Emergency braking and nose dive?

crazy emergency braking feature

I'm glad I found this thread. This is my first 4Runner. I thought there was something wrong with my truck. I have made a handful of sudden stops, and the truck misinterpreted them as panic stops and it applied full violent braking force and everything went flying. I wasn't standing on the brakes, but I certainly got more braking force than I wanted. I think the system is too sensitive. It's being a bit of a dama queen if you ask me. I've never had any vehicle respond so violently in this manner so easily. I hate this design.
 
NukeRog said:
I'm glad I found this thread. This is my first 4Runner. I thought there was something wrong with my truck. I have made a handful of sudden stops, and the truck misinterpreted them as panic stops and it applied full violent braking force and everything went flying. I wasn't standing on the brakes, but I certainly got more braking force than I wanted. I think the system is too sensitive. It's being a bit of a dama queen if you ask me. I've never had any vehicle respond so violently in this manner so easily. I hate this design.
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It’s embarrassing when mine does it. People look at me as if I’m a lunatic, it’s definitely too sensitive.
 
left foot braking

Grew up driving mostly older Vw & still use my left foot for braking as I would clutch , seems like it gives me (impo) a little softer feel so this doesn't happen to often !
 
Hi guys,

New here so I can't start a thread. I am on a waiting list for a 2022 4Runner with KDSS. For the longest time, my understanding was that 4Runners with KDSS had the least amount of nose dive when heavy braking. However, after coming across a discussion of the issue on Reddit, there were people saying that the TRD Pro suspension had the least amount of Nose Dive. I find this to be counter intuitive. Isn't the PRO's suspension the softest by design, or am I mistaken?

Anyone that knows for certain, please chime in. Nose diving is an issue that ranks very high for me.
 
Something_Awesome said:
Hi guys,

New here so I can't start a thread. I am on a waiting list for a 2022 4Runner with KDSS. For the longest time, my understanding was that 4Runners with KDSS had the least amount of nose dive when heavy braking. However, after coming across a discussion of the issue on Reddit, there were people saying that the TRD Pro suspension had the least amount of Nose Dive. I find this to be counter intuitive. Isn't the PRO's suspension the softest by design, or am I mistaken?

Anyone that knows for certain, please chime in. Nose diving is an issue that ranks very high for me.
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Sorry but If nose dive is a big issue to you don't get a suv like this. Nose dive is a necessity if you want softer ride off road (why get a 4runner otherwise, buy a highlander). Look at how trophy trucks behave for an example. I think a lot of people online have convinced themselves 4runner nose dive is exceptionally bad and then propagate that opinion.

I don't get the complaints honestly. My other car is a c5 corvette so I'm used to stiff/tight suspension and I feel like the 4runner handles just fine for what it is.

Regardless, my trd "seemed" fine with stock suspension and still seems fine with full Kings. Maybe I just haven't braked hard yet. I also have a 97 4runner that seems the same.
 
Forgetful said:
Sorry but If nose dive is a big issue to you don't get a suv like this. Nose dive is a necessity if you want softer ride off road (why get a 4runner otherwise, buy a highlander). Look at how trophy trucks behave for an example. I think a lot of people online have convinced themselves 4runner nose dive is exceptionally bad and then propagate that opinion.

I don't get the complaints honestly. My other car is a c5 corvette so I'm used to stiff/tight suspension and I feel like the 4runner handles just fine for what it is.

Regardless, my trd "seemed" fine with stock suspension and still seems fine with full Kings. Maybe I just haven't braked hard yet. I also have a 97 4runner that seems the same.
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Ok thanks. I think I still want the KDSS because, from what I understood, it provides a firm ride on the road but the moment the system detects you're offroad, it goes.... "flaccid" LOL. I mean, if that is how KDSS works, then it sounds like it is perfect for someone like me. I live in Los Angeles. While I NEVER tailgate, people on the roads here do crazy stuff and sometimes you need to slam on the brakes.
 
