Kdss lean to left front- just installed Treaty Oak Spacer kit.

So it’s been 4 months since professional install of Dobinsons lift kit. 2.5” front, 2” in rear. It looked great leaving the shop. After driving and wheeling it definitely got the lean to the front, more noticeable on left. We just installed the treaty oak spacer kit in the driveway ( all 3 spacers) It seemed to correct it a bit, but lean still noticeable. Does it take some driving miles to correct more? Should I have only installed the back spacers on the left to correct the lean, not right? Thought I read since kdss is a whole system to install the 3 spacers.
1st pic: right after lift
2nd pic: now, after spacers install

 

I saw a fix for the lean on Utube, a mechanic drove the opposite rear corner from the the low front onto some 2x6s and cracked some screw valves loose on the center accumulator to essentially rebalance & lower the rear corner which allows the front corner to come up. If I have time I’ll search for it.

 

Per a trusted 4x4shop for KDSS when I checked 2 weeks back my friend recommended opening the KDSS valves and adjust the lean. I asked how about spacers? I got the response when the front fix point add a spacer with the angle it has a probability of bending or damage, its not that strong vs non KDSS sway is directly connected to frame and more flexible. So opening the KDSS valves are the best way to correct KDSS lean per him.

Again I'm just a customer, just shared what my friend told me.

Edit - IMO this is not DIY job. I would go to a Toyota specialist 4x4shop who knows how to do it. Anyone in CO i can give the contact/ shop i go to.

 

Thanks! Someone else suggested re-opening the valves and shaking it. Maybe I can do both!

 

Exactly which way is this lean? Front to back, side to side, or what?

 

It leans to front left, with a bit of inside front left. Makes the back left stick up ( and out a bit). The passenger side back sits up a bit higher than originally, but not as bad as the left.

 

I've not heard of the type of lean you're describing. The '4Runner lean' is usually described as lower on the driver side than the passenger side, due to the gas tank and driver, and more pronounced, usually, in the front than the rear. I cannot say what you have going on.

 

It’s definitely leaning to the driver front the most

 

So where do the 3 Treaty Oak spacers mount?

 

I’d be reluctant to let anyone but Toyota mess with the KDSS System.

 

With my experience Toyota dealerships has the worst technicians and couple of Toyota specialist 4x4shops i go to seems have better techs when it comes to suspension and KDSS related work. I really wish those shops have KDSS parts if needed service.
Again it just my personal experience Toyota dealerships near me has poor knowledge on suspension work.

 

Yup, totally agree with you on the dealership thing but I’d still be reluctant on anyone other than Toyota messing with the KDSS system, mainly for any kind of liability / warranty issues.

 

How much lean are you concerned about? Do you have measurements?

 

Typical KDSS lean

I was about 1/2” lower on the front and rear passenger side. I had to add about 2 turns of preload to the passenger side of my kings to compensate up front and added a 10mm OME rear spring spacer.

I also have the Treaty Oak KDSS spacers.

Measurements from center of hub to fender:

Bilstein 6112/5160
DF: 23 PF: 22.5
DR: 24.5 PR: 24

Kings
DF: 22.5 PF: 22.5
DR: 24.5 PR: 24.38

 

I have about the same lean as blksubykid mentioned. I want to get it into the garage to take better measurements because I'm not sure how flat the driveway was when I took mine. I've got added weight (aluminum lowpro bumper plus 10k winch, sliders, full length rack, and molle panels/shelf) and stock suspension I'm currently sitting:

DF: 19.375" PF: 18.875"
DR: 21.5" PR: 21.25"

I plan to put on Dobinsons later this year to get it back up to original stock plus some (+2" front, +1" rear). I've been debating the treaty oaks with only going up a little but definitely want to correct the lean I have somehow. Planned on talking to crikeymike when I finally order

 

Did the shop that performed your install open the valves at all? This can actually cause a lean if it's not done correctly.

Also, KDSS can not cause a front to rear lean. It only affects side to side lean.

Did you open any valves when the lift was installed?

I wouldn't say typical. Mine is lifted and has no lean. I never messed with any valves.

