I like the KDSS effect of improving on-road handling, though I would probably not use it for extensive off-roading. What minor modification(s) could be made to the base TE to improve the on-roading handling, and at what estimated cost? KDSS optioned trucks are tough to find w/o the NAV right now on the dealer lots.
KDSS...another question
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Ben_Mueller
New member
Different tires. Stock ones suck pretty bad comparatively speaking... Go with some Michelin LTX's or something similar.
Not going to be able to replicate the more controlled ride of KDSS as that is achieved by using a much more beefy sway bar. No "minor" changes can really match that...
If you are not stuck on the Trail you should consider the limited. Its suspension (XRES) is designed to reduce body roll as well.
Not going to be able to replicate the more controlled ride of KDSS as that is achieved by using a much more beefy sway bar. No "minor" changes can really match that...
If you are not stuck on the Trail you should consider the limited. Its suspension (XRES) is designed to reduce body roll as well.
Thanks for the input. That is what I was afraid of. We just like the appearance of the TE better, less chrome, etc. I guess that I will have to keep on looking and possible settle for a KDSS/NAV combination. The dealers told me that it would take anywhere from 8 weeks to 5 months to special order a TE. I could believe the 8 weeks, but the 5 months sounds bogus.
Ryan_S
New member
Try a few other dealers, even just call around. I had to go to three different dealers before one would even order one for me. I think 120 days is about average, especially now that they are into production of the 2011s.
The dealers really just want to sell you what is on their lot, but you can "preference order" what you want.
You could always paint the chrome, a lot of people have done it on here and it doesn't look too difficult.
Good luck finding what you want!
Ben_Mueller
New member
Yep, it really depends on where you live i think. Up here in the midwest the only combination we can get in a reasonable time is KDSS non-Nav. Hmm... They are out there.
I think the main point here is go to all the dealers in your area and see what they can do. I found several that seemed entirely uninterested in selling me a vehicle. Others didn't want to look around for a Trail. Finally I found one that looked, found one, and then got it in for me. They got my business... Surprised how much some dealers suck!
I think the main point here is go to all the dealers in your area and see what they can do. I found several that seemed entirely uninterested in selling me a vehicle. Others didn't want to look around for a Trail. Finally I found one that looked, found one, and then got it in for me. They got my business... Surprised how much some dealers suck!
I have a '10 TE and immediately swapped out the the "Camry tires" for BFG All Terrain TA KOs (C load range). The in town driving dynamics I feel are better now than with the OEM tires. Of course, the off highway stuff is much better obviously. I'm now running studded Goodyear DuraTracs for the winter. (Or I will be when Toyota can get me the other two steel wheels I've been waiting for for the past three weeks. Nothing like looking at a set of studded tires in you garage when the weatherpeople are telling you its going to snow tomorrow :bash
I think after having a spring, summer and fall of fly fishing and overlanding in my TE that the KDSS is worth the money and the wait. The handling on pavement alone makes KDSS worth it irregardless of one's dirt aspirations. Here in Portland, Oregon my dealer had to spend about 9 hours working a 3 dealer trade to get my TE with KDSS and Nav. There just were not that many out there at the time. The dealer I purchased from worked much harder than the two closer ones I tried first to get me what I wanted. You need to find the best dealer in that respect in your general area and let them get it done. If you need to wait a little while, it will be worth it for that combo on your T4R.
I think after having a spring, summer and fall of fly fishing and overlanding in my TE that the KDSS is worth the money and the wait. The handling on pavement alone makes KDSS worth it irregardless of one's dirt aspirations. Here in Portland, Oregon my dealer had to spend about 9 hours working a 3 dealer trade to get my TE with KDSS and Nav. There just were not that many out there at the time. The dealer I purchased from worked much harder than the two closer ones I tried first to get me what I wanted. You need to find the best dealer in that respect in your general area and let them get it done. If you need to wait a little while, it will be worth it for that combo on your T4R.
