KDSS worth the cost?

I would like to know what your thoughts are on KDSS and whether it is worth the $1,750 price tag. Thank you.

 

You'll hear a lot of people for and against. I don't have it but I am actually for it. However, with that said, is it worth waiting for it, paying the extra cost for it, and then not using it?

Essentially, before everyone weighs in, consider their arguments in this light:

What do you plan to do with your vehicle. Now imagine yourself 2 years from now, doing more than you originally thought. Find people doing that kind of stuff now, see if they can do it with their vehicles. See if they have it, or don't, and if they don't, did it keep them from doing it, provide extra safety or confidence, etc.

As far as maintenance goes, it's pretty low maint, so don't sweat repair costs. It does limit lift height, but honestly....2.5" - 3" is the most you would reasonable lift the vehicle anyways, so don't read too much into those common arguments.

 

Damn straight its worth it.

A good suspension helps those without KDSS but its worlds of difference.

I would suggest driving one with and without. And dont drive in straight lines.

 

Definitely, pro KDSS! I wouldn’t own a 4 Runner without it. They say it gives better articulation off road, which I’ve never noticed, but highway driving on winding roads, big interstates, high speeds, it really improves the handling of a 4 Runner noticeably. It’s actually incredible that there exists a modestly priced 4X4 with on road, high speed driveability that excellent. $1750 is cheap.

 

I would buy it again. I think it's worthwhile IF:

-You want the best on-road handling (minimal body roll)

-You don't want to lift beyond 3" (which @fajitas21 already pointed out is rarely necessary)

-you want to use the 4runner for mild to moderate off-roading. (It actually allows more articulation than any other stock suspension before fighting the sway bay)

I would NOT recommend it IF:

-You're going to lift ridiculously high

-you're going to use the 4runner for hardcore off-roading/crawling as you will probably delete the sway bars altogether for this type of use.

-You don't mind body roll and will only do mild off-roading.

Folks will say that it limits travel, but they seem to forget that the standard sway bar does as well.

I think it's ideal for a weekend warrior. It keeps the tires planted over uneven terrain better than a non-KDSS suspension. It's advantageous on and off road.

That said, any 4runner is going to kick ass off-road.

As @Dillusion mentioned, drive both if you're on the fence. Find a safe place to take a curve and compare the stability of each. I made an evasive maneuver on my test drive (intentionally, to feel the difference) and it felt very confident. That sold me.

 

No kdss ORP, no experience with kdss but the 1700 didnt scare me away and I was pretty tempted to go to a dealer quite a ways away to get one. In the end I got a great deal on mine in Sept 2019, one year and 20k miles later no issues without. Have done some mild offroad nothing crazy and driven across country 2+ times. Love the truck, I dont think you can go wrong either way.

 

Thank you for your feedback!

 

Just curious as to why the PRO does not have KDSS as an option? I know the PRO has a different suspension...

 

Thank you for the very helpful info and glad you’re enjoying your KDSS!

 

An excellent question. The Land Cruiser does have KDSS though.

I find Toyota of America gives confusing options. Here's a few others.

Why does the pro not have side mirror turn signals and the OR Premium and SR5 Premium do? You'd think the Pro would be the culmination of all it...including KDSS and those features.

 

The PRO has the same suspension as most 4runners, but upgraded shocks and struts with a small lift. They arrive in the US as an ORP and are upgraded stateside. They are all the same, so Toyota started with the less expensive suspension option.

 

That was part of my confusion after all the PROs command a premium price one would think that they would include KDSS as an option

 

Good to know! - That makes more sense now

 

If the Pros had KDSS, then they would have an even premium'er price!

 

LOL, like instead of $60k+ let’s just bump it up to idk say $80k+. It hurts.

 

Somehow still cheaper than a Gladiator tho...they are proud of those things.

 

Well us Canadians don't get a choice. My 2016 had it and it seemed to handle pretty good in road.

 

I’m not sure how this explains anything, Thatbassguy. Since Pros arrive as ORPs, why don’t they use KDSS ORPs as the base vehicles for Pros? The Pro suspension upgrade is minimal and wouldn’t affect KDSS. When I bought my ORP I was looking for a Pro, but after I learned about KDSS my sights shifted. A Pro may have the advertising cachet, but the premium 4 Runner is really the ORP w/KDSS, for those in the know, at least.

 

It's right there in bold.

I agree!

 

Ok, yeah, it was a choice Toyota made. Still, an odd choice, but probably makes sense in terms of profit. Nobody buying a Pro cares about KDSS, they just want the Pro badging and the idea of a tougher suspension. It works, I guess. Consumers are such sheep.

 

Lol! Brutal!

 

Ugh. theres so many reasons people do so many things. Im happy with how I spent my money and am perfectly happy without KDSS. I test drove all the models and suspensions and preferred the Pro and didnt buy it just for badging OR instagram. Im not going down this road anymore than that.

I think the Pro doesnt have KDSS because A. Obviously its more profitable theres no denying toyota is a corporation with shareholders to worry about and B. If you are offroading the KDSS makes little difference in performance (and before you KDSS people jump my sh*t) IT does provide better on road performance so im told, however that is not the intention of the Pro model or for that matter 4 runners in general.

 

Hmm.. Actually it does benefit off-road. That's why it's so brilliant.

It IS beneficial on road AND off-road. That's why people want it.

Whether or not you personally wanted it is irrelevant.

 

But but but the Pro comes in unique colors like Lunar Rock - you can't get that anywhere! Wait you can get RAV4 comes in lunar but still, the PROs are just good looking for some reason and I'm getting one haha

 

I think its less brilliant than everyone who slobbers all over them on this forum makes them seem when they see it equipped.

My personal wants and desires are everything. COME AT ME BRO!

 

Id love to pick the brain of the head of TRD development about why the Pro doesnt have KDSS since it seems like the most amazing thing since sliced bread. I like to think its a reason beyond just profit and cost.

 

I read this and remembered my 12 year old says shit like this LOL.

Thats all I got ok to continue measuring manhood on KDSS or not.

 

All of our personal wants are everything! I'm not going to fight you over it.

But, a suspension that improves performance both on and off road is pretty damn neat, in my book.

I think on-road manners are important because I daily drive mine, and I have to drive 3+ hours to reach any trails.

It's all a matter of preference, though.

It could be that some folks will end up removing the sway bars altogether, making it a complete waste.

Remember, every sway bar limits travel and flex. KDSS allows more than the standard setup, though. There's a reason Heep offers a sway bar disconnect.

 

Toyota still claims 1 inch better travel (not just height) in the suspension over stock with or without KDSS with the pro so clearly the sway bar is not the limiting factor there. Beyond that theres no point in lifting these over 3 inches unless its for show anyways so neither is a limit in that regard.


The ones I drove with KDSS didnt feel all that different but then I came from a 1999 tacoma so everything was a huge upgrade.

 

Agreed. Neither one will be an issue unless going long travel, probably.

The idea is that it allows the side to side flex without having to fight the sway bar as much. I really think it helps in off camber situations.

I still say any 4runner will kick ass off-road with decent tires. But, what fun is a forum without trash-talking?