For those who have installed Fox remote res coilovers on a KDSS equipped vehicle

[4Rager]

What was your solution for the driver's side reservoir mounting bracket?
In anticipation of installing my lift, I decided I should do a run through of the install to familiarize myself with everything prior to taking things apart. While doing so I realized I might as well install the reservoir brackets, since they have no impact on the rest of the suspension and it would save a few min when installing everything else.

First of all I noticed everything they sent me referenced an FJ, which is fine for many of the components, but FJ's don't have KDSS. That being said, where the bracket mounts on the driver's said there is an additional piece of the KDSS system that sticks out and prevents the bracket from mounting flush. (I will add pics when I get home)

I spoke with Fox on the phone, and after explaining what KDSS was and that it had been available since 2010, their technician told me there are no special brackets for KDSS equipped vehicles. I then proceeded to tell him that King has a special set of instructions on how to install their CO's on a vehicle with KDSS, and that when spending almost $2k on a set one would hope it is an issue Fox would have considered... That being said, he requested that I send them a pic of what I was referring to so he could forward it to their engineers. Since all the bracket is doing is securing the remote reservoir, it wouldn't be a big deal to modify the design a bit to make it work. What solutions did you guys come up with?

The KDSS "bulge"

Passenger side for comparison

The bracket

The bracket not flush

Passenger side for comparison

Passenger side mount is flush and out of the way

 

[BowJanked]

I would suggest calling king and grabbing one of their mounts if the rezi mounts in the same location. My 2c

 

[4Rager]

I would suggest calling king and grabbing one of their mounts if the rezi mounts in the same location. My 2c

Haha shots fired, but I agree with you. There's no denying it would solve the problem, but this is Fox's problem to fix. I'll send them a pic of King's bracket when I send them the rest of these pics just to rub it in their face. Thanks for your thread that brought this to my attention.

This is how they are supposed to be installed.

 

[BowJanked]

Glad we are here to help one of another

 

[4R Play]

Just had mine installed last week and it looks fine. The Fox customer service people don't know much. The instructions with mine included 4Runner and sections pertaining to KDSS install. Their install manual is online and includes pictures. http://www.ridefox.com/dl/truck/605-01-107-REV_C.pdf

Page 6 has a pic and the following instructions:

"For external reservoir models
with KDSS, install reservoir brackets
as shown (Fig. 4). It is necessary to
remove rubber guard on driver side,
exposing KDSS lines and bracket. You
will need to cut the factory bracket
in order to install the new reservoir
bracket. Cut the bracket as shown in
(Fig. 5) or grind the welds to remove.
After the factory bracket has been
cut, utilize the pre existing holes in the
vehicle frame to locate bracket. Use
the supplied 3/8” self tapping screws
to secure bracket to pre existing holes
in vehicle frame."

Below is what mine looks like.

 

[jrandom]

I just removed the hose guard since the bracket will be taking on that roll. Cut it nice and you can easily weld it back on if you remove the shocks.

EDIT: added pics, sorry last pic is crappy. I actually welded nuts to the factory location as, since i think mine was one of the first they didn't ship with self tapping nuts. Also I tried to explain to them that I thought the clocking on the hydraulic fittings/lines is off but it works. I'll have them checked when I send them in to get rebuilt in a few years.

 

[4Rager]

Just had mine installed last week and it looks fine. The Fox customer service people don't know much. The instructions with mine included 4Runner and sections pertaining to KDSS install. Their install manual is online and includes pictures. http://www.ridefox.com/dl/truck/605-01-107-REV_C.pdf

Page 6 has a pic and the following instructions:

"For external reservoir models
with KDSS, install reservoir brackets
as shown (Fig. 4). It is necessary to
remove rubber guard on driver side,
exposing KDSS lines and bracket. You
will need to cut the factory bracket
in order to install the new reservoir
bracket. Cut the bracket as shown in
(Fig. 5) or grind the welds to remove.
After the factory bracket has been
cut, utilize the pre existing holes in the
vehicle frame to locate bracket. Use
the supplied 3/8” self tapping screws
to secure bracket to pre existing holes
in vehicle frame."

Below is what mine looks like.

Thank you, this is exactly the answer I was looking for. I figured I would have to remove the hose guard, but I didn't want to pull it off just for the sake of examination.

 

[4Rager]

I also realized this is a pretty good pic of why aftermarket UCA's are an upgrade.

 

[Jetboy]

Fox customer service folks don't know shit. Seriously - do not take their word for anything unless you are actually talking to the engineers, and unless you're a shop with direct access, you're probably not talking to the engineers.

I bought a set of FJ Cruiser coilovers and was assured by Fox that they were the same as the 4runner. Then I went to install and the lower mounting bolt on the FJ is 12mm and it's 14mm on the 4runner. So it wouldn't fit. I called fox. They said it was because I have a '15 and they only make shocks up to model year '14 and the '15 must be different. I said that's not correct and we had a stalemate.

It only cost $9 each for the new lower joint bushings for 14mm, so not a big deal - but they ARE different. Also the mounting is significantly different for the reservoir. I just took the FJ Cruiser mounting set and made my own out of them in about the FJ Cruiser location. No big deal. And it fits around the KDSS easily. BUT... I do rub just a tad at full steering lock in reverse. At some point I'll fix it. I paid $400 for the set so I'm OK with it.

Here's how mine are mounted

 

[4Rager]

I just removed the hose guard since the bracket will be taking on that roll. Cut it nice and you can easily weld it back on if you remove the shocks.

EDIT: added pics, sorry last pic is crappy. I actually welded nuts to the factory location as, since i think mine was one of the first they didn't ship with self tapping nuts. Also I tried to explain to them that I thought the clocking on the hydraulic fittings/lines is off but it works. I'll have them checked when I send them in to get rebuilt in a few years.

I just got around to working on the install today, & hit a roadblock when it came to installing the reservoir mounts. My FJ instructions seemed to be followed up with a FJ hardware kit, because I didn't get the self-tapping screws mentioned in the KDSS instructions. That being said, it also appears that the res mounts don't line up with any existing holes on the frame. I understand using a self tapping screw to install my amp to the body sheet metal, but should I really have to drill a hole in the frame for a reservoir mount? Either I got the wrong parts, or it's becoming quite apparent that Fox didn't even bother to try installing this kit on a 4R with KDSS. It's been quite a disappointment since I'm now out of a vehicle until this is resolved.

It's also interesting that your coilovers look exactly the same as mine, but yours appears to have a braded hose cover and mine is just rubber. I will call Fox on Monday and see what help they can offer. As someone who has done plenty of work on my vehicles but with basic garage tools, it doesn't seem reasonable that I have to modify Fox's bracket to make their product work...

 

[jrandom]

As I mentioned earlier, I think mine was one of the first KDSS 5th gen, I have had mine for over a year and a half, there were no specific instructions for a KDSS setup at the time. I expected that there would be some install issues.

The resi mounts I received, the two holes on the bottom part of the bracket match up to where the swaybar would mount on a non-KDSS vehicle when you use the swaybar relocation brackets. Those holes in the bottom side of the frame, at least on my truck, did not come threaded from the factory. I chose to weld nuts to the frame.

The self tapping screws seem like an easier approach, although the frame doesn't give much for the screw to bite on, guessing something like three times less than a nut.

Regardless (lol) you will still have to remove the guard for the KDSS lines. I initially left mine on but at full lock with minor tuck the tire would brush up against the reservoir. So I pulled it apart and cut the guard out, issue resolved.