ECU Chips

I recently imported a 1997 4WD Super Custom Camper from Japan with a 1KZ-TE 3.0TD engine.  Being a SLWB with a full length fibreglass custom canopy, it weighs 2600kg.
I would like to hear from anyone who has fitted an ECU chip (Tunit V-CR or similar) to one of these fine engines.  Can one believe the claims of 20% power increase? Mamma always said look before you leap...

I have a 1995 4wd 3ltr turbo also however when I enquired re chip , I was told can't do as it is not a common rail diesel ..would be good if you can get one ..cheers Terry

Thanks Terry - my reading indicates chips are available for 1KZ-TE from 1993 onwards. They seem popular with HiLux owners. New chips cost from $1250 to $1500. Second hand ones are available at about half that price. Because of their significant cost, owners often remove them before selling their car.
I'll post updates in due course.

I understand the correct Tunit chip for the pre-common rail 1KZ-TE is a Tunit V-VP. Other manufacturers have similar products. Fortunately it is not necessary to access the vehicle's ECU (which located in the passenger side door pillar) to fit the harness and chip assembly.

Well, I have now read a lot of very interesting articles on this subject… But the truth appears to be that no ECU remap/chip sellers seem too much interested in the imported Super Custom Hiace market. Perhaps its too small to count. Despite the fact that the mighty 1KZ-TE turbo diesel is common to both Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Hi Lux models, the focus is now on boosting common rail diesel motors. But I am not discouraged. Somewhere out there, somebody knows how to re-map the factory ECU settings to provide that additional 20% power needed to climb hills and tow a trailer without being overtaken by a loaded truck or olympic cyclist! If you have been down this road, don't be shy in coming forward with your experience. Regards, Clive.

Hmmm. It seems I am wrong about somebody somewhere being able to remap Toyota ECUs. After 2 days research it seems nobody has been able to break the codes which protect the Toyota ECU maps. However, this fact does not stop many vendors purporting to offer 20%-30% power increases through the use of ECU 'chips' for Toyota vehicles, which some claim to be remapping.

I am really struggling to believe that in a world where teenagers can hack into banks, security organisations and people's mobile phones, that no-one has broken Toyota's ECU protection codes.

Why, you may ask, haven't Toyota achieved world domination? Or maybe they will?

Will ask a chap i know of who does re-mapping