 

Have you ever opened the accumulator valves?

 

i say typical because the lean is a rather common thing for KDSS equipped vehicles from 4Runners, GXs, and LCs. My Bilstein 6112s had different surclip settings for KDSS and non KDSS vehicles to compensate for the lean. And Dobinson had offset springs for KDSS vehicles as well.

 

It just doesn't make sense to me, unless the lean is caused by people opening the valves. It really shouldn't cause a lean unless there's something wrong.

 

how much of a lift do you have?

 

2.4/1.5, but that's not really relevant.

 

i think it would’ve been relevant if you were to say you only had a small lift up front. Regardless, not every KDSS vehicle has the lean but it’s very common thing. I also didn’t mess with my valves either

 

I read about it.

I just wondered if there was a relationship between opening the valves and lean. I could see how opening and closing them while the vehicle wasn't sitting on level ground could actually cause a lean.

It also seems that a lean could be a sign that fluid was flowing when it wasn't supposed to.

I also could see how a lean could be corrected by an experienced person using the valves. But, I hope I never have to mess with it.

 

Negative, I've never opened the valves. I'm curious if what I saw was because it wasn't on level gound.

 

I'd be curious, too. But, if it's higher in the front and rear on the same side, that does seem like a lean. The good thing is that it's not a big lean.

Out of curiosity, do you have a lot of constant weight in your 4Runner? And, if so, is it centered, or off to one side or another?

 

I do have constant weight but mostly what I listed as mods. Aside from that I only have a kids booster seat (basically no weight), air compressor, tools, and recovery gear in the back. The tools are the heaviest (maybe 20 lbs?) but my tool roll wasn't even in the back on this trip because it was just interstate. I think the tank was near empty which may have had some effect and my 200 lb ass wasn't in the driver seat. With a full tank and a driver, maybe it would have been level? This was the first time I measured (about a month ago when I joined the forum) and wish I had taken measurements before any mods. I wanted to get a baseline before I lift to see what I get out of it

 

I could see the low fuel and no driver being a factor, it the suspension is designed to compensate for the extra weight.

Good call getting measurements before the lift. I never measured before, so I'm not really sure how much lift I actually have. I carry a lot of constant weight, so I load the passenger side heavier to compensate for the fuel tank and myself.

Also, good choice on the Dobs! Crikeymike is definitely the right guy to talk to about that.

 

I should clarify on "recovery gear". It's just a tree saver, recovery strap, soft shackles, and weighted blanket for the winch cable (not too much weight). The extra gear (several extra hard shackles and snatch block) that are a lot of weight are in a backpack not on this trip. Thanks for the vote of confidence on dobs, I've done a lot of research over the last few years about what to go with. I've gone back and forth with bilstein but think with KDSS I'd like a more progressive shock so thinking of IMS. Twin tube may suit my needs better and since I don't want to sink enough money into elkas right now I think it will be a good setup for my wants/needs. I definitely don't need reservoirs from what I can tell

 

I second Dobinsons although I personally never ran their shocks, only their springs lol. I found the 6112/5160s to be a great overall shock but a little too stiff for me on washboard roads. And I agree, most people don’t need reservoirs but being in CA, a lot of my buddies love bombing through the desert. The main reason I swapped to Kings was for the custom valving since my 4Runner is VERY heavy and to maximize wheel travel with custom length rear shocks without ripping everything out and going to long travel

 

Yeah, I like how many options you have with dobs springs. Ideally I'd like elka shocks since they are aluminum (corrosion resistance) with dobs springs but elkas are really expensive. They may be my 2nd set after running dobs shocks (this is a slow long build and I plan on keeping the 4runner a long time). Maybe I like their shocks too and stick with them. No deserts here so no reason for kings or resi's (may take an occasional trip to the desert but not worth concentrating the build around). I've been putting off the lift until I see how much weight I end up with. Bought a hitch mounted spare tire carrier but trying to get my money back due to non delivery after 6 months. Don't want a full rear bumper but may end up there despite the cost and weight penalty. Just another reason I haven't lifted yet - want to know what weight I end up with before going full tilt