Really like having KDSS
- Thread starter bzizzi
- Start date
Sempre Nissart
New member
I got a TRD PRO because I do a lot of desert driving, dirt roads, washboard roads, etc... where kdss is useless and the fox shocks are fairly decent for my needs.
Also, I can't justify spending 45k+ for a vehicle that doesn't have basic features such as auto on/off headlights or dual zone climate control.
Regarding kdss for the reason its been discussed in this thread, the 4Runner is not the vehicle I use to go do some spirit driving in the canyons or at the track (and not one that I would chose for that even with kdss). I have a sport car and a sport bike for that.
to each their own...
I have a very good handling and powerful sports car, and several sportbikes. Still like having KDSS on the 4Runner.
As you say: To each their own.
Ripper238
Senior Member
Yeah, i love KDSS. But desert driving, washboard roads at high speeds KDSS is not really great for that.
Duel zone climate control and auto on/off headlights are on the bottom of the list when they cant even do a 6+ speed transmission. lol
I take my 4Runner on all my adventures spirit driving in the canyons, twisty roads of the mountains in WV. Handling is pretty important for all moving vehicles, sport or not.
Duel zone climate control and auto on/off headlights are on the bottom of the list when they cant even do a 6+ speed transmission. lol
I take my 4Runner on all my adventures spirit driving in the canyons, twisty roads of the mountains in WV. Handling is pretty important for all moving vehicles, sport or not.
you would have been better served getting a 4runner KDSS and turning it off for your off road adventures considering that they make KDSS controllers now. running what is effectively zero swaybar is better than the fixed one you get on the TRD PRO off road
don't think anyone here is saying you can track a KDSS 4runner. where KDSS excels is being able to take onramps and really any type of turn at the flow of traffic without drama
it really does depend on your planned usage. if the capabilities of a 4runner pro are enough for you, then there's no point buying, installing, and lugging around all that extra non-factory gear
Sempre Nissart
New member
possibly, but I'm very happy with what I have.
I have a friend that has one with KDSS, drove it several times. If the 4runner was the vehicle I used to commute or drive most of the time, I might have considered one with KDSS. For my needs, I didn't really feel that it was a must have. I don't have the "need for speed" when I drive the 4runner, I have other vehicles for that. When I use the 4runner, i really drive slower than a grandma in a Prius...
I was really responding to the comment that was saying "why would anyone get a TRD Pro". My answer essentially was because it fits my needs better than the other trims...
That's kinda how the thread started. I was exaggerating when I referred to the track, but my point was that no one should expect a 4runner (KDSS or not) to be a vehicle for the twisties because it is not one. Just like no one buys a 4runner to get good MPG
IslandJim
New member
My first 4Runner did not have KDSS and when performing an emergency maneuver, swerving back into my lane after starting to change lanes, could not believe how much body roll the 4Runner had during the simple maneuver that was made.
When deciding to upgrade to an ORP, KDSS had to be on my truck, after all Toyota had been producing the KDSS system for many years and it had to have all the bugs worked out. (And the other member mentioned its standard in the LandCruiser series. Now I take left turns in the morning and can stay in my lane no matter how sharp the turn and at speed. KDSS is great. Am going to be adding the KDSS off switch to it later this year.
Could someone post a link to how to lift a KDSS? If there is a good thread somewhere would be interested in reading it. Have seen quite a few people have lifted their KDSS 4Runner, and would like to know the best way to lift a KDSS. Probably would like to lift mine next year at least 2 inches to 3 inches. Definitely recommend the KDSS system though.
When deciding to upgrade to an ORP, KDSS had to be on my truck, after all Toyota had been producing the KDSS system for many years and it had to have all the bugs worked out. (And the other member mentioned its standard in the LandCruiser series. Now I take left turns in the morning and can stay in my lane no matter how sharp the turn and at speed. KDSS is great. Am going to be adding the KDSS off switch to it later this year.
Could someone post a link to how to lift a KDSS? If there is a good thread somewhere would be interested in reading it. Have seen quite a few people have lifted their KDSS 4Runner, and would like to know the best way to lift a KDSS. Probably would like to lift mine next year at least 2 inches to 3 inches. Definitely recommend the KDSS system though.
honda250xtitan
New member
kdss with a controller and kings= rowdy offroad.
theres a new sway bar in development that will bolt up to the stock piston/hardlink as well that should be an even better improvement.
theres a new sway bar in development that will bolt up to the stock piston/hardlink as well that should be an even better improvement.
most manufacturers have a KDSS specific lift kit.
the front can only be lifted 2.5" before you start having geometry issues. they make kdss spacers (treaty oak off road) for the front but it's debatable whether or not you need them (they're used to address KDSS lean if you have it).
the rear can be lifted up to 1", more than that and you'll have to use rear kdss spacers to prevent the trackbar from hitting the sway bar brackets at full articulation
RobS10
Member
We have a stock 3rd Gen and drove our nephew's 5th Gen SR5P...definitely felt our '99 handled better on the pavement, a bit of a shock. Since then have discovered KDSS and buying a 2022 with it. But am curious as to how comfortable it will be on our 17 mile, twisty dirt Forest Service road that leads to our cabin in the Sierras. It has it's share of ruts, large bumps, runoff whoop-de-doos, and washboard sections. We usually drive over the 12 mph KDSS cutoff speed but at least there is the Dr KDSS disconnect switch if the rides too harsh. I would definitely trade some occasional off road harshness for on road stability since that's 90% of our driving.
