My Thoughts on the Banks Pedal Monster

[hydro392]

Background: Before I had my 392 Rubicon, I owned a Dodge Challenger 392 WB. I purchased a Pedal Monster for that car and it complete changed the way it drove. Very noticeable with it un-installed.

Current: I recently purchased the PM for my 392 because I wasn’t overly thrilled with the pedal sensitivity. I was used to a very sensitive pedal in my Challenger and wanted more control.

The Good: Easy install for even the most novice. The PM allows you to control how sensitive your pedal is. I drive mine in Sport / Level 2-3, which is a relatively small bit noticeable increase from stock. This has more fail safes than other similar products like Pedal Commander. It also reverts back to stock in reverse which is very important.

The Bad: It’s expensive at around $299 (Not expensive compared to the cost of the car or other Jeep Mods). For what you pay for and what it actually does, you’d wish it was a bit cheaper.

It is also annoying to potentially have to switch back to stock when going to the dealership. I haven’t done it yet, and although it wouldn’t take more than 5 minutes, it’s still something you have to do.

So in conclusion: if you wished your pedal was a little more sensitive then this product may be for you. If you love the way it drives right from the lot, then save your money for something else. To me it is really worth it because it completely changed the way my 392 drives.

 

[Rscx4]

Back to stock in reverse, I like that idea.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

Thanks for the write-up! I was comparing the differences between Banks PM and the PC earlier but haven't really found the need to buy one yet.

Any noticeable affect to the MPG with the use of PM? I'm getting 12-13 MPG from daily driving because I do a lot of spirited driving.

 

[CPT Papa]

Background: Before I had my 392 Rubicon, I owned a Dodge Challenger 392 WB. I purchased a Pedal Monster for that car and it complete changed the way it drove. Very noticeable with it un-installed.

Current: I recently purchased the PM for my 392 because I wasn’t overly thrilled with the pedal sensitivity. I was used to a very sensitive pedal in my Challenger and wanted more control.

The Good: Easy install for even the most novice. The PM allows you to control how sensitive your pedal is. I drive mine in Sport / Level 2-3, which is a relatively small bit noticeable increase from stock. This has more fail safes than other similar products like Pedal Commander. It also reverts back to stock in reverse which is very important.

The Bad: It’s expensive at around $299 (Not expensive compared to the cost of the car or other Jeep Mods). For what you pay for and what it actually does, you’d wish it was a bit cheaper.

It is also annoying to potentially have to switch back to stock when going to the dealership. I haven’t done it yet, and although it wouldn’t take more than 5 minutes, it’s still something you have to do.

So in conclusion: if you wished your pedal was a little more sensitive then this product may be for you. If you love the way it drives right from the lot, then save your money for something else. To me it is really worth it because it completely changed the way my 392 drives.

Can you verify the reverse safety actually works? I had read it wasn't working on the 392. Banks was telling me to config it for a diesel to get it to work but would not confirm compatibility on the 392. I might pull mine out and see if there is an update available. Mine is paired with the DataMonster.

 

[hydro392]

Can you verify the reverse safety actually works? I had read it wasn't working on the 392. Banks was telling me to config it for a diesel to get it to work but would not confirm compatibility on the 392. I might pull mine out and see if there is an update available. Mine is paired with the DataMonster.

It seems to work fine for me

 

[hydro392]

Thanks for the write-up! I was comparing the differences between Banks PM and the PC earlier but haven't really found the need to buy one yet.

Any noticeable affect to the MPG with the use of PM? I'm getting 12-13 MPG from daily driving because I do a lot of spirited driving.

I’ll get back to you on the MPG. I haven’t had it installed for longer than 1 fill up

 

[CPT Papa]

It seems to work fine for me

Mine did not work. I set it to track 1, put it in reverse with brake on and the Data Monster showed it was at a higher level than stock pedal input. I changed the config to diesel per Banks support and it works. The DataMonster shows a pop that it is in reverse mode and the bar graph shows the same as the stock input.

 

[lbc392]

Background: Before I had my 392 Rubicon, I owned a Dodge Challenger 392 WB. I purchased a Pedal Monster for that car and it complete changed the way it drove. Very noticeable with it un-installed.

Current: I recently purchased the PM for my 392 because I wasn’t overly thrilled with the pedal sensitivity. I was used to a very sensitive pedal in my Challenger and wanted more control.

The Good: Easy install for even the most novice. The PM allows you to control how sensitive your pedal is. I drive mine in Sport / Level 2-3, which is a relatively small bit noticeable increase from stock. This has more fail safes than other similar products like Pedal Commander. It also reverts back to stock in reverse which is very important.

The Bad: It’s expensive at around $299 (Not expensive compared to the cost of the car or other Jeep Mods). For what you pay for and what it actually does, you’d wish it was a bit cheaper.

