KDSS lift install tips

[st8rocks]

After completing my install this weekend I figured I'd lend some advice for those tackling this. If anything I hope this thread encourages more people to do the lift themselves. First off, IT'S NOT BAD!! Don't let the KDSS system scare you from doing this yourself. I don't consider myself a knowledgeable mechanic by any means, oil changes no problem but ask me to do a timing belt and I'd run away.


So here are a few tips. Some of them have been made in other posts about KDSS install and others aren't KDSS specific but I will highlight them anyways.

1. Unclip all abs wires! There are so many threads about people ruining these by stretching them. If you take 2 minutes to unclip them you have miles of slack and you won't have to worry.

2. Support KDSS piston when removing bolts. I did not do this and mucked up the last bolt threads. Even zipping them off with air tools.

3. Unbolt KDSS swaybar from the LCAs. I actually had the front swaybar completely off and got it back on no issue.

4. Some threads say ratchet straps help but I found a variety of pry bars were best to align the swaybars.

5. When re-installing swaybar loosen the LCA bolts. This gives you tons of movement.

6. Alignment punch/ Drift punch will be your best friend when re-installing swaybar!!

7. The rear is super easy, one man job. Install driver side spring and damper first.


Hope this helps! Don't let the KDSS system stop you from doing your lift yourself. Save a bunch of money and learn your truck!

 

[sandcrawler]

great points. instead of an entirely new thread, it would be super to append this info to what's essentially the canonical DIY KDSS lift thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/154230-how-lift-installation-kdss-equipped-vehicles.html

 

[rochmpr]

That pretty much sums it up. The rear was real easy for me, I just removed the sway bar from the piston and the other mount and let it swing on the axle. The front, removed only from LCA's, that was the easy part, getting it back on involved a lot of profanity. I didn't loosen the LCA as not to put the alignment too far out of wack. But putting a lift on solo (with another floor jack as a second helper) is completely doable.

After completing my install this weekend I figured I'd lend some advice for those tackling this. If anything I hope this thread encourages more people to do the lift themselves. First off, IT'S NOT BAD!! Don't let the KDSS system scare you from doing this yourself. I don't consider myself a knowledgeable mechanic by any means, oil changes no problem but ask me to do a timing belt and I'd run away.


So here are a few tips. Some of them have been made in other posts about KDSS install and others aren't KDSS specific but I will highlight them anyways.

1. Unclip all abs wires! There are so many threads about people ruining these by stretching them. If you take 2 minutes to unclip them you have miles of slack and you won't have to worry.

2. Support KDSS piston when removing bolts. I did not do this and mucked up the last bolt threads. Even zipping them off with air tools.

3. Unbolt KDSS swaybar from the LCAs. I actually had the front swaybar completely off and got it back on no issue.

4. Some threads say ratchet straps help but I found a variety of pry bars were best to align the swaybars.

5. When re-installing swaybar loosen the LCA bolts. This gives you tons of movement.

6. Alignment punch/ Drift punch will be your best friend when re-installing swaybar!!

7. The rear is super easy, one man job. Install driver side spring and damper first.


Hope this helps! Don't let the KDSS system stop you from doing your lift yourself. Save a bunch of money and learn your truck!

 

[4Rager]

Thanks for the tips! I'll put this in the file for when I'm ready to do this myself. I'm not a professionally trained mechanic either, but I subscribe to the philosophy of if you're well prepared with the proper knowledge and tools, there's no reason to pay someone else to turn the wrench. I successfully installed suspension, sway bars, tranny mounts, turbo kits etc. on my old car, & though it wasn't perfectly smooth every time, it always worked out in the end and I learned a lot. Plus you're spending your money on tools that you get to keep forever instead of spending it on labor.

 

[st8rocks]

great points. instead of an entirely new thread, it would be super to append this info to what's essentially the canonical DIY KDSS lift thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/154230-how-lift-installation-kdss-equipped-vehicles.html

Thanks for sharing the link. I did not mean to start a new How-to thread, more an encouragement from someone who can't draw a straight line with ruler.

:smashputer:

 

[nismoxr34]

Saw the How To but this will help to break down the differences between nonKDSS vs KDSS.

I'm looking to lift my 4runner some time soon, so definitely a good to have bumped this topic and the how to link!