Best Throttle Controller for Popular Australian 4WDs: LandCruiser, Ranger, Hilux, D-MAX & More
Australian 4WDs are expected to do a lot.
One day your vehicle might be commuting through traffic. The next it could be towing a caravan, heading down a beach, climbing a steep track or travelling hundreds of kilometres from the nearest workshop.
The accelerator response that feels right in one of those situations may not be ideal in another.
That is where the iThrottle Throttle Controller gives 4WD owners more flexibility.
Rather than being locked into one factory throttle response, iThrottle allows you to select different accelerator characteristics depending on your vehicle, terrain and driving conditions.
It also combines throttle control with features such as Bluetooth app control, SmartLock™ pedal security and optional OBD engine diagnostics, making it more than a conventional throttle response controller.
View the iThrottle Throttle Controller
What Does a Throttle Controller Actually Do?
Most modern 4WDs use an electronic drive by wire accelerator system.
When you press the accelerator pedal, the vehicle reads that electronic input and determines how quickly the throttle should respond.
A throttle controller changes the relationship between your pedal input and the vehicle’s throttle response.
This means the accelerator can be made:
- More responsive
- Softer and more progressive
- Better suited to towing
- Easier to control off road
- More comfortable for everyday driving
A throttle controller does not directly increase your engine’s maximum horsepower or torque.
Instead, it changes how quickly the vehicle responds to your accelerator input.
That distinction is important.
If your 4WD already has the power you need but feels slow or hesitant when you press the accelerator, a throttle controller can change the way that available performance is delivered.
Why Adjustable Throttle Response Matters for Australian 4WDs
Australian 4WD owners often use the same vehicle for very different purposes.
Your ute might be a work vehicle Monday to Friday, tow a caravan on Saturday and be on a rocky track by Sunday afternoon.
A single throttle response is not always ideal for all three.
iThrottle gives you different modes so you can adjust how the accelerator feels depending on what you are doing.
Boost Mode
Boost Mode provides a sharper accelerator response.
It is suited to drivers who want a more immediate feel from the pedal during normal road driving, merging, hill climbing or other situations where quicker throttle response is preferred.
Towing Mode
Towing Mode is designed for vehicles pulling caravans, boats, camper trailers or work trailers.
It gives the accelerator a stronger response when more throttle input is required, helping the vehicle feel more responsive under load.
Sand & Mud Mode
Loose terrain requires controlled power delivery.
Sand & Mud Mode provides a response designed for conditions where traction can change quickly and maintaining momentum is important.
Crawl Mode
Technical terrain is often easier to manage with less throttle sensitivity.
Crawl Mode softens accelerator response so small pedal movements are easier to control over rocks, ruts, steep tracks and other low speed situations.
Winch Mode
Winch Mode serves a different purpose.
It increases and maintains engine RPM to provide more consistent power delivery when operating equipment such as a winch or 12V air compressor.
Economy Mode
Economy Mode softens throttle response for smoother everyday driving.
This can be useful in traffic, suburban driving or relaxed highway cruising.
iThrottle for Popular Australian 4WDs
Different vehicles can feel very different from the accelerator pedal.
Some drivers notice hesitation from a standing start. Others want more response when towing. Some simply prefer finer control off road.
Here is how iThrottle can complement some of Australia’s most popular 4WDs and utes.
Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series Throttle Controller
The Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series has built its reputation around work, touring and serious off road travel.
That also means one vehicle may be asked to perform several very different jobs.
An iThrottle Controller gives 79 Series owners the ability to change accelerator response depending on how the vehicle is being used.
For normal road driving, Boost Mode can provide a sharper pedal response.
When towing a caravan, boat or heavy trailer, Towing Mode offers a throttle response better suited to driving under load.
Once you reach technical terrain, Crawl Mode can soften the accelerator and provide finer pedal control.
For owners travelling through regional or remote Australia, the optional iThrottle OBD Scan Tool can also add access to compatible diagnostic information.
View the iThrottle OBDII Scan Tool
Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series Throttle Controller
The LandCruiser 200 Series remains a popular choice for towing and long distance touring.
Many 200 Series vehicles are fitted with caravans, roof racks, storage systems, camping gear and other touring equipment.
The engine may already have plenty of performance available, but drivers can still prefer a different accelerator response.
iThrottle allows that response to be adjusted without claiming to increase the engine’s maximum power output.
Towing Mode can provide a more immediate accelerator feel when travelling with a load.
Crawl Mode can then be selected when the same vehicle moves onto slow, technical terrain.
That flexibility is valuable for vehicles that spend significant time both on the highway and off road.
Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series Throttle Controller
The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series brings modern electronics to a vehicle still expected to handle serious towing and off road work.
An adjustable throttle controller gives drivers another level of control over accelerator behaviour.
A sharper setting may suit normal road use.
Towing Mode may be preferable with a caravan connected.
Crawl Mode can provide a softer response where precise accelerator control becomes more important.
