KDSS vs Non-KDSS?

[Lightenup_bro]

Hi All!

I'm a soon-to-be-1st-time 4Runner owner, and obviously new member here. I've narrowed my choice down to the Trail Edition. Shoreline Blue is my top choice but I'm hesitant to order it on the blind without having actually seen the color with my own two eyes. Silver is the backup color~

The real question and decision at hand though is whether to spring for the KDSS/Nav combo or not. If not I'd spend the extra $ to get heated leather put in, so it's not a matter of cost~ in the real world I probably won't ever come close to using the full off-road capabilities of either setup, my question is more of a) control and b) comfort as an everyday driver. Trips to VT and over unpaved 'backroads' in winter would be the worst of it... as well as the car-sized potholes around here lately =)

Any input would be very much appreciated, especially from anyone who's been able to drive both Trail versions back to back~

Thanks in advance!

Dave

PS I've been reading and searching here for a couple of weeks, so please don't slam me for not searching, lol

I have a silver TE with KDSS, and spoiler alert, I love it. I test drove the non-kdss trail and the LE as well but neither compared to the kdss version IMO.

If you haven't yet go test drive a kdss version vs non if you can, don't just trust us on the interwebs.


Picture time

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[Engineer]

I just found out that my 2010 4R trail corroded out it's KDSS thanks to NY road salts and that it will be about $4000 to replace so factor that into your costs. The plus side is that even with it broken, I never noticed that it was not operational. I'll probably not replace it at this time.
Regarding leather; definitely NO. Cold in winter, hot in summer, outgases nasty chemicals, I slide around when driving spiritly, bad for the folks who tan it and it is not good for the animals who "donated" their skin. Forget about it when you scratch or cut it too. For me, it is a deal breaker. I don't buy cars/trucks with leather seats anymore (I've had about 15 vehicles in the last 20 years so I have the experience to count on).

Can you provide more details? While we all know the system is speedy to repair what was bad? Were the lines bad? Fittings? Cylinders leaking, valve stack bad? .....you get the idea. Also, you said you didn't notice it but you should have gotten a dash light if it wasn't functional? Sure you don't have a small leak in the cylinder and your dealership isn't trying to milk you?

 

[Colorado25]

Just picked up a 2013 Trail with KDSS. I honestly didnt know it had it prior to purchase. It is a incredibly smooth riding vehicle. I'm coming from a 3/4 ton 4x4 Diesel though. We do own a Lexus IS250 awd and I'd way rather drive the 4Runner on a road trip. I've never driven a non-kdss 4Runner though it would be nice to compare the two. One concern to me is cost of repair. The fact is if the kdss system fails its pretty expensive to fix from my understanding.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Just picked up a 2013 Trail with KDSS. I honestly didnt know it had it prior to purchase. It is a incredibly smooth riding vehicle. I'm coming from a 3/4 ton 4x4 Diesel though. We do own a Lexus IS250 awd and I'd way rather drive the 4Runner on a road trip. I've never driven a non-kdss 4Runner though it would be nice to compare the two. One concern to me is cost of repair. The fact is if the kdss system fails its pretty expensive to fix from my understanding.

Had my KDSS since day 1 (Oct 2012) - in CO. No issues and it's amazing on the Colorado mountain roads. You have no reason to worry. In the future, if it fails, you can just replace it with a different suspension setup. KDSS is not a computer controlled part, so if it has an issue you can still drive the vehicle regularly. People seem to equate it with an electronic or air driven suspension - it is not. KDSS failure is extremely low so you would be better off worrying about the other people on the road.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Can you provide more details? While we all know the system is speedy to repair what was bad? Were the lines bad? Fittings? Cylinders leaking, valve stack bad? .....you get the idea. Also, you said you didn't notice it but you should have gotten a dash light if it wasn't functional? Sure you don't have a small leak in the cylinder and your dealership isn't trying to milk you?

I don't have my manual handy, but I think any malfunction will cause the KDSS light to illuminate. It's a rare suspension so it's entirety possible that the dealership has no idea what they are saying.

 

[Jetboy]

I just found out that my 2010 4R trail corroded out it's KDSS thanks to NY road salts and that it will be about $4000 to replace so factor that into your costs. The plus side is that even with it broken, I never noticed that it was not operational. I'll probably not replace it at this time.
Regarding leather; definitely NO. Cold in winter, hot in summer, outgases nasty chemicals, I slide around when driving spiritly, bad for the folks who tan it and it is not good for the animals who "donated" their skin. Forget about it when you scratch or cut it too. For me, it is a deal breaker. I don't buy cars/trucks with leather seats anymore (I've had about 15 vehicles in the last 20 years so I have the experience to count on).

