KDSS Pros vs Cons - worth the $?

[MATTYDIRT]

Hi All, I did a search on here to see if this topic was the subject of it's own thread - might of missed something, but I didn't see anything.

So, For the people who are familiar with both 4R's w/KDSS and w/o KDSS - what are the pros and cons. Noticeable difference? Most difference off-road or on-road?

Any information would be helpful. Most TEP are offered with the KDSS system, but it's a $1,750 option without a lot of information on it, I thought I'd turn to this forum to see what peoples thoughts are.

For me - i'm buying a new 4runner and will be putting 20k highway miles/year - doing some off road for work, but limited to mostly powerlines in the northeast.

Thanks for all the info (im addicted to this site - great resource and people)!

 

[Mooney]

I believe KDSS was the single best feature added to my TEP, money well spent. :snacker:

 

[Marcocopuffs]

I went on the googler and typed kdss vs non kdss and the first link that popped up:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/141361-kdss-te-vs-non-kdss-sr5.html

I'm sure the consensus will be if you have it, you swear by it. If you don't have it, you'll feel like you don't need it.

 

[1engineer]

Here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/141361-kdss-te-vs-non-kdss-sr5.html you should learn everything you need to decide for yourself if it is worth it or not. We got into a heated debate in this thread but in the end we were still friends lol. Good read.

 

[Engineer]

Cons:
*Upfront costs
*Potential $$$ maintenance item when it breaks (likely a cylinder leak)


Pros:
*Flatter Cornering (less body roll) because of the large sway bar that is used with the KDSS vs. non KDSS
*Maintain articulation off-road which would normally be lost using such a large sway bar.

 

[wfo9]

I think it very much depends on your plans for the truck.

In your case. I would say money very well spent. The money spent will come back on resale.

I would not get it if.
1. I planned to keep the truck for 10+ years.
3. I planned to build a hard core off-road machine that included long travel suspension.

 

[marshal]

i have it, i hate it. ill be removing it in favor of Currie Anti-rocks

 

[MATTYDIRT]

Thanks for the quick feed back. I should have posted this differently.

I'm basically a highway guy who loves the TRD stuff and I'm very much on the fence between a TRD Pro vs a TEP with the main difference being sunroof and KDSS vs. looks, stance and ride style between the two.

Any thoughts/comparisons between a TEP with KDSS vs a TRD Pro with TRD suspension? Again, I'm doing 20k miles a year on highway/town and occasional off roading through power lines for work (when I do it, i want to do it successfully and without issue).

 

[MATTYDIRT]

I believe KDSS was the single best feature added to my TEP, money well spent. :snacker:

Mooney - do you still feel like you have the added benefit of the KDSS after you installed your Icon?

 

[1engineer]

Thanks for the quick feed back. I should have posted this differently.

I'm basically a highway guy who loves the TRD stuff and I'm very much on the fence between a TRD Pro vs a TEP with the main difference being sunroof and KDSS vs. looks, stance and ride style between the two.

Any thoughts/comparisons between a TEP with KDSS vs a TRD Pro with TRD suspension? Again, I'm doing 20k miles a year on highway/town and occasional off roading through power lines for work (when I do it, i want to do it successfully and without issue).

Then buy what you think will look best in the mall parking lot lol.
Seriously, the KDSS will handle road curves better than the TRDPro. My new SR5P handles curves just fine without KDSS. Your call though.

 

[jrhaze]

i have it, i hate it. ill be removing it in favor of Currie Anti-rocks

Can you expand on what you hate about it?

Genuinely curious, I have KDSS but have never driven one without so don't really know conclusively whether I even care that I have it...just happened to be on the vehicle that we were able to make a deal on at the time.

 

[USMCRUNNER]

I have it and it is a very nice system for driving and freeing up the suspension off highway. What I cant stand is the passenger side lean that has developed and drives me nuts. Also future cost if something does go wrong. I'm either ripping it out or getting another runner without KDSS. Not doing anything until I see the new Taco on January 12th. Have a feeling that truck is going to be awesome from the teaser pic.

 

[USMCRUNNER]

i have it, i hate it. ill be removing it in favor of Currie Anti-rocks

Can't wait to see this! You going with the FJ kit and seeing if it bolts up?

 

[Mooney]

Mooney - do you still feel like you have the added benefit of the KDSS after you installed your Icon?

Yes.

However the challenge most of us face is not having access to a direct comparison. I know my stock truck with KDSS had No noticeable roll will corning. After emptying my wallet for the ICON upgrades I have NO noticeable roll while corning. What I did have was an amazing amount of nose dive on the stock truck, in heavy stop-and-go traffic it wasn't a comfortable feeling. KDSS does all its work from left to right, but nothing front to rear.

