Pedal Commander Install

[imaginager]

Received the Pedal Commander kit a couple of days ago and installed it last night. After ensuring the ecu was powered down and (both) key fobs were distanced I hooked it up and connected it to the my phone via bluetooth. Worked great. Then I needed to decide where to mount the controller. It could be tucked up under the steering column out of sight. But, I was concerned that, should I not have my phone on me, it would be challenging to reach, easily.

I briefly considered mounting it on the panel below the steering column, but was concerned about having it visible when I run the Bronco without a top, and possibly doors. So, I decided to try to thread it under the dash to the passenger side and into the glove box.

Snaking it between the firewall and lower dash (climate control unit, presumably) was a little taxing - would be much easier with two people. After some coaxing, a lot of taking observations from both ends, and some expletives, I finally got it pushed through. The gap on my rig is just enough to fit the controller, but it has to be precisely oriented to slide through.

Next, I dropped the glove box and released the hinge arm, then removed the box to my shop. I cut a slot (1-3/4" x 5/8") just large enough to pass the controller through, then sized a section of adhesive-backed felt to cover the hole. Reinstalled the box, ran the controller inside, secured it, then applied the felt to obscure the slot.

Altogether pretty happy with the relatively clean install. Also discovered that the glove box can be locked - with the Mid package I sort of assumed it couldn't.

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[WildBronc7]

Do you notice improvement in the throttle response? What setting do you prefer?

 

[imaginager]

I've had it out just once and it was on City, setting +4...was late so I just drove it around the block. Seems to remove the lag. Will need to experiment with it over the weekend.

I had a similar device (sprint boost?) on a MINI years ago and it was a huge improvement.

 

[WildBronc7]

I am interested in doing this as well when mine shows up. Please provide feedback as you get more experience with this. Thanks

 

[nottinbe]

I bought both the Pedal Commander and the Sprint Booster. Both did the job they said they would do. Huge improvement, makes my 2.3 MT drive like I thought it should. Especially when combined with adding Sport mode to my Badlands with FORScan.

I ended up keeping the Sprint Booster due to its size, smaller cable diameter, and ability to detach the UI part of the device from the pedal connection.

Sprint Booster installed:

 

[Schnabby]

This is a must have accessory for me. Nice install and good use of the glove box area. I've never used used the front panel control only my iphone to change settings.

 

[imaginager]

I am interested in doing this as well when mine shows up. Please provide feedback as you get more experience with this. Thanks

I had it out on the road today, just city driving and a brief stretch of freeway. Drove with the Pedal Commander (PC) off on my way out. For the trip home I set it to "Sport" mode on level "4" (highest level setting). There's also a Sport+ mode, which I didn't try.

Initially, I had the Bronco (2.7) in Sport driving mode, then changed to Normal when I got closer to home. In Sport driving mode with the PC set to Sport/4 the Bronco is EXTREMELY responsive. Absolutely a night and day difference. The PC adds ZERO horsepower, but the responsiveness merging onto the freeway, getting into traffic, or coming off the line is a welcome characteristic. In Normal mode, it's detectable, but not nearly as grin-inspiring.

I located a coupon code for $75 off and paid $291.93 shipped. Is it worth that? Having used it, I would definitely pay full freight for it. Personally, throttle lag is a safety issue - I expect a car to move when the accelerator pedal is depressed. Granted, I've mainly driven performance cars, lately, and my 4x4s were all V8s and pre-EFI.

Intellectually, I understand why auto manufacturer's are so conservative with throttle tuning. I suppose I would adapt, eventually. But I'm old enough that I'd prefer not to retrain myself. And I don't drive nearly as much - work remote from home, full-time thanks to the pandemic. So retraining would be a long process.

 

[WildBronc7]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree the lag can be brutal. I have a Chevy Colorado with 2.8 L diesel that has bad lag. I wonder if 0-60 is improved due to the faster response? Seems like it should be.

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