Bilstein 5100 and KDSS

[Wbflyer]

Hey All!

I have 5100's on all around. I've got KDSS on my 2020 TRD and .80 or the second notch on the front. I'm thinking of going to the third or 1.75 on the front. Do you see any issues with KDSS doing that? The rear is stock except for the 5100's on the rear. Getting Firestone bags in the rear springs in case I tow.

 

[jk24runner]

You will have no issues bumping your ride height up

 

[Wbflyer]

Ok, sounds good!

 

[mrbrenan]

No issues at all on my end; however I did have a slight KDSS lean. You can fix that though by stacking one shim on top of your 5100 from Ekstrom Design or anyone else that makes strut shims. Some guys have said they have lean, and some have not. We did have lean running the 5100s with 889 OME coils but one shim on the passenger side fixed it.

Ekstrom Design: Ekstrom Design & Fabrication Corporation -- A Coachbuilder Company -- – Shop Coachbuilder

 

[ATC556]

Does the KDSS make the install any different than with the normal Sr5 suspension setup? I'm wondering if any shops will balk when they see the KDSS when I get around to getting the 5100s.

 

[mrbrenan]

Does the KDSS make the install any different than with the normal Sr5 suspension setup? I'm wondering if any shops will balk when they see the KDSS when I get around to getting the 5100s.

Yeah, KDSS does make the install a little more time-consuming as you're working with the stiff hydraulic sway bar as opposed to the typical SR5 sway bar suspension setup. It shouldn't warrant a higher install price but who knows. Depends on the shop and how experienced they are with Toyotas/KDSS in general.

 

[bluebullet]

Yeah, KDSS does make the install a little more time-consuming as you're working with the stiff hydraulic sway bar as opposed to the typical SR5 sway bar suspension setup. It shouldn't warrant a higher install price but who knows. Depends on the shop and how experienced they are with Toyotas/KDSS in general.

I got front 5100s on my 2011 Trail in 2011 for $400 installed. When I asked about 5100s for my 2020 ORP in 2019 I was quoted $1400 installed. Same dealership different accessories manager both 4Rs had KDSS. When I asked why so much more accessories manager said it was due to the difficulty of the install with KDSS according to the techs. I passed b/c I thought it was a ripoff. 5011s at 1.75" leveled the 2011 and reduced the nose drive when braking for deer. It was so bad before I was losing them in the headlights. Bad juju.

At 1.75" I had to get the headlights adjusted as I was getting flashed a lot. More bad juju.

 

[Jivewalker]

Does the KDSS make the install any different than with the normal Sr5 suspension setup? I'm wondering if any shops will balk when they see the KDSS when I get around to getting the 5100s.

You can do it yourself! KDSS is not a huge deal, just unbolt the end brackets and support the piston where it meets the bar so it doesn't extend and hang there. Others have let it just hang without issues. You can do the whole thing in your driveway if you have a floor jack and the vehicle jack.

How To: Lift Installation (on KDSS equipped vehicles)

There are also some pdf's with pictures floating around since the images in this post disappeared.

 

[DougR]

Last year, an off road performance shop told me they wouldn't do anything to guarantee no lean or resolve any lean related issue when they gave me a quote to lift my 2011 Trail with KDSS. I wanted 0.85 inches front lift with Bilstein 5100s. I elected to install the shocks myself 3 months ago. No lean. Be sure to ask your shop how they would handle any lean issue that may arise. If the tech decides to loosen the KDSS shutter valves, they have to know how to count turns or measure height. I used a method that didn't involve loosening the valves.

 

[bboy626]

Been running the Bilstein 5100 at 1.75" on my 2012 Trail with KDSS for years. I did go with Toytec rear springs to stiffen up the rear. No issues. Perhaps some slight lean when fuel tank is low but doesnt bother me one bit.

 

[Blue109]

Eibach kit at 2.75" on my KDSS truck. Hardly noticable lean. Local shops wanted way to much so I followed the suggestions from this board and did it myself. Had zero issues. Used a ratchet strap to hold piston in place and removed end links from LCAs. After that it's just like doing a lift on a non KDSS truck.

 

[baldrik78]

I'm at a hair over 3" lift up front with my Dobinson/5100 combo, with KDSS, for almost 3 years. No issues, other than digressive valving on the shocks, plus the heavy KDSS sway bar makes washboard roads a little rough.

 

[BlueRidge77]

I'm at a hair over 3" lift up front with my Dobinson/5100 combo, with KDSS, for almost 3 years. No issues, other than digressive valving on the shocks, plus the heavy KDSS sway bar makes washboard roads a little rough.

Digressive shocks is what has kept me from getting the 5100’s. Many like the stiffer shock because it can help with handling, but I don’t need that with the KDSS. Perhaps it would be worth the stiffer ride and rough washboard performance if I had a non KDSS... Have you looked into a more linear shock? I’ve been looking into the Eibach shocks which are also digressive, but not as much as the 5100 and perhaps I could live with those on my stock springs... IDK. I’m in a bit of analysis paralysis...

 

[baldrik78]

Digressive shocks is what has kept me from getting the 5100’s. Many like the stiffer shock because it can help with handling, but I don’t need that with the KDSS. Perhaps it would be worth the stiffer ride and rough washboard performance if I had a non KDSS... Have you looked into a more linear shock? I’ve been looking into the Eibach shocks which are also digressive, but not as much as the 5100 and perhaps I could live with those on my stock springs... IDK. I’m in a bit of analysis paralysis...

I'm going to go with Dobinsons IMS. Probably next year. I'm working on getting a rear bumper this year.