$10K KDSS Repair!!

[ESS4RNR]

Just wanted to share my 2 cents. I had KDSS on my 2012 Trail. I really liked it, but living in Ohio where it snows 2 inches and ODOT puts down 4 inches of salt and brine I know a few things about rust and rust prevention. Each fall and spring I pulled the KDSS cover under the drivers door and cleaned and then sprayed down with Amsoil Heavy Metal protectant. No issues. I am now in my 60's and retired and things I used to be able to do easiliy are now getting more difficult. Arthritis, and shoulder replacement have me pick and choose what I do. With that said I do not have nor did I want KDSS on my 2021 ORP. In my opinion having driven both the 2012 and the 2021 back to back and on separate days I did not feel the driving difference was worth the money and potential repair cost down the road. After speaking with several suspension specialists, I determined if I really wanted a KDSS feel w/o KDSS I could upgrade some components and get very close to the KDSS feel. Just my thought process and opinion. After driving the 2021 for a year I don't feel the need to upgrade. I don't know if Toyota upgraded the shocks or suspension on 2021's versus 2012's w/o KDSS but it does feel much more stable. Even my wife thinks so. Just an old mans opinion. Your mileage may vary

 

[RobS10]

Nope, not at all. Have had KDSS since 2016 so I know what I am working with. Own the product so can speak to it. Many people in this forum who have never owned said product make generalized statements as though a few issues within these walls paint said product in a certain way.

Some 4runners also have needle bearing issues. Perhaps a 2WD (simpler than 4wD) would spare you from this potential nightmare also?

EXACTLY! 4WD is just another complicated system that can break, Better stay with 2WD LOL!

 

[Forgetful]

EXACTLY! 4WD is just another complicated system that can break, Better stay with 2WD LOL!

4wd provides a lot more value than KDSS so it's worth extra cost and parts. Unless a vehicle is a pavement racing rig then a 2wd KDSS is probably better, but why get a 4R in the first place.

 

[02SE]

I'm convinced. I'm selling the TRD ORP W/KDSS, and the complicated and potentially trouble-prone truck, cars, motorcycles, RV, even the bicycles since they can break too.

It's going to be walking from now on.

 

[TEujunga]

I'm convinced. I'm selling the TRD ORP W/KDSS, and the complicated and potentially trouble-prone truck, cars, motorcycles, RV, even the bicycles since they can break too.

It's going to be walking from now on.

Be sure to go barefoot. Shoes are nasty, complicated, failure-prone gimmicks. Laces can break suddenly without warning, and soles can wear out or fail entirely, necessitating an expensive repair or replacement.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Nope, not at all. Have had KDSS since 2016 so I know what I am working with. Own the product so can speak to it. Many people in this forum who have never owned said product make generalized statements as though a few issues within these walls paint said product in a certain way.

Some 4runners also have needle bearing issues. Perhaps a 2WD (simpler than 4wD) would spare you from this potential nightmare also?

I simply said the cost/benefit/downside equation for KDSS is not for me. Glad you enjoy yours.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Nope, not at all. Have had KDSS since 2016 so I know what I am working with. Own the product so can speak to it. Many people in this forum who have never owned said product make generalized statements as though a few issues within these walls paint said product in a certain way.

Some 4runners also have needle bearing issues. Perhaps a 2WD (simpler than 4wD) would spare you from this potential nightmare also?

I simply said the cost/benefit/downside equation for KDSS is not for me. Glad you enjoy yours.

Many in this forum couldn’t spin a wrench if their life depended on it. I can. I can also make my own decisions.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

Be sure to go barefoot. Shoes are nasty, complicated, failure-prone gimmicks. Laces can break suddenly without warning, and soles can wear out or fail entirely, necessitating an expensive repair or replacement.

When shoes start throwing error codes, I’m done


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[somenoise]

I'm convinced. I'm selling the TRD ORP W/KDSS, and the complicated and potentially trouble-prone truck, cars, motorcycles, RV, even the bicycles since they can break too.

It's going to be walking from now on.

