Who's had both? KDSS and Non KDSS.

[EddieV4runnin]

KDSS on mine and love everything about it. No leaks or warning lights on it after 51k of hard driving. If there were weekly threads about leaking cylinders, lines, or actuators I’d be worried about reliability as some have stated here.

 

[Gclark949]

I have KDSS on my 2016 with a lift and the lift has not been a problem. I would say the biggest negative is the front end clearance with KDSS which was really inadequate for a stock vehicle. Prior to the lift I found that even the most basic dirt roads with simple rocks and shrubs in the middle of the tract proved to be a problem for the clearance. After a 2” lift my drivetrain is perfectly straight which tells me that my “lift” was really just getting back to how the engineers thought this would ship from the factory.

The non-KDSS setup in the front has a higher skid plate setup and is obviously simpler from a long term maintenance standpoint.

I think a simple electronic switch to disengage the front anti sway bar would be a lot simpler and better for all those who actually use their vehicles off-road.

 

[Drobs]

I have KDSS on mine and recently got the opportunity to take a non KDSS version for a couple days. Night and day difference, I’d never drive a 4runner without it again.

Body roll was awful on the non KDSS version in corners, on the freeway it was like driving on rolling waves, very springy feeling.

Now, that being said, KDSS does have some cons too, it makes the ride stiffer, and “limit” you when it comes to lifts/skid plates etc (need to buy compatible ones) but not dramatically.


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I have a Non-KDSS on my 2019 OR.
I didn't notice the god awful body roll during the 2 test drives through suburban Springfield, MO. Driving it home from the dealer on hilly curvy roads through the Ozarks was absolutely horrible.

A $748 Eibach Pro Truck Lift + $450 install solved the horrible body roll and nose dive on braking. I love it now. It's tight in the curves + still soft on washboard roads.

https://www.tirerack.com/suspension...ch&model=Pro-Truck+Lift+System&group=&cat=Kit

 

[niadh0]

I had 2011 with KDSS and currently have 19 Pro (without KDSS) and 2020 OffRoad with KDSS (and added TRD Fox suspension)… what I would say is don't be afraid of the KDSS cylinder leaks... the 2011 never exhibited any issues until I traded it in for the 19 Pro at 225K kms. my cousin has been driving his Trail /wKDSS since 2010 and no issues. the ride is awesome.

 

[niadh0]

I've had two 4Runners with KDSS and one without. The 'without' is a Pro so it still may be apples to oranges. I can tell you, emphatically, the KDSS rides great. It stays a lot more level in the corners. Having said this, it doesn't help nose dive (obviously)... I didn't notice much negative affect of having KDSS off-road. On one of the the two 4Runners w/ KDSS I swapped out the front struts with Bilsteins to level it a little and also offset nose dive. The tech at the Goodyear place had no problem fitting it around the KDSS stuff. In comparison, the ride of the Pro is a lot more plush. I would say it 'wallows' a little but in a good way, if that makes sense. Contrary to popular belief, I see no downside with KDSS (particularly if you won't mess with suspension). Harder to find though and obviously adds a bit of $. I would be hard-pressed to not recommend KDSS. The Pro is a much nicer all around suspension to me, who won't ever upgrade from a factory suspension. Everyone else's points were valid/good too.

ah nice to find another owner with the same experience. I went from 2011 KDSS to 2019 Pro and then to 2020 KDSS after passing the 19 Pro to my wife. I loved the plush ride of the TRD Fox so I bought a set and added that to my 2020 with KDSS. best of the both worlds.

 

[nimby]

If you want to keep your 4Runner stock, I see the benefit to KDSS.

I don't see the benefit if you plan to add a quality aftermarket suspension kit, however.

 

[4FL]

If you want to keep your 4Runner stock, I see the benefit to KDSS.

I don't see the benefit if you plan to add a quality aftermarket suspension kit, however.

This is my feelings as well.

I own a KDSS, but took an SR5 for a test drive for a few miles and noticed how squishy (if that is the correct term) it was. I already bought my KDSS but was waiting for it to come in, but the sales person insisted I still take one around for a drive, lol.

But this issue is easily solved by some mods. So a person can go either direction really, get a non-KDSS and just add what would it be, shocks? (I have no idea) to alleviate the squishiness of the suspension. If you got the money and plan on no mods, like me, then KDSS would be a great option.

 

[Jetboy]

You can make a non-kdss drive as well or better given enough money on the road or in the dirt. What you can't do is add a suspension that works better all around than doing basically the same setup with KDSS. Pretty much every suspension upgrade is still better with KDSS short of some long travel setups. And those typically suffer on the highway. (I know someone will tell us a long travel setup rides like a dream. It might ride very nicely - now go do a moose test and get back to me...)

KDSS is obviously limited in travel range. That's the achilles heel. If you want something outside of the travel range of KDSS, it's not for you. Within the window it was designed for - no combination of springs and shocks can replicate the benefits it provides.

 

[gbarr]

I have owned both, a 2014 4wd sr5 and a 2016 trail edition with kdss. The sr5 absolutely road smoother and leaned in corners more and had more nose dive when braking.