How do I know it has KDSS?

[Arc.]

I tried searching on KDSS and got about 11 pages worth of information - I didn't go through it all so I'm prepared for getting flamed.

When shopping for a used 2010 4Runner TE, how can I tell if it has KDSS? It seems most salespeople aren't really sure what it is and can't tell me confidently if it has it. I'm going to go look at a few this weekend and wanted to know if there are any visual clues to a newb like myself that makes me confident that I'm buying a TE w/KDSS.

For instance, one guy told me that if it has Fuse #26 it has KDSS. Is that right? I could look for "beefier" sway bars, but I'm not sure I can qualify what would be beefier. I read in one post that the KDSS light comes on when starting the vehicle - would only a KDSS truck have that fault light?

My other non-KDSS observation is that the seats aren't nearly as comfortable as my 2002 SE. Man, my 1989 seats ROCKED, 2002 was pretty good, now fast foward to 2010 and they aren't nearly as comfy. I'm pretty skin and bones so I'm nervous that long trips I might be putting a cushion down.

 

[Ryan_S]

look under the front drivers side, at the side of the front skid plate. you will see a huge piston thing with a shock boot on it just above the skid plate.

like in this picture:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/637983-post4.html

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

What Ryan_S said...But the easiest way to tell without sticking your head way under the truck is to see if the sway bar mounts attach to the lower control arm like this. If it looks identical to this, you have KDSS, if you don't see this attachment point you don't have KDSS.

 

[Arc.]

Wow, thanks fellas. This information is very helpful! Thanks!

 

[harper7]

Another easy way is to look under the drivers side at the frame . You'll see hydraulic lines and the KDSS pump covered by a skid plate on KDSS models. Non KDSS model TE's have nothing there at all and is bare .

Here's what the lines and pump look like on a KDSS TE. You can see it's just forward of the fuel tank,can't miss it.

 

[nosamk]

I was wondering the same thing.

Looks like mine has it!

 

[Jeremy556]

Another easy one, is turn the ignition on, but don't start. There will be a yellow KDSS light.

 

[T4Ranger]

And if you still want to be reassured after looking under it, call any Toyota Parts Dept. and give them the VIN. They can verify if the vehicle came with KDSS or not.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

The rear KDSS Cylinder is pretty easy to spot as well.

 

[eeguy]

Hey guys, I am looking at a 2014 trail which is not advertised as having KDSS, and I'm pretty far away from the seller so I cannot inspect the underside myself at this time. I've also run the vin through a vin decoder and it did not mention KDSS (I've run some 2014s with KDSS and it did not mention it in the decoder but some years will show it as an ordered option).

So I went ahead and requested they send me some pictures of the underside and after looking at it I'm not seeing any indication that it has KDSS (based on what to look for in this thread) but I just wanted to run it by ya'll to make sure.

P.S. Does this underbody look like it's in good condition?

 

[STX4Runner]

Correct, no KDSS. Underside looks good, though.

 

[4Rager]

Hey guys, I am looking at a 2014 trail which is not advertised as having KDSS, and I'm pretty far away from the seller so I cannot inspect the underside myself at this time. I've also run the vin through a vin decoder and it did not mention KDSS (I've run some 2014s with KDSS and it did not mention it in the decoder but some years will show it as an ordered option).


P.S. Does this underbody look like it's in good condition?

Correct no KDSS based on those pics. I'd say the underboy looks great considering that front skid looks like it's never taken a hit. Mine is a 2014 and looks way worse than that.

 

[RedBeard01]

Can anyone tell me if this is the kdss? I'm buying a used 4runner out of town and this is the picture they just sent me.

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[MTN4RNR]

Can anyone tell me if this is the kdss? I'm buying a used 4runner out of town and this is the picture they just sent me.

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Yes.

 

[RedBeard01]

Thanks. Buying next Saturday with a 6 hour drive. Any suggestions on how to speed up the time? I searched the forums before asking but couldn't find anything...

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[bloodninja]

Thanks. Buying next Saturday with a 6 hour drive. Any suggestions on how to speed up the time? I searched the forums before asking but couldn't find anything...

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If it's a 6 hour drive and you wanna speed up the time, you could drive faster.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Thanks. Buying next Saturday with a 6 hour drive. Any suggestions on how to speed up the time? I searched the forums before asking but couldn't find anything...

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Put on your sunglasses, blink 3x and will yourself to be there.

It works. It really does.

 

[CruiserGear]

OP - Thanks for creating this helpful thread!

Replies - Thanks for the helpful responses with photos!

One observation/question I have in coming from an FJ Cruiser is that the swaybars on KDSS models seem to be mounted WAY lower than the FJ Cruiser's sway bars, and as a result seem way more exposed.

Have any of you seen any damage to the sway bar or its mounts because of this lower location?

 

[Modern Paladin]

Can anyone tell by this pic of it has KDSS? Thanks all! Super helpful

 

[e60ral]

if you have a higher resolution image it may be possible to tell if you brighten the image a bit to see the sway bar in the shadows