[PCMSF]

Hi, I recently bought and installed RCI sliders (without tread plate) and am very happy with the quality of their product.

Having said that, I am surprised at how much the addition of sliders appears to have changed the on-road behavior of my KDSS-equipped TEP. Feels a decent bit more splashy/wobbly, especially over bumps.

Curious if anyone else experienced changes in handling when adding sliders?

Of course adding weight to any vehicle will affect lots of things. But it's really not that much extra weight over the stock running boards and they are mounted low and tight to the frame so definitely wasn't expecting this much of a difference.

[1engineer]

Not unless you screwed up the KDSS circuit. Surety at bit of weight makes a difference but not enough that would be detected by any human other than a Pro rally or F1 driver.

[wanderMT]

Did you just get a VooDoo rope? Only explanation!

[honda250xtitan]

Originally Posted by wanderMT

Did you just get a VooDoo rope? Only explanation!

the old butt dyno is a tricky SOB.

[Cytronus]

I have a TEP as well. Drove it stock on and Offroad for a couple months before adding an Icon 3" lift, SSO steel bumper with winch (150 lbs), sliders (102 lbs) and rear tire carrier (200 lbs). Yes, the weight gain is noticeable but the Icon coupled with KDSS handles it extremely well. I'm very impressed with the handling and ride quality. It feels so much more nimble than a non KDSS SR5.

Are you experiencing any vehicle lean to one side or the other? How much do your sliders weigh? I just can't see sliders causing that noticable of a problem on a Trail model. They don't weigh that much. Do they interfere with the KDSS central valve unit on the drivers side middle? Did you install them or someone else? Often that area requires the KDSS protector shield to come off while installing sliders. The KDSS lines run along the Frame where sliders will attach. Look carefully at the system control unit and lines and make sure that they are'nt bent, leaking or damaged in any way. The system is very touchy. You may need to reset the system if in fact that is the problem. I have a factory service manual that details the process. You may want to have the dealership or a reputable Toyota service shop do it as resetting KDSS is very involved.

I have nothing but praise, however, my response may be different if I didn't have the lift. Stock springs are simply not meant for much added weight. Toyota has a history of aiming for softer road handling versus really heavy duty use on the 4Runner suspension as opposed to something like the Tundra or Land Cruiser.

I've read quite a bit about other people having issues with KDSS leaning and other issues however I have not had those same issues. I've had a little bit of lean based on the lift kit but nothing detrimental to the performance of the system.

[Jhalko]

100lb difference in a 5000lb vehicle, it's not the sliders...

[Lava rocks]

Op check your tire pressure !

[PCMSF]

Thanks for all the replies.

Are you experiencing any vehicle lean to one side or the other? How much do your sliders weigh?

Checked it out and there's no lean. Sliders weigh ~90 lbs. No leaks or bends in the KDSS lines that I could spot.

I have to take it in for scheduled service soon. Could ask the dealer to take a look at the system but kind of nervous they'll point to the sliders if something does end up being wrong with it.

[PCMSF]

Originally Posted by Lava rocks

Op check your tire pressure !

I did! Unfortunately not the issue.

[Lava rocks]

Ok , if that was not the cause , then now I'm curious as to what you find as the cause.

[FrontRange4Runner]

Other than lowering the center of gravity a tiny bit, nothing has changed. After a mod, people have a tendency to be looking for differences even when there should be none (K&N anyone?). It is very likely that any change is entirely in your mind. When was the last time you had someone in the back seat and thought "holy crap, the Runner drives totally different now". Adding sliders is close to the same thing.

[Sleeter]

Since slidders are easy to remove and installed your best bet is to remove the slidders and see if the issue goes away. If the issue persists head to the dealership without the slidders installed. Frankly you might be a very perceptive driver and you could be feeling the actual impact of the added weight.

[jafrush]

I noticed no handling difference when switching from the running boards to sliders. No KDSS in mine though.

[PCMSF]

Originally Posted by FrontRange4Runner

It is very likely that any change is entirely in your mind.

Or the change is real but more minor than anything. I was definitely nervous to mess with the KDSS lines and might have been paying more attention after the mod than usual. We both drive the 4Runner and independently noticed a difference in handling although her impression of the change was more subtle than mine.

Originally Posted by Sleeter

Frankly you might be a very perceptive driver and you could be feeling the actual impact of the added weight.

The roads are pretty horrible in the Bay Area and most of my driving is relatively slow speeds over hills and bumpy roads so it's possible I'm feeling the worst effects of adding weight.

I'm going to have the vehicle serviced and then report back. Would be good to get everything zeroed and then go from there.

Thanks!

[1engineer]

Originally Posted by PCMSF

Or the change is real but more minor than anything. I was definitely nervous to mess with the KDSS lines and might have been paying more attention after the mod than usual. We both drive the 4Runner and independently noticed a difference in handling although her impression of the change was more subtle than mine.


The roads are pretty horrible in the Bay Area and most of my driving is relatively slow speeds over hills and bumpy roads so it's possible I'm feeling the worst effects of adding weight.

I'm going to have the vehicle serviced and then report back. Would be good to get everything zeroed and then go from there.

Thanks!

Can you tell the difference when you have a passenger? They usually weigh more than sliders. Both are sprung weight so the only difference is CG and I don't know ANYONE that can feel the difference of 50 lb moved up a few feet on a 4600 lb vehicle.