2500 miles in 2013 Trail

LandCruiser

LandCruiser

New member
6000 miles in 2013 Trail

This was my first new Toyota in over a decade. The last one was a Gen 3 4runner. I also have a 1997 FJ80.

Stuff I like
-V6 is fast and powerful
-truck is agile
-roomy inside for four adults
-5 speed is smooth
-sunroof and full auto windows, including the back
-variable hill descent control
-ATRAC and locking rear diff
-backup camera

Stuff I don't like
-lack of a open center diff 4WD mode for on-road use
-KDSS seems like a gimmick. Can't tell the difference on washboard roads with it on/off
-comes with highway tires
-hard to shift t-case and not bump AT shifter
-seats were VERY firm at first, getting better with time
-cargo assist shelf in the back eats up cargo space, also eats small grocery items
-17mpg combined
-mushy brakes
-LCD screen glare
-tiny side-view mirrors

MODS:
-Toytec front spacer
-285 BFG AT K/Os

AND NOW FOR MORE STUFF

...so it's been 6k miles.

-The seats have gotten comfy. Not sure why they come so damn firm from the factory, but I was getting really bad back pains there for a while.
-I put on a set of 285s. Guess what, they rubbed up front. Pulling the front fender plastic further forward and removing the mudflaps fixed it. Thinking about cutting stock flaps and reinstalling them without the "bump" or getting a set of flat aftermarket ones.
-Gas mileage with huge tires and frequent off-roading is terrible (my "driveway" is 4 miles of rutted country road). I'm getting 15.8 mpg.
-Low range will crawl over anything.
-Put back seats down, lots of cargo space. That sliding cargo tray isn't very useful.
-There's an aftermarket SE Toyota button by the 400W inverter switch. It says "security." Pushing it makes it turn red.
-Party mode makes it sound like an idiot teenager put one of those bazooka tubes in the truck.
-Each door makes a different sound when slammed
-This thing rocks in snow. Went to Colorado and pushed through a 2 foot blizzard.
-I'm sunburned from using the sunroof every day
-LACK OF A CENTER DIFF SUCKS! It'd rock to be able to have an auto 4WD for rainy streets and not get diff binding when you take tight turns
-Paint is awesome, branches don't scratch the crap out of it compared to the soft paint on my FJC

What would I still change...
-I need a stuff basket for wet crap. Thinking about a Thule or replacing the entire rack. Maybe put the spare up there.
-Need some rock rails (no rocks in Florida, but we have some trees and stumps that will ruin your bodywork
 
Last edited:
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Glad you like it!
There is no "off" switch for KDSS. What are your expectations for it? My Transfer case was a bit stiff to shift initially. After 25 times or so it loosens right up. How many times have you had it in 4WD? Just yesterday I shifted in/out at least 15 times. We have a lot of slick ice/snow and dry/wet pavement.
 
I assumed that KDSS doesn't operate in 2H, which is usually good enough on rough washboards. The dustier ones I shift to 4H and have turned on KDSS with the rotary switch. According to the manual it's both a throttle input/brake controller and suspension adjustment based on conditions.

I've tried it in 4L in some thick mud and the settings didn't seem any different, either.

I usually run 4H in the rain and during snowstorms when I went up to Tennessee earier last week.
 
Turned on KDSS with the rotary switch?

KDSS is always active and is a passive system, you can do nothing to it.

On road it really isn't doing much other than providing you with stiffer sway bars. It corners amazingly well because of this.
Off road in cases where your wheels are traveling up and down. It essentially disconnects your sway bar allowing for increased articulation.

The biggest difference you will notice between a KDSS 4runner and one without is how it handles on road due to the stiff sway bar.
 
"hard to shift t-case and not bump AT shifter"

Mine was initially hard to shift as well, but no longer an issue these days. It shifts with almost "no resistance".

BTW, congratulations on your TE.
 
And I thought KDSS only worked in 4L, am I missing something here? Seemed pretty cool when I ddi have it on
 
:pop2: This should be fun.

