Road salt and KDSS longevity?

[JpAdct]

Hello All,

I’m looking for advice from those with experience on KDSS in northern states. I found a 2012 Trail, the style I’ve always wanted, in NJ. I’m waiting on a frame video from the owner but I just learned it has KDSS. I’ve never had KDSS and while I’m sure it’s great, I’m OK with not knowing how great it is. My question is how do the chances of this system failing increase from the road salt? I plan to lift a little and avoid any expensive repairs if the system goes bad. Do northern KDSS systems fail more frequently? Thanks in advance.

 

[mrblah]

Hello All,

I’m looking for advice from those with experience on KDSS in northern states. I found a 2012 Trail, the style I’ve always wanted, in NJ. I’m waiting on a frame video from the owner but I just learned it has KDSS. I’ve never had KDSS and while I’m sure it’s great, I’m OK with not knowing how great it is. My question is how do the chances of this system failing increase from the road salt? I plan to lift a little and avoid any expensive repairs if the system goes bad. Do northern KDSS systems fail more frequently? Thanks in advance.

you just have to keep the KDSS valve area clean and free from corrosion.. by giving it a good hose down and inspection under its skid plate.

 

[02SE]

With any vehicle operated in a highly corrosive environment, it's in your best interest to keep the salt off the vehicle as much as possible. Otherwise they will all rust/corrode if neglected.

 

[?????]

Road salt hasn't been an issue with proper rust preventative measures like applying Fluid Film annually.

KDSS is another moving component, but it has been out for a while now.

If you don't care for it then I would advise getting one without it. I sought for one as driving one with and without back to back made it obvious which one handled better.

Happy hunting!

 

[Jetboy]

Failures seem to be pretty rare regardless of area. The only corrosion related issues I've seen are on the aluminum of the valve body on the frame rail. Not sure what happened to those. Mine looks normal for aluminum. No meaningful corrosion. We use a lot of salt here. I've had corrosion related issues with some frame bolts for the skid plates. But nothing on the KDSS system.

Given they low incidence of reported issues is guess it's not a big problem. I'd be more worried about the frame rusting. I've seen more problems with that. Those are relatively rare as well.

 

[Turfboy]

While doing background research before I got my rig, the only corrosion issues I found were related to the electrical pins into the KDSS unit. I think the consensus was a yearly checkup and dielectric grease prevents any problem.

I know when I take the cover off my KDSS central control valve it usually has a fair amount of mud/sand/crud. It is easy to access.

 

[Jivewalker]

Take a look at the valves. Are they corroded/rusted/stuck? If they aren't, smear some marine grease all over them. Chances are the whole underside will be in the same or close to the state of the valves. My 2012 has done very well here on the coast, has traveled up north every winter through snow and salt and drives through saltwater flooding with very little corrosion. But I keep it clean and hosed down underneath.

 

[Ripper238]

Hello All,

I’m looking for advice from those with experience on KDSS in northern states. I found a 2012 Trail, the style I’ve always wanted, in NJ. I’m waiting on a frame video from the owner but I just learned it has KDSS. I’ve never had KDSS and while I’m sure it’s great, I’m OK with not knowing how great it is. My question is how do the chances of this system failing increase from the road salt? I plan to lift a little and avoid any expensive repairs if the system goes bad. Do northern KDSS systems fail more frequently? Thanks in advance.

No, you need to know how great KDSS is: Best video explaining KDSS :lalala:

KDSS is rain and salt proof. I have it in my 19 here in CT, so far so good.