Jeep to 4Runner. Suggestions? - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

RobS10 · 10-16-2022, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2022T4R_CT

I just picked up my 22 ORP KDSS last month. It was a 6 month wait for me because I wanted the KDSS, and for whatever reason they don't usually ship them to my area. For me, KDSS was something I really wanted because I do not plan on doing a lift any time in the next 5 years, and with the better road manners, and better articulation for off-road, it seemed worth the money. And I am really loving the ride quality vs. my old lifted FJ. The system is very reliable, btw, it is the X-Reas that has problems.

Here's a great video comparing KDSS to non. This guy does some good videos concerning Toyota lifts in general.

KDSS vs Swaybar Ultimate Test - YouTube

Totally agree. We were lucky that KDSS is common in our area, so no long wait. I would NOT have bought one without it, after driving our nephew's SR5P, much flatter in the turns on the pavement. I found very little reliability problems online, and the ones I did find were all related to Rustbelt vehicles where the owner didn't clean the mud and salt buildup from around the Collector and it corroded. XRAES seems to develop leaks on a lot higher percent of older vehicles than KDSS, though KDSS is expensive to fix.

Meat Head · 10-16-2022, 11:03 AM

Ok wifey may be back in. ONE of us is getting one.

RobS10 · 10-16-2022, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meat Head

Ok wifey may be back in. ONE of us is getting one.

I don't know how much wheeling you plan on, but a KDSS system will only accommodate up to a 2" lift without complications, I believe. Another nice feature though is below 12MPH, it completely disconnects, unlike the conventional swaybar on non-KDSS 4Runners (and Dr. KDSS sells full off/on at any speed switch kits)
I have never compared a 4Runner to a Jeep. But have owned a 1999 4Runner since 2004 with no major problems. We bought our 2022 KDSS 4Runner ORP in April and couldn't be happier. Took a 3,000 mile roadtrip from San Francisco to Colorado in August to drop our son off at college and loved the ride, way more comfy, smoother, and quiet than our '99 4Runner.

BearBio · 10-16-2022, 01:35 PM

Go to your priest and tell him you've repented and ask for forgiveness of you past sins!

bigdaddy2021 · 10-16-2022, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobS10

I don't know how much wheeling you plan on, but a KDSS system will only accommodate up to a 2" lift without complications, I believe. Another nice feature though is below 12MPH, it completely disconnects, unlike the conventional swaybar on non-KDSS 4Runners (and Dr. KDSS sells full off/on at any speed switch kits)
I have never compared a 4Runner to a Jeep. But have owned a 1999 4Runner since 2004 with no major problems. We bought our 2022 KDSS 4Runner ORP in April and couldn't be happier. Took a 3,000 mile roadtrip from San Francisco to Colorado in August to drop our son off at college and loved the ride, way more comfy, smoother, and quiet than our '99 4Runner.

Just FYI, to the OP and ROBs10, Our 2019 has KDSS and a Dobinsons 2.5-3.0” lift made for KDSS equipped vehicles. It also uses Treaty Oak KDSS spacers. Been perfectly fine for about 8000 miles with lots of road miles and 4 offroad trips including Moab.

Worked directly with @Crikeymike @ExitOffroad on our setup. He took care of us and we’ve been really happy with our setup in many different terrains.

RobS10 · 10-17-2022, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddy2021

Just FYI, to the OP and ROBs10, Our 2019 has KDSS and a Dobinsons 2.5-3.0” lift made for KDSS equipped vehicles. It also uses Treaty Oak KDSS spacers. Been perfectly fine for about 8000 miles with lots of road miles and 4 offroad trips including Moab.

Worked directly with @Crikeymike @ExitOffroad on our setup. He took care of us and we’ve been really happy with our setup in many different terrains.

Like I said, just had heard about complications, but since I don't intend to lift ours, never researched it beyond the anecdotal stories here. It's good to know it can be done though. I think KDSS is a great system (so far) and pretty well tested by Toyota in Lexus and Totota Land Cruisers and 4Runner TRD Off Roads over the last 18 years. Not sure why they skipped it on the Pro, maybe cost or Marketing to give the Offroad trim an exclusive?

Pedro367 · 10-17-2022, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobS10

Like I said, just had heard about complications, but since I don't intend to lift ours, never researched it beyond the anecdotal stories here. It's good to know it can be done though. I think KDSS is a great system (so far) and pretty well tested by Toyota in Lexus and Totota Land Cruisers and 4Runner TRD Off Roads over the last 18 years. Not sure why they skipped it on the Pro, maybe cost or Marketing to give the Offroad trim an exclusive?

Yes and the Fox shocks are a pretty great OE shock that offers already much improved on road and offroad manners than the crap soft factory Tokico shocks on everything else. KDSS isn't really necessary and would probably hinder their performance offroad by introducing a much bigger swaybar at speed. You'd want the Fox shocks to work as they're designed going over 12mph and it's why the KDSS on/off switch is a great option for those that have it.

RobS10 · 10-17-2022, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedro367

Yes and the Fox shocks are a pretty great OE shock that offers already much improved on road and offroad manners than the crap soft factory Tokico shocks on everything else. KDSS isn't really necessary and would probably hinder their performance offroad by introducing a much bigger swaybar at speed. You'd want the Fox shocks to work as they're designed going over 12mph and it's why the KDSS on/off switch is a great option for those that have it.

