Info needed on purchase next month!

[PauldF]

Hi all,
I plan on buying a 2018 4runner the first week or two of April. I really like this forum and could spend all my time just reading though all the interesting threads. For instance, I really liked Throwback's post in this forum today about "If you were to do it over again . . .". I don't even have mine yet, much less have it paid off like Throwback (although I will finance less than $15k) but like him I'm interested in some upgrades but will never be doing any rock crawling. One thing I noted in one of the replies to his post was that the owner went from a KDSS enabled ride to one without because he felt that going down washboard dirt roads was too harsh with the KDSS suspension and that without it and some minor mods it handled that sort of road much better. I live here in SoCal and will primarily be using this 4runner as a daily driver, but I like to go skiing, camping, fishing and exploring and hope to do more in the future again. Years ago I had a 1989 FJ62 Landcruiser that I put an Old Man Emu suspension on with just a small lift and the handling was remarkably better both on and off road. My plan after reading up here and elsewhere and driving a TRD OR Premium was to buy that model with KDSS instead of going for 'just' (eye roll inserted) a 4x4 premium SR5 without. Now I'm not so sure. I admit that I would very rarely use any of the 'Crawl' modes that come with the OR truck (I think I can modulate my throttle and brakes just fine) but who knows, and the ability to lock the rear axle would be useful. But now I'm unsure as to whether it would be better to just get a 4x4 SR5 Premium and maybe do some limited mods (wheels, tires, skid plates, minor suspension/lift) that would get me to maybe 90% of what the OR model brings to the table. It would cost less initially and maybe I would end up with just as capable vehicle in the long run. What says the collective?

 

[off-road runner]

I personally own a '10 trail w/o KDSS and a '15 TEP with KDSS and it is coming on time to trade the '10 for an '18 and the #1 thing I want on the '18 is KDSS. I can't speak for everyone but IMHO if you are not gonna get too radical with lifting, get KDSS, it improve road manners tremendously. If 90% of your driving is on washboard type roads... it may not be for you.

 

[cjdewese]

I have a 17 TRDOR with KDSS and for me I can say it is probably the best thing I have on my truck. I live in Idyllwild and drive up and down a mountain with windy roads anytime I go anywhere and not having any body lean is fantastic.

I can keep up with pretty much anyone on the mountain roads and I have no doubt that KDSS is a huge reason for that. I am on dirt a few times a week but I don't really go that fast when I do so I don't notice much of the downfalls of the system.

You will probably be very happy with either choice, it really does come down to how you want to drive your truck and what you plan to do with it. For me and what I do and where I live it made a lot of sense at the time of my purchase.

 

[Louisiana Overland]

My 2017 non kdss has an OME lift and spring package. The body roll and nose dive that was present with stock suspension no longer exists with that set up. I would hesitate a guess that most any decent aftermarket shock and spring set would negate those issues. So if you plan on modifying the suspension, I wouldnt pay extra for kdss because of the body roll issue. It may have its place for more texhnical terrain, but I can assure you a non kdss 4runner is a very capable offroad platform.


It all depends on your wants and needs. I liked the LOOK of the trd pro but steered clear of it because I would be paying a premium for a suspension that I would be replacing with aftermarket components anyway.

Be sure and show that new truck off here in the forum.

 

[Throwback]

Hey, that was actually me. I originally bought a '14 TE with KDSS and ended up trading it for a '14 TE without KDSS after 6 months because I hated the rough ride of the KDSS.

I also had issues with the truck leaning to the passenger side 3/4", which is very noticeable visually, but is within Toyota tolerance (0.78") so they consider it okay and won't touch it.

I know lots of guys like the sports-car ride on the street and there are some high mileage trucks with KDSS out there, but for me personally it was just a weird system that I didn't want on my long term vehicle.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

My 2017 non kdss has an OME lift and spring package. The body roll and nose dive that was present with stock suspension no longer exists with that set up. I would hesitate a guess that most any decent aftermarket shock and spring set would negate those issues. So if you plan on modifying the suspension, I wouldnt pay extra for kdss because of the body roll issue. It may have its place for more texhnical terrain, but I can assure you a non kdss 4runner is a very capable offroad platform.


It all depends on your wants and needs. I liked the LOOK of the trd pro but steered clear of it because I would be paying a premium for a suspension that I would be replacing with aftermarket components anyway.

Be sure and show that new truck off here in the forum.

Throw some poly front and rear sway bar bushings in and it'll handle even better.

 

[final]

The best thing to do is to enjoy your stock 4Runner for a few months. Then decide what things you would like and need.

 

[PauldF]

Ok, so from what I'm hearing it would seem that KDSS really helps more with body lean etc on paved mountain mountain roads than it does with washboard dirt roads. My wife loved the lack of lean and body roll on the OR we drove - especially as a passenger in the back - she and my daughters have complained of motion sickness a tad in my Tahoe and Escalade. I'm not sure you can get the OR without KDSS, but will need to check into that. As far as the other differences go the SR5 4wd version appears to come with A-TRAC and the downhill assist (DAC) and Hill start assist (HAC), so really the only things the OR adds is the crawl assist features (CRAWL) and the Locking rear diff. I'd like to have the locking rear diff for those times where you really need it, but don't really need the others. What am I missing? What else should I be thinking about. If I saved $5K going with the SR5 would I really be doing any better by the time I pay to upgrade the suspension etc to get rid of that body roll etc.? On either ride (in SuperWhite) I'd like to swap out the stock rims/tires for the TRD Pro black ones and black out anything else like running boards, roofrack, emblems etc., but other than the rims none of those are deal breakers. Or do you think I'b be better price-wise off swapping those items out later? My friend in the industry says its better to just get it direct from the dealer exactly like I want, but my gut always thinks I'm gonna get ripped.

