Should I 'rent' an ORP without KDSS and then return it for an ORP with KDSS once they're available?

I think your “renting” scheme is great. As long as you don’t mind the possibility of losing some money in the process besides the taxes. Your trade-in value might not be that high and the other dealer might tack on more markup. You will have some driving time without KDSS then with it and really appreciate how nice it is.

 

I don’t know why I’m hesitant to endorse the renting idea.

When I bought mine this past Aug, in ND (I got MSRP-2k from a family dealer) and drove it home to TX, I had several opportunities to sell it for a profit and often regretted not getting two, having the girlfriend drive the second home, and selling it for 5k easy profit in the inflated market.

What you’re proposing isn’t a lot different, except you won’t have a guarantee on how well your next deal goes. But you’ll already have a 4Runner, so you can be willing to walk out of a deal, which still gives you a little bit of buying power in the market. I think I’d do it.

 

Actually, I have driven an ORP without it and it felt fine to me. I didn't really test out how bad the body roll is but from the research I've done, the system makes a huge difference on highway driving and mountain roads which is most of what I'll be doing anyway.

Yes, that was the primary reason I was going to upgrade the suspension. It isn't often that I brake hard unless I drive through NYC though so I can probably deal with it for a while, we'll see. It didn't feel too bad on the test drive either.

Yes, exactly. At the moment I'm a bit desperate since I haven't been able to do any long trips or overlanding for about nine months now. If the wait goes on until summer then I may as well wait until the next Model Year. I've considered buying a Lexus nearby too to hold me over since I can pick that up immediately.

 

I did some swerving on my test drive, which was a good demonstration of the added stability. I can't really say how aftermarket shocks will compare, but I'm sure it will feel much more planted than the non-KDSS suspension.

A PRO would be a good representation of a non-KDSS 4Runner with a suspension upgrade.

I'm definitely impressed with how mine handles around curves, especially considering it's lifted and I usually have extra weight and a roof rack.

 

if it breaks we’ll probably just delete it and make it a rock crawler…

 

my understanding is that KDSS locks the fluid transfer when you break and your wheels are straight.

 

That wouldn't matter because the sway bars only control side to side movement.

 

Same. Hopefully not before I'm ready to go long travel.

 

Ahh…the classic first wife syndrome popularized here in Hollywood (and now tech geeks like Bezos and Musk). But remember, that first marriage is gonna be more costly than you think! Joking aside, I’d ask the dealer to show you what their allotment trucks look like. It seems like they can see what trim and factory options they will be getting. Also, I think the chip shortage is subsiding so there will be more supplies of new trucks in the near future. Even the used car market seems to be cooling a little…especially with gas guzzlers ($4.70/gal gas prices here). If you’re getting a beater, forget the Jeep. Go get a FJ80 LC!