KDSS or not?

Some of you may have seen my thread but my ‘17 ORP was wrecked Sunday and I’m hoping to replace it with another one just like it but new ‘18 or ‘19.

My question is, if you knew you were lifting the runner immediately after purchase with a 6112/5160/T13 setup would you purchase with KDSS or not?Is it worth the added expense if I’m adding the stiffer bilstein setup? I have not driven a 5th gen with the standard suspension. And I’m 95% street driven. Thanks for any insight.

Merry Christmas!

 

Yes. KDSS functions fine with the mild lift you're talking about and 95% of the benefit is on the road (less roll/dive and flatter cornering).

 

From what I was told when I lifted mine everything is easier with out KDSS.

 

If its 95 percent street I would opt for KDSS. If I were to do it again I would probably go without KDSS, but my driving is mostly offroad. Kdss is nice but more things to go wrong and if modifying the rig, kdss will pose challenges.

 

I’m not so much worried about the shock/spring install with the KDSS. I’m more wondering if the extra couple grand on the sticker price is worth the performance after adding the stiffer shocks and springs.

 

T13 is a rear coil, is that correct? Or is that front and rear?

You may gain some lateral stiffness with a heavier set of coils, but you get closer to discomfort the stiffer you go. KDSS helps roll without changing spring rate.

 

I'm not trying to persuade you one way or another. Just pointing out another way to look at the situation:

Is a stock truck without the KDSS really that bad?? No, not really (there are differing opinions here, but I'd certainly say it's not too bad off the line- they make 10's of thousands of them). Upgrade it with your new suspension and it and it will be even better!

Now... How much $$ is it worth to you to get any better than that?? $2k is a lot of money that you could use to do other things.

Again, just another way of looking at it. Suspension performance vs other things you'd like to do to the truck.

 

T13 is a rear coil.

 

This was my logic when shopping for mine. Knew I would be swapping suspension at some point, so I tried to save money where I could. Found a TE with no KDSS at a fair price. Used the savings for mods.

 

I have a 3" Icon lift on mine with KDSS and for a truck... it feels like it's on rails... I enjoy driving it that's for sure.

 

Yea the T13 is the rear coil. I believe it’s 12% stiffer than stock. My issue is, I’ve already ordered a complete suspension for my now wrecked ‘17. It’s probably totaled. Sure I can sell all this stuff off most likely at a loss but if insurance works out, I’d be looking to replace the 17 with another 4Runner. So might as well keep the stuff I’ve ordered and install on the new vehicle. I’ll probably just stick with the KDSS on the new one.

 

What coils are you installing up front with the 6112 shocks?

 

The bilstein coils that come in the kit. I think it’s the B8 kit. Stuff hasn’t arrived yet but it was ordered before I had the accident. It’s hard to tell what’s going to happen with insurance. I may get screwed over and have to drive a much older, cheaper ride for a while.

 

I was in the market for a 4Runner and test drove one with KDSS loved it, later that week I drove one without, I know it wasn’t back to back but the difference didn’t seem to justify the cost knowing I will upgrade the suspension. Grabbed an off Road without and put 95miles on today and don’t regret it. I’ve read a lot of people with it wouldn’t go without.. but how did you like your ORP, if you liked it you won’t miss what you never had.
Noted: I read threads for days and days trying to figure out if I was going to get one w/ or w/o and I recall only reading one person who didn’t like having KDSS.

 

The more fluid the suspension depends on, the more the suspension will leak. Those types of suspensions are exposed to everything environmentally bad, which is not good for those components.

 

Well you'd better drain your engine of oil and coolant before it starts leaking then.

Besides, the suspension doesn't depend on the swaybar stiffness directly, you're thinking of the XREAS system on the Limited with hydraulically linked shocks. The KDSS system could bleed out and your truck would drive just fine, like one without swaybars.

 

Unlike the oil in your trans and engine, KDSS is a hydraulic system. Yes, XREAS works similarly and has its trouble too.

 

trouble...? People having problems with KDSS..?

 

My uncle's brother's friend's neighbor said that his aunt's cousin's daughter had a problem once and it was very expensive to repair.

 

Looking for some advice. I have a 2017 T4R Off Road Premium with KDSS. I am considering upgrading the stock shocks to something with better quality. Not really looking for a lift, just want better quality shocks for a better ride. Most of my driving is on road and I have to say the KDSS is great. Any thoughts?

 

Pro takeoffs. Cheap, OEM upgrade, smooths out the ride considerably. Lots of Pro guys take them off to swap on big money stuff. Keep an eye out and you can score a set of practically new shocks/coils for cheap. They work great on my KDSS truck.