You may already know this, and I'm not sure I'm understanding you correctly but KDSS is a speed-controlled hydraulic "swaybar" that loosens allowing freer wheel travel under 12mph but tightens (restricting body roll) over 12mph. This is the mechanism of improved handling on-road while still maintaining off-road wheel travel. It's not an acceleration or de-acceleration assistant of any kind.

Again you probably already know this but the Limited isn't a "better" 4wd, just different in that it has a center diff (full time 4wd) vs the other trims part-time engagement system. The Limited is the only 4R trim with the X-REAS system, which would definitely complicate your plan for a suspension lift. Most regularly offroaded Limiteds (and there are quite a few great examples) I see around here have removed the system entirely.

The Magnuson-Moss Act prevents companies from refusing to honor warranty work unless they can prove that your aftermarket parts caused the damage. I suspect that the dealer, depending on their outlook, could still make life very difficult for you if they weren't off-road friendly. Buyer beware on that one.

My own experience has been that there is more true information and applicable knowledge on this forum than I ever got from the Toyota salesman, but they don't care about the things we care about, so no surprise there really. They just want to sell a Camry or a Prius, or hell even a 4Runner. I wouldn't personally want to do the lift at the dealer unless you find one that's reputable and experienced with aftermarket installations and even then they're going to be exponentially more expensive. You're in Mesa, have you spoken with Sonoran Steel or ADS?

There are swaybar quick disconnects out there but none for KDSS that I'm aware of, it'd take some fundamental modifications to the system to get those two to play together nice, so I'd imagine that's more trouble than it's worth but maybe someone with more experience with the disconnects can chime in there. If you go with no KDSS trim (SR5), then yes it's regular old swaybars, springs, and shocks.

I don't think your budget is too far off, but it depends on what you want from the lift and how fast you want to get it all done. If you're going non-rebuildable (Bilstein 5100 / Eibach / Dobinsons / OME) then the shocks and springs will cost you around $800 + installation. If you need rebuildable / resi / bypass, you're talking at least $1800 + installation and the resi / bypass shocks get up around $3k list very quickly. $500 is a good range for UCAs, which you'll likely need at 3" up front. The roof rack will set you back around a grand by the time it's all over from what I've seen. The ARB locker will run you around a grand list, before installation. I do think you'll be running a beast of an SR5 if you're planning on 10k for mods, which it sounds like that's what you're planning on.

Still think you should do more research and reading HERE and definitely test drive the KDSS before you decide. The OR trim might be your best go out the gate if you want a locker and the OEM OR wheels will mount 285s. Good luck man.

"Usually you will only void warranties of parts you modify with dealers" I dont quite understand what this comment meant.

My jeep is only front locked so its a permanent lock but the air locker sounds like the right add on for a rear.

that first post is the best kdss explanation I have read, ever. Thanks. So essentially when going under 12mph you dont have a sway bar (to a degree) but over 12mph you do? Thats interesting.

I didnt know what the XREAS system was all about as i never bothered looking at the limited but that makes sense. My offroad knowledge is almost extensively straight axle vehicles so these differential options are new to me. So, instead of a center diff, I only have a rear diff in an sr5? does the front have no power at all, is just supporting cast wheels?

interesting on the warranty. I actually remember reading something like that.

I havent spoken to shops about lifts and etc yet but I do know some people at knuckle busters and 4 wheel parts for when the time comes.

A no KDSS sr5 is likely, thats odd that i didnt find quick disconnects if it does have front swaybars.

what are UCA's? you mention 3" up front so I assume springs. or shocks? I would do a lift like the bilsteins. I'm thinking more like 5k in upgrades but it should still be a beast. A friend brought a stock one down a trail that i told her was unlikely and she ended up showing up at my campsite so I know with a good lift, tires and etc it should be awesome. I dont think the OR or TRD trims are going to fly for me, I want that third row even though itll have limited use. If I am going to drive it for ten years, that option is going to be necessary. if the kdss system isnt on sr5, I;m just not going to bother with it. Ill get quick disconnects or something and just disconnect them when i am on a trail. Im used to that anyway.

The roof rack on that jeep in the photos was custom made by a guy on the national guard station who does welding for their apaches and whatnot. I think i paid $300 said and done. I dont know if it will port to this due to width but if not i bet i can get a decent deal out of him for a rack.

a 33" spare will fit where the stock spare is?

So if you lift your truck and your cv joints go prematurely, thats on you. Same with wheel spacers, if your wheel bearings go prematurely, agian on you. I have both and although I'm putting extra wear and tear on my stock parts, they're not going anytime soon.

Yup, I have 285 / 70 / 17 general grabber at2s and a bfg ko2 in the same size in my stock spare location.

sorry, i wasn’t suggesting you buy brand new. just thinking a lightly used LC will do most everything you need out of the box while offering a stout and capable platform (Torsen center diff, rear locker, and KDSS are standard equipment) on which to build for many years. and it’s a used Land Cruiser — not a Rover... world's apart.

the thing that really stick out for me in your scenario is your need for 5+ seating... i’m afraid you’re going to find that’s just gonna suck in a 4Runner.

I'm 6'7", and have an SR5 Premium with the sunroof. My head only touches the ceiling if I sit up very straight. I'm more of a "lean an elbow on the center console" kind of guy, so no issues for me.