Quote:
Originally Posted by NJTrail
Guys and gals you have intimidated me with info overload. I recall once seeing a nice simple tutorial with pictures detailing a suspension switch on a 4runner with KDSS. Easy enough that I thought maybe I would try it myself. But I can't seem to find those instructions now, and have been wading through other KDSS oriented threads and coming out a little confused by the various lift options and information. I just want to replace my stock shocks (100K miles on the truck) with bilstein adjustables adding 2 inches height in front and 1 in the rear (or 1 in the front and none in the rear). I would also like to pair them with the correct, length and perhaps slightly stiffer springs if that would be the right thing to do. I have 255-75-17's on the truck and don't expect any issues with the tires. I would like to solicit any thoughts or advice on what I would need or what to tell my shop - they don't ever see KDSS in my area
Question 1 - Is that all the parts that are needed (the shocks and springs) for simply replacing the OEM parts?
Question 2 - What springs are recommended - 75% highway and local but 25% Rocky Mountain Forest Service 4WD roads (washboard, rocky, ruts), occasionally hauling gear and trailer totalling a couple thousand pounds. The truck has worked well enough for my uses off-road with the stock stuff but is alarmingly soft on the highway especially under hard braking (nose-dives!). I'm not sure if that is due mostly to the stock shock, spring, or just overall combination.
Question 3 - Any advice on those critical installation tips on loosening and retightening the KDSS mounts? The shop will be doing the work on a lift but I recall reading that the mounts should be left loose until the vehicle is back on the ground.
Question 4 - Would this upgrade be likely to adversely affect my alignment and as with the above, does KDSS complicate doing the alignment properly (i.e., should it be done with KDSS brackets tight or loose)
Question 5 - If there is a shop in NJ or eastern PA that has KDSS expertise, I'd be happy to entertain the thought of using them.
Thanks!
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1. No different than regular 4runner
2. Much of it is personal preference, also if you are using Bilstein 5100s and using one of the spring perches to raise ride height, that preloads the spring
3. Detach/reattach the sway bars with the tires on the ground, use an extra jack, large prybars, and punches to align the swaybar with the LCAs and be careful not to strip the bolts that hold the swaybar to the LCAs.
4. Sway bar has no effect on alignment, it doesn't matter. Increasing the front ride height will have an effect and you should get it aligned after installation.
One thing you will encounter as you mod with KDSS is that KDSS is designed to work with the soft stock springs and shocks. Once you start stiffening up those, when combined with KDSS, ride quality in that 15+ mph range on unpaved roads suffers greatly. I have removed my front KDSS sway bar completely for this reason.