Leveling Kit For 2022 Off Road Premium with KDSS

I installed a winch/winch bumper, full skid plates, and rock sliders on my 2022 Off Road Premium 4 Runner. After doing this, the front is now 3 3/8" lower than the rear. I want to install a 3" front strut leveling kit. I understand the warranty implications but wasn't sure if there are any fitment issues or anything that would jeopardize the functionality of the KDSS? Thank you in advance for your help.

 

A spacer? If yes that no. If an actual suspension lift then possibly.

 

Mtbpsych,

Yeh it's just a spacer that will go on top the strut. Thanks.

 

The spacer kits Toyota Dealerships install will not work with KDSS.



I guess you have to go with suspension lift kits with KDSS spacers. And some kits even come with a panhard bar to clear the KDSS brackets hitting panhard bar when lifted.



KDSS need to be lifted by those who know about Toyota KDSS. Else yes you would be in jeopardy.

 

Mtbpsych,

I was going to install this (see link below) which is a leveling kit vs. lift kit which is the product you showed. They don't have the same disclaimer with the supreme suspension leveling kit that the Ready Lift lift kit states. Of course that doesn't necessarily mean it's not an issue.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/supr...t-strut-spacer-leveling-kit-ty4r03fl3000.html

 

If you're not lifting the rear, don't worry about the panhard bar, etc.

If you're lifting the front more than ~2" or so, the KDSS spacers from Treaty Oak are recommended. However, I'm at ~2.5" without any issues (without KDSS spacers). You'll have to decide whether you want to risk having issues or not.

Also, if you're lifting 3", you might need upper control arms to maintain proper alignment. Or, get something adjustable, and keep it around 2.5" lift or less. If you bring the front up 3" and don't lift the rear, it will squat any time you're hauling or towing. I went ~2.5"F/1.5“R with mine, and it sits level when I load it heavy.

Because you added weight in front, I'd recommend a set of coilovers with stronger springs, as opposed to a strut spacer. Or, at the very least, a set of Bilstein 5100's and springs. It's going to cost a little more, but it will ride better.

Also, as a PSA, make sure you remove the accumulator skid periodically, and any time you get muddy, and hose off the accumulator. Corrosion at the accumulator is the biggest cause of failure with KDSS.

 

Thatbassguy,

Thanks for the information and advice. Much appreciated.

 

You're welcome! Looking forward to the post-install pics!

 

x2, best advice right here.

 

So I ended up installing bilstein 6112s and put the clip adjustment to raise up 2.7 inches which was pretty much exact. The look and ride quality is much better. Pretty easy install.

 

@sako579 did you have to do anything with the KDSS?

 

Check out corn fed suspension. I did it in the driveway and took it directly to have it aligned. It wasn’t difficult at all.

 

FailZero,

No adjustment/mods to KDSS required with the bilstein install.

 

@sako579
What tire and wheel setup are you using?


My front end sits about 2" lower than the rear. I'm trying to not go crazy with the lift. I was thinking to level it out 2" with either the 6112's in front and 5110's in the rear or 5110's all around. Would 2" in the front be too much? Would I have to use a spacer in the rear?

I'm having such a hard time trying to figure out the how much I want to lift it. I have the TRD rims on my 4Runner, but I'm also running the stock Dunlop AT20. At most I want to fit a 275 tire on my 4Runner

Thanks for all the help

 

What did you go with to get 2.5"F/1.5"R?? If I put a leveling kit at 2.5" on the front (Bilstein 6112s is my go-to), do I need to do anything with the rear? And do I need UCAs if I go 2.5"F? Some people say no, some say yes, so that part is confusing me.

I do have KDSS, so it appears my lift kit options are slim to none if I don't want to pay $2000.

 

I have 6112's in front on the 3rd clip (I think) which is actually supposed to be a 2.3 or 2.4" lift. Rear is Bilstein heavy load 1.5" lift coils.

If you lift the front 2.5" and don't do anything with the rear, you may squat in the rear, and definitely will with a load or towing.

