Building iOS App for 6th Gen (fuel, average miles, and other data)

[pgrossman]

I have not written code in over 20 years, though I'm an engineer and work in the tech sector. But with all the AI vibe coding, it's really gotten me interested in writing apps. In fact, I even have an app on the Apple App Store now (AI Tagging App/Plug in for Adobe Lightroom).

So I decided to see if I could write an app for the sixth gen 4Runner based on the things that I'm interested in seeing. So I started developing it and the biggest issue I came across is that the PID and CAN bus information is sparse. So I built a small sniffer app that I ran for a couple days collecting data off the ODB2 Bluetooth adapter I have and my friends at the local Toyota facility who helped me with the Techstream app information.

I've done my initial test and the initial build of the app is really going to be around fuel, average miles, and general information that I can collect, eventually building out a full trip app and overlanding app.

I may make the fuel app available in the App Store, and I can actually make that an Apple CarPlay app. Apple has a lot of restrictions on what can be on a CarPlay screen, so my full overlanding app can't go there. But it can go on your iPad or on your iPhone. So I just wanted to show people what I started, what I have, and if anybody's interested, let me know. And if there’s things you'd like me to add, let me know.

One interesting thing I found is that the car does report the actual gallons to the thousandth in the tank.

I've added a couple screenshots so you can see what I'm doing on the app and what it's collecting.

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[SC4Runner]

Very nice! By chance, have you been able to integrate it with the OBDLink? I just bought one and still tinkering with the apps that can link via Bluetooth. I’d like to see temperatures - engine, oil, intake, cold and hot off the intercooler, transmission, etc.

 

[pgrossman]

Very nice! By chance, have you been able to integrate it with the OBDLink? I just bought one and still tinkering with the apps that can link via Bluetooth. I’d like to see temperatures - engine, oil, intake, cold and hot off the intercooler, transmission, etc.

I've done all my testing is with the vGate vLinker MC+. All the data you are looking for is available in the TechStream app (which is the one the Toyota service centers use). I am slowly capturing all of them so I can add other things to this app or another larger app I am looking at building

once its stable I might do "beta" release so people can test with various adapters so I can add them.

 

[SC4Runner]

Sounds good! I am willing to be a beta tester. I’m a developer but have been out of writing a significant amount of code for a while now. There’s a few fellow gear heads in here, so I feel certain you will find some more folks willing to help.

 

[C/G]

I have not written code in over 20 years, though I'm an engineer and work in the tech sector. But with all the AI vibe coding, it's really gotten me interested in writing apps. In fact, I even have an app on the Apple App Store now (AI Tagging App/Plug in for Adobe Lightroom).

So I decided to see if I could write an app for the sixth gen 4Runner based on the things that I'm interested in seeing. So I started developing it and the biggest issue I came across is that the PID and CAN bus information is sparse. So I built a small sniffer app that I ran for a couple days collecting data off the ODB2 Bluetooth adapter I have and my friends at the local Toyota facility who helped me with the Techstream app information.

I've done my initial test and the initial build of the app is really going to be around fuel, average miles, and general information that I can collect, eventually building out a full trip app and overlanding app.

I may make the fuel app available in the App Store, and I can actually make that an Apple CarPlay app. Apple has a lot of restrictions on what can be on a CarPlay screen, so my full overlanding app can't go there. But it can go on your iPad or on your iPhone. So I just wanted to show people what I started, what I have, and if anybody's interested, let me know. And if there’s things you'd like me to add, let me know.

One interesting thing I found is that the car does report the actual gallons to the thousandth in the tank.

I've added a couple screenshots so you can see what I'm doing on the app and what it's collecting.

pgrossman - I have no coding experience so I'm not sure how helpful I could be. However, I would like to be involved in supporting/ working on/ or beta testing. I have many years of experience in working with data, mostly financial and analysis. I'm retired now but spent the last 12 years of my career as a Financial Director, managing over $1B division. I also have an eye for detail and am a very curios person. Working on a an Apple App has always been on my bucket list and I now have the time to do it. If you have any interest in having an extra set of eyes and hands on the project let me know. I own a 2025 FT4WD Hybrid Limited w/ about 6800 miles on it. We can DM offline if that is of interest to you. C/G

 

[pgrossman]

pgrossman - I have no coding experience so I'm not sure how helpful I could be. However, I would like to be involved in supporting/ working on/ or beta testing. I have many years of experience in working with data, mostly financial and analysis. I'm retired now but spent the last 12 years of my career as a Financial Director, managing over $1B division. I also have an eye for detail and am a very curios person. Working on a an Apple App has always been on my bucket list and I now have the time to do it. If you have any interest in having an extra set of eyes and hands on the project let me know. I own a 2025 FT4WD Hybrid Limited w/ about 6800 miles on it. We can DM offline if that is of interest to you. C/G

Great....I am working through a few details now figuring out how to set things up with "test flight" which allow me to give people beta versions to test....standby

Also just mocking up some car play screen now

 

[C/G]

Great....I am working through a few details now figuring out how to set things up with "test flight" which allow me to give people beta versions to test....standby

Also just mocking up some car play screen now

Love the mockup. I also use CarPlay the full screen widgets look great!

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