patkelly4370
New member
Is there a dongle that is best? Is there one that is junk?
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Which OBD2 dongle?
- Thread starter patkelly4370
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ElectroBoy
Banned
I got the Carista dongle. It’s $30 on Amazon. You also get one free month of the advanced features. Then you can load the app on your phone and customize lots of features of your 4R.
Toyota 4Runner 5th gen | Carista OBD2 supported vehicles | See what’s available for your car - Carista
I also use the Car Scanner iPhone app to create a custom screen to check various fluid temps. It works well.
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UrbanRunner651
New member
I use the ultragauge. Same features as any other dongle but comes with an integrated screen so you can view live data without needing to access a phone/tablet. Cheaper and more aesthetically pleasing than the scangauge.
I have mine mounted on the A-pillar with a ram ball mount.
I have mine mounted on the A-pillar with a ram ball mount.
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actionindex
New member
i bought a cheap one on amazon and... regret it. If i was doing it all over again, i'd do a carista. Configuring my laptop to use it was a nightmare.
ElectroBoy
Banned
You don’t need a subscription for the Carista dongle to run the diagnostic checks. Or to use it as an general OBDII interface to your phone partner app.
The Carista subscription covers the customization capability features (changing behavior of dings, light dimming, door locking, disable panic button, window controls, etc). These are the features your owner’s manual lists that you can go to a dealer and have them do for you for $$. Carista lets you do it yourself. Once you get your vehicle setup the way you like it you let the free month expire. Or sign up for another month, 3 months, or year. Whenever you want.
ElectroBoy
Banned
Ok. I keep hearing about the “Torque” app. I go to the Apple App Store and see at least 3 apps with “torque” in the title for OBD2 scanners. Which one do you use and recommend?
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y=mx+b
New member
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
They still don't have Torque for Apple? That sucks.
I have been happy with it using the BAFX dongle. I use it on a small tablet and I can toggle between Torque, Gaia, weather radar, and my victron solar system.
I even found a guage color that matches my 5th gen dash light color.
After I put headers on my 03' V8, I was able to monitor the real time ST and LT fuel trims, to make sure I wasn't running too lean, and which bank was causing problems for the computer, so I could get the o2 sensors dialed in.
It also let's you know when your in closed or open loop and I will be able to use that with the fuel trim readings, the data logger plug in and a laptop if I ever buy a MAF controller and attempt a tune on my own.
y=mx+b
New member
Thats good info to know! I haven't had a chance to dive into much more than trans temp, but I'd like to look into the other neat features soon.
I also should have mentioned for OP, I have the BAFX and its been great. Only complaint is its a little long and I accidentally stomped it while trying to apply the parking brake lol. No damage to the reader to or port, so thats good haha, it just fell out.
I got mine from Amazon: Amazon.com: Bafx Products Wireless Bluetooth Obd2 Scanner Diagnostic Code Reader & Scan Tool for Android Devices Only - Scan, Reset & Clear Car Check Engine Light: Automotive
patkelly4370
New member
All great info! Thanks.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
The only draw back I found with 4th gen is can bus protocols. I used to trade the dongle out between the 4th and 5th gen, and the ecu's have two different protocols. So the 4th gen would set off the vsc/Trac light, and I would have to do a zero point recalibration each time. Took me awhile with lots of reading on the forum to figure that one out lol. Bought a seperate dongle and tablet, went into the settings and made sure I had the right bus protocols. It's been pretty solid. I'm a technically challenged and dense individual, so it was time consuming, but the advantages are pretty cool with Torque Pro.
