Kdss better ride?

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elemint

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I am renting a 2016 base model and I cannot imagine how the 4R could handle any better. I drove 2 hours up a winding mtn Rd with 1 hand and there was no body roll I could feel. How is kdss possibly better?
 
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What vehicle are you coming from? I don't think the 4Runners have ridiculous body roll, but like most other tall BOF vehicles it has more than a passenger car.

I have a Limited which has the X-REAS suspension. In my test driving it was noticeably flatter than a base SR5 around corners and when braking. (KDSS and X-REAS are not identical but they both improve stability on-road.)
 
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elemint said:
I am coming from a 3rd Gen and 03 highlander
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So you're already used to driving pretty big vehicles, and if the suspensions on those are original they are probably rolling a lot more than when they were new.

If you compared a new SR5 to a new sedan I think it would be very, very obvious that it was a different kind of vehicle with much worse handling. Also I think if you compared the SR5 to the KDSS or X-REAS suspensions you would also notice an improvement.
 
[MENTION=6528]elemint[/MENTION] I recently just went through the purchasing process. I too came from a 3rd gen 2002 sr5.

In my opinion, when I test drove the 2016 sr5, it really reminded me of my 3rd gen. The way it took bumps and the steering response etc. it was a little smoother with a little less body roll. But when I drove the 2016 limited and trail with KDSS that's when I noticed a difference.

They handle better with less roll and seem more stable at higher speeds. The suspension was much smoother too. The limited actually felt kind of like a luxury car. For what it's worth I ended up getting the trail premium with kdss. I felt it handled and drove very well and I liked the exterior look better than the limited.

Is it a night and day improvement over my 3rd gen? Not really. It is better, and newer, but I don't feel it's like going from a civic to an NSX in terms of handling, but I'm happy with the upgrade.

But again, this is just my opinion
 
elemint said:
I am renting a 2016 base model and I cannot imagine how the 4R could handle any better. I drove 2 hours up a winding mtn Rd with 1 hand and there was no body roll I could feel. How is kdss possibly better?
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Reserved for [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] to say "test drive".

_________________________________.
 
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Good to knolw. I would go with what you have, but no 3rd row in the Trail from what I see. Coming from my 97, the ride and comfort are so much better even on a base I will probably not be able to justify any extras. Unless I test trivet something with kdss etc. I should probably not try one out!


Cozen89 said:
[MENTION=6528]elemint[/MENTION] I recently just went through the purchasing process. I too came from a 3rd gen 2002 sr5.

In my opinion, when I test drove the 2016 sr5, it really reminded me of my 3rd gen. The way it took bumps and the steering response etc. it was a little smoother with a little less body roll. But when I drove the 2016 limited and trail with KDSS that's when I noticed a difference.

They handle better with less roll and seem more stable at higher speeds. The suspension was much smoother too. The limited actually felt kind of like a luxury car. For what it's worth I ended up getting the trail premium with kdss. I felt it handled and drove very well and I liked the exterior look better than the limited.

Is it a night and day improvement over my 3rd gen? Not really. It is better, and newer, but I don't feel it's like going from a civic to an NSX in terms of handling, but I'm happy with the upgrade.

But again, this is just my opinion
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I thought it was a night and day difference. I test drove an sr5 when the 5th gen came out and didn't seriously consider one until about 3 years later when I test drove a trail edition. Some people may even prefer the sr5. Just a personal preference I suppose. But yes - test drive one of each back to back. It is significantly different.
 
* road * A rode is a length of line (not rope) used to attach a boat's anchor. Since you were in the Navy, you should know that.

:hatsoff:
 
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elemint said:
Good to knolw. I would go with what you have, but no 3rd row in the Trail from what I see. Coming from my 97, the ride and comfort are so much better even on a base I will probably not be able to justify any extras. Unless I test trivet something with kdss etc. I should probably not try one out!
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Let me put it this way. When I test drove the SR5, I went home after thinking to myself I'd just keep my 2002. When I test drove the Trail Premium KDSS, I went home with the keys several hours later.

Is it worth the price difference? That's up to you really.
 
I couldn't tell the difference. So I opted out and saved the money. But I will be modding my suspension completely. If I was going to put my lady in it as her DD and kept it stock I would have looked closer and did more testing. Glad that system is not on my 4Runner. I don't like suspension options like those. Gm, ford etc offers suspension options I stay far away from

I also build desert / trail trucks.
 
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I'm sure once aftermarket suspensions are added, the difference between them will be much less.

Besides the stock ride quality that I liked better in the trail, I really liked the locker, black interior trims instead of silver, and the hood scoop. That's why i went trail. If these options make no difference to you, then go SR5. I hope this helps.
 
Just for reference, I've owned several Toyota 4WD vehicles - 3rd gen 4Runner, 80 series land cruiser, 2nd gen tacoma TRD O/R. I rented a 2014 SR5 for a few days in the Wyoming mountains. I really liked the softer springs on the 4Runner, but the body roll was a bit too much.

I test drove a 2015 Trail with KDSS and was truly impressed with the improvement in cornering and low levels of body roll on the road. You really must test drive one to decide if it's worth it for you, but for my money it was absolutely worth it.

Dan
 
Did a comparo of my TE with KDSS against a rental SR5. Winding mountain roads and a stretch of highway. I know its subjective, but DAMN, the KDSS kicks butt! :dancin:
 
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Maybe you guys make drive far more aggressive than me because I notice no body roll on a 2wd base model. This is what confuses me. How can no body roll worse than no body roll with kdss?
 
elemint said:
Maybe you guys make drive far more aggressive than me because I notice no body roll on a 2wd base model. This is what confuses me. How can no body roll worse than no body roll with kdss?
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I probably do, I had an M3 before the 4-runner.
 
I will not buy a 4Runner with KDSS again. I did not see the benefits. It was actually a greater hassle.

My 2012 TE had KDSS. So when I bought my next two 4Runners I avoided KDSS.

And I really cannot tell a difference in performance.
 
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