KDSS thoughts?

I'm thinking of trading my 2018 OR for a 2022 OR Premium. I'm looking at one with, and one without KDSS. I read that KDSS softens the ride, but I'm not sure if I car because I like how mine without KDSS rides. I don't plan to do any off roadiing...

 

I wouldn't say it softens the ride but it does help with body roll. Skip it if you don't wheel and/or didn't have it. One less thing to fail and the system does eventually fail.

 

Does not soften the ride. Excellent system IMO. Take the skid plate off once or twice per year and clean out buildup from dirt, etc.

 

I would get it with KDSS if you've never had it. Improves handling and it's not necessarily an off-road feature. For example, if you add larger wheels you may not notice the increased weight added to the wheelbase as much when compared to non-KDSS. Turning ability with KDSS is even more noticeable as weight is added to the vehicle.

 

I’ve requested KDSS and at this point it’s one of the 3 items that are a must. My thinking is, it’s an improved suspension setup for both off road and on road handling. And it’s still from the factory, so potentially less hassle for my possible warranty claim while getting an improvement in the base suspension.

 

I love KDSS! It was a must for me. Just make sure to clean out under the cover for anything getting caught in there. Two 12MM bolts to pull it and clean every so often.

 

Gotta test drive to truly find out the difference. See which one works for you. I ended up with the KDSS because it’s my daily.

 

KDSS does not soften the ride. It's primary function is to act as a partial sway bar disconnect at low speeds. The secondary benefit is that they're able to use thicker sway bars which improves stability in curves.

If you already have one without KDSS and like it, I would skip it. I got it mostly for the off-road benefit. If you're not planning on off-roading, you wouldn't really benefit much from it.

But, as others have said, try to test drive both back to back and get whatever you like better.
It does feel very stable in curves, so it really depends on your preference.

 

"Buy KDSS if you don't have intentions to modify your 4runner" - Car care nut.

Both KDSS and Non kdss have same shocks as SR5. Only the sway bar is different where one side there is a hydraulic piston on the other side its a fixed point though.

I too don't KDSS since all my 4runners are lifted except for my newest one yet.

As far as I've seen KDSS will have less wheel travel than non KDSS when lifted and you have to add spacers and whatnot to make it like non KDSS. There is also problems like trackbar hitting KDSS when lifted over 1in or something which can be corrected with an aftermarket trackbar or a spacer. Also reliability issues vs not having KDSS. Maintenance to remove KDSS box to clean and prevent rust that leads to leaking. I will pass. But there are some having good amount of miles without any leaks though.

Again drive and see both if you like it. Take hard turns left and right to see the difference between KDSS and Non KDSS.

My vote is for non KDSS if you want a reliable 4runner to do mods and have fun on trails.

 

In that case, you would definitely benefit from having KDSS, if you have the choice.

These 'should I' threads usually turn into a ping pong match between get it or not. Get what you like - if you don't plan on off roading, and would like better handling in corners, get it. If you don't care about better handling, don't spend the money.

 

Fake news.

I would agree to skip it if you plan major suspension modifications, like long travel.

This is only true if you're going to extended travel or long travel. Lifting doesn't increase droop.

That doesn't really make sense to me. KDSS is more beneficial off-road than on road. The on-road benefits are definitely a factor, but not as much as the increased articulation.

 

This about sums it up. There's always an endless back and forth on topics like this. We are on our fifth 4runner, I wouldn't buy one without KDSS (ironically, our current limited does not have KDSS as an available option even). There's also a reason the GX/Prado/Landcruiser come with KDSS.

 

I'm pretty sure "Car care nut" has more knowledge than you and me because of his education and experience in the field. So I would take his advice..

 

Then why do manufacturers make suspension parts for KDSS equipped 4Runners? Maybe because they have more knowledge than this "Car care nut"?

I have mine modified without issues, as do plenty of others.

I wouldn't take the advice of any self proclaimed expert. I do my own research.

 

KDSS can function as a swaybar disconnect since 5th gens don’t have swaybar disconnect.

The system has failed so many times, that across half a dozen Toyota forums there’s probably one or two legitimate threads of it failing on older 200 land cruisers and GX470’s, one generation before the current fifth-generation 4Runners.