Sounds plausible. I haven't driven ours off road much yet. We have 17 miles of dirt Forest Service road to get to our remote cabin in the mountains. So far I haven't noticed much harshness yet, but will definitely look into Dr. KDSS kit if so.

bigdaddy2021 · 10-17-2022, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobS10

Like I said, just had heard about complications, but since I don't intend to lift ours, never researched it beyond the anecdotal stories here. It's good to know it can be done though. I think KDSS is a great system (so far) and pretty well tested by Toyota in Lexus and Totota Land Cruisers and 4Runner TRD Off Roads over the last 18 years. Not sure why they skipped it on the Pro, maybe cost or Marketing to give the Offroad trim an exclusive?

I agree wholeheartedly.

We live in a semi-rural area and my daily kid drop-off consists mainly of canyon carving. I'm consistently surprised how hard I can throw it into the turns, with VERY minimal body roll, compared to how much flex I get our of our Dobinson's kit off-road.

Good question on the Pro, not sure on that one.

Humble Leader · 10-17-2022, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobS10

Like I said, just had heard about complications, but since I don't intend to lift ours, never researched it beyond the anecdotal stories here. It's good to know it can be done though. I think KDSS is a great system (so far) and pretty well tested by Toyota in Lexus and Totota Land Cruisers and 4Runner TRD Off Roads over the last 18 years. Not sure why they skipped it on the Pro, maybe cost or Marketing to give the Offroad trim an exclusive?

TRD PROs are already expensive, and KDSS would only increase that price tag, plus the lift on the TRD PROs likely create some issues with the KDSS (or at least issues when it comes to the toyota engineers' view of what's acceptable).

The PRO is a good vehicle with minimal to no upgrading out of the box for MOST people. it can kind of do it all, including higher speed dune or desert runs where KDSS isn't ideal

Ripper238 · 10-17-2022, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forgetful

Don't get kdss unless you need to track the car or it's going to be a pavement car. It's extra cost, hash on washboards (need that disconnect thingy) and if it breaks/leaks good luck. There's a kdss cult here, my non kdss drives great and with the money saved my king 2.5 lift was basically free. Fwiw Im prone to car sickness and have no issues with my wife driving 4+ hours.

How tall are you? Moon roof really limits head room for front and back seats.

Hahahah. No...

KDSS is for off roading, not Track racing and its been super reliable for most.

Its not a cult, people like it for what it can do for articulation and handling even if its just a little enhancement. But that doesn't mean a standard suspension isn't fine, especially since a Non KDSS can be lifted easer/higher like you did.

I personally prefer having KDSS for my off roading and the slightly better highway handling.

Just because most men like boobs, that does not mean they are part of a cult. LOL

Meat Head · 10-17-2022, 04:05 PM

As they say, “Well this escalated quickly”. I stopped by a dealership on the way home from work to ask if they charge market adjustments, and if they had something coming in. As luck would have it, they have a 2022 Nautical Blue TRD Off Road Premium not spoken for coming in a week or two. I put a deposit on it, and it will be in the family soon. Wife is starting a list of things to do to it. Pretty excited.

On a side note, do the Toyota Trail Rails offer enough protection, or is aftermarket sliders a necessity?

Ripper238 · 10-17-2022, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meat Head

As they say, “Well this escalated quickly”. I stopped by a dealership on the way home from work to ask if they charge market adjustments, and if they had something coming in. As luck would have it, they have a 2022 Nautical Blue TRD Off Road Premium not spoken for coming in a week or two. I put a deposit on it, and it will be in the family soon. Wife is starting a list of things to do to it. Pretty excited.

On a side note, do the Toyota Trail Rails offer enough protection, or is aftermarket sliders a necessity?

Congratulations!

If its the Toyota "Rock Rails" should be okay, just not the others.

I am planning on getting real sliders for additional strength and protection.

Pedro367 · 10-17-2022, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meat Head

On a side note, do the Toyota Trail Rails offer enough protection, or is aftermarket sliders a necessity?

Congratulations! The Trail Rails offer better protection than the normal side steps, but are still pretty weak. Fine if you don't plan to do anything hard, but fairly light duty. They also offer minimal stepping area to be a side step. They are tucked in pretty tight. It's best to go aftermarket for a stronger slider with more surface area to step on.

bigdaddy2021 · 10-17-2022, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meat Head

As they say, “Well this escalated quickly”. I stopped by a dealership on the way home from work to ask if they charge market adjustments, and if they had something coming in. As luck would have it, they have a 2022 Nautical Blue TRD Off Road Premium not spoken for coming in a week or two. I put a deposit on it, and it will be in the family soon. Wife is starting a list of things to do to it. Pretty excited.

On a side note, do the Toyota Trail Rails offer enough protection, or is aftermarket sliders a necessity?

Nice, Congrats! Personally, I think armor should be at the top of everyone's list. The type is completely up to your perceived use.

We decided to cover ourselves (literally) all the way up to extreme off-road trail use, so that we didn't have to buy things twice.

We use our sliders almost daily as steps for our 3 kids and I kid you not, our steel bumpers make our 4runner almost impervious to dents in parking lots either from cars, shopping carts, or the occasional parking bollard.

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