KDSS existing or new owners BEWARE!

Yeah, I see that now.

I had the impression that the system was all passive, since it's basic functions could be accomplished without electronic intervention. It seems overly complicated, but I'm sure Toyota had their reasons.

 

I believe that there are different versions of KDSS on older Landcruisers. I thought I recalled reading something about this and saw a photo of it on the ih8mud forum, and there was no electrical connector on the accumulator assembly. It seemed purely mechanical/hydraulic.

 

You're probably right. I assume the earlier version may have been entirely mechanical and self sufficient.

I still love the benefits I get from KDSS. But, I can fully understand why some folks don't want it.

 

I’ll just continue to clean the area regularly and enjoy years of comfortable ride on and off road.

 

^^^^this.

The benefits are real. Definitely worth a little bit of maintenance.

 

Definitely a part of regular maintenance, power washing from below every 6 months or so.

Boeshield is our favorite spray-on corrosion preventer. We're in a corrosive marine environment, and boeshield or corrosion X etc work well at keeping it at bay.

 

Further to my post(#39). I installed a $12 mudflap in front of the main KDSS cover. I bolted it into one of the crossmembers of my rocksliders. It goes all the way up against the body and just down enough to prevent debris flying up from the tire and onto the cover. This is a very small price to pay for the excellent handling characteristics of the KDSS.

 

Can you please share link to the mudflap?

 

There is no link to share. I bought a heavy duty truck mudflap at NAPA, it’s made of rubber and nylon for strength. I simply cut it to fit with a jigsaw. Drilled 2 holes in the slider cross member just forward of the KDSS, tapped the holes to M8X1.25 and bolted the mudflap on with 1” stainless steel washers. As previously mentioned, I drilled larger holes in the KDSS covers and added a few holes. I will still remove, clean and spray some Fluid Film twice a year. The way I see it, you only get one chance at preserving this part! Do it right and with reckless abandon!

 

@Bodie the Dog don't forget to clean yours today!

 

Cleaned mine this weekend when doing my oil change. Nothing to it.

 

Just installed the treaty oak KDSS spacer front and rear. Feels a lot more stable and less body roll due to sway bar being put back in its factory angles. Highly recommend getting these if you have KDSS.

 

This thread has been useful for me in deciding if KDSS was worth it. For me it is worth it and now I know to keep that area clean of dirt/salt. Thanks for the info.

 

I have this. Installed it about a year ago. I should take it off and see what's going on with the KDSS and spray it with some FF.
Is this what you guys use as far as FF?
https://www.autozone.com/greases-an...VsCitBh0wdQJREAQYASABEgK49fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Did you loosed the KDSS shutter valves before installing the spacers?

 

No I did not. But Im thinking about loosening the valve and rocking the truck back and forth. But so far its all levelled.

 

Thanks. I read the instructions watched Mike's video but I'm still a little nervous touching the valves lol. I'm going to install the spacers over the weekend

 

I opened the valves when doing my lift install. Nothing too it. Just don’t go passed the recommended turns. I marked mine with a sharpie to make sure I didn’t.

 

I wouldn't open the valves unless it was absolutely necessary. It seems like a good way to end up with a lean.

 

Watch Ironman 4x4 install video on the gx460. Also a lot of LC owners do it with no issues. But I do understand if one is concerned (don’t fix if it ain’t broke right?).

 

I wouldn't hesitate if there was a lean. But, unless there's an issue or it's been tampered with, it should not lean.

I think there's a lot of confusion about it. Unless the system is compromised, it should hold the sway bars level except when the suspension is flexed.

 

I'm not worried about installing the rear spacers, but the front might be a pain to install without loosening the valves, at least that's the impression I got from watching exitoffroad video

 

I didn’t loosen the valve and was able to install both front and rear

 

Man, now I need to go check and see if I have any lean. I haven't noticed any yet but...

 

It's maybe, MAYBE an 1/8" lower on the passenger side in the front and the back looks level. I couldn't see it because it was so subtle. I did get a 2.5" lift in the front and 2" in the rear so maybe the lean is more extreme as you get to 3" in the front?

 

KDSS should NEVER cause a lean unless it's tampered with or damaged. As long as the system is intact, it wants to keep the truck level. I think problems occur when the system is damaged, or when people open those valves and allow the hydraulic pistons to droop or compress simultaneously and then close them while the sway bars aren't level.

 

To quote treaty offroads site:


▪️KDSS is a complete system front and rear, that works in tandem. The driver side has an articulating cylinder and the passenger side has a rigid link, connected to the LCA (or axle in rear) via a large sway bar. They work together via hydraulic lines and accumulators that open and close to allow fluid to flow, or not flow, depending on speed. On a stock vehicle this allows for extended wheel travel vs a standard sway bar setup AND sports car type handling at speed.

▪️when you’re vehicle is lifted, the cylinder extends as the vehicle is raised, but the passenger side can’t due to that rigid link. This is what causes your lean.


This make sense to me but I am nothing even close to knowledgeable regarding suspensions or KDSS.

 

I think this information is incorrect. I know those guys are smart, but I have to disagree with this part

The cylinders should not extend due to a lift.

As long as the system isn't damaged or tampered with, the hydraulic cylinders cannot extend or compress simultaneously. The hydraulic fluid that flows back and forth to allow greater articulation in off camber driving should not flow if both axles are pushing up or down at the same time.

If people are opening the valves after a lift, it could allow the cylinders to simultaneously extend, causing a lean. Otherwise, they should remain level.

This is why I would avoid opening the valves unless there is already an issue.


EDIT: I want to point out that I do think their link extenders are a good product! I just disagree with their reasoning.

 

I’ve read that two or less turns is safe and anything over that can cause a leak and you’ll have to get it repaired a t the dealership.

But who knows, I don’t have a lean and enjoying the KDSS ride.

 

I love it, too!