Whelllllll shoot! Now I am confused!

[Khjphoto]

I think I have read every thread on here and still don't know which way to jump.
Looking for some good advice.
Here are the facts:
1. 85% driving is highway
2. Go to SW Colorado once a year and the Mojave.
3. Not a reach "technical" off rowdier. Just like to get out in the boonies
4. Not a mech - just a driver

Here is the issue: Have a TRDPRO due in any day; but have read posts on here
And confused as the to whether the TRDPRO or the TEP/KDSS is the way to go. If you have suggestions please back up with reasoning.

Thank you

 

[Dogsmiles]

Damn, can't help you because I am in the same rut. Had a TRD PRO that was delivered last week but dealer messed up the delivery (added things I did not want) and now is wanting to fix buy getting me another. In the mean time I am thinking the same thing you are and wonder if a TEP with KDSS isn't just as good?

 

[bajacolorado]

Stay with the TRD-PRO - if you don't get into the rocks a lot you don't need KDSS and the Pro gives a smoother highway ride. I have the Trail but I wanted a different suspension and tires than the PRO along with KDSS. The Pro will do better on Washboards than the trail too. Remember to air down some for extended off road hours as it makes for a much smoother ride with more traction. I frequent SW Colorado as well.

 

[Dogsmiles]

Thanks, that was my initial assessment and why I placed the order first time for the PRO. You answered the reasons for questioning that logic with your comments about smoother highway ride, after all that is where most of us spend our time.

 

[Khjphoto]

Stay with the TRD-PRO - if you don't get into the rocks a lot you don't need KDSS and the Pro gives a smoother highway ride. I have the Trail but I wanted a different suspension and tires than the PRO along with KDSS. The Pro will do better on Washboards than the trail too. Remember to air down some for extended off road hours as it makes for a much smoother ride with more traction. I frequent SW Colorado as well.

Thanks. LOL. But, but. - there are rocks in Ouray/Silverton; and there are washboards in the desert! Maybe I should buy Both and tow the one. :noidea:

 

[Cymon]

I think I have read every thread on here and still don't know which way to jump.
Looking for some good advice.
Here are the facts:
1. 85% driving is highway
2. Go to SW Colorado once a year and the Mojave.
3. Not a reach "technical" off rowdier. Just like to get out in the boonies
4. Not a mech - just a driver

Here is the issue: Have a TRDPRO due in any day; but have read posts on here
And confused as the to whether the TRDPRO or the TEP/KDSS is the way to go. If you have suggestions please back up with reasoning.

Thank you

To simplify...if you don't plan on lifting or adding aftermarket suspension get the pro. If you plan on lifting, get the TEP and add the suspension you want for the difference in price. My.02

 

[GzTEP]

Pro for you

 

[InspectahDeck]

I think I have read every thread on here and still don't know which way to jump.
Looking for some good advice.
Here are the facts:
1. 85% driving is highway
2. Go to SW Colorado once a year and the Mojave.
3. Not a reach "technical" off rowdier. Just like to get out in the boonies
4. Not a mech - just a driver

Here is the issue: Have a TRDPRO due in any day; but have read posts on here
And confused as the to whether the TRDPRO or the TEP/KDSS is the way to go. If you have suggestions please back up with reasoning.

Thank you

Which dealer? I am waiting on one as well and I feel like they are going to do this to me, too. What were the installs?

You can PM the dealer name if that's against forum rules.

 

[FourEyedWilly]

Stay with the TRD-PRO - if you don't get into the rocks a lot you don't need KDSS and the Pro gives a smoother highway ride.

Is this true? My TEP rides like a marshmallow as it is. I actually prefer a bit more positive ride.

Get the Pro if not modding suspension. Get the TEP if you plan on lifting. (this was my reason)

 

[Knight-Errant]

To simplify...if you don't plan on lifting or adding aftermarket suspension get the pro. If you plan on lifting, get the TEP and add the suspension you want for the difference in price. My.02

This exactly.

