KDSS Removal

[borfoo3]

Due to human error my KDSS light is on, and truck is in for the bleeding procedure today at the dealer.. initial report shows there may be some parts needed.

Went through most of the sway bar removal threads and it may be plan B. I'm already on aftermarket suspension with higher spring rates, compression adjusters, and wheel spacers all around providing extra track width. Guess I may try it out for some time to decide.

For all you folks looking to get rid of your restrictive KDSS parts, I'm happy to help out

 

[T4RTRDCA]

Pro & Cons of KDSS?

Hi guys,

Any pros and cons of KDSS? Why would removing KDSS be a better option than just buying a 4Runner without KDSS. Reason I am asking is i am in the market for a 4 runner with KDSS and wanted to make a good decision

 

[TEujunga]

Hi guys,

Any pros and cons of KDSS? Why would removing KDSS be a better option than just buying a 4Runner without KDSS. Reason I am asking is i am in the market for a 4 runner with KDSS and wanted to make a good decision

Zillions of threads on this topic going back to 2010 when KDSS was introduced. Here are a few to get you started:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/168773-kdss-not-why.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/247263-kdss-vs-good-aftermarket-suspension.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/236105-yes-no-kdss.html

 

[off-road runner]

Hi guys,

Any pros and cons of KDSS? Why would removing KDSS be a better option than just buying a 4Runner without KDSS. Reason I am asking is i am in the market for a 4 runner with KDSS and wanted to make a good decision

IMHO the biggest "pro" of having KDSS would be the on road handling. KDSS eliminates some of the body roll that is associated with BOF SUV's. People will argue that better springs/shocks will eliminate body roll more effectively. I find that point to be moot cause springs/shocks can be changed on KDSS 4runners also. I've also read that KDSS doesn't handle as good on "washboard" type roads, I've owned both and I'll say I didn't notice any substantial difference. A couple of cons would be having to trim the PRO skid plate if you ever wanted to add it and if you are gonna lift it drastically, KDSS may be a hindrance. I personally don't think removing KDSS would be a better option than buying one without. I am under the impression that some people can't leave well enough alone and have to "mod" everything about their vehicle, I just don't see the point. Granted several folks on this forum have built awesome looking rigs and most of them probably more capable than my somewhat stock runners, it is just not for me. I do like to view the pics of these "modded" rigs and can appreciate the work that goes into their builds but I personally would not chop a $40,000 vehicle that I have to drive daily.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Due to human error my KDSS light is on, and truck is in for the bleeding procedure today at the dealer.. initial report shows there may be some parts needed.

Went through most of the sway bar removal threads and it may be plan B. I'm already on aftermarket suspension with higher spring rates, compression adjusters, and wheel spacers all around providing extra track width. Guess I may try it out for some time to decide.

For all you folks looking to get rid of your restrictive KDSS parts, I'm happy to help out

just pull the pistons off the front and fully remove the rear one, find an OEM non KDSS sway bar for the rear. Front would be fine without one if you're running some Kings anyways.

 

[borfoo3]

just pull the pistons off the front and fully remove the rear one, find an OEM non KDSS sway bar for the rear. Front would be fine without one if you're running some Kings anyways.

How will the non-KDSS rear one fit? will a non-kdss sway bar link bolt in the place of the piston?

 

[honda250xtitan]

How will the non-KDSS rear one fit? will a non-kdss sway bar link bolt in the place of the piston?

Doubt it. just pull the entire rear bar. I would think the mounting locations for the non KDSS bar would be present.

 

[rochmpr]

just pull the pistons off the front and fully remove the rear one, find an OEM non KDSS sway bar for the rear. Front would be fine without one if you're running some Kings anyways.

This will not work. The KDSS sway bar and standard swaybar have different brackets on the axle and are not interchangeable.

There are a few people starting to install the Currie Anti-Rock on the rear with [MENTION=124732]LawnDart[/MENTION] being the first. I'm sure this has changed the handling characteristics versus non swaybars.

From experience, the KDSS systems is awesome on the street and in stock form off road. Once you start lifting the 4Runner, you burn up the travel of the piston. I have found that the limiting of the rear travel can cause the vehicle to feel more tippy in some offroad situations. With the system removed, the vehicle felt way more stable on the same section since the tires were planted on the ground.

Everyone needs to remember that every modification changes the handling characteristics of the vehicle and be aware of what they are doing and how the changes affect handling and then drive accordingly. Slow and steady makes life better.

