Stock ride height question (Trail / TRD w KDSS)

[DRO-T4R]

I've done some searching, but surprisingly i can't find what I'm looking for...

Bought a new '17 TRD Off Road with KDSS, but had a lift installed before i took delivery. So i never got to take stock measurements on level ground. (I could go try to find one on the dealer lot w KDSS, but where they have their Runners stored is FAR from level).

I need to make some adjustment to the front ride height (Toytec coilovers), and am curious to know what the stock measurements were for reference.

Does anyone know what stock ride heights should be on a late-model Trail / TRD Off Road with KDSS?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mcarey86]

https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/4runner/2016/suv/st-200747167/features-specs/

I believe the clearance is something like a half inch lower for KDSS vehicles due to the sway bar thickness. Could be mistaken there.

 

[trailstandardoffroad]

Mine was about 34.5 inches front and 37 inches in the rear. That was with stock tires and suspension. And measured from the ground to the bottom the fender flare centered on the tire.

 

[DRO-T4R]

Mine was about 34.5 inches front and 37 inches in the rear. That was with stock tires and suspension. And measured from the ground to the bottom the fender flare centered on the tire.

Thanks, that's what i was looking for! I'm surprised there was that much "rake" - a 2.5" difference seems like a lot.

(I should have taken pictures when i picked mine up...we had HD springs on the back, and Toytec didn't include the spanner with the lift kit, so the front was basically slammed down and we could't raise it. It must have had 6 inches of rake - looked pretty weird, like i was heading to the drag strip) :toilet:

 

[Darren]

They are a horrible 8.5" at the front KDSS section.

KDSS is one full inch lower than those without at that location, not to mention being further forward, there is an overall worse approach angle to the front diff.

I have all of the other clearance measurements (t-case, gas tank, rockers, etc.) at home if you want those as well. Since I have been in the market for one (non-KDSS for this very reason), I went to get these measurements a few weeks back.

 

[trailstandardoffroad]

Thanks, that's what i was looking for! I'm surprised there was that much "rake" - a 2.5" difference seems like a lot.

(I should have taken pictures when i picked mine up...we had HD springs on the back, and Toytec didn't include the spanner with the lift kit, so the front was basically slammed down and we could't raise it. It must have had 6 inches of rake - looked pretty weird, like i was heading to the drag strip) :toilet:

I set my toytec adjusters to 1.5 inches from the bottom of the threads to the bottom of the adjuster. The rear springs are what is killing you. Unless you have a rear bumper, drawers, rack ect. It's going to be too much spring.

Setting my fronts where is did gave me exactly 3 inches in the front. And the frame to the ground measure even front to back. I just put a 1.5 spacer in the bacl for now.

 

[DRO-T4R]

I set my toytec adjusters to 1.5 inches from the bottom of the threads to the bottom of the adjuster. The rear springs are what is killing you. Unless you have a rear bumper, drawers, rack ect. It's going to be too much spring.

Setting my fronts where is did gave me exactly 3 inches in the front. And the frame to the ground measure even front to back. I just put a 1.5 spacer in the bacl for now.

Yeah, we pulled the HD springs last week, and it certainly helped. Should have the spanner from Toytec today or tomorrow so we can play with the front. Thanks for the info on your front setup. Seems to jive with the notion that the amount of body lift will be ~2x the amount the adjuster moves up the threads.

 

[trailstandardoffroad]

Yeah, we pulled the HD springs last week, and it certainly helped. Should have the spanner from Toytec today or tomorrow so we can play with the front. Thanks for the info on your front setup. Seems to jive with the notion that the amount of body lift will be ~2x the amount the adjuster moves up the threads.

Not sure on that. Because toytec says to set it at 1 inch. I did that at first but it settled 3/4 of an inch after a week or so of driving. So I cranked mine up half and inch.

 

[Jetboy]

They are a horrible 8.5" at the front KDSS section.

KDSS is one full inch lower than those without at that location, not to mention being further forward, there is an overall worse approach angle to the front diff.

I have all of the other clearance measurements (t-case, gas tank, rockers, etc.) at home if you want those as well. Since I have been in the market for one (non-KDSS for this very reason), I went to get these measurements a few weeks back.

Yet KDSS fits inside the TRD Pro skid plate (and almost all the aftermarket ones). I would avoid skid plates too if that's an issue for you.

 

[gbarr]

2016 TEP with KDSS all stock except for trail running boards

with full tank of gas Driver rear 36 3/4 passenger rear 36 3/4

with near empty tank Driver rear 37 1/8 Passenger rear 37 1/8

With full tank of gas Driver front 34 1/4 Passenger front 34 1/4

With near empty tank Driver front 34 1/2 Passenger front 34 1/2

I know, I can't believe it either the truck is actually level side to side, unlike my 2014 SR5 which had the dreaded driver side lean a full 3/4 of an inch, and the difference between the trucks was actually 2014 was lower than the 2016 by about 3/4 of an inch.
hopr this helps.