Rob, I just installed the DR KDSS switch and it’s a night and day difference to me on ruff roads around town and on fire roads. It’s really nice to have the option to switch it off. Like what other reviewers mentioned it feels like my tires are aired down. It didn’t feel unsafe at all just a bit more body roll and nose dive when coming to a stop. I do have a mild lift about 1.5 front and rear which stiffened up the ride more so from stock.
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RobS10
Member
Sounds great! How easy was the off switch install?
Trying to keep out of this but can’t. A couple things.
First off is confirmation bias. I’ve seen a lot of people here talk about how the thing they bought is the best choice. I really hope that’s true for everyone. It doesn’t mean the other thing is a horrible choice for someone else.
I owned a 2015 off-road premium with KDSS and also owned a GX 470 with KDSS. I now own a limited with x- and recently put a couple hundred miles on a bone stock SR5 as a rental.
I posted this separately but the SR5 was a delight on the trip. We didn’t do any serious off roading but went from highway to actual Southern California canyons to fire roads to city. The SR5 did great. People are implying that it’s going to flop over and fall off the road. I think they’re being a little bit extreme. Does it drive like our 911 or Macan? No, it needs to be driven like a big comfortable, slow truck.
If you’re staying on the road in my experience the limited handles better than either of them. But you’ve got to be honest with yourself about how much time you’re really gonna be spending offroad.
And by the way if you pop up to the 30,000 foot view, all of these trucks are horrible on pavement. You guys are talking like KDDS turns it into a sports car. These things are tanks and borderline dangerous on the road compared to most modern cars. The first thing most of the people in this form do is LIFT their trucks which makes them even more dangerous
So it’s all relative.PS I love that they are big lumbering trucks. Don’t get me wrong [emoji3]
All 4Runners are awesome.
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Trying to keep out of this but can’t. A couple things.
First off is confirmation bias. I’ve seen a lot of people here talk about how the thing they bought is the best choice. I really hope that’s true for everyone. It doesn’t mean the other thing is a horrible choice for someone else.
I owned a 2015 off-road premium with KDSS and also owned a GX 470 with KDSS. I now own a limited with x- and recently put a couple hundred miles on a bone stock SR5 as a rental.
I posted this separately but the SR5 was a delight on the trip. We didn’t do any serious off roading but went from highway to actual Southern California canyons to fire roads to city. The SR5 did great. People are implying that it’s going to flop over and fall off the road. I think they’re being a little bit extreme. Does it drive like our 911 or Macan? No, it needs to be driven like a big comfortable, slow truck.
If you’re staying on the road in my experience the limited handles better than either of them. But you’ve got to be honest with yourself about how much time you’re really gonna be spending offroad.
And by the way if you pop up to the 30,000 foot view, all of these trucks are horrible on pavement. You guys are talking like KDDS turns it into a sports car. These things are tanks and borderline dangerous on the road compared to most modern cars. The first thing most of the people in this form do is LIFT their trucks which makes them even more dangerous
PS I love that they are big lumbering trucks. Don’t get me wrong [emoji3]
All 4Runners are awesome.
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The part in bold, you seem to be doing what you're accusing others of doing...
At any rate, I see most people only saying that they prefer KDSS or not. Not shaming anyone else for their choices.
My advice to any prospective 4Runner owner, is to try all the different models, and buy what you like.
Install was fairly easy. There are a few videos online. The kit comes with everything minus tools. You ll need a wire stripper and a heat gun or lighter for shrink sleeving.
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Really? I own a 97 and a 5th gen withOUT kdss. The 5th gen felt better , and with King 2.5s it's more better.
A large portion of my driving offroad is 20-45mph forest roads. Kdss would beat me up and would itself get beaten up.
I also drive 75mph in the mountains as needed. No handling problems.
I've said it before but the KDSS perceived problem is overblown here. If your 4runner is a pavement princess vehicle it's a good option, but why buy a 4runner for that use case lol. A 1800$ markup that's 4k$ to fix. But I'd also buy manual windows if I could.
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RobS10
Member
To be fair, I only drove the SR5 for a half an hour or so, but that was my first impression driving the 5th Gen after literally just getting out of our '99 4R. My nephew's dad even commented and warned us it leaned more than he would have expected from a modern vehicle. He is a car driver, though not a sports car.
Sounds like the Dr KDSS Off switch might be the best of both worlds. I don't know how common failure of the hydraulics on the KDSS are, but asked our trusted mechanic (former Toyota Factory mechanic), who's done all the work on our '99 since we bought it in 2004, and he said he rarely sees a problem with the system, mostly from folks that don't keep the accumulator clean under the shield, so they get corroded.
