it seems a 3.91 geared 3rd gen 4Runner did not come from the factory with 16" wheels. Hence, no ABS modules are available that will correct the speedometer for 265/70/16 tires.

But.....if my math is correct, an ABS module for a 4.30 geared 4Runner with 265/70/16 tires will produce a speedometer signal that is within 1% of accurate when used in a 3.91 geared 4Runner with 265/70/16 tires that was originally equipped with 225/75/15 tires.

It is my understanding a 3rd gen 4Runner with rear diff lock always has 4.30 gears and that ABS module disables ABS when the diff is locked. Is that correct?

Does anyone know if an ABS module that was used in a 4Runner with a rear diff lock will work in a 4Runner that does not have a diff lock?

 

[brillo_76]

The ABS module decodes the 1s and 0s coming from the Tone Rings. It's called a tone ring, because it looks like a Square Sine Wave on a Scope when the wheel is spinning.



All the ABS module is doing, is comparing the different Sine Waves, and if they don't match up, it activates the ABS/Traction control. There's a lot going on there with the Yaw sensor under the console too if you have an 01/02.

Makes sense.

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[brillo_76]

The limited mostly used 4:30 for the elocker. However, there are some 4.10 lockers out there as well. Just on the rare side. Mostly called the unicorns.

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[brillo_76]

From the information I have found, it seems a 3.91 geared 3rd gen 4Runner did not come from the factory with 16" wheels. Hence, no ABS modules are available that will correct the speedometer for 265/70/16 tires.



But.....if my math is correct, an ABS module for a 4.30 geared 4Runner with 265/70/16 tires will produce a speedometer signal that is within 1% of accurate when used in a 3.91 geared 4Runner with 265/70/16 tires that was originally equipped with 225/75/15 tires.



It is my understanding a 3rd gen 4Runner with rear diff lock always has 4.30 gears and that ABS module disables ABS when the diff is locked. Is that correct?



Does anyone know if an ABS module that was used in a 4Runner with a rear diff lock will work in a 4Runner that does not have a diff lock?

I can't answer if the abs will work or not. I have a factory 5 speed with 16 inch wheels and factory 5 speed with 15 inch wheels so I need to investigate. Being one is a 1997 and the other a 1998 I am curious if their abs modules are the same.

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[95Z28A4]

I have a Dakota digital SGI-5E in mine.

Pm me and we can talk.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How do I PM you? I don't see a private message link that I can click.

 

[Bad Luck]

From the information I have found, it seems a 3.91 geared 3rd gen 4Runner did not come from the factory with 16" wheels. Hence, no ABS modules are available that will correct the speedometer for 265/70/16 tires.

But.....if my math is correct, an ABS module for a 4.30 geared 4Runner with 265/70/16 tires will produce a speedometer signal that is within 1% of accurate when used in a 3.91 geared 4Runner with 265/70/16 tires that was originally equipped with 225/75/15 tires.

It is my understanding a 3rd gen 4Runner with rear diff lock always has 4.30 gears and that ABS module disables ABS when the diff is locked. Is that correct?

Does anyone know if an ABS module that was used in a 4Runner with a rear diff lock will work in a 4Runner that does not have a diff lock?

The ABS module does not care what differential gearing you have as that is before the wheel speed sensors. Any changes/differences after the wheel speed sensors (tire size) is what the ABS module has to calculate for.

 

[brillo_76]

Ok. So no way to fix this except 3rd party speed boxes? Hmm. I need to investigate this further. As the 4 runners came with both 15 and 16 inch rims. Something has to be telling the speedometer the wheel speed. I always thought it was the rear abs sensors. Or in non abs the transmission vss sensor.


On the vss sensors. The diff ratio would matter.

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