 

[blefevre1]

2016 Trail w/ KDSS
Taken from the bottom of the rim to the fender to avoid differences with tire/pressure.

FR: 28.75"
FL: 28.625

RR: 31.375"
RL: 31.125"

So yeah, an impressive 2.5" rake stock. I did a minor lift with 6112/5160 and a 10mm rear spacer. I ended up with a 1.625" front lift and .375" rear lift so the rake is ~1.25" which to me looks normal.

 

[DRO-T4R]

Thanks everyone for this info! We'll be playing around with the front coilovers tomorrow, and I think we'll shoot for about 1" to 1 1/4" of rake.

Just got tracking info and my tires are here, and wheels are scheduled to arrive on Tuesday! :high5:

 

[DRO-T4R]

Right now:

Driver front: 36.5in
Passenger front: 36.44

Driver rear: 39.6
Passenger rear: 39.5

Looks like the front is as low as it can go in the adjustment range. But we got the spanner today, so we can start playin'

We'll see what tomorrow brings!

 

[DRO-T4R]

Just wanted to post this in case others find it useful. I got this info from Toytec today. Measurements are from the center of the hubs to the top of fender arch:

Toyota factory spec (stock suspension):
Front: 20.0 inches
Rear: 22.0 inches

Target heights with BOSS lift:
Front: 23.0 inches
Rear: 24.0 inches

Same numbers apply for vehicles with and without KDSS. Presumably, this applies to SR5s, Trail and TRD Off Road models. I think Pros may differ, and i have no idea about Limiteds

 

[1engineer]

Right now:

Driver front: 36.5in
Passenger front: 36.44

Driver rear: 39.6
Passenger rear: 39.5

Looks like the front is as low as it can go in the adjustment range. But we got the spanner today, so we can start playin'

We'll see what tomorrow brings!

Yeah if you measure from the ground you will never get accurate results.

 

[Sassy4R]

2016 Trail w/ KDSS
Taken from the bottom of the rim to the fender to avoid differences with tire/pressure.

FR: 28.75"
FL: 28.625

RR: 31.375"
RL: 31.125"

So yeah, an impressive 2.5" rake stock. I did a minor lift with 6112/5160 and a 10mm rear spacer. I ended up with a 1.625" front lift and .375" rear lift so the rake is ~1.25" which to me looks normal.

We noticed a pretty big difference when buying our 16 trail edition yesterday on the front end compared to others. Seemed sagged out a bit but from the sounds of what you guys are posting it's normal based on our suspension type.

I'm a newbie with this stuff but can you guys tell me what the reason for such a big difference would be and why the front is that much lower? Is it better? We will be getting a levelling kit to help but you can definitely notice it even more when you brake and your whole front end dips!

Thanks!

 

[cwagner]

I know this post is about a year old, but just wanted to confirm that it seems like it's normal for the factory rake to be 2.5" higher in the rear. Just got a 2018 4runner TRD ORP w/ KDSS and just seemed a little much. Measured on a fairly level surface from the center hub to wheel well. Same side to side, but between 2.375" and 2.5" higher in the rear. Not planning on leveling it, but might upgrade the suspension shocks, next spring.

If that difference is normal than it is what it is and I'm fine with that, but just wanted to check. Visually looks a bit much. Thanks.

 

[1996_Valencia_Owen]

Normal. The rear springs are lower rate than the front, so adding passengers and cargo will progressively level it out.

Rear rake helps right age-related sag as well. So over the years it'll come down some.

Last, just carry a lil cargo and itll have less rake. The ride seems softer with weight in it, too!

 

[cwagner]

Normal. The rear springs are lower rate than the front, so adding passengers and cargo will progressively level it out.

Rear rake helps right age-related sag as well. So over the years it'll come down some.

Last, just carry a lil cargo and itll have less rake. The ride seems softer with weight in it, too!

Right on! Thanks for the quick reply and good to know it's normal. I think I've been looking at too many photos of lifted 4runners with upgraded shocks/springs. Makes the rake more noticeable on my stock 4runner. Doesn't really bother me so I can definitely live with it until I decide to upgrade the suspension.

 

[1996_Valencia_Owen]

Right on! Thanks for the quick reply and good to know it's normal. I think I've been looking at too many photos of lifted 4runners with upgraded shocks/springs. Makes the rake more noticeable on my stock 4runner. Doesn't really bother me so I can definitely live with it until I decide to upgrade the suspension.

It's a similar look stock to what I had with my modded 3rd gen, with rear Land Cruiser 80 springs added. They were taller and allowed more travel, but caused a rake.

Seemed a bit unnecessary, until we'd pile my wife's elderly parents in the car and head up to the mountains. When I'd get out at gas stations there, I'd notice the extra ~400 lbs made the car sit perfectly level.