Thank you!
KDSS is insane
- Thread starter Wakeborder556
- Start date
Thank you!
RocketGuy
New member
I'm of the .5% as well and do wheel my one month old trail edition. Once I get sliders and a lift installed I'm planning on tackling black bear and Poughkipsie gulch. I did the mellower passes and local stuff in my SR5. It's clear that the TE is MUCH more capable off road. That said, it's the drastically improved on road handling of the TE with KDSS that made me bite the bullet and trade in my 11 month old SR5.
Webwheeler :shrug:
"Optional only on the Trail model is the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which allows the front and rear sway bars to be pneumatically decoupled to allow more wheel articulation for off-roading and rock-crawling."
That's what I thought it does when I bought it (or bought into it). But what do I know. I'm not a mechanic or an engineer.
That's what I thought it does when I bought it (or bought into it). But what do I know. I'm not a mechanic or an engineer.
lowrange44
New member
Check out around 3:20 into the video
Toyota Land Cruiser 150 - KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) - YouTube
If memory serves, KDSS allows for approximately 1" greater rear droop when flexing the suspension.
Keep in mind, this is flex measured on a stock standard suspension VS stock KDSS suspension.
KDSS definitely has its handling benefits on-road. Off-road it allows for a slight increase in flex and it "softens" the ride over uneven terrain by allowing the sway bars to comply with the terrain vs work against it.
In stock form, it is a pretty nice setup that attempts to give the driver the best of both worlds.
KDSS and non-KDSS trucks have different characteristics, but I don't think one should be viewed as more capable than the other. Factor in a mild (2.5") lift from any of the big names and the handling characteristics between the two are even closer.
As Harper7 said... adding extended travel components will increase flex. Removing the sway bar(s) will give you a little more. But long travel/no sway bars might not maintain the type of on-road ride some are looking for... Its all about finding what works for each driver I guess.
Toyota Land Cruiser 150 - KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) - YouTube
If memory serves, KDSS allows for approximately 1" greater rear droop when flexing the suspension.
Keep in mind, this is flex measured on a stock standard suspension VS stock KDSS suspension.
KDSS definitely has its handling benefits on-road. Off-road it allows for a slight increase in flex and it "softens" the ride over uneven terrain by allowing the sway bars to comply with the terrain vs work against it.
In stock form, it is a pretty nice setup that attempts to give the driver the best of both worlds.
KDSS and non-KDSS trucks have different characteristics, but I don't think one should be viewed as more capable than the other. Factor in a mild (2.5") lift from any of the big names and the handling characteristics between the two are even closer.
As Harper7 said... adding extended travel components will increase flex. Removing the sway bar(s) will give you a little more. But long travel/no sway bars might not maintain the type of on-road ride some are looking for... Its all about finding what works for each driver I guess.
Did you use a rti to see which one allows more flex or what?
I was just speaking from my experience with my old jeep where I would disconnect to prevent swaybar from hindering flex. Prob not as big of a deal now with rear locker as I don't have to keep as much rubber on the ground. I wasn't calming to be an expert but it makes sense that it would allow greater flex with the swaybar it has.
All the people without kdss have an axe to grind
edit: heres a cool article I found Ramp Travel Index: 2011 Lexus GX 460 with KDSS Pretty neat, but I was excited about my new rig not trying to start an e-war
Haters gon hate!
-JD-
New member
The reason I love my KDSS is because of how flat it keeps my 4runner handling. This is my 3rd 4runner and I the very first time i drove the new TE i was blown away by how flat it cornered.
The real advantage of KDSS is having a big thick sway bar to keep this heavy beast flat in the corners, yet still allow reasonable amounts of suspension travel that you otherwise wouldn't get with a sway bar so thick.
The real advantage of KDSS is having a big thick sway bar to keep this heavy beast flat in the corners, yet still allow reasonable amounts of suspension travel that you otherwise wouldn't get with a sway bar so thick.
1engineer
Moderator
You really, really need to post at the jeep forum.
gamerc
New member
He would, but that forum broke down.
offroadingatc
New member
All the people without kdss have an axe to grind
so not trying start an e-war but making a wild statement about every single person on here who doesnt own a TE? seems like a contradiction.
I get from the tone of your posts that you are just excited about your ride, and that makes me happy, but a statement like the one I quoted is very easily misinterpreted...
Koz
New member
I think what some people are missing is that there is a difference between articulation and forced articulation. There is an advantage on and off road with KDSS because the front and rear sways compliment each other. Its funny how the people who don’t have KDSS pass it off as almost useless. I’ve had both and there is a noticeable difference on and off road with KDSS.
Koz
Koz
characterzero
New member
This is the kind of feedback that is priceless. Given that TE are almost impossible to find in TX, I haven't had the chance to drive one with KDSS yet...
I had modified my last truck (Frontier) with Radflo suspension front and long travel 5125 Bilsteins rear and the like to try and get a better, more stable and responsive ride out of it. It started with the NISMO bilsteins too, which are stiffer than the stock suspension of the other models. I loved the lack of lean in the turns - my daily commute is a crotch rocket rider's dream - sweeping turns with a 60mph speed limit. Even my wife noted the improved ride on the road - but the small bump compliance and resulting noise from the suspension was simply too much. I wouldn't sign up for that lift again.
That being said, the idea of KDSS made a lot of sense on-road. I get my truck off road and do play with it, but I don't think 1" of droop is the selling point! Given that 99% of my driving is on road, this was what sold me on KDSS. I was already lined up for a Trail Edition, as I won't buy a 4x4 that does not have a locker.
Now if it would only get here...
KDSS on 4Runner Trail
This is the video that convinced me to go with KDSS - for mostly on-road use (highway stability and unimproved back roads - washboard, ruts, rocks, etc.). I will probably never do "real" off-roading with it (as shown in the video).
At the cost of this vehicle, I want a long-time reliable tow vehicle with off-road (non-highway) capability - not a premature death off a cliff or in the rocks. :boink:
This is the video that convinced me to go with KDSS - for mostly on-road use (highway stability and unimproved back roads - washboard, ruts, rocks, etc.). I will probably never do "real" off-roading with it (as shown in the video).
At the cost of this vehicle, I want a long-time reliable tow vehicle with off-road (non-highway) capability - not a premature death off a cliff or in the rocks. :boink:
mrvandelay
New member
tjnaples
New member
Agreed!!
