body roll solutions?

If one were to simply swap all 4 corners for Fox, Bilsteins or etc.. would that solve the body roll and brake dive the 4Runner possesses? TIA!

 

A lot of people on this forum have improved the roll and dive by installing aftermarket shocks.

I’m still running a stock setup so I can’t attest to that.

 

Bilstein 5100s will definitely fix the brake dive issue and will reduce body roll a little.

Lifting it will increase body roll so if you want to keep that under more control, only set the fronts to stock or the .85" setting.

 

i’m considering the KDSS option when i go and shop for a TRDOR Premium.. but $1750.00 is some serious change. Not only that but KDSS would limit my modification choices down the road.

 

Every once in a while I swerve back and forth at a slow speed and no traffic, just to remind myself that I am driving a top heavy SUV rather than a sports sedan. It can get scary really quick. It definitely exercises the shocks and suspension. I wouldn’t want to try and dodge an obstacle at highway speeds. It wouldn’t end well. But our 4Runners really shine when the pavement ends.

 

I constantly remind myself at night to not overreact to animals that might run out into my path. There’s a limit you cannot cross.

Even in the absence of a crisis (ie. deer/antelope), you sort of sub-consciously know the vehicle’s limits, due to your hours behind the wheel.

I hit a deer once. And i saw it coming. But I subconsciously knew i couldn’t swerve to miss it. I didn’t have time to think about it. You know in the moment just how far you can turn the wheel without introducing major consequences.

 

Yes, shocks like Bilstiens and Eibachs will reduce body roll and nose dive.

KDSS has benefits, but you don't need it just to fix that issue.

 

Even though I agree that a good suspension upgrade will reduce body roll, it’s worth repeating that it only does that to a limit.

Im very happy with my Dobinsons…under normal conditions it feels taut on the road like a sports sedan, and body lean/brake dive is minimal. However, I’ve recently had to emergency brake and evasively steer at the same time at about 60-65mph. Let me tell you, it will make you pucker!!! The 4runner is heavy, and under heavy braking or steering, the nature of this beast will be unmasked! That weight transfer will happen regardless of your shocks. Maybe firmer shocks slow that transfer down, but in emergency maneuvers you reach the limits very quickly anyways. I’d say it’s just as vulnerable to loosing control (or worse, since a most people upgrade shocks to lift).

KDSS will offer a huge benefit in an emergency situation that you cant get with a shock upgrade. That is, the heavier sway bars have a much better potential to control side-to-side pitching/sway if you have to steer evasively.

I think if somebody is worried about ultimate road safety, drives interstate a lot, and uses it as a family taxi… or if you want it to act more like a car during emergency maneuvering on the road, then KDSS should be seriously considered. Upgraded shocks just wont be able to replicate those benefits. (Bigger sway bars could, but I havent heard if there are good aftermarket options for those out there.)

 

If you're not planning on a big lift, or long travel, etc, KDSS is great. It provides better articulation off-road and does reduce body roll significantly. But, it doesn't help with the nose dive at all. It's a great option for a weekend warrior/daily driver.

But, if you're planning on heavy modifications, and a lot of technical trails, I'd skip it.

Any decent suspension upgrade is going to improve the stability of your 4Runner. I have a Bilstein 6112/5100 setup with medium springs in front, and heavy springs in back. It handles great!

 

KDSS sway bar + firm suspension (Ex- OME nitro).

 

can KDSS be deleted if i decide to down the road for whatever reason?

 

Get a vette. Use the 4R to get stuff & run over shit. Drive the vette to accelerate hard, stop on a dime, & corner flat.

 

You could remove everything and just live with the light but you can't easily convert to a standard swaybar.

 

at great cost, you should instead sell or swap for an non-kdss model. plenty will want the kdss you have an resell value will be good. on the list of uneconomical 4runner mods, I will suggest:

1. 4x2 to 4x4 conversion
2. KDSS delete/install
3. 3rd row delete/install

although if you want to swap 2 and 3 I'm fine with that

 

Not that there is easy access to data like this, but I would like to know what was the last vehicle owned by people who experience excessive body roll/brake dive. Myself, I have not had any issues with body roll or dive in my XREAS/LE (until it started wearing out) but also my last two vehicles have been a Ridgeline and Tacoma.

 

I have a Vette, and I modified it to handle better.
Body roll can be fixed, if aftermarket would support, via front and rear sway bars. They help allot. Yes, off roading would suffer a little, but it is something that could help body roll.
Shocks definitely help with brake dive. And, a proportioning valve to send more fluid after for braking. I did a spring change in my Corvette Master Cylinder to achieve better braking. Works. Used to scrub front spoiler in Extreme braking. No more

 

After giving it some thought, I now consider the body roll as an early roll over warning system, which IMHO is a good thing.

As far as nose dive, yes it’s a fact that if you slam on the brakes, a stock 4R will nose dive, but with my driving habits, this seldom happens to me.

 

is KDSS indefinite or does it have failure/wear points down the road?

 

There have been a few failures.

It's usually caused by corrosion on the accumulator. There's a small skid plate that can collect dirt. It should be removed periodically and cleaned out. It's also good to spray it out with the hose whenever you wash it.

Otherwise, I've heard of the odd leak in a hydraulic line. And, I suppose it's possible for the hydraulic cylinders to eventually leak.

It's definitely worth considering as a potential point of failure. If you Google "KDSS failure (or leak) you'll definitely find some reading material.

Here's a thread describing one failure caused by corrosion:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/kdss-existing-or-new-owners-beware.12050/

There's more where that came from.

 

I’ve had my 4R for 3months but have not put hardly any miles on it as it showed up right at the beginning of a big home improvement project that I need to complete before winter and my pickup has been my main ride hauling materials.
That said, I finally got to drive it through some Sierra twisties at speed yesterday and wow, KDSS makes a very noticeable difference in the tight stuff. I had been wondering if my $1,750 was well spent, and for me it was.

 

Yes, it will.

 

XREAS works fabulously for both dive and roll. Truly very impressive. Not that, uh, you can put XREAS on yours...

Nevermind, I will go away now.

 

https://www.addco.net/product/toyota-4-runner-2003-19-rear/

I'll post this here. I DO NOT have one. I stumbled on that a little while ago. I'm not sure of the thickness of the stock rear swap bar either.

My wife has a 2017 outback, I thought it had to much body roll. Turns out subaru actually sells a beefier sway as an aftermarket/oem part. It did make a huge improvement. Not exactly Apples to apples. But I'm sure it will improve body roll, and for $200? Not bad

Hell with eibachs and a larger sway bar your 4runner will handle like its on rails.....rails. Lol