KDSS sounds like it is worth the effort. How did you go about swapping out the tires when you first got the T4R? Did you exchange them with a tire dealer and pay the difference, sell them on Craigslist, etc.?I have a '10 TE and immediately swapped out the the "Camry tires" for BFG All Terrain TA KOs (C load range). The in town driving dynamics I feel are better now than with the OEM tires. Of course, the off highway stuff is much better obviously. I'm now running studded Goodyear DuraTracs for the winter. (Or I will be when Toyota can get me the other two steel wheels I've been waiting for for the past three weeks. Nothing like looking at a set of studded tires in you garage when the weatherpeople are telling you its going to snow tomorrow :bash
I think after having a spring, summer and fall of fly fishing and overlanding in my TE that the KDSS is worth the money and the wait. The handling on pavement alone makes KDSS worth it irregardless of one's dirt aspirations. Here in Portland, Oregon my dealer had to spend about 9 hours working a 3 dealer trade to get my TE with KDSS and Nav. There just were not that many out there at the time. The dealer I purchased from worked much harder than the two closer ones I tried first to get me what I wanted. You need to find the best dealer in that respect in your general area and let them get it done. If you need to wait a little while, it will be worth it for that combo on your T4R.
I just bought the BFGs outright and had my good friend, who is a senior tech at our local Audi/Porsche dealer mount them in his home shop. It is filled with two year old equipment from the dealership. I also gave the OEM tires to him as well for his fathers vehicle. No niggling with the dealer as many have done for me.
TheSentinel
New member
Its definitely hard to find a TE the way you want it. I went to Toyota of Redlands to test drive a 4runner and check out a double cab tacoma. The salesguy didn't even know they had a TE in stock, I had to point it out on the lot! He actually knew quite a bit about the vehicle. Then he let me try the crawl control and I was sold, the KDSS was great too. I tried to find other TEs on other SoCal dealership websites, there was only 6 TEs that I could find. They are rare indeed. Good luck finding yours!
Ben_Mueller
New member
I purchased new tires and could have traded the OEMS for 250 but I decided to sell them myself on craigslist. One day later they had a new home and 450 had a new home in my wallet! I would recommend the sell the OEM's yourself option. It is a pretty common size and the tires.
That is a good suggestion. I am thinking about the Nitto Terra Grapplers per all of the various discussions which I have seen, though I am not sure about the nuances of all of the various models within the Nitto Terra lineup. I would need it for snow, bare road and limited off-road/beach use. Is the Nitto Terra AT the most commonly used variation? I don't believe that I will be rock crawling.
iDRiVaT4R
New member
For tires I would definitely check out Craigslist and the classified sections on all these Toyota SUV/Truck forums. Quite often there is a good deal, I got my wheels and tires from a guy that posted them on the forums. Drove almost 6 hours round trip to pick them up but they only had 1200 miles and I saved about $400 after having the TPMS Sensors swapped, tires balanced, Road hazard warranty, gas for the trip, etc.
As others have mentioned KDSS is unfortunately worth the wait. I would call up everyone you possibly can though, Credit unions might have Auto Brokers set up. Autoland, the one I went through found my TE w/KDSS w/oNav within just a few hours, but I'm in So-Cal and I think most if not all 4Runners get unloaded at the port in LA.
I sold my stock tires with 500 miles on Craigslist for $400. I sold my stock TE wheels on Craigslist for $400. Can't go wrong with Craigslist.
Good luck with everything!
As others have mentioned KDSS is unfortunately worth the wait. I would call up everyone you possibly can though, Credit unions might have Auto Brokers set up. Autoland, the one I went through found my TE w/KDSS w/oNav within just a few hours, but I'm in So-Cal and I think most if not all 4Runners get unloaded at the port in LA.
I sold my stock tires with 500 miles on Craigslist for $400. I sold my stock TE wheels on Craigslist for $400. Can't go wrong with Craigslist.
Good luck with everything!
Dispense
New member
I did the same, drove the truck straight to the Tire Shop and bought BFG T/A KOs. They wouldn't credit me any money back for the stock Bridgestones, but I sold them on Craigslist for $440 in 2 days.