Careful with that, a couple years ago I tore a 1/2 hole in my groin muscle during a trail run. Pretty complicated hassle getting that fixed and rehabbed to resume walking normally. Should have stayed at home.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

Careful with that, a couple years ago I tore a 1/2 hole in my groin muscle during a trail run. Pretty complicated hassle getting that fixed and rehabbed to resume walking normally. Should have stayed at home.

My wife and I joke that the reason we matched on Tinder was that neither of us listed “hiking” as a hobby.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RobS10]

4wd provides a lot more value than KDSS so it's worth extra cost and parts. Unless a vehicle is a pavement racing rig then a 2wd KDSS is probably better, but why get a 4R in the first place.

LOL! It was a bit of hyperbole, but in reality, I use the benefits of 4WD far less than the benefits of KDSS, as I'm driving on pavement 95% of the time, and would bet a majority, or at least a large number of 4Runner drivers are the same. But, KDSS can actually be better on slower 4WD situations too, not just pavement, as it disconnects the sway bars below 12mph for more wheel articulation than standard, non-KDSS suspensions. If you asked me about XRAES system, I would agree. It's ONLY good for on-road and leaks are typically a lot more more common than KDSS failures, from what I've read.
KDSS is not available on 2WD 4Runners, only TRD Off Road trims. I do agree, if I never off-roaded, I would have gotten a Highlander.

 

[progress4m]

Be sure to go barefoot. Shoes are nasty, complicated, failure-prone gimmicks. Laces can break suddenly without warning, and soles can wear out or fail entirely, necessitating an expensive repair or replacement.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/images/smilies/lmao.gif

 

[Something_Awesome]

KDSS is definitely off the list of options on the next 4Runner.

You should drive a 4Runner with KDSS to be sure. I will say, some people on this forum drove a 4Runner with KDSS and could not stand it, so they opted for the regular suspension. I know there are a few who are like me and actually never would have purchased a 4Runner if it did not have KDSS. I've actually never been very fond of Toyotas in the past because they tended to ride like a boat sailing on wavy water. It's a terrible experience for passengers. KDSS solves a lot of that problem.

I suppose if you do not have a dealership you can have faith in service-wise, it may be prudent to pass on KDSS. I personally expect my KDSS to last the life of the vehicle. But worst case scenario, I have like 3 dealerships near me that I trust can properly solve a KDSS issue (the farthest of the three being 45 minutes away).

 

[RobS10]

You should drive a 4Runner with KDSS to be sure. I will say, some people on this forum drove a 4Runner with KDSS and could not stand it, so they opted for the regular suspension. I know there are a few who are like me and actually never would have purchased a 4Runner if it did not have KDSS. I've actually never been very fond of Toyotas in the past because they tended to ride like a boat sailing on wavy water. It's a terrible experience for passengers. KDSS solves a lot of that problem.

I suppose if you do not have a dealership you can have faith in service-wise, it may be prudent to pass on KDSS. I personally expect my KDSS to last the life of the vehicle. But worst case scenario, I have like 3 dealerships near me that I trust can properly solve a KDSS issue (the farthest of the three being 45 minutes away).

We have driven a totally stock 1999 4Runner SR5 for the last 17 years. I can't believe how much better it handles than my nephew's 2018 SR5 we test drove! We would have passed on a new 4Runner if his SR5 was what to expect from a 5th Gen. Hoping our ORP's KDSS lasts the life of the vehicle, which we're planning to be many years down the line

 

[CutthroatSlam]

You should drive a 4Runner with KDSS to be sure. I will say, some people on this forum drove a 4Runner with KDSS and could not stand it, so they opted for the regular suspension. I know there are a few who are like me and actually never would have purchased a 4Runner if it did not have KDSS. I've actually never been very fond of Toyotas in the past because they tended to ride like a boat sailing on wavy water. It's a terrible experience for passengers. KDSS solves a lot of that problem.

I suppose if you do not have a dealership you can have faith in service-wise, it may be prudent to pass on KDSS. I personally expect my KDSS to last the life of the vehicle. But worst case scenario, I have like 3 dealerships near me that I trust can properly solve a KDSS issue (the farthest of the three being 45 minutes away).