It is also annoying to potentially have to switch back to stock when going to the dealership. I haven’t done it yet, and although it wouldn’t take more than 5 minutes, it’s still something you have to do.

So in conclusion: if you wished your pedal was a little more sensitive then this product may be for you. If you love the way it drives right from the lot, then save your money for something else. To me it is really worth it because it completely changed the way my 392 drives.

Jay from Banks here. Thanks for the thoughtful review. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out any time. [email protected]

 

[lbc392]

Can you verify the reverse safety actually works? I had read it wasn't working on the 392. Banks was telling me to config it for a diesel to get it to work but would not confirm compatibility on the 392. I might pull mine out and see if there is an update available. Mine is paired with the DataMonster.

Jay from Banks here. Reverse Safety does indeed work in the 392. Like others have mentioned above, to access it, simply navigate within the iDash to Menu > Settings > Vehicle Selection > EcoDiesel.

This is only required when using the iDash. When using the PedalMonster as a stand-alone device the iPhone/Android app automatically queries the ECM and finds reverse gear. It happens automatically without you even knowing.

The Jeep 392 and 3.0L EcoDiesel share the same ECM and TCM (transmission control module). This means that reverse gear is transmitted on the same channel. The iDash doesn't (currently) automatically query the ECM. This explains why you'll select EcoDiesel in the iDash, even though you drive a 392.

 

[caraholic]

Just picked one up myself looking forward to see if this fixes the lazy throttle. It’s a quick vehicle but only if you floor it. Anything in between is a bit lackluster.

 

[Rscx4]

I have one, replaced the Pedal Commander I had for two reasons: 1) Pedal Commander tripped a throttle sensor code, the Banks video explain this and why it uses the OBDII to power it; and 2) the normal reverse, I back up a fairly steep incline in to my garage so it’s a little more than just idling back, prefer the mello throttle in reverse. To get reverse it took a little while, had to wait for an automatic firmware download and update, was actually a few weeks and I don’t have the idash. Now all is good, I’m happy with the switch.

 

[jandersendo]

I have one, replaced the Pedal Commander I had for two reasons: 1) Pedal Commander tripped a throttle sensor code, the Banks video explain this and why it uses the OBDII to power it; and 2) the normal reverse, I back up a fairly steep incline in to my garage so it’s a little more than just idling back, prefer the mello throttle in reverse. To get reverse it took a little while, had to wait for an automatic firmware download and update, was actually a few weeks and I don’t have the idash. Now all is good, I’m happy with the switch.

Can you post pictures of the installed device?

 

[Robr651]

Installed mine a few days ago. Night and day difference in pedal response. Install takes literally 10 minutes, in settings choose auto detect so the reverse safety feature works. If you choose standard it doesn’t work.

 

[jandersendo]

Installed mine a few days ago. Night and day difference in pedal response. Install takes literally 10 minutes, in settings choose auto detect so the reverse safety feature works. If you choose standard it doesn’t work.

How easy is it to get to the cable for the accelerator?

 

[Robr651]

How easy is it to get to the cable for the accelerator?

As easy as pulling the locking tab off the accelerator pedal, removing the plug and placing the pedal monster plug into the socket, and connecting the OBD plug. I tucked the length of cable for the OBD plug inside of the drivers kick panel. It’s literally a 10 minute job.

 

[Robr651]

I’m using Pedal Commander on our 3.6, I very pleased with it running on a mild setting.. I would assume it would be just as good on the 6.4 although I think the 6.4 is a fire ball already...

Pedal commander doesn’t have reverse safety and draws voltage off of the gas pedal which can at times cause a check engine light. The pedal monster draws power from the OBD port, has a fail safe, which defaults to stock as opposed to creating a limp mode / dead pedal situation if there’s an issue and has that reverse safety feature.

 

[Robr651]

I didn’t know...

Overall the pedal monster has some better features. Same general concept, but better execution.

 

[Sim1TheOne]

I’m using Pedal Commander on our 3.6, I very pleased with it running on a mild setting.. I would assume it would be just as good on the 6.4 although I think the 6.4 is a fire ball already...

I had it on my 3.6 JKU as well. It was a must for my 392.

 

[Damnright]

Overall the pedal monster has some better features. Same general concept, but better execution.

*Edit*
I have the Pedal Commander and the Tazer concurrently connected. The Pedal Monster is able to do the same.

 

[flynbvr]

I have the Pedal Commander. The issue I would raise about a disadvantage of the Pedal Monster is the use of the OBD for power. Only in 1 situation. If anyone is running the Tazer continuously (there are features of the Tazer you can adjust and then remove the device but a few functions require it to be plugged in continuously) then you will not be able to retain those functions. Just something to consider.

Banks and others make an ODB splitter which "should" allow one to run both PM and Tazer.