I know this topic has been discussed 1000 times on this forum, so I'll keep this brief. Bilstein 5100's should be installed immediately after taking delivery of your new truck. I put some miles on the runner this summer including a 5200 mile return trip (central Ontario to San Diego) in just 10 days (don't ask). While the runner was fine on i70 at 90 mph, I was scared #$%@ of the body roll on i15 from Grand Junction to north of Vegas. Decided to pick-up 5100's (keeping stock coils) all around on another trip for half the price it would cost up here (taxes and exchange). Finished the install today and just got back from a test drive. This really is how it should have left the factory. Enough said.
Do this as soon as you get your new runner !!!
- Thread starter NeilYoung
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lewdog998
New member
toss up between that and red shackles on the front tie downs
Whippersnapper02
Senior Member
Ceramic tint would be my first go to but I'm in Derpifornia.
DAW89446
Member
So, which T4R are these on? I have an ‘18 SR5, don’t really know what shocks are on it. My understanding that all models except the ORP have the same shocks. I’m happy with the ride and handling of my truck (stock), I don’t have a roof rack and don’t carry anything up there to affect the CG.
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2020 Off-Road Premium w/ KDSS. Except for the TRD Pro and Limited, all share the same crappy OEM shocks.You don't have to rock crawl or carry serious weight to appreciate the difference and trust me, you will notice in the first couple of blocks. Huge bang for your buck at approx $400 if you can spin a wrench.
IslandJim
New member
I have and for my use case, 90% highway 10% forestry roads, a non-KDSS runner was not an option. I think, folks just need to be honest to themselves when making the decision on a with or without KDSS vehicle. Easy to get caught up in the hype and imagine yourself rock crawling every weekend with the new truck. You tend to forget about the 30 mile commute to work.
joshelliot
Junior Member
hahahahahahahaaaaaa!
Salvo Jimmy
Member
I keep hearing folks talking about KDSS "controlling the ride" when in fact it is simply a stiffer (anti)swaybar with a hydraulic disconnect. So, you do get better lean control (significant), and a bit more bump harshness when you hit a single wheel (caused by the stiffer swaybar), but "controlling the ride" is a stretch.
(owned and put a bunch of miles on 2 kdss rigs ('07 GX470 and '16 ORP) and now have a Limited with X-REAS (a whole different can of beans).
Oh, in case someone has access to parts catalogs: could someone verify that the swaybars are the same part in everything but the KDSS cars? I heard somewhere that Limiteds have smaller swaybars than SR5/non-KDSS due to X-REAS. Would love to verify.
[edit] went and found parts schematics at Toyota Parts of Lynnwood WA. Looks like the front & rear swaybars are the same part for everything except KDSS trucks. Strange thing is it looks like Limiteds (and the sports) have different front and rear springs. Would like to learn more about this. Would also be SUPER curious of anyone has thought of bolting up the KDSS swaybar on a street-only 4runner so you get the benefits of the sway control that so much of us like. That's a question for future-me after my XREAS wears out.
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Yep.
My point was that for folks who don't want to immediately put in a lift and some expensive hardware may think that the stock shocks and "control" are about as good as it gets on these vehicles. My experience and that of many others is that the stock shocks don't realize the full potential of the vehicle. The ride control on my KDSS equipped vehicle is VASTLY improved with the 5100's and for only $400. Yes, there are more expensive options with increasing price tags but I would suggest the 5100's are probably how the vehicle should have come from the factory.
100% believe it. I personally think that for my usage (crappy weather, snow, occasional forest service road) 5100s would work great on my Limited -- with potentially a KDSS swaybar-only retrofit. Would ride better than the X-REAS which is well controlled but a bit too controlled for my liking. Looks like a few hundred $$ of parts. The big question in my mind is if the "solid" swaybar support points on the KDSS can also be used on the other side of the truck where the KDSS rigs have the hydraulic ram.
SnipedYota
New member
So what are 5100's sorry? I'm dense!