Bluetooth app functionality also gives drivers another convenient way to access available iThrottle settings.
Toyota Hilux Throttle Controller
Few vehicles are used in as many different ways as the Toyota Hilux.
For some owners it is a work ute.
For others it is a daily driver, tow vehicle, touring setup or weekend 4WD.
Often it is all of those at once.
iThrottle allows Hilux owners to change accelerator response as those roles change.
Use Boost Mode when you want a more immediate throttle response.
Switch to Towing Mode with a caravan or trailer attached.
Select Crawl Mode when you want finer accelerator control on a difficult track.
That adaptability can make particular sense for owners who use the same Hilux for work during the week and recreation on weekends.
Ford Ranger Throttle Controller
The Ford Ranger is one of Australia’s most widely used dual cab utes.
It is commonly used for towing, touring, work and off road driving.
That makes adjustable throttle response particularly relevant.
Heading away with a caravan?
Select Towing Mode.
Leaving the bitumen for a sandy or muddy track?
Switch to Sand & Mud Mode.
Moving slowly through rocks and ruts?
Crawl Mode provides a softer response for greater control.
For everyday driving, Ranger owners can choose the throttle setting that best suits their preference rather than relying on one fixed response.
Isuzu D-MAX Throttle Controller
The Isuzu D-MAX has become a popular platform for touring and towing setups across Australia.
An iThrottle Controller gives D-MAX owners the ability to change accelerator response according to how the vehicle is being used.
Towing Mode provides a more responsive accelerator characteristic when towing.
Crawl Mode provides a softer pedal response when low speed precision is required.
For drivers heading into regional and remote areas, the optional OBD diagnostic functionality can also provide useful information if the vehicle records a compatible fault.
Mazda BT-50 Throttle Controller
The Mazda BT-50 is another popular ute for drivers who combine everyday use with touring and towing.
Rather than having the same accelerator response everywhere, iThrottle allows BT-50 owners to choose a setting appropriate for the situation.
A stronger throttle response can be selected for normal road driving or towing.
A softer setting can be used when navigating technical off road terrain.
This gives the driver more control over how the vehicle feels without modifying the engine’s rated maximum power output.
Mitsubishi Triton Throttle Controller
The Mitsubishi Triton is widely used as both an everyday ute and an off road vehicle.
That combination makes adjustable throttle response useful.
A Triton may need a smooth accelerator during city driving, stronger response when towing and much finer control on a rough track.
iThrottle allows the driver to change modes as those conditions change.
Crawl Mode can provide greater precision over uneven terrain, while other modes can provide a sharper response when preferred on road.
Nissan Navara Throttle Controller
The Nissan Navara is another vehicle frequently used for several different purposes.
Many Navaras serve as daily drivers while also towing trailers, carrying touring gear and heading off road on weekends.
iThrottle provides selectable throttle response for those different situations.
Drivers can choose a more responsive accelerator characteristic for road driving and towing, then switch to a more controlled setting when navigating difficult terrain.
SmartLock™ Adds Security When You Park
The latest iThrottle is not only about driving.
It also incorporates SmartLock™ automatic pedal immobilisation.
When activated, SmartLock can immobilise the accelerator pedal after the vehicle is switched off.
When the authorised driver returns with the paired smartphone within Bluetooth range, the system can reconnect and unlock the accelerator.
That means the security function can operate without the driver needing to remember to manually activate it every time the vehicle is parked.
If the smartphone is unavailable, a manual PIN can be entered using the controller.
For owners of LandCruisers, Rangers, Hiluxes, D-MAXs and other valuable 4WDs, this adds another security function to the throttle controller system.
SmartLock should be viewed as an additional layer of protection rather than a replacement for your factory immobiliser or other vehicle security equipment.
Optional OBD Scan Tool and Engine Diagnostics
Remote travel is one of the reasons many Australians own a 4WD.
It is also one of the situations where vehicle problems can become significantly more inconvenient.
Seeing an engine warning light in the suburbs is one thing.
Seeing one hundreds of kilometres from the nearest workshop is very different.
The optional iThrottle OBD Scan Tool and Engine Diagnostics Adaptor provides access to compatible vehicle diagnostic information through the iThrottle system.
This can help you:
- Read supported diagnostic trouble codes
- Better understand what the vehicle is reporting
- Access compatible vehicle information
- Clear supported fault codes where appropriate
A scan tool does not replace professional diagnosis or mechanical repairs.
What it can provide is useful information.
For towing, touring and remote travel, knowing what fault the vehicle has recorded can be considerably more useful than seeing an unexplained warning light.
Learn more about iThrottle OBD diagnostics
App Controlled Throttle Settings
Bluetooth app control adds another level of convenience to the iThrottle system.
The same vehicle can move through very different conditions during one trip.
Imagine leaving Melbourne and heading towards the Victorian High Country.
You might use your preferred road setting during the highway section.
