Body Roll and Nose Diving on Non-KDSS 4Runners?

[02SE]

From what I understand KDSS allows for the decoupling of the sway bars. As such the nose dive under breaking and nose lift under acceleration is the same on KDSS and non KDSS as KDSS only affects the roll stiffness of the sway bars being coupled or non coupled.

If you want dive and squat control then it is the XRES system found on the Limited trim level. Where the front and rear suspension (shock absorbers specifically) are tied together hydraulically.

Go drive brand new versions of both. You'll feel the difference. The difference is not just roll stiffness.

 

[smeerun]

This video helped me understand and ultimately make my decision to buy one with KDSS. As most of my driving is street and I am coming from driving sporty stick shift coupes I wanted the stiffer feel while turning.

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[jhguth]

Before I bought my 4Runner I rented an SR5 model for a week vacation.

Coming from cars on lowered sports suspensions I had a tough time adjusting to the SR5, it literally made me car sick even when I was driving. There were times on twisty roads where I had to stop and walk around a bit so I wouldn't get sick. I test drove a KDSS model when I got back and loved it and didn't (and haven't since) experienced any car sickness.

Go drive both, it's a significant night and day difference, then buy whichever you prefer

 

[QuickBen]

I have a KDSS with bilstein shocks in the front. My wife absolutely despises how it rides. It is very stiff and feels very much like a truck. She's pretty sensitive to motion sickness (especially right now as she's pregnant) and the car makes her feel sick pretty consistently.

On the other hand, I have 3 friends with 4runners, none of whom have KDSS, and every single one of them is intensely jealous of how mine rides. Even more noticeable on the trail.

FWIW, even with KDSS, my 4runner did some serious nose dives before I put the billies on. Felt like a dang see-saw when it was braking. The billies made the ride significantly more stiff but did eliminate the nose dive.

IMO, the bilsteins probably are making a bigger impact on the difference in my car and the non-KDSS trucks. So, I would say, you probably don't need to stress about getting KDSS. Overall, I'd say KDSS really shines best on the trail, where it really is kind of eerie how smooth the ride is.

 

[arouth]

I ended up buying a 2015 Trail Premium with KDSS, so thank you for the advice given here.

So far so good and after driving an Ecoboost Mustang it’s kind of like driving a boat lol, BUT I’m not really noticing any excessive body roll or nose-diving.