I have 9 different dial positions on my adjustable shocks, anything below setting 3 front, 2 rear seems to make suspension mushy as KDSS and shocks no longer compliment each other. If you had airbags on a truck and fill them to a point the truck comes off the springs you can understand the feeling. ICON has virtually eliminated any nose dive (above setting 4 on front) however the ride both on/off road creates new smile lines.

Before I bought the truck I spoke with techs at ICON, explained I wanted a truck with KDSS and wasn't interested in changing suspension in a way that would either interfere or eliminate this system.

Like you I was interested in KDSS but it wasn't originally on my "must have" list, Moonroof was . . . so TRDP wasn't an option. Eventually my goal was to take the best of the TRDP without the sacrafices.

I LOVE the look of the TDRP, add Moonroof, KDSS and the sliding cargo tray and I had a truck that was perfect for me.

As mentioned before, they make different models for different needs, some start with a template and continue to customize for individual needs. It's a flexible platform with a variety of vendors offering some creative options.

Warning, buying a T4R is like a drug addiction, between starring at your truck in the garage and the time you'll spend on this forum shopping for ideas, most drugs are cheaper and take up less time.

Good luck on your choice!

 

[MATTYDIRT]

Yes.

However the challenge most of us face is not having access to a direct comparison. I know my stock truck with KDSS had No noticeable roll will corning. After emptying my wallet for the ICON upgrades I have NO noticeable roll while corning. What I did have was an amazing amount of nose dive on the stock truck, in heavy stop-and-go traffic it wasn't a comfortable feeling. KDSS does all its work from left to right, but nothing front to rear.

I have 9 different dial positions on my adjustable shocks, anything below setting 3 front, 2 rear seems to make suspension mushy as KDSS and shocks no longer compliment each other. If you had airbags on a truck and fill them to a point the truck comes off the springs you can understand the feeling. ICON has virtually eliminated any nose dive (above setting 4 on front) however the ride both on/off road creates new smile lines.

Before I bought the truck I spoke with techs at ICON, explained I wanted a truck with KDSS and wasn't interested in changing suspension in a way that would either interfere or eliminate this system.

Like you I was interested in KDSS but it wasn't originally on my "must have" list, Moonroof was . . . so TRDP wasn't an option. Eventually my goal was to take the best of the TRDP without the sacrafices.

I LOVE the look of the TDRP, add Moonroof, KDSS and the sliding cargo tray and I had a truck that was perfect for me.

As mentioned before, they make different models for different needs, some start with a template and continue to customize for individual needs. It's a flexible platform with a variety of vendors offering some creative options.

Warning, buying a T4R is like a drug addiction, between starring at your truck in the garage and the time you'll spend on this forum shopping for ideas, most drugs are cheaper and take up less time.

Good luck on your choice!

Thanks Mooney - we have similar "wants" and I appreciate you sharing your thought process on your purchase and your experience on the suspension.

Well said regarding different 4R for different needs.

 

[Thai]

We got into a heated debate in this thread but in the end we were still friends lol.

We are? :behindsofa:

 

[1engineer]

We are? :behindsofa:

I lol'd or did you friggin' miss that part too haha!

 

[Riddler6.7]

How many people end up with a passenger side lean? Is it a small percentage or pretty much all are effected. I love the idea of KDSS and am contemplating ordering one to get it. But the idea of the lean and possible maintenance issues makes me second guess myself.

Also, has anyone had any problems with the system other then the lean problem? I havent read of any which makes me feel a little better

 

[Mooney]

How many people end up with a passenger side lean? Is it a small percentage or pretty much all are effected. I love the idea of KDSS and am contemplating ordering one to get it. But the idea of the lean and possible maintenance issues makes me second guess myself.

Also, has anyone had any problems with the system other then the lean problem? I havent read of any which makes me feel a little better

No lean on my truck, but my wife isn't that big.

 

[1engineer]

How many people end up with a passenger side lean? Is it a small percentage or pretty much all are effected. I love the idea of KDSS and am contemplating ordering one to get it. But the idea of the lean and possible maintenance issues makes me second guess myself.

Also, has anyone had any problems with the system other then the lean problem? I havent read of any which makes me feel a little better

Every vehicle leans, some more than others. My SR5 leans. A friend's Jeep does. My wife's CR-V does. Some of these guys blow it all out of proportion. Pick any vehicle that has a gas tank on one side and fill it completely up, get out and measure it. Better yet get a fatty and put them in the passenger seat then measure. It will lean.