With a 2.5" lift, you might not need UCA's to get alignment in spec. It seems like somewhere between 2.5-3" is where it becomes mandatory.

 

Did you need the KDSS spacers?? Or I should say, Will I need the spacers at 2.4"?

 

I don't have them, and I don't notice any issues.

I understand the concept of using the spacers to lower the sway bar to compensate for a lift. What I don't agree with is using only one on the front of the vehicle. Whichever side gets the spacer will get increased droop, but the other side will have reduced droop. Plus, it seems like it would be more likely to cause a lean than fix it.

 

Thank you for your help. I really appreciate you talking me through it rather than talking down to me like they used to on Jeep forums.

 

You're welcome!

This forum is generally very helpful and not too judgemental.

Also, there are a few members that use the spacers and swear by them. So, take my opinion with a grain of salt.

 

I don't understand this. Why are the options slim to none if you have KDSS? Couldn't you just buy Bilstein 5100 for $200?

 

I have kdss and also feel like I have slim pickings.. do the bilstein 5100s require the kdss spacers too? What’s the best setup?

 

Front issues are mostly around reservoir placement. If you get a non-reservoir shock its usually not an issue. For the rear, it has to do with extended shock lengths. For lifted shock applications, most will have more travel. At some point the rear track bar will hit the sway bar links. Easy fix is adding KDSS sway bar drop brackets. I would hope each shock manufactures have a note telling you if sway bar drop brackets are necessary or not.

Best setup

 

@AccuTune Offroad it sounds like what you're saying is KDSS is easier to fit than non-KDSS because it already comes with drop brackets?

 

I don't follow. Having KDSS does not make it easier to mount or find shocks that fit with KDSS. Drop brackets are sold separately by a few different companies and only needed if the shocks are long enough to allow track bar to his sway bar.

non-KDSS models have a different sway bar setup that doesn't have this same issue.

Take a quick look at this video and it may help give you a better understanding of what going on:
https://youtu.be/ROJ3V1yfqLQ?si=r4MeGn_1EipiZhUQ&t=92

 

@AccuTune Offroad, in context, relative to the posts throughout this thread that state, "I have kdss and also feel like I have slim pickings", "I do have KDSS, so it appears my lift kit options are slim to none", "wasn't sure if there are any fitment issues or anything that would jeopardize the functionality of the KDSS".

I don't understand the comments above, and your comments seem contrary to them, that KDSS doesn't make it harder to find lift kits, and maybe based on your comments, it's easier to lift a KDSS equipped 4Runner.

I guess another way of putting it is I haven't found it more difficult to left a KDSS 4Runner, but the comments by other posters make it sound like it is a problem. Your posts doesn't make it sound like a problem either, but rather, that it's easier to lift a KDSS model because KDSS already comes with drop brackets.

 

Upgrading shocks should not affect the functionality of the KDSS system. I've seen some instances where people disconnect the hydraulic lines, leak hydraulic fluid etc. We suggest not tampering with the system like that. The rear spacers mentioned, are a very simple upgrade. It just extends the location of the sway bar on the axle a little lower and doesn't change what the KDSS system is doing. I cannot speak on behalf of all shocks and suspension kits. Example, I'm not sure if drop bracket lift systems can accommodate KDSS and for sure long travel kits will not.

The slim offerings are more towards aftermarket shocks with remote reservoirs. Some companies have opted to not offer fitment on those models. Example, some brands will have shocks available for 2010+ 4Runners, but that are not compatible with KDSS. This mostly has to do with reservoir mounting location and brackets. Some brands like King have a specific shock SKU for KDSS equipped 4Runners, then a different part number for non-KDSS. Shock options without reservoirs become a lot easier for mounting. So technically KDSS equipped vehicles would have few options available. This would also depend on what level of shocks you are interested in getting for your KDSS equipped 4Runner.

Hopefully I'm not being more confusing

 

No, you're not being confusing at all. In fact, that makes a lot of sense.

 

Sweet!

We've seen this lack of support for KDSS models, which is why our shocks will fit KDSS or non-KDSS models