Best way to lift or level kdss system??

Wanting to lift or level my 4runner...have the kdss system and keeping hearing negative responses from Toyota or techs. Say it could harm the system if not done correctly. Just need some input or ideas!! thanks

 

You can do it yourself if you understand that you need to strap up the coils before you lift it up off the ground. It's simple take a ratchet strap and go over the top of the coil for the KDSS and under it and tighten down. Then you do your lift install like any other. You just don't want to let it hang while you are dropping everything else. Take your time and maybe other people will chime in with other ways to do it. Lots of us here have done the lift and i have not heard any problems with doing it. I absolutely love my set up and us it . Good luck and post pics. when you get it done.

 

Well not planning on doing it myself. What kit and how high did you go? Some Toyota guys are telling me the issue is when you disconnect the system air could get into it and potentially harm it....your saying you don't disconnect anything??

 

Do not disconnect the system trap it in place. The local Toyota dealers here in San Diego tried to tell me the same. I had it done to mine but help another guy here do it and it was crazy easy. I have the Bilstien 6112 set at the top notch giving around 2.75" - 3" and in the rear 5100's. I'm running 285/70/17's and have almost no rubbing. Once in a blue moon i turn just right and it rubs ever so much.

 

Again, I was told the kdss is tied into the springs and shouldn't touch that because I was looking into those bilstien shocks instead of a regular spacer kit or body lift. How high is the rear? Did it change the ride at all?

 

Take a look at the sway bar you can see where it attaches . Undo the bolts at the sway bar link leaving the KDSS coil strapped and you'll fine the lower control arm drops down and you will slide the new set up in . Sounds easy but not by yourself. The ride is amazing . The rear has 3" lift. If your going to do any kind of off roading stay away from the spacer lifts you will just end up replacing it anyways. You spent a lot already on a incredible capable rig spend a few more dollars and get a better lift. Good luck

 

Found this video which explains lifting with KDSS. I have the same question and have not yet talked to someone in person who seems to fully understand how to do it. This seems odd to me given how many 4Runners are lifted out there and many of them most likely have KDSS.

2016 4Runner Trail KDSS 3" Lift Install - Eibach, SPC, BFG KM2, ProComp Vertigo Wheels

 

I haven't worked on a 4Runner with KDSS but thought it would be the same as the Landcruiser... When installing new shocks/springs or installing front spacers on the LC the KDSS regulator valves are opened 3 turns allowing the front suspension to drop and both sides of the system equalize. This is done with the rig on a a lift. After everything is reassembled the vehicle is put back on the ground (jostled side to side and front to back)and the vehicle is allowed to sit for an hour to resettle and adjust to the new angles. Then the KDSS regulator valves are closed. Wondering why the same procedure wouldn't work on the 4Runner.

 

Does anyone else have a comment on this? I’ve seen the strap-it-in-place-before-jacking method spoken of often enough, but if the above is the proper technique (especially to reset angles post lift) I’d love to know. Planned to do a 6112 on KDSS myself over Christmas. Is it in the service manual when, say, replacing a shock?

 

I would NOT open the system. But, I could be wrong here.

I believe @4X4Runner has lifted a few 4runners with KDSS. Hopefully he can shed some light on this.

 

Just some thoughts to consider. After watching several “how it works” videos (including one for adjusting an acquired lean with the KDSS suspension using a wrench an a couple of 2x4s), and without having actually crawled under my rig and traced the KDSS hydraulic lines, it seems that the KDSS hydraulics only supports the two sway bar cylinders (front left and rear right) which are completely independent from the shocks. The only “opening up” of the KDSS system seems to be some kind of override valve on the KDSS “controller” which allows the fluid to flow freely between the KDSS cylinders so they can equalize (or be compressed and extended manually?). Hope this helps a little.

 

Don't open anything involved with the KDSS you don't need to and you are only asking for pain.

The KDSS attaches to the sway bar. Just strap it up when you disconnect.

 

So, I don’t have to disconnect the sway bar / ratchet it in-place compressed if I disconnect the UCAs? You don’t mean the LCAs right? You removed the UCA and it worked as a better technique? I’m wanting to do this alone at home and have been reading and reading to get a good install thread / tips / tools required foundation...

 

@4X4Runner thank you!!

 

We've been finishing up a video that talks about KDSS equipped 4Runners. May be a little helpful. Just don't lift the 4runner too tall and you will be fine.
https://youtu.be/ROJ3V1yfqLQ

 

That was very informative. Thanks for posting!

I wonder why Toyota claims more articulation with KDSS?

 

Thanks. I think a walk around video really helps put everything in perspective, especially up on the lift.

 

Because the hydraulic cylinders that attach the sway bars to the frame allow the suspension to flex without fighting the sway bars. That's why it's so brilliant. More resistance to body roll in daily driving, more flex on the trails.

This is just a simplified explanation. I'm sure someone else can explain better.

 

Let me explain where I'm coming from on this one.

The video said that the limiting factor of a KDSS 4Runners suspension is the fixed point of the KDSS system located on the passenger side both front and rear. That would imply that the KDSS is actually limiting articulation, at least on the passenger side.

But maybe it's only limiting articulation with an aftermarket extended travel suspension set-up??

With that being said, it still makes me wonder how it can offer any benefit in articulation over a non KDSS 4Runner, like Toyota claims.

 

Non KDSS 4runners have fixed mounting points on BOTH sides of the sway bar. Therefore, you're always fighting the sway bar when you're flexing the suspension side to side.

With KDSS, one side of the sway bar is allowed to flex without fighting the sway bar. This enables better articulation.

Any sway bar will limit your articulation eventually.

Anyone who plans on doing long travel, or a hard core rock crawler build, would probably remove the sway bars anyway.

 

By this reasoning, non-KDSS vehicles are limiting articulation on BOTH sides.

Sorry for Quoting twice. I should have pointed this out in the previous post.

 

Good explanation. That makes sense now. Thanks.

 

KDSS isn’t going to let you tag along with purpose built crawlers, but it does make holes on one tire track or the other pretty much invisible and allows better tire contact in rough terrain.

Since the fixed anchor (pivot) point is still a foot and a half or so inboard of the wheel, there is some additional travel at that wheel as well. Couple that with the fact that the pistons are on diagonal corners (front driver side and rear passenger side), that provides the maximum articulation overall (not to be confused with travel).

 

Hydraulic rams in the KDSS system are on the same side.

 

My bad. Somehow they’re crosslinked then, so the articulation is increased when wheels on diagonal corners are stressed and roll is reduced when wheels on the same side are stressed. All I know is that it works phenomenally.