I have a FJ that I am going to trade in for a 4runner. Have 2 kids now and need the 4 doors. a note to keep in mind. my cousin works for gulf states so i can get a T4R with what I need. but the bad part, it can take around 4 months to arrive. so the questions I have. what exactly is kdss on the TE. If I plan on putting a 3" lift on the vehicle, do I need the kdss option. Another question, would it be best to just get a SR5 and add the lift. Are they the same except for some of the offroad pkg stuff. Is the SR5 the same as the TE without the kdss. Also when I was looking at them this weekend and looking at the height where the doors are. (meaning where you would put rock rails), I noticed that the TE sits about 6 inches higher than the SR5. Is this because the one I looked at had the kdss suspesion or is that just another diff between the 2 models. When i look at the 2 vehicles side by side, the TE sits so much higher, like the FJ. Thanks for your insight to this matter. Can the SR5, after mods look like the TE.
need help regarding sr5 and te
- Thread starter erocker14
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Jesse1983
5th Gen Moderator
Hi, and good luck on your upcoming purchase. Take some time and search around this forum and you will find most of your answers, as things have been discussed many times. And the TE does not sit six inches higher than the SR5, maybe the rocker panels on the SR5 created that illusion.
not to mention most of the new ones come stock with those (IMHO) incredibly ugly running boards that make them look really low slung now.
tlflow
New member
Kdss
The KDSS disconnects the front/rear sway bars at low speed so that the suspension can have almost unresticted travel. The TE also has a locking rear differential and a set of skids. Jeep Rubicon has front sway disconnect and lockers front and back. Not sure of any other that offer similar (in USA).
ps. The KDSS doesn't reduce the ground clearnace at all
The KDSS disconnects the front/rear sway bars at low speed so that the suspension can have almost unresticted travel. The TE also has a locking rear differential and a set of skids. Jeep Rubicon has front sway disconnect and lockers front and back. Not sure of any other that offer similar (in USA).
ps. The KDSS doesn't reduce the ground clearnace at all
westwind77
New member
The TE is higher....on paper.....due to a taller roof rack system. Other than that the are =.
offroadingatc
New member
first of all, welcome!
disengages the sway bar at low speed for greater independen ttravel (and thusly allows a heavier sway bar)
need? lifting will likely increase stiffness so the body lean will be diminished, but KDSS will still be better
That's a question of aesthetics as much as anything. I personally don't love the US SR5 trim package, so for me that answer is no, unless you are in Canada.
No to both. The TE in addition to the option of KDSS and the obvious trim differences has other things such as optitron gauges, waterproof seats, and 'all the offroad stuff'
That's all in the trim. The SR5 has huge rocker panel trim and the TE has none. There is no physical difference in the ride height. the trim can be removed but its work and doesn't look complete without it. Doing a full TE trim swap would eat up the cost difference and then some.
Word to the wise: most of this stuff is on here if you do a bit of digging, I understand that at first all the questions are overwhelming but as you come up with more you will find that if you search around most stuff has been covered ad nauseam, and with more insight that anyone is going to post up here.
disengages the sway bar at low speed for greater independen ttravel (and thusly allows a heavier sway bar)
need? lifting will likely increase stiffness so the body lean will be diminished, but KDSS will still be better
That's a question of aesthetics as much as anything. I personally don't love the US SR5 trim package, so for me that answer is no, unless you are in Canada.
No to both. The TE in addition to the option of KDSS and the obvious trim differences has other things such as optitron gauges, waterproof seats, and 'all the offroad stuff'
That's all in the trim. The SR5 has huge rocker panel trim and the TE has none. There is no physical difference in the ride height. the trim can be removed but its work and doesn't look complete without it. Doing a full TE trim swap would eat up the cost difference and then some.
yes, but it will cost ~4000$ i believe to do a full trim swap including painting etc.
Word to the wise: most of this stuff is on here if you do a bit of digging, I understand that at first all the questions are overwhelming but as you come up with more you will find that if you search around most stuff has been covered ad nauseam, and with more insight that anyone is going to post up here.
Last edited:
DEKA3
Registered User, A.K.A. "elias"
I agree with the above. I get my best results when I include the words "5th gen" along with my other search words
finally getting back on here. thanks for the responses. did go and measure. dont have the exact #s cuz they are at home, but the te does sit around
3.5" inches taller when measuring at the spot where the sliders would bolt on. Which is just under where the door shuts at the bottom and then also under the 2" plastic body trim. Maybe it is just the way they look. I did look at a sr5 and te both without sliders. The te just sits higher. which i like.
3.5" inches taller when measuring at the spot where the sliders would bolt on. Which is just under where the door shuts at the bottom and then also under the 2" plastic body trim. Maybe it is just the way they look. I did look at a sr5 and te both without sliders. The te just sits higher. which i like.
KCcarguy
New member
You are measuring at the plastic side skirt on the sr5. At the frame, they are the same height. Look up rocker delete on the sr5 and you'll see what we mean.
If you can afford it, go with a TE. I don't know of anyone who's bought a TE and regretted it.
Although KDSS is cool, your truck will handle great after a lift so it's not really necessary.
You are measuring at the plastic side skirt on the sr5. At the frame, they are the same height. Look up rocker delete on the sr5 and you'll see what we mean.
thanks for the info. I will go to the dealership this weekend and check that out. But interesting, never knew you could delete the rocker..
thanks for the info. I will go to the dealership this weekend and check that out. But interesting, never knew you could delete the rocker..
TOPDECK
New member
I didn't measure it but when I bought my TE it was sitting next to a limited on one side and an sr5 on the other. The TE's roof was a lot higher than SR5 and a bit higher than the Limited as well. I looked at the actual roofs, not the racks. So I would think that it does sit higher. I have noticed though in some pictures from out of state (outside of CA) dealers, it looks like some of them had slightly smaller tires on them.
I don't know, perhaps the SR5 and limited it was sitting next to were only 2wd.
I don't know, perhaps the SR5 and limited it was sitting next to were only 2wd.
user name:
New member
im in the gulf states as well. I ordered at the beginning of january for my TE and it arrived a couple of days ago. so it was about 2.5 mos. They told me 3-4 months as well. I got my TE with KDSS and no nav for 36.5 so use this as a bargaining price when you go in.
Wakeborder556
New member
Do you mean December or 1.5 mo? Local dealer put in a pref for me early jan
thanks for all the input. finally ordered TE magnetic grey with nav and kdss.
3 months they said. Also found another dealer in tx that has one in stock without kdss. $800 cheaper. they said they would sell for $200 over invoice which is 37355. with kdss is gonna cost me 38150. Do I really need the KDSS.
3 months they said. Also found another dealer in tx that has one in stock without kdss. $800 cheaper. they said they would sell for $200 over invoice which is 37355. with kdss is gonna cost me 38150. Do I really need the KDSS.