If you can, test dive both and see if how they ride sways you in one way or the other. Your test drive really should be the deciding factor.

 

[Dogsmiles]

I definitely agree that a test drive would be in order but there aren't many dealers with both in stock this time of year so the reality is we have to go more with those current owners and/or forum members. Thanks for you input

 

[comtn4x4]

I think you'll be happy either way. But IMHO KDSS provides the bulk of its benefits on road. Firms up the suspension in the corners. I would't have a 4runner without it

 

[c350z]

Pro if you want out of the box.

TEP if you want to add your own lift.
.
.
.
Pro...auto headlights ;-)

 

[el_kab0ng]

TEP w/KDSS here after careful consideration against the TRD. The biggest factor, IMO, is that the engine is the same in both. All you're really getting is the blisten shocks, different tires and alot of badging. Not worth the extra coin compared to the TEP if you ask me.

As has been mentioned here, if you have no plans to lift, then a TEP with KDSS is a good choice.

 

[vjack]

For anyone who spends most of their time on the road and has only limited off-road needs (which certainly doesn't describe everyone but does account for a very large number of people), I think the Limited should be a top consideration.

The Limited's X-REAS suspension is quite flat when cornering and breaking. I compared it to a base SR5 and the difference was clear.

Obviously if you are going to lift / modify the suspension it is a waste to get the X-REAS, but if you are just doing dirt trail access roads, beach, etc. it is perfectly fine with the stock ground clearance.

I think a lot of people on here are scared away by the extra plastic chrome on the Limited grill. I agree that it looks kind of stupid compared to the other trims but the combination of the X-REAS suspension and the full-time 4x4 (Torsen center diff) really seemed like the best drivetrain for me.

 

[off-road runner]

KDSS has great on-road manners compare to non-kdss. I can't speak for the limited but I won't purchase another runner without KDSS (or future equivalent). I thought KDSS was a gimmick 'til I drove one. It is by far the best option for me.

 

[proimion]

The logical thing to do would be to learn how KDSS works so you can see if it will benefit your type of driving or not. Because you are going to get a lot of opinion with this question, much of it relying on myth and the rest on confirmation bias.

Watch this to start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLF6n3nMwww

From this I think you'll conclude that KDSS is most beneficial when on road, especially when cornering.

My own opinion is that it is a valuable device which is why it is found on the high-end Toyota products. I think it deserves lots of consideration. You can always add Bilstein and different wheel-tire combos to a TEP/KDSS but you can't add KDSS to a Pro. So, logically...

Why it is not on the Pro is a matter of some debate and forum legend.:gun6:

 

[Toffees]

KDSS has great on-road manners compare to non-kdss. I can't speak for the limited but I won't purchase another runner without KDSS (or future equivalent). I thought KDSS was a gimmick 'til I drove one. It is by far the best option for me.

In my opinion the Limited has great on-road character, but I'm not driving on anything other than stock.

 

[gm350reratliff]

To simplify...if you don't plan on lifting or adding aftermarket suspension get the pro. If you plan on lifting, get the TEP and add the suspension you want for the difference in price. My.02

That's what we did. Actually, when we bought ours, the TRDP was just announced but no solid pricing on it. The dealer wouldn't even let me put a deposit on one because he had no idea what the price would be or if/when they would get one. Very happy with our TEP though. Definitely couldn't have bought a TRDP for what I got this one for.

Also, we skipped on the KDSS. I know a lot of people rave about it but I see it as a potential failure point (slim but possible) and they are not cheap to fix.

 

[acolle]

Stay with the TRD-PRO - if you don't get into the rocks a lot you don't need KDSS and the Pro gives a smoother highway ride. I have the Trail but I wanted a different suspension and tires than the PRO along with KDSS. The Pro will do better on Washboards than the trail too. Remember to air down some for extended off road hours as it makes for a much smoother ride with more traction. I frequent SW Colorado as well.

I agree with [MENTION=133886]bajacolorado[/MENTION] . Stay with the Pro. Keep it stock. You'll love it.