KDSS or ...?

New to the forum and to the 4Runner world. I have a new 2022 TRD Premium Army Green on the boat from Japan now. Since it has taken forever and I am tired of waiting I am settling for this one without the KDSS. I guess I can ask this question elsewhere but am I going to be able to improve the ride and handling with suspension modifications that will out weigh what the KDSS brings to the table? Or should I pass on it and keep my name on the list for the next one?

 

I don’t have KDSS so no experience, but I can say that my SR5 with a budget lift kit handles great. If you plan on lifting the rear more than 2”, I believe you have to mod the rear sway bar to allow for the extra articulation. A lot of people ditch the sway bar completely if they off-road a lot, so depending on where you’re spend most of your time that can factor in. A good suspension kit should get you what you’re looking for though.

 

Where are you ordering yours from? West coast dealers pretty much only order kdss

 

I have KDSS, and will always recommend it to people in the right circumstances.

If you're planning a larger lift, or heavy suspension modifications, I would actually avoid it. But, for minimal lift, and mostly highway driving, it's the bees' knees.

There's no modification that can really duplicate what it does. But, a decent suspension upgrade helps a ton with the mushy stock handling.

 

Yup, I'm glad I took your advice and got one with KDSS for my needs which is mainly highway and dirt road driving. I only plan to raise the front an inch to level it. It's great on the highway. After reading so much about how the 4R leans so much on curves, I was pleasantly surprised with how well mine handles on the road. Only problem is that it doesn't do much for the nose dive on braking. Will hopefully put on 6612 shocks on the front soon with the 600lb springs to decrease the nose dive without making the ride too harsh.

 

I have KDSS and I love it. But honestly the lack of KDSS wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me. Have you driven one without KDSS? Did you find it objectionable?

I’m not up to speed – is 6th gen really coming out in the 2023 model year? If so we may soon see a rising risk that 2022’s will dwindle in availability and you might have to settle for other missing features if you wait. Have a nice heart to heart with your dealer and ask about waiting.

 

I installed Bilstein 6112 with coilovers from Toytec soon after acquiring my ORP with KDSS. This install eliminated the nosedive under braking. I am extremely happy with the results. I love this truck. Since I'm an old guy and not planning any substantial four wheeling other than the occasional trail exploration, this is the perfect suspension for me. The KDSS keeps the corners of the truck very stable on street and freeway driving.

 

"question elsewhere but am I going to be able to improve the ride and handling with suspension modifications that will out weigh what the KDSS brings to the table?"

From basic TRD Pro Fox shocks to high-end adjustable shocks like Fox2.5 / Kings / ELKA (in my experience ELKA 2.5DC) very well be top choice and would even not know you have KDSS or not. Especially on trails at normal speeds non KDSS are much smoother.

But I don't disagree if you want to keep it stock and have better control on turns on road go with KDSS and don't forget to clean it to avoid failures..


Finally -
Highly advise to avoid KDSS for peaceful 4runner experience from lifts to protection to reliability.

 

For those who are finding hard to test drive a KDSS equipped 4R, the GX is needless to say pretty similar and they have KDSS.
As for reliability, the system is pretty solid while I might be more reticent if I lived in the Rust Belt.

 

No. It might be a 2024 unless they push it back again.

 

None of those shock upgrades can do what KDSS does, so I'm pretty sure I could tell the difference.

There are companies making controllers to keep the KDSS in low speed mode on rough trails above 12 MPH.

 

I have had kdss and non kdss 5th gens. I lifted both my kdss and non kdss with bilstein 6112 5160s so about 2.5 to 2.75 inches roughly and 1.5 in the rear and didn't have issues regarding that.

With kdss you definitely have less body roll obviously, yosemite was actually where I noticed it the most (the road is super curvy from the main gate into the valley)

That being said I specifically chose not to get kdss for my current model just because I plan to keep it forever and I didn't want a possible point of failure (keep in mind kdss is extremely reliable).

You're buying a 50k car so if you really want kdss I say wait. Buy once cry once.

 

Thats what I thought, thanks for the advise.

 

Ordering from WA State, but I hate to pass up on the arm green one coming in...waited 2 months already and the resale on my limited is through the roof now.

 

Yeah, I was thinking of waiting for a 23 but I'm pretty sure the price points will increase

 

Yeah I really don't want the KDSS, it' that I am going from a "limited" model to a TRD and I mostly do road driving. I just do want to have a bad ride. If there are things I can do to it and not break my wallet, I'd rather jump on the arm green one that will be here in 3-4 weeks.

 

In that case, just remove the suspension altogether. Less to go wrong, right!?

 

I am pretty sure I was offered one you reserved. Vin ends in 2280? It was a hard decision too, I wanted AG or LR ORP w/KDSS.... But luckily another dealership called that same day and I was able to secure allocation for AG ORP w/KDSS was assembled on 3/24 and apparently left port on 4/5

 

I have a Limited for City driving and I regret removing XREAS. Even my most expensive shocks ELKA2.5DC on my TRD ORP were not good as XREAS on road vs when it comes to off-road / trails ELKA were really amazing how they absorb the bumps. I think offroad comfort and on road comfort are completely different (with my experience).

Again there are so many who absolutely loves KDSS so better not make your decision without driving one. Same goes to suspension people have different taste. No one would believe if I say I love onroad comfort of Bilstien5100 over TRD Pro Fox. Just like food and drinks each individual have different taste.

 

What is it that you don't like about the Pro Fox? I was thinking of getting a pair of front Pro Fox shocks if I couldn't find a pair of 6112 Bilsteins but luckily I was able to find a place that has them in stock. He just called me and said he's assembling them now and will ship them tomorrow.

 

Bilstien5100 are little more comfortable onroad than TRD Fox. Meaning Bilstien5100 absorbs bumps little better onroad. Only complain I have with Bilstien5100 are the joints/welds doesn't look strong.

 

If you don't want it, why are you trying to get it?

KDSS does not improve overall ride quality. It only affects body lean on road, and adds articulation off-road. Nose dive isn't affected.

If you just want a more planted overall feel, buy literally any trim aside from the PRO and install a decent aftermarket suspension.

 

@PNW4RGUY

To add.. KDSS is an off-road feature. Stiffer sway bars and better handling are secondary to the added articulation benefit. It is not like XREAS. if you want something to drive like a Limited, get a Limited.

 

I really enjoy my 2016 TEP with KDSS. I have a 6112/5100 (3/2) lift on my 4Runner and it drives and handles wonderfully. No issues at all running this amount of lift with it. Driving one without KDSS was a deal breaker for me. I value on road stability over anything else. The ones without rolled like boats.

 

A very nice tech article about KDSS.

https://accutuneoffroad.com/kdss-suspension-tech/


They have so many articles like this that is good to read. And I'm expecting to see their new UCA article when its released.
Go to - Tech Articles & videos -> Tech Articles

 

Much appreciated!

 

Got it, thanks for the honesty.

 

Awesome thanks for the tip!

 

Got it, I will try and find one to test drive.

 

wrong VIN