When I first picked up my 2025 6th Gen 4Runner, I was genuinely excited. It looks great, it’s comfortable, and it clearly has a lot of capability baked into the platform. But after the new-car phase wore off and I started putting real miles on it, I kept noticing the same thing over and over again: the truck felt like it was holding itself back, especially after adding 35″ tires.
Nothing was “wrong,” exactly. It just felt muted. Throttle response was soft, there was a noticeable pause when you rolled into the gas, and the transmission never quite seemed sure of what it wanted to do. It was smooth, sure – but almost too cautious. If you’ve driven modern Toyotas, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
That’s what eventually pushed me toward the OTT.
I didn’t want a tune that turned the truck into something it’s not. I wasn’t chasing dyno numbers or trying to make it feel like a sports car. All I wanted was better drivability – more immediate throttle response, stronger torque where I actually drive, and a transmission that felt confident instead of indecisive. Everything I read about OTT pointed in that direction. It consistently came up as a tune focused on real-world driving, not just wide-open throttle pulls. That made it an easy decision.
I had the tune done by Wayne at Copper State Tuning in Arizona, and the experience couldn’t have been better. From the start, Wayne was easy to talk to and clearly knew these trucks well. He explained what the tune would change, what it wouldn’t, and what I should realistically expect afterward. There was no hype, no sales pitch – just straightforward information. The actual tuning process was quick and smooth, and before I knew it, I was pulling out of the shop, ready to see what the difference felt like.
Table Of Contents
First Impressions
Within the first few minutes of driving, the change was obvious. The throttle response was the biggest and most immediate difference. That factory delay, the one where you press the pedal and wait for the truck to decide what to do, is basically gone. Now, when you touch the gas, the truck responds right away. It doesn’t lurch or feel twitchy; it just moves when you tell it to. This alone completely changes how the truck feels in everyday driving.
Pulling out into traffic, merging onto the highway, or making a quick pass all feel more natural and predictable. You don’t have to “plan ahead” as much anymore because the power is actually there when you ask for it.
Torque Where It Matters
What really sold me on the OTT tune is how much better the truck feels in the low-to-mid RPM range. This is where you live when you’re commuting, running errands, or cruising back roads, not at redline. With the tune, the 4Runner feels stronger and more willing without feeling aggressive. You don’t need to dig deep into the throttle to get it moving. Light and moderate pedal inputs now result in smooth, confident acceleration instead of hesitation.
It’s not that the truck suddenly feels fast, it just feels right. The power delivery finally matches the vehicle’s weight and capability.
Transmission Improvements
The transmission improvements are just as important as the engine changes. Before the tune, the transmission always felt like it was second-guessing itself. On mild hills or rolling terrain, it would hunt between gears, especially if you were trying to maintain a steady speed. Sometimes it felt like it downshifted when it didn’t need to, and other times it hesitated when you wanted it to respond.
With OTT, that behavior is significantly improved. The truck holds gears more confidently and shifts with more intention. It doesn’t feel like it’s constantly searching for the “perfect” gear anymore, it just does what makes sense. The result is a smoother, more composed driving experience that feels less busy and more refined.
One of the most underrated benefits of the tune is how much better the truck feels at low speeds. Parking lots, neighborhood driving, stop-and-go traffic, it’s all easier because the throttle mapping is more linear and predictable. You can be smoother with your inputs, which makes the truck easier to place and control. This is especially noticeable when you’re creeping along or maneuvering in tight spaces. Everything feels more connected and less artificial.
Combining OTT With Intake & Exhaust
I’m also running a SXTH Element intake (similar to the 4th Gen Tacoma intake) and a Magnaflow exhaust, and the OTT tune truly brings those parts together. The intake improves airflow and gives the engine a sharper, more responsive feel. On its own, it’s a nice upgrade, but with the tune, that added responsiveness actually feels usable. The engine feels like it breathes more freely, especially in the midrange where the tune really shines.
The Magnaflow exhaust adds a deeper, more refined sound without being loud or obnoxious. It gives the truck some character, but it doesn’t drone or overwhelm the cabin. Paired with the improved throttle response and torque delivery from the tune, the exhaust makes the driving experience more engaging without crossing into “too much” territory. Together, the tune, intake, and exhaust feel like a cohesive setup. Nothing feels out of balance, and each part complements the others rather than competing with them.
Fuel Economy & Long-Term Comfort
Fuel economy hasn’t dramatically changed for me, but what has changed is how relaxed the truck feels to drive. Because the throttle response is better and the transmission isn’t constantly hunting, you often end up using less pedal without even realizing it. If you drive the truck normally, it feels smooth and efficient. If you drive it harder, you’ll obviously use more fuel, but that’s true with any setup. The key difference is that the truck now responds to your inputs instead of fighting them.
After spending real time with the OTT tune, it’s hard to imagine going back to stock. The changes don’t feel artificial or forced, they feel like refinements that should have been there from the factory. The truck is still a 4Runner. It still feels solid, comfortable, and capable. But now it also feels responsive, confident, and more enjoyable to drive every single day.
Final Thoughts
If I had to sum up the OTT tune in one sentence, it would be this: it makes the 4Runner feel like the best version of itself. Having Wayne at Copper State Tuning handle the tune made the whole process easy and stress-free, and the results speak for themselves. Combined with the SXTH Element intake and Magnaflow exhaust, the truck now feels cohesive, responsive, and genuinely fun to drive—without sacrificing comfort or reliability.
If you’re on the fence about tuning your 6th Gen 4Runner and care more about real-world drivability than bragging rights, the OTT tune is absolutely worth it.
Editor’s Note
If you’re looking for the next level in remote/custom tuning experience via the Cobb Accessport, you can also check out Big Dawgs Toyota Tuning.
He’s another solid OTT tuner whose been in the scene for a while. He’s even doing OEM turbo upgrades on his personal vehicles, and pushing these new platforms to their new limits.