When you reach rougher tracks, you can move to a mode better suited to off road driving.
If the terrain becomes slow and technical, Crawl Mode may become the better choice.
The idea is simple.
Change the throttle response when the driving conditions change.
Is a Throttle Controller Good for Towing?
A throttle controller can be useful for towing because it allows the accelerator response to be adjusted.
When a caravan, camper trailer, boat or work trailer is connected, the extra weight changes how the vehicle accelerates.
iThrottle Towing Mode provides a stronger throttle response for situations where the driver wants more immediate accelerator behaviour.
It is important to understand what this does and does not change.
A throttle controller does not increase:
- Maximum engine horsepower
- Maximum engine torque
- Legal towing capacity
- GVM
- GCM
- Braking capacity
It changes accelerator response.
For vehicles such as the LandCruiser 79, 200 and 300 Series, Ranger, Hilux, D-MAX and BT-50, that gives the driver another way to tailor the vehicle to towing conditions.
Is a Throttle Controller Good for Off Road Driving?
Off road driving is one of the clearest examples of why maximum throttle sensitivity is not always desirable.
On rocky or uneven terrain, a very sensitive accelerator can make smooth inputs more difficult.
A small movement of your foot can potentially create more acceleration than you intended.
Crawl Mode reduces throttle sensitivity to make small accelerator inputs easier to control.
When conditions change to sand or mud, Sand & Mud Mode provides a different response designed around loose surfaces.
This allows the driver to select the throttle behaviour that suits the terrain rather than using one aggressive map everywhere.
Can a Throttle Controller Reduce Throttle Lag?
A throttle controller can make the accelerator feel more immediate by changing how pedal input is translated into throttle response.
This can reduce the feeling of throttle lag experienced by drivers of some electronic throttle vehicles.
Again, this does not mean the engine has gained additional power.
The response occurs earlier in the accelerator pedal movement, making the vehicle feel more responsive to the driver.
More Than a Traditional Throttle Controller
The latest iThrottle system combines several functions that traditionally required separate products or systems.
Throttle Control
Choose from multiple throttle modes for road driving, towing and off road conditions.
Bluetooth App Control
Access supported controller functions from your smartphone.
SmartLock™ Security
Add automatic pedal immobilisation when the vehicle is parked.
Optional Engine Diagnostics
Access supported OBD diagnostic information through the optional iThrottle Scan Tool.
Lifetime Warranty
The latest iThrottle Throttle Controller is backed by a Lifetime Warranty.
Together, these features make iThrottle considerably more than a simple accelerator sensitivity adjustment device.
Throttle Control + Security + Diagnostics
Whether you drive a Toyota LandCruiser, Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-MAX, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara or another compatible 4WD, the way you use your vehicle can change dramatically from one trip to the next.
Your throttle response can change with it.
Use a sharper response when that is what you want.
Select Towing Mode when the caravan is connected.
Move to Crawl Mode on technical terrain.
Use Sand & Mud Mode when traction conditions change.
SmartLock™ can add another security layer when the vehicle is parked.
And optional OBD diagnostics can provide additional information when something under the bonnet needs attention.
That brings the core idea behind the latest iThrottle together:
THROTTLE CONTROL + VEHICLE SECURITY + DIAGNOSTICS = TOTAL CONTROL
Check your vehicle and view the latest iThrottle Throttle Controller
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best throttle controller for a LandCruiser?
When comparing throttle controllers for a LandCruiser, consider vehicle compatibility, available throttle modes, security functionality, app control, diagnostic options and warranty. iThrottle combines selectable throttle response with SmartLock™ security, Bluetooth app functionality and optional OBD diagnostics.
Does a throttle controller increase horsepower?
No. A throttle controller changes accelerator pedal response. It does not directly increase the engine’s maximum horsepower or torque.
Can a throttle controller reduce throttle lag?
It can make the vehicle feel more responsive by changing how quickly throttle response occurs in relation to accelerator pedal movement.
Can I use iThrottle when towing?
Yes. iThrottle includes Towing Mode for vehicles towing caravans, trailers, boats and other loads.
Can iThrottle be used off road?
Yes. Modes such as Crawl and Sand & Mud provide different accelerator responses for varying off road situations.
What does Crawl Mode do?
Crawl Mode reduces accelerator sensitivity so the driver can make finer pedal inputs during slow technical driving.
Does iThrottle include vehicle security?
The latest iThrottle includes SmartLock™, which can immobilise the accelerator pedal and automatically unlock when the paired authorised smartphone reconnects.
What happens if my phone is unavailable?
The supplied information states that a manual PIN can be entered using the controller if the paired smartphone is unavailable.
Does iThrottle offer engine diagnostics?
Compatible OBD engine diagnostic functionality is available through the optional iThrottle OBD Scan Tool and Engine Diagnostics Adaptor.
Does iThrottle come with a warranty?
The latest iThrottle Throttle Controller is backed by a Lifetime Warranty.