I do ALL the work on our 4Runner. Never take any vehicle into a dealer.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

We have driven a totally stock 1999 4Runner SR5 for the last 17 years. I can't believe how much better it handles than my nephew's 2018 SR5 we test drove! We would have passed on a new 4Runner if his SR5 was what to expect from a 5th Gen. Hoping our ORP's KDSS lasts the life of the vehicle, which we're planning to be many years down the line

Handling can be subjective, I am curious what you mean by "Handles Better."

 

[Something_Awesome]

I do ALL the work on our 4Runner. Never take any vehicle into a dealer.

Handling can be subjective, I am curious what you mean by "Handles Better."

There is a video on Youtube demonstrating why one may consider the vanilla 4Runner suspension to sort of be unlivable. I am looking for it but cannot find it. I do remember the guy had the vehicle for like a week or two and made a video complaining. The video went up a day after I took delivery of my KDSS-equipped 4Runner and I felt grateful for discovering that the 4Runner had a KDSS option.

Still looking.

EDIT: Found it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI8E7r3x1Pc&list=PLx92xS1TCpq57BB8eVmejhqN7G81aEzfq&index=8

Note that KDSS dramatically reduces the nose dive. Btw, in the video, he talks about the soft suspension, goes off topic, but then gets back to it.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Yeah, I get what you're talking about now. Toyota/Lexus has always opted for softer shocks on a lot of their vehicles I have noticed. I'm guessing it's mainly for that "comfortable/cushy" feeling, though honestly I have just always found them to be a bit too squishy for my liking (also noticed back in the Bay Area that the Camry, Highlander, Avalon, and Venza would just leak out of their shocks so quickly, I'm guessing they were far too soft for all the pot holes and crap roads). If you've ever put new shocks on a late 90's/early 2000's Camry and wondered if the shocks you got were already blown out; you'll known what I mean.

I forget that the SR5's went that route, I'm used to having a lot of customer's vehicles either spacer lifted, chonky tires, and/or having a proper lift. I don't get a whole lot of bone stock SR5's very often.

 

[Something_Awesome]

Yeah, I get what you're talking about now. Toyota/Lexus has always opted for softer shocks on a lot of their vehicles I have noticed. I'm guessing it's mainly for that "comfortable/cushy" feeling, though honestly I have just always found them to be a bit too squishy for my liking (also noticed back in the Bay Area that the Camry, Highlander, Avalon, and Venza would just leak out of their shocks so quickly, I'm guessing they were far too soft for all the pot holes and crap roads). If you've ever put new shocks on a late 90's/early 2000's Camry and wondered if the shocks you got were already blown out; you'll known what I mean.

I forget that the SR5's went that route, I'm used to having a lot of customer's vehicles either spacer lifted, chonky tires, and/or having a proper lift. I don't get a whole lot of bone stock SR5's very often.

Yes, and the SR5's feel like those early 2000's Camrys. I vomitted twice in my Cousin's early 2000's Camry. This is one of the reasons I had always preferred Honda/Acura cars. It is preference though. I do prefer the firmer ride that Honda's tend to have.

I think it is important for a prospective 4Runner owner to test drive both before deciding. I actually ordered the KDSS option and bought the vehicle outright before ever driving it. I had done a lot of research and felt like I didn't need the test drive. Drove off in my new 4Runner with KDSS feeling validated instantly.

I do expect my KDSS to last the life of the vehicle.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

There is a video on Youtube demonstrating why one may consider the vanilla 4Runner suspension to sort of be unlivable. I am looking for it but cannot find it. I do remember the guy had the vehicle for like a week or two and made a video complaining. The video went up a day after I took delivery of my KDSS-equipped 4Runner and I felt grateful for discovering that the 4Runner had a KDSS option.

Still looking.

EDIT: Found it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI8E7r3x1Pc&list=PLx92xS1TCpq57BB8eVmejhqN7G81aEzfq&index=8

Note that KDSS dramatically reduces the nose dive. Btw, in the video, he talks about the soft suspension, goes off topic, but then gets back to it.

Unlivable is a pretty strong, especially since we have 296K miles on a 2014 SR5 and still don’t know why we’d need KDSS.

Clicked on your video link and stopped at pink baseball hat worn backwards. All credibility lost right there.