Comparing TRD Off Road and Off Road Premium

KDSS s a suspension system and supposed to be nice, although it’s expensive to replace and there are added maintenance things to keep it good. The limiteds and sports have X-reas, and I can say it’s nice, but again expensive to replace, however you can just change out the shocks later and by pass the system.

I hear ya on the limited, and I agree with the post about the chrome, both reasons we sold our limited and now have a ORP.

 

I’m also in New England and was not able to get one with KDSS, which now I’m happy about, but I really wanted it when I bought mine.

 

I don't think there is anything you can see in pictures, unless someone is specifically taking a picture of KDSS parts, which no one would. I think 4R are spec'd kind of by region. What is popular on the left coast might not be on the right coast. Maybe they don't spec them that way there.

I'm not aware of any maintenance that has to be done with KDSS.

KDSS is like most things though, if you appreciate something, whatever that is, then you want it. If someone didn't buy the upgraded stereo because it wasn't important to them, I'd understand and say, ride your own ride. If they said they didn't buy the upgraded stereo because they heard it's finicky or needs more maintenance and is more expensive to replace, I'd probably respond like I do when someone says that about KDSS. KDSS provides an improved ride every time you drive it. If it's too expensive to replace when it fails, if it ever does, in 15 years, then don't replace it. Just like the stereo, I wouldn't run out and buy a Toyota branded head unit at $1,500 when I could get a $350 head unit from Crutchfield. I won't go to the Toyota dealer and have them replace the KDSS in 15 years for thousands of dollars. I'll probably remove it, thank it for providing an improved ride, on road and off, every day, then bury it in shallow grave out in the desert somewhere. Then I'll put "stock" sway bars on if anything at all (assuming I still have the 4R in 15 years).

Don't worry about KDSS, unless you really want it.

 

There's a hydraulic ram with bellows at the sway bar mount when it is KDSS equipped and a fault indicator in the cluster.

Front driver side:



Rear:

 

Appreciate all the advice, feedback, and pics! This gives me a lot to look for and think about.

 

I never had ventilated seats before either and I am still alive as well. I guess we can say that about pretty much any advancement in creature comforts in our autos.

 

You can get ORP without the sunroof.

 

That's another combination that's very uncommon in some regions. You can get it, but it'll probably take some legwork.

 

Be careful with these clowns. They historically charge damn near as much for vehicles 1 or 2 years old as what you'd pay new. And they really won't budge on pricing. That's their schtick. "No haggle pricing". However, at least Carmax is looking like it's starting to suffer, and I would assume the same for Carvana. They're just not moving vehicles off of their lots.

 

This is a great feature to have if you're a serial killer. You can put the body on it and easily slide it into the cargo area. No more bending while lifting!

 

I wouldn't buy from them, but I'd sell TO them. I just checked what my ride is worth:




A few weeks ago, it was only worth $45k!

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn. Hmmm, maybe I will sell it now?

 

I owned a 2017 OR, it was t-boned and totaled. I chose to get the premium as a replacement because of the sunroof, softex, and heated seats.
I missed the sunroof from my 2001 4Runner sport. The OR didn’t have one. I enjoy the open roof and rear window open.
I hated cleaning dog fur from the cloth seats. Softex cleans up easier.
I’m in New England so heated seats keeps the wife happy in the cold. I don’t like it too hot while driving.
Bonus that I was unaware of was the heated steering wheel.

 

There are quite a few of us on this forum who have ORP's without the moonroof (the topic comes up fairly often). I personally wanted a moonroof, but there were no 4Runners but the one I got available for 3 months at the 6 local dealerships, so I got what I got. Now I'm glad my ORP didn't come with it. As for the seats, I do sweat a lot with the fake leather seats, but I'm still very glad I have them. Owning a dog makes cloth seats a complete no-go for me (or for those folks with kids as well). Nothing makes a truck look rattier faster than drink stains and dog hair on cloth seats. I'll never own another vehicle that has them.

...wait what? Is that an option? I don't think my ORP has a heated steering wheel??

 

I couldn’t get my ORP without a sunroof, waited almost a year and had multiple dealerships looking and trying.

 

Crazy, ain't it?

 

You missed it by a year. Yes mine has it

 

Yeah, because a few weeks ago it had less miles on it and was newer! $48k is MORE than I paid for it when it was brand new.

If it was just another 4Runner, I would seriously consider selling it. But I like the retro styling that my ride has.

 

Makes me wonder what they would offer me for my 2011 with 185K on it. I might just see... Will post results.

 

For what it’s worth, I traded in my 2021 SR5P for a 2024 ORP. First, I wanted the last year model of the Gen 5. Second, I wanted Solar Octane. Life is short. Eat dessert first.

 

Thankfully I was able to score my 24 ORP without the sunroof . They are out there but they are less common

 

Maintanance on the kdss is more to do with cleaning nooks and crannies of kdss components, and active rust prevention measures to ensure corrosion does not set in.

I’d also include inspection of the bellows/rams for leaks at least once before the warranty expires. You do not be want to be on the hook for that repair! Very expensive.

The option of removing the KDSS if it fails comes with a very big caveat. It will change the 4runner handling very significantly, as it will be going from a very strong anti sway system, to none at all. That will be a huge difference to adjust to for daily driving. Plently of people hesitate at running a regular 4runner without the thinner swaybars because of the potential high speed roll over and handling risks. Last I recall, at least some level of fabrication and new parts will be needed to retrofit the regular swaybar system. It might not be a feasible expense for an older 5th gen.

The 5th gen makes a great long term vehicle, but like anything else, the less options, like kdss, Xreas, sunroof, rear locker, the less chance for very expensive repairs when the car is older (which is when you’d be less inclined to spend money on it).

 

I was curious what mine is worth but they wouldn’t send me a quote. Said I needed to send pics because “they don’t see many vehicles like mine”. Probably because it’s a 2024 with only 350 miles on it lol. I’ll just pretend they quoted me 48k like yours so I can feel good about myself haha

edit: tried Carvana and they want to give me $37k. Wtf?

 

You're in CT, so it will be really hard to find a local used 4r with KDSS. For me it was a must have, and I will never regret it. My driving scenario is a lot like yours.

KDSS is not prone to failure, and it really isn't part of the suspension system. Sway bars are part of the steering system.

The biggest thing you need to do for it maintenance wise is drop the little skid plate (2 bolts) and spray everything there with fluid film once a year, when, in CT, you should be fluid filming everything else too.

Check Lynch Toyota in Manchester. I special ordered my KDSS 4r from them, and waited 7 months. But once they got it, they started getting allocations of KDSS runners. And they are a great dealership in general, no BS mark ups or games. Talk with Freddy (sales manager) or Margarita. If you're going to reach out to them let me know by PM, and I'll send you my name so you can tell them I referred you.

 

Thank you! No 4Runners listed on lot right now, but bookmarked and will keep an eye on it.

 

https://www.capitalone.com/cars/learn/finding-the-right-car/what-is-toyotas-kdss/2948


https://youtu.be/SkPCvB7WY5Y?si=BSDrqb5_oYD9xl4-

 

I love my KDDS! Handles like a sports car on the street yet flexes nicely when off road.

 

That's great...I love this explaination.

 

I wouldn't have paid extra for it if I had bought it new, but sunroof open, back window down is a delightful experience. I use the sunroof way more than I had thought I would.

 

Mine has this, other than the fact that it makes the floor flat for sleeping, I haven't used it for it's intended purpose even once in 5 years of ownership.

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/comments/12dnj3l/figured_out_how_to_tell_kdss_vs_non_kdss_online/

This method requires head-on photos like CarMax