We've seen very low instance of a repair ever on KDSS on here. I don't recall ever seeing a KDSS repair on a Land Cruiser outside of normal stuff like crash damage. I do recall some people having issues with the shutter valves being rusted and hard to open to re-level the vehicle. Yours is a unicorn. I also would like to see some pics of the rust to see how and where it's rusted.

 

[can0nfan2379]

Good information here. Currently looking at a used 2011 Trail w/ KDSS and trying to decide whether or not to trade my Tacoma in.

 

[RajjyP]

Just bought a 2013 TE with Nav and KDSS. Getting it Wednesday if all goes right! Can’t wait to add it to the family! (And its Black)

 

[Roccoeight]

I wash it when it rains

 

[WabdaQ]

I wash it when it rains

Damn straight! Did you know people paint on the mud look in some places?!

OP: Silver is definitely the way to go WHEN you get the full 4x4 itch, it WILL happen! Mwahahaha! Silver doesn't show the scratches as bad.

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[northcoast]

I have a silver car now and it sure does stay looking clean~ Blue owners? Care to chime in on the salt/pollen/dust factor?

and

Damned glad to hear that! I think KDSS is winning the race. Anyone care to comment on how well their non-KDSS version does on the road?

Thanks ALL for your input!

I have the nautical blue. Yeah, shows the dirt and salt, but not a big deal to me at all. I just got back from a 500 mile road trip on wet salted roads the whole way... couldn't hardly recognize the back of the truck with all of the spray kicked up at high speeds. I even gave up on the back wiper after a while on that trip.

As for KDSS, I love it here in the twisty, curvy, hilly roads in West Virginia. I can't make a comparison to the non-KDSS 4Runner, though. I think it handles great as my DD and I have plenty of unpaved roads around here to play on, so I get the best of both worlds.

 

[Francois Brodeur]

Can you provide more details? While we all know the system is speedy to repair what was bad? Were the lines bad? Fittings? Cylinders leaking, valve stack bad? .....you get the idea. Also, you said you didn't notice it but you should have gotten a dash light if it wasn't functional? Sure you don't have a small leak in the cylinder and your dealership isn't trying to milk you?

Well here's my experience :
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2961287-post89.html

 

[bigbadpoppa]

Kdss yes....it handles the truck better in the city.

Kdss no... if you plan to lift the truck.

 

[Engineer]

Well here's my experience :
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2961287-post89.html

Thanks for the update, while its not well known/discussed often I have seen similar posts about stuff being built up behind the plate and have also seen it my self when cleaning the underside. ~1 a year I clean it out and spray a light coat of oil/wipe it down and the block seems to be holding up well.

While its far to late and I don't know what's available in your area but around here, getting KDSS parts from Junk yards is CHEAP, most come from the Lexus GX but that's without a doubt my plan if I ever have an issue with the system.

 

[Engineer]

Kdss yes....it handles the truck better in the city.

Kdss no... if you plan to lift the truck.

Far to simplified - many of us have KDSS with lift and have no issues, even the latest problem post for the system has nothing to do with a lift.

 

[enyce]

Have a non-KDSS Trail w/ Nav and I love the truck. On or off road it handles just fine to me. Even better with the Falken Wildpeak tires.

 

[bigbadpoppa]

Far to simplified - many of us have KDSS with lift and have no issues, even the latest problem post for the system has nothing to do with a lift.

Simple yes, not saying its not good. More so the insta process. Unless you have someone u know their stuff... the install ans aftermath might be a nightmare.

I have kdss and want to do a lift. Im having some challenges finding anyone familiar with this install.

 

[RUNTHAT]

Unless you have someone u know their stuff... the install ans aftermath might be a nightmare.

The same can be said for lifting a non-KDSS 4Runner.

 

[akcc]

I have KDSS and I prefer it over a SR5 trim with no KDSS. The ride is noticable when I drove it.

 

[progress4m]

Far to simplified - many of us have KDSS with lift and have no issues, even the latest problem post for the system has nothing to do with a lift.

100 % agree, have KDSS and Lift.
I installed the lift by myself and I as have mentioned in my "lift" post: having KDSS does not complicates the lift installs... it adds about 15-20 minutes to the job- that is all.