Most 4x4s have gauges (or warning lights) that offer drivers basic information about what’s going on with their vehicle. But if you want to know more, the Ultimate9 Codebreaker 4 Mode OBD2 Computer is for you. Ultimate9 says you can “Hack it like a mechanic with this dash-mounted Codebreaker,” because it allows you to access the inner workings of your vehicle’s engine control unit.

Our LS-Swapped Land Cruiser Needed The Ultimate9 Codebreaker 4 Mode OBD2 Computer

For example, the gauge cluster in our LS-swapped 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser gives us basic info about the 2006 6.0-liter LQ9-based engine that uses the OEM GM computer, but we wanted to know more about what’s up with our 4×4. This rig is not only our daily driver, but also our backcountry exploration vehicle. In fact, we recently piloted it over the Rubicon Trail. Thus, after reading about the Ultimate9 Codebreaker 4 Mode, we wanted to get it installed in our Cruiser so we could learn more about our rig. Everything we needed to install and use the unit was included. The box contained the Codebreaker 4 Mode unit, a user manual/start guide, OBD-II cable that powers the unit and allows communication with the vehicle, a USB cable for software updates, and Velcro mounting strips.

Easy To Install And Use

One of the cool things about the Codebreaker 4 Mode is that it’s easy to install and requires no tools. The instructions direct you to simply plug the included OBD-II cable to the rear or side OBD connector port on the unit (it has two ports to facilitate different mounting configurations), adhere the unit where you want it on your vehicle, and then plug the OBD cable to your 4×4’s 16-pin Data Link Connector (the standard trapezoidal OBD-II under-dash connector). With the unit in place, you turn the ignition on (the engine can be off or running). When communication has begun, the Codebreaker 4 Mode will display its default screen.

The Codebreaker 4 Mode is easy to use. It has six buttons, and operation is intuitive for the various menus and features. In addition to the unit’s pair of OBD connector ports, it has a USB port on the side for updating the unit’s software via a computer. The Codebreaker 4 Mode’s display is backlit and has two 16-character lines. The unit measures 5 x 1.61 x 1.05 inches. The result is a unit that is easy to read, even from a distance, whether in daylight or at night.

We set up the Codebreaker 4 Mode’s default screen to display intake air temperature (IAT), engine coolant temperature (ECT), vehicle speed (VSS), and gallon per hour (GPH) fuel rate.

Digital Gauges Ranging From The Common To Uncommon

One of the modes of the Codebreaker 4 Mode has a digital gauge display. This allows you to measure and monitor four different sets of real-time engine data simultaneously. The list includes common things like vehicle speed, engine coolant temperature, and engine rpm. The unit also allows a look at things most vehicles don’t offer, like fuel system status, fuel rail pressure, intake manifold absolute pressure, and ignition timing. Additionally, air flow rate, commanded secondary air status, oxygen sensor output voltage, and several other items.

The scan tool screen will allow you to read and erase trouble codes. Fortunately, our Land Cruiser has a clean bill of health.

Scan Tool For Reading Trouble Codes

Another feature of the Codebreaker 4 Mode is its scan tool. This feature allows you to save time and money with engine fault diagnosis. The unit will read trouble codes, helping you to easily determine the cause of a “check engine” light. The Codebreaker 4 Mode will allow you to turn off the check engine light and reset monitors. You can freeze frame data to determine the cause of the fault codes, it retrieves vehicle information such as the VIN, and more.

The Codebreaker 4 Mode’s trip computer mode can display and record several parameters. They include everything from maximum speed to average speed to time and distance. Even your rig’s distance to empty.

Trip Computer And Data Memory Mode

The Codebreaker 4 Mode’s trip computer is a full-featured mode that monitors a slew of useful information. It includes driving distance, driving time, maximum speed, and average speed. Additionally, it monitors trip fuel economy, fuel used, time to empty, distance to empty, and more.

Finally, the unit’s data memory mode saves up to 300 hours of driving data. It records the time, date, maximum speed, and distance traveled for each trip. It’ll also record the number of times of extreme acceleration and deceleration during each trip, as well as the number of hard acceleration and braking scenarios. Finally, data memory mode records average speed and average fuel consumption.

The Bottom Line

Overall, we’re happy with the Codebreaker 4 Mode. It’s intuitive and easy to use and we appreciate the detailed instructions that outline the unit’s many features. The unit’s backlight is a bit bright at night, so take that into consideration when selecting the unit’s mounting location.

We’ve been fighting high intake air temperatures with our Land Cruiser, and the Codebreaker 4 Mode will be very handy as we test a new heat shield and alternate intake options. And we really appreciate the vehicle speed feature since our Cruiser’s speedometer has failed.

For more on the Ultimate9 Codebreaker 4 Mode OBD2 Computer, click HERE.