 

[ODA924S]

I removed my KDSS swaybars quite some time ago. I removed the sway bars, compressed the piston and strapped it with wire cable and Crosby clamps to keep it in that position. This was a quick way to remove and keep the possibility of reinstallation later, if desired. I have no real desire due to how the KDSS limits travel.

Glad to hear this is possible. Does the pistons ever get in the way? Looks like you're getting some good flex and just wondered if you have any issues of the KDSS parts hitting or rubbing since they are just strapped up.

 

[rochmpr]

Glad to hear this is possible. Does the pistons ever get in the way? Looks like you're getting some good flex and just wondered if you have any issues of the KDSS parts hitting or rubbing since they are just strapped up.

Nope. Works flawless the way I have it set-up.

 

[ODA924S]

Nope. Works flawless the way I have it set-up.

Awesome!!! Sounds like I have a trip to the hardware store and the shop in my near future. Thanks for the quick reply. Awesome rig btw!

 

[ODA924S]

Nope. Works flawless the way I have it set-up.

One more quick question.....did you strap the front up with u-bolts? Not able to tell what you used from the picture

 

[rochmpr]

One more quick question.....did you strap the front up with u-bolts? Not able to tell what you used from the picture

I did front and rear pistons the same with cable and crosby clamps.

 

[V10isez]

Do you need extended brake lines if you remove the kdss sway bars and have a stage 7 icon 3 in lift?

 

[TheWraith]

I did front and rear pistons the same with cable and crosby clamps.

I'm done with kdss ...
My front kdss bar has shifted twice and I've returned it center twice.

It's shifted for the 3rd time and it shifted sooo much that it's hitting the driver side knuckle. And it's rubbing causing a sudden push to to left on the driver side when on the freeway.

I'm pulling both and will probably replace the front with a regular sway and figure out what to do with the rear. Im tired of this kdss problems

[MENTION=433255]dom42[/MENTION]

 

[Jeremy556]

I'm done with kdss ...
My front kdss bar has shifted twice and I've returned it center twice.

It's shifted for the 3rd time and it shifted sooo much that it's hitting the driver side knuckle. And it's rubbing causing a sudden push to to left on the driver side when on the freeway.

I'm pulling both and will probably replace the front with a regular sway and figure out what to do with the rear. Im tired of this kdss problems

[MENTION=433255]dom42[/MENTION]

I removed my front KDSS bar last year and wish I had done it a lot sooner. Ride is infinitely better, other than tight turns on pavement, obviously. I may swap the rear to a curry at some point and rip out all of the KDSS hardware.

 

[TheWraith]

I removed my front KDSS bar last year and wish I had done it a lot sooner. Ride is infinitely better, other than tight turns on pavement, obviously. I may swap the rear to a curry at some point and rip out all of the KDSS hardware.

I've been holding out ... since I did the spacers and all but I'm just fed up

I'm ripping the front bar off and strapping the cylinder tomorrow. And keeping the rear for now... I dont know if I want to do the curry .... unless it's a full kit

 

[Jeremy556]

I've been holding out ... since I did the spacers and all but I'm just fed up

I'm ripping the front bar off and strapping the cylinder tomorrow. And keeping the rear for now... I dont know if I want to do the curry .... unless it's a full kit

So far, I've been pretty happy running just the rear KDSS bar. I ran it without any sway bars for a few weeks and wouldn't recommend that. It was OK under normal conditions, but a higher speed swerve would about put it on 2 wheels.
Assuming your swaybar isn't hitting your skid plates now, you don't need to strap it, you can just let it hang.

 

[rochmpr]

I'm done with kdss ...

My front kdss bar has shifted twice and I've returned it center twice.



It's shifted for the 3rd time and it shifted sooo much that it's hitting the driver side knuckle. And it's rubbing causing a sudden push to to left on the driver side when on the freeway.



I'm pulling both and will probably replace the front with a regular sway and figure out what to do with the rear. Im tired of this kdss problems



[MENTION=433255]dom42[/MENTION]

No need for sway bars. I ran for several years without.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[TheWraith]

So far, I've been pretty happy running just the rear KDSS bar. I ran it without any sway bars for a few weeks and wouldn't recommend that. It was OK under normal conditions, but a higher speed swerve would about put it on 2 wheels.
Assuming your swaybar isn't hitting your skid plates now, you don't need to strap it, you can just let it hang.

I'll strap it to keep it out of the way.
And I'll slowly get the parts together to rip it out and put the regular sway bar in the front and that curry from all pro in the rear. Because wifey does drive this thing with the kids. If it wasn't for that I would just strap both ends.