marshal
New member
Luke at 4x4 labs had plenty to go around
KDSS Damage
- Thread starter marshal
- Start date
Luke at 4x4 labs had plenty to go around
1engineer
Moderator
There is no real field percentage of failures on the KDSS system that I can share.
Toyota tries to avoid selling this system in the Northeast or Rust Belt states for obvious reasons. Toyota and rust have a long history not a good one this system is very susceptible to rust. That's all I can say. The system is very heavy and will be discontinued shortly. It's tied in with the electrical system and cannot be easily removed. It's used on very very few Toyota models that are only built in Japan. There are many more modern ways to achieve better results in a lighter weight package using electronics I'm just not sure when this transition will take place. KDSS is a simple system in theory when left completely stock, not exposed to any salt elements or damage or lift kits. But adding in any of those events and an untrained technician equal problems a large percentage of the time. Also note Toyota does not offer this system in their true off-road models such as the TRD pro any FJ cruiser Why ? Because the system does not like heat from the increased stroke it does not like lift kits or longer travel. it limits ground clearance and is vulnerable off-road .
Only time will tell this story , at least now some can't say you weren't warned or you didn't know, you just didn't believe.
Some day we can look back and see
*There were 419,000 units produced in Japan with KDSS in 2012.
*The LC is one of the most rugged on-off highway vehicles produced. It has KDSS.
*Toyota does not try to avoid selling them in the rust belt. Go to the Toyota website, enter a zip code for "rust belt" states and see the TE with KDSS offered and sold there.
*Everything is susceptible to rust in the rust belt, hence it's name.
* There are not "many more ways" to do this, there are only a few that are economical enough to use on a passenger vehicle.
* My explanation from Toyota engineers (NOT TRD engineers, NOT the district tech rep that visits dealers) was price point was the reasoning behind not offering it on the TRD models.
*KDSS is not only simple in theory, it's simple in application. Environmental factors and service training is a different issue.
With all that said sure, Toyota will probably discontinue KDSS in it's present form and offer something else. Why? Because that is how product development works! You use what you have until something better comes along. The caveat to that? The "new" design might be worse than the current design for different reasons! It happens all the time.
One more thing: I find it extremely hard to believe that Toyota would have KDSS failures even approaching 1%. Why? Simple. This website attracts the 4Runner enthusiast. The TE model with KDSS sells around 5% of total 4Runner sales but this forum has a disproportionate amount of TE owners from all over the place. From the 100's of owners here there have been two KDSS failures that I have read about. Two out of a lot, and some of these guys push it pretty hard.
marshal
New member
did you an socalrunner cover every available option for tricking the computer to think the KDSS was still there? looping the electrical circuit? what about looping the hydraulic lines so the system thinks everything is fine? i wouldn't be apposed to relocating the KDSS pump/valve to under the hood if i just looped the lines together.
LandCruiser
New member
Doesn't the KDSS work with all the stability systems (VSC) and anything that confuses/tricks it would also confuse them?
A TE having a Zero Point seizure is like a rabid mule.
marshal
New member
i don't think so, i thin kits a isolated system. could be wrong though. from the sounds of it, socaltrail removed his and the only ill effect was the KDSS light on the dash
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bimrunner
New member
I believe [MENTION=77684]WarnerD9[/MENTION] just lived with the light. I'm 99.9% sure Warner clarified nothing else is affected. I'd personally live with the light on. My TPMS sensor light has been on for about 2 years now. All my sensors check out and I honestly didn't want to pay Toyota or anybody else to replace the system since it doesn't really help me at all. Same with the KDSS light. You'll learn to ignore it. That or black tape... All the relocation etc attempts seem like a waste of time and energy to me tbh.
marshal
New member
FactoryRide
New member
Me too! My TPMS sensors are actually sitting in my toolbox at the house. I put regular valve stems in when I went to the 305s since I had a broken sensor, and I had already broken 2 more previously. I was tired of dealing with it. I still need to break up the dash and put some tape over it though.
1engineer
Moderator
No, not really. I remember we tried a bunch of stuff but some things were too labor intensive or costly just to turn off a light. It was his truck so he made the call. The unknown is how intertwined KDSS circuitry is tied in to everything else. I don't know. Nor do I know what would happen if you simply disconnected the lines at the shuttle valves.
marshal
New member
id be willing to be the first person to try removing the pistons and the tubing up to the Schrader valves and see how it works, once i have replacement sway bars. otherwise when i get my truck back I'm going to look at how complicated the connector is and see what kind of wires go where.
may just live with the signature [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] tape mod
Antman
Elite Member
You mean the signature [MENTION=6163]phillyd2[/MENTION] tape mod.
Get it straight, buddy.
kapp_badbloodz
New member
I've never pulled the speedo/dash on a 4r but on my STI there are little LED lights behind each idiot light. You can clear vinyl over them to change the color, replace with a different light color entirely, or paint it black so it doesn't turn on. Also with it out you can tape off any other lights from shinning through on the opposite side if you want to go the cheap cheap route.
I'm pretty sure most cars use the same lighting as my 02 WRX had the same lights as my 08 STI. It may be apples and oranges but worth a shot to get rid of the lights.
I'm pretty sure most cars use the same lighting as my 02 WRX had the same lights as my 08 STI. It may be apples and oranges but worth a shot to get rid of the lights.
