How many wish they had gone w/o KDSS?

How long has yours been lifted? I’ve only had mine lifted since august of 2023. For the first 2 months id check measurements worrying it’s going to lean but it has not. So my guess is they tampered with the system or install error.

 

After 4.88, I'm pretty aggressive on windy roads now at 60 MPH. Without kdss, that brick would get me killed

 

KDSS delete is $700 lol. It is cheaper to just delete it. But I like it so much I will keep throwing money at it.

 

Very clean set up! We took a snow trip, doing the curvy mountain freeway(going 65mph-70mph), had a sign that had 50mph for the turn and it handled it pretty good. Only thing that didn’t handle as good was the power lol, was 3/4 throttle and sometimes full throttle due to going up hill.

 

Nobody buys KDSS accidently lol. We see the price difference, inquire why and are told it has the feature KDSS. We drive the two, and KDSS becomes obvious and so we buy it. My dealer was clueless about its offroad behavior, I was told it corners well. Few weeks later I noticed the thick swaybar and it looked kind of Jeepy to me, so I researched more and found out it is similar to a disconnect. Drove it on a ramp and compared it against a Bronco with no disconnect, and it beat the Bronco. Yep, it makes a difference both on the road and on the trail.

 

Is it $700 to delete? That price is for factory sway bars and end links? If mine goes bad and it’s not warrantied I’m going to remove it. Unless it’s easy enough to replace and recharge/bleed the system.

 

My local 4x4 shop does the delete for $700

 

Those who don't care about KDSS's highway behavior should delete it when it dies, and then Marlin Crawler baby. This truck is a solid platform that allows a world of modifications

 

That’s not bad. Way better than the prices I see on forums on repairing the kdss. I don’t have any local 4x4 shops, would have to drive 2-3 hours for one. But I doubt they will charge $700 tho.

 

That setup is over 10k right? I mean yea the price of kdss repair, you can do that instead since the price is half way there

 

I researched the system after I brought the 4Runner home lol. Was surprised to see how many forums and debate there was for kdss.

 

The only complaint I have about KDSS offroad is that it feels slow. And I am not the only one with that complaint, a GX guy on Youtube made a whole technical video about it. It is just the fluid that isn't quick enough. Toyota knew that problem too, and they solved it with E-KDSS.
This bad boy has E-KDSS. Too bad 6th gen 4Runner lost KDSS.

 

And if you are able to drive to Fresno, CA, Marlin Crawler guys themselves will install it for you. It is their product, I would trust their work more than any other shop's.

 

I’ve seen tinkers video on that, I like how the front e-kdss has links connected to the LCA and rear of the e-kdss is tucked away.

 

Fresno is like 3-3.5 hour away from me. Yea would be better for them to install their own products. But just have to wait to see if my kdss craps out. I’m hoping it doesn’t, it has been out for a long time so I’m sure Toyota has got the system down. People say to take that plate off the accumulator and keep it clean.

 

I read somewhere that KDSS was the invention of an Australian company for the first LC with IFS. They sold it to Toyota, Toyota refined it and put it in their trucks. Pretty cool tech. Aussies are pretty good in offroading stuff.

 

Thanks for the headsup. I need remove that plate, clean the thing and spray some Surface Shield there. I did that in September last year and have wheeled all over since then.

 

That’s interesting, didn’t know it was invented in Australia. I wasn’t into off roading or anything, got into when I got the 4Runner. I’m surprised what these can do. I havn’t drove over rocks or boulders but I’ve seen people do it in videos. One day I’ll try it when I get protection.

 

That’s so badass! What suspension set up you have?

 

OME BP-51, 285/75/R17 KM3's

 

4 years and about 85K miles.

I never measured before or after the installation. But, I checked, maybe a year ago, and it was level front and rear.

 

I see @Yotaholic also knows about proper KDSS parking.

 

Not sure if it's the main cause overall but was the only cause I'd read before this thread. The two main culprits were salt and mud - it gets packed between the skid plate and the actuator (or accumulator) - whatever it's called. It's an aluminum box with wire and tube running into it and controls the system I believe. I've seen pictures of that thing severely corroded and nearly eaten away by people who've had failures.

I've found gravel and dirt in mine but luckily I read about and started pulling the skid yearly so nothing packed up. I wash everything down and coat the wires with dielectric grease to try and prevent corrosion

 

I bought mine accidentally. I didn't even know it existed. I bought a used 2021.

I was amazed at how well it handled on the test drive over twisting rural Pennsylvania roads.

Only found out about KDSS when I checked the window sheet after I got home after a 500 mile drive. Only then did I know what KDSS was after research.

Given that most if my driving will be on road and my off road adventuring will be mostly accessing trout streams and getting back out, it is a very practical option.

 

I’ve unplugged the KDSS connection under my steering wheel when going on light offroad trails to see how it handles.. has anyone tried this and what was their impression as to ride maybe getting softer?

 

Are you doing this to get the pistons to free up above 12 MPH? I believe someone actually makes a controller for this purpose.

I've never tried it. But, I would consider it. Seems like a good idea.

 

It all depends on the end users needs/wants. Myself, it is a useful feature because of my intend use.
As far a reliability, KDSS has been on the Lexus GX 470 since 2004…..

 

That gives me relief. 4years 85k with no lean, not going to worry about it leaning anymore.

 

I removed it last night and it was packed with chunks of dirt. Cleaned it, I put some of the chemical guys bare bones over it. Nothing on the connector and harness tho.