Something_Awesome said:
Ok thanks. I think I still want the KDSS because, from what I understood, it provides a firm ride on the road but the moment the system detects you're offroad, it goes.... "flaccid" LOL. I mean, if that is how KDSS works, then it sounds like it is perfect for someone like me. I live in Los Angeles. While I NEVER tailgate, people on the roads here do crazy stuff and sometimes you need to slam on the brakes.
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If you're more interested in pavement performance than off road then yes kdss is a good choice for you. Kdss only goes flaccid under a certain speed (15mph?). You need all the help possible in LA I imagine.
 
Coming from someone who daily drives a Wrangler, the 4Runner's nosedive and roll is quite dramatic and excessive.
Aftermarket shocks 100% fix the issue.

I replaced mine and then had a friend buy a 4Runner. Coming from a 1996 Tacoma, he thought he bought a broken 4Runner. Then he drove mine and REALLY thought he had a broken 4Runner until I told him I changed the shocks.

Don't get me wrong, the 4Runner stops great! Except, you're closer to a handstand versus level at max braking.
 
Forgetful said:
If you're more interested in pavement performance than off road then yes kdss is a good choice for you. Kdss only goes flaccid under a certain speed (15mph?). You need all the help possible in LA I imagine.
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I've heard about this speed thing, but have never found anything officially from Toyota. All that Toyota says is the system knows when you're off road and the stabilizer bars basically "disable," softening the ride and gives you more articulation. If we are going by Toyota's statements, the KDSS has no cons versus stock (aside from price).
 
I have a '21 ORP and if I wasn't able to upgrade the suspension, I wouldn't have even bought a 4Runner at all. THAT is how bad the nosedive is on stock suspension. Upgraded to 6112/5160 lift and zero nosedive. Even though I'm 2.5" higher, it drives just like a car on the street.
 
Something_Awesome said:
I've heard about this speed thing, but have never found anything officially from Toyota. All that Toyota says is the system knows when you're off road and the stabilizer bars basically "disable," softening the ride and gives you more articulation. If we are going by Toyota's statements, the KDSS has no cons versus stock (aside from price).
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12mph. the larger stabilizers do a great job controlling body roll at all speeds. Off road articulation is increased. Only cons are a little extra work if you are lifting and maintenance when needed, if needed. Mines been pretty bulletproof for 238k, just had to replace the sway bar bushings which was simple.

Also, in 10 years I've only had to do a handful of emergency stops and had no problem stopping. Yes there was nose dive, but I stopped short and straight every time. If nose dive is an issue for you, maybe you should re-evaluate how you are driving your rig. Should be treated as a cruising vessel, I'm usually the slowest one on the road in a mellow cruise. My Land Cruiser does the same nose dive. Just keep your seats clean.
 
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In Iraq I drove an armored Land Cruiser with full ARB bumper and hoops, winch, man that thing would nosedive! Needless to say, the 4Runner is nothing compared.

I am curious how my lift will impact it.
 
Beakerbox said:
I have my TE over a month (No KDSS) and it handles fairly well - feels pretty planted for a truck. There's really not much body roll but I do get a bit of nose dive under heavy breaking - I just assume when you have an off-road equipped vehicle you make certain on road sacrifices.

One of the specific complaints - which I have experienced, is what happens when the vehicle finally stops under hard breaking.. If it was a motorcycle - or a sportscar, you would conclude the dampers are broken in the suspension if it behaved the same way.

The weight transfers to the front - the suspension compresses - When you finally stop all that energy in the compressed suspension is released lifting the nose high then back down and back up again - and literally "bobs" back and forth a few times which I think is what most people are complaining about..
Many people would perceive that as a suspension with really crappy dampening. I've experienced this - but it doesn't really bother me since it's a truck designed for off road and not a sports car so you should expect a suspension with a lot of travel.

You can alleviate the bobbing under hard breaking by lifting and easing off the breaks in the last couple of feet before you come to a stop. So you are gradually taking the energy out of the suspension instead of it releasing all at once when you stop. I've pretty much eliminated the experience this way.
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One of the things I tend to do is brake, release just enough to uncompress the front and then brake the rest of the way and stop if there's more nosedive than I wanted.
 
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