I think there’s one documented thread about it failing on the current fifth generation, and one thread about a system that was inadvertently damaged by a crappy lift install.

There are lots of lifted fifth generations with KDSS that do just fine, including my own.

Some people think that keeping the actuator clear of any dirt and debris may help, I have no idea because a lot of that information was obtained from 200 series Land Cruisers which have an actual mechanical valve that can rust/corrode. That is not the case with the fifth generation.

 

My buddy has a stock Non-KDSS 4 runner that I’ve ridden in and going on the freeway at 75 mph was a white knuckle experience for me especially on curves due to the “body roll”. One test drive with the KDSS equipped 4runner sold me on it. I would test drive both first than make your assessment. Because the KDSS vs Non-KDSS argument is like the Which is better Pro vs ORP, Tires, Fuel, Ceramic coat vs Wax etc...10 guys, 10 different opinions. Go and drive both and see what you think.

 

I totally agree with you. I only put that out there because the OP said he didn't plan on off-roading. Even if he didn't, he'd still get the benefit of KDSS if he wanted better handling on the road.

 

It seems there's one member who's hell bent on warning potential 4R owners about the unreliability of KDSS, and will find and quote as many "sources" as possible to back that up. Which doesn't make any sense, because he's never had KDSS on any of the 4Rs he's owned, thus he's never personally experienced any 'failures'. Why does he care?

 

Is that the guy on YT that talks from his garage? Yeah I wouldn't put too much faith in that guy.

 

I test drove the Off-Road with and without KDSS on the road before buying, but, when I was ready to buy, could only find one without KDSS. Definitely made a difference on-road (no idea off road), but, if you're used to the 4R without it, you'll be fine. I mainly want to fix the brake dive on my 2021 OR, eventually will get Bilsteins and new springs all around.

 

When air conditioning was first installed in automobiles there was a lot of pushback from some people who were afraid of failures of the expensive and complex systems.
You don’t hear much about that anymore.

I’ll never own another 4Runner without KDSS.

 

Ahh, gotcha. Sorry.

Totally agree!

 

Sorry if I hurt your feelings.. It is same as I wouldn't buy a rotary to find out my self.

It is also strange why people talk about wheel articulation after lift where 4wd shops say they have reduce wheel travel after lift.

I don't care how much b@@@ hurt the KDSS owners get with what I share if someone new ask whether to buy or not I will share what I find so they themselves can research and decide to buy KDSS or not. Remember I said "My vote is for non KDSS". Does not mean my vote is what everyone should agree..


Here's some more to hate me more... LoL...

 

KDSS reduces articulation lol.

 

You missed a critical point..


Please correct those shops if that is wrong..

 

Travel and articulation are two different things. Travel without articulation isn't really beneficial. That's why hardcore off-roaders generally remove their sway bars.

A sway bar disconnect is beneficial as well, which is why KDSS is a good option for those who wish to off-road and keep their sway bars.

You keep forgetting that travel will only be limited if one chooses extended travel or long travel shocks. Otherwise, droop will be the same whether lifted or not.

At some point, ANY sway bar becomes a limitation. If I ever go long travel, I'll delete the sway bars anyway, so I wouldn't be limited by KDSS.

Accutune is pretty smart, but they're not smarter than Toyota's engineers. That's why the PRO was originally supposed to come with KDSS. Until someone performs major suspension modifications, KDSS is a real advantage. That's also why my OR has greater articulation than your PRO.

 

I can't view the attachment. What is it?

 

If your story make you happy I'm happy for you sir..

Let's not discourage anyone from posting in this forum what they find, let anyone post for and against and let OP learn by watching car care nut, accutune, r4t, etc videos if have plans to lift..

 

My story? I don't believe I told any stories in that post.

Did you read the OP at all? Or did you just pop in to remind everyone that you don't like KDSS?

The OP doesn't plan to off-road. So, I wouldn't expect lift to be an issue.

You quote a few online sources that point out some potential drawbacks to KDSS, but you completely ignore the benefits. There are potential issues, but for most people who actually want it, the benefits outweigh the potential issues.

If someone didn't care either way, I would steer them away from it as I did in my first post in this thread. But, I won't pretend that there aren't advantages.