"...when I turn KDSS off..."

"You can't turn it off"

"but when I turn it off..."

"Do what, now?"
 
LandCruiser said:
I assumed that KDSS doesn't operate in 2H, which is usually good enough on rough washboards. The dustier ones I shift to 4H and have turned on KDSS with the rotary switch. According to the manual it's both a throttle input/brake controller and suspension adjustment based on conditions.

I've tried it in 4L in some thick mud and the settings didn't seem any different, either.

I usually run 4H in the rain and during snowstorms when I went up to Tennessee earier last week.
Click to expand...

Can you show me a picture of the rotary KDSS switch, I can't seem to find it anywhere in my dash...also what exactly are we suppose to feel when KDSS turns on and off? I don't have any spaceships near by for me to observe their hydraulics systems so I am not sure what to listen for :pop2:
 
LandCruiser said:
That explains the hydraulic spaceship sound when I turn it off.
Click to expand...

No, this is the AIP on all 13+ 4Runners. When you shut it off it shoots a blast of air out reverse bleeding any moisture that may be in the system. Just like when you start it, you hear it kick on for 5-10 seconds and shut off. Seems many are unaware of this...
 
KCcarguy said:
I think it's next to the blinker fluid gauge
Click to expand...

The dealer told me that the Terrain Selector switch to the right of the hill descent control is the KDSS control. I'm transitioning from an FJ80, which has none of these switches or fancy controls, so bear with me.

Once again thanks on heads up on the AIP whine on shutdown, the dealer told me that this is the "hydraulics" of the KDSS.
 
LandCruiser said:
The dealer told me that the Terrain Selector switch to the right of the hill descent control is the KDSS control. I'm transitioning from an FJ80, which has none of these switches or fancy controls, so bear with me.

Once again thanks on heads up on the AIP whine on shutdown, the dealer told me that this is the "hydraulics" of the KDSS.
Click to expand...

A lot of the guys here at T4R.org have more knowledge about vehicles in their little pinkie than anyone at your dealership including the techs. Have fun with your truck and if you need to know something, just ask. Someone will be able to give you the correct answer and in the odd event you have asked something they cannot answer they will tell you "Take it to the Dealer." If that's the case then usually the dealer has to get Toyota involved.
 
LandCruiser said:
The dealer told me that the Terrain Selector switch to the right of the hill descent control is the KDSS control. I'm transitioning from an FJ80, which has none of these switches or fancy controls, so bear with me.

Once again thanks on heads up on the AIP whine on shutdown, the dealer told me that this is the "hydraulics" of the KDSS.
Click to expand...

Dealers are funny. My dealer at least didn't pretend he knew stuff, but was helpful and tried to find answers in manual : )
 
This video helped me understand KDSS.

KDSS

I have found that it really makes a difference with handling when driving pretty fast on a winding paved road. My truck handles more like a sports car than a truck.
 
LandCruiser said:
The dealer told me that the Terrain Selector switch to the right of the hill descent control is the KDSS control. I'm transitioning from an FJ80, which has none of these switches or fancy controls, so bear with me.

Once again thanks on heads up on the AIP whine on shutdown, the dealer told me that this is the "hydraulics" of the KDSS.
Click to expand...

I had suspected you were mis-informed by the wonderful experts at the dealer. Of all places, you'd expect the people at the dealer should know their own vehicles right?

I believe that terrain selection knob you are talking about only adjusts how the traction control behaves when it kicks it, so you don't really "feel" anything immediately; at least I haven't. Though, I have not played around with it much at all either, there's no mall terrain selection for me on the knob :behindsofa:

Anyway, here's a few more pretty cool videos I've found on this forum posted by various members (sorry I can't find the original thread anymore to give credit)

4Runner Trail Edition - YouTube

2010 Toyota 4Runner Trail-KDSS Demo- Jon Lancaster Toyota - YouTube

If you are like me, visual aids do wonders, I hate reading :)
 
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