 

[GearJunkie88]

I don't have KDSS and have never ridden in a KDSS-equipped vehicle but I don't have problems or concerns with off or on road handling or "manners." You will likely be happy with either choice. I have a 2017 ORP and had a 2016 SR5P before. I don't find much utility in the off road cruise control knobs (crawl etc) in the ORP. I do, however, miss the sunglasses holder compartment (the SR5 has the sunglasses holder in place of the crawl and terrain control knobs). In my estimation, the 4R is such an awesome vehicle, any model is an excellent choice. There are a lot of gimmicky options that will improve your quality of life by 0.429%.

 

[PauldF]

Oh, I forgot . . . for the extra money i also get the (non-functioning) hood scoop. LOL. Hate to admit it, but I (like many other people) really like that damn hood scoop!

 

[Throwback]

I hate my hood scoop. It reflects the sun right into my eyes. I've also never used my rear locker, CRAWL, or MTS.

If I was buying new today I'd get a 4x4 SR5 Premium in classic silver or white.

 

[mscot]

The hood scoop sucks. It might look cool but it sucks.

 

[PauldF]

I'll have to pay more attention to the hood scoop if I drive one again. I didn't notice it when I drove one a couple of weeks ago.

It also appears that the OR might sit higher and have better approach and departure angles.

 

[PauldF]

I checked and the 2018 Ebrochure says approach/departure angles for SR5 4x4 and ORP are the same: 33/26. The ground clearance is also the same 9.6, so that's a wash.

 

[brtnstrns]

Hood scoop looks so much better. Retinas be damned!

 

[mscot]

When you test drive. Pay attention to parking in front of another car. That will give you a sense of how the hood scoop gets in your way.
I'm 5'10" so maybe taller folk won't notice.

 

[nb rob]

the hood scoop isn't a big distraction to everyone...

I'm also 5'10. It's all but invisible to me except the one time the sun glared off of it in to my eyes. Luckily I can move my head from side to side when I need to.

 

[Throwback]

I hold a PHD, CCNA, and am PMP certified in Analysis Paralysis so I know what I'm talking about in that area.

If you like the 4Runner as a vehicle and think you may want 4x4 go spend a few days visiting the dealers in your area getting pricing on trucks they have sitting on the lot. They may have some random TRD OR that they need to move, or some screaming deal on a Certified Pre Owned SR5 Premium with 10 miles on the odometer. Who knows.

If you like the way the TRD OR looks (wheels, hood scoop) and like the idea of a locker and the price is good, buy it. If they have a SR5P that's cheaper, buy it. You'll be well equipped either way. At the end of the day I'd recommend trying to get the best deal you can.

 

[ElectroBoy]

I have a 2018 TORP with KDSS. I like the KDSS since I drive 99.9% of the time on pavement; on lots of twisty mountain roads, high speed freeways. KDSS shines for me, previous vehicle was a 2000 SR5 with lots of leaning and a rough suspension.

That said, the hood scoop kind of sucks since it reflects light into the eyes when the sun angle is just right. The color is silver so that may exacerbate the reflection. I may get the scoop wrapped or dipped in flat black to alleviate that.

Also the crawl control etc features get seldom used but are nice to have.

Overall it's a great vehicle and my wife loves it.

 

[PauldF]

Having been a Systems Analyst, Project/Product Manager, Process Re-Engineer and Change Agent for my entire career, I prefer to call it Customer Needs Assessment rather than Analysis Paralysis, but it's all just nomenclature!!! LOL.

I try not to ask questions just to hear myself type, and really enjoy getting other's real world fedback, but I can admit that there can be too much of a good thing and that I certainly can over analyse things. That being said, again, I really appreciate all the information, opinions and support of a group of like-minded enthusiasts. One of the reasons I bought my last road bike was because of the extensive and extremely, knowledgeable and friendly Owners group online. And sometimes the input just makes me have a good laugh (brtnstrns)!

I believe I have benefited from those who have taken the time to reply to this thread and for reading many of the other threads here. I'm inching closer to my decision - so a heartfelt thanks to all who have responded and to any others who may.

I'm leaning back to my original idea of getting a ORP with KDSS. The family approval factor (even though the kids are in college now) for the on-road handling I felt with the KDSS seems to warrant the extra cost. I may not use some of the CRAWL features very often (like others here), but then again having them and having a vehicle of which less are imported can also be good for resale as others have mentioned - even if I doubt I will ever sell.

It looks like stock in a KDSS ORP in Superwhite here in Southern Ca is gone and I'm told the next one coming into port is 60 days out. I will also consider one in Magnetic grey. If anyone sees a great deal on one I'm willing to fly to make the deal and enjoy driving it home.

Opinions? Critiques? Comments?