Really like having KDSS

[bzizzi]

Last two 4R's didn't have KDSS the 05 Sport had XReas the 2011 SR5 only had shocks and springs.. I made sure when I was looking for a new ORP it came with KDSS, yesterday I drove 20 miles down a twisty back country road and just love how this 4R stays flat and planted in the corners. Was actually fun to drive faster than normal, seems like the harder you go into turn the stiffer suspension gets. I don't think I would own another 4R without KDSS. Night and day difference.

 

[spartacus]

Last two 4R's didn't have KDSS the 05 Sport had XReas the 2011 SR5 only had shocks and springs.. I made sure when I was looking for a new ORP it came with KDSS, yesterday I drove 20 miles down a twisty back country road and just love how this 4R stays flat and planted in the corners. Was actually fun to drive faster than normal, seems like the harder you go into turn the stiffer suspension gets. I don't think I would own another 4R without KDSS. Night and day difference.

Approximately how fast?

 

[bzizzi]

Speed limit was 45 mph, depending on how sharp the turn was in the road determined how much above that I was going. I didn't want to end up upside down in a field, it's still only a 4R not a Porsche 911.

 

[Baystate4Runner]

I don't think I would own another 4R without KDSS. Night and day difference.

Wait till you try the PRO suspension with Fox shocks.
Even more planted in fast curves than KDSS and smooth over rough terrain.

 

[Ripper238]

Me too, love KDSS. Flat and level around "fast" turns and the extra travel over uneven ground. Makes going over speed bumps fun.

I wouldn't get a 4Runner with out it.

 

[progress4m]

.... I don't think I would own another 4R without KDSS. Night and day difference.

Totally agreed!

When I was thinking about purchasing 5th gen, I had an opportunity to drive brand new SR5 for about a week (including towing a small trailer), after that week I made a decision not to buy 5th gen… the body roll was much worse than my lifted 4th gen V8 I had at that time… and on the top body roll and unsettled driving characteristics felt considerably worse with a trailer attached… again vs. my 4th gen

All that was changed when I stumble on used Trial edition with KDSS… LOL… it is amazing how much KDSS improves overall driving characteristics of the 4Runner and that is in addition to better articulation for off-road!

 

[02SE]

Wait till you try the PRO suspension with Fox shocks.
Even more planted in fast curves than KDSS and smooth over rough terrain.

Offroad vs Offroad Pro?

Better in the curves on-road? No.

Better over rough terrain? Yes, until you upgrade the springs/ shocks on the KDSS equipped 4Runner.

 

[fourrunnerbill]

I have a 2016 TE with KDSS and after 6 months or so I upgraded from stock like tires to KO2's and really noticed even more stability with the K02's. Just another factor.

 

[Ripper238]

Offroad vs Offroad Pro?

Better in the curves on-road? No.

Better over rough terrain? Yes, until you upgrade the springs/ shocks on the KDSS equipped 4Runner.

I was wondering if someone was going to comment on Baystate4Runner Pro over KDSS opinion. lol

We had this conversation in that thread and though no-one agreed the PRO handled better than KDSS 4R there is good reason one would have the opinion a Pro with Fox shocks "handles" better. Baystate4 tried a 4R with KDSS and a Pro and felt the Pro handled better.

The Pro or regular sway bar is a 1:1 motion ratio where KDSS is somewhere around 75%, but the additional thickness of the KDSS sway bar does compensate for that difference. However it may feel different depending on how stressed the suspension is and the added height on the PRO.

Best breakdown discussion of KDSS i have seen: 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Suspension Walkaround/discussion: 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Suspension Walkaround: Why I Bought The KDSS Stabilizer Bar System - YouTube

For most of ones driving the KDSS system will prove to feel and preform better. Especially with extra weight on top, even towing.

 

[Forgetful]

I'd prefer to take the initial kdss price difference and buy King/Fox for all 4 corners. A floaty ride offroad is much more pleasant. No issues driving 75 downhill in the mountains with that set up too, it's a truck not a z06 anyways. Not having to worry about a $4k+ bill if kdss eats it is a huge motivator too since I put a lot of miles in.

I don't see buying a heavy & slow body on frame SUV then expecting it to drive like a sports car, but I know a lot of people who never see worse than a maintained forest road so it's probably nice. Would have been better suited with a Highlander or Forester maybe, but it's not my money.
Looking forward to the 6th gen with wishbones in the rear, a sliding side door, no transfer case, and more expensive stuff to break.

 

[KiwiKurt]

A set of small body internal bypass shocks don’t hold a candle to the capabilities of a sway bar system like KDSS. Standard 4runner shocks arent great, but a set of standard 2.0 fox shocks with a butterfly stack valve will match the performance of the pro suspension.

IMO the only reasons not to get a KDSS truck is not being able to find one, or just not caring about it….but KDSS is superior in every respect to non from a dynamics standpoint, pro included.

 

[Cobratuner182]

This is more about flex than just handling.. but ill just leave this link here
KDSS vs Swaybar Ultimate Test - YouTube

 

[chompster4runner]

I couldn’t agree more. My 4th gen since stock to mild lift always felt top heavy. 5th gen with kdss remind me of the 3rd gen. Definitely not a race truck but more confidence on the bendy roads.

 

[MAST4R]

Mine corners extremely well on mountain roads, including the Million Dollar Hwy in CO.

But KDSS is great for a truck that intends to remain otherwise stock or that will see mostly low range offroading.

For example, KDSS should be great if one is in CO. Here in AZ (and so down in Baja), ouch.

So definitely a case of judging correctly for ONESELF, not a one-size fits all solution. Glad the OP likes it, just saying this for people who may want to do a lot of easy offroading at higher speeds. It is certainly true that the fully stock non-KDSS is a joke on pavement.

 

[bzizzi]

So if I upgrade shocks and springs on my KDSS 4R they will make 4R handle and ride even better ? I'm guessing biggest improvement will be off road.

 

[bzizzi]

Me too, love KDSS. Flat and level around "fast" turns and the extra travel over uneven ground. Makes going over speed bumps fun.

I wouldn't get a 4Runner with out it.

I agree with speed bumps comment, I actually don't even slow down when hitting them like a car or truck.

 

[KiwiKurt]

I cant wait to get the KDSS controller wired up. It’s such a great system.

I cannot for the life of me understand why people buy TRD PRO 4runners. You can buy a KDSS OR and install full skids, KDSS control, and Icon/Kings/Elka’s and still have money left over, and have a truck that is superior in literally every way.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

I cant wait to get the KDSS controller wired up. It’s such a great system.

I cannot for the life of me understand why people buy TRD PRO 4runners. You can buy a KDSS OR and install full skids, KDSS control, and Icon/Kings/Elka’s and still have money left over, and have a truck that is superior in literally every way.

They hold their value even better. Plus being somewhat rare there is an even higher premium.


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[I4CUTigers]

They hold their value even better. Plus being somewhat rare there is an even higher premium.


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If value is what your ultimately after, you could take the cost difference, invest it, and come out far ahead of the resale value. The pro really isn’t a good value to anyone but toyota. It used to be exclusive because of the colors, but they have already infringed on that exclusivity.

 

[BearcatSVC]

It was pretty important to me to get KDSS in my 2021 TRD ORP. Having test drove both I was pretty certain I wanted one with KDSS. The kicker was that Land Cruisers in America had it standard.

In someways I was settling for a 4Runner. Of course I love it... Best car I ever ever owned but it was the step down. In the end. That kind of sealed it for me. 24K miles later, I do not regret it one bit. Love the truck... Love KDSS.