TRD Pro vs Off road with KDSS

I had that concern as well. My first suspension change was OME BP - 51 and after 80,000km, I switch to Elkas. You do/should get KDSS link extenders (I did) in conjunction with the suspension change, but other than that, nothing unusual or difficult in changing suspension on a KDSS 4Runner.

My KDSS rear piston needed to be replaced at 60,000km, so that was annoying, but luckily under warranty. Next time it won't be, but Dr KDSS (Dom) is working on a KDSS piston replacement.

The only reason I bought my 2018 offroad was for the J transfer case shifter (my vehicle previous was a 1st gen Tacoma so wanted to avoid a dial shifter for 4x4) and the rear E locker. The KDSS was a bonus for city driving that I didn't truly appreciate at the time.

The canyon driving comments in this thread are all valid, as I've discovered its more fun to drive a slow car (4Runner) fast than a fast car slow. KDSS helps in this sense. "Fast" is a relative term.

And disconnecting the KDSS at a push of a button (Dr KDSS) is pretty fantastic as well.

I'd give this all up for a full time 4wd, locking rear, locking center, low and high range, E disconnect front sway bar/KDSS, which the next land cruiser seems to have and I'm hoping the 6 gen will too.

 

Sorry way too much of mine's bigger than yours. Buy what suits your needs and never look back. They are all good.

 

Please don’t quit this thread, I just made some popcorn and cracked an IPA! Bahahaha!

 

Lol. I never said KO2 was the best offroad tire. I always refered to KO2 as the "Jack of all trades". Jack of all trades KO2 for the jack of all trades 4Runner. I got KM3s because I wanted some more grip in deep snow.
And yes, KDSS is the best offroad 4Runner trim. KDSS was developed for Toyota's flagship, the Land Cruiser. They ditched the front live axle and had to offer something to make up for it. A totally dead front axle in the Land Cruiser would not have been acceptable.
We got lucky KDSS even made it to the 4Runner, Tacoma and FJ Cruiser didn't get it.

 

It just sucks that KDSS on the 4Runner is not as good as the one on Toyota's Top Dog the Land Cruiser. Any way to tweak it to act like the Land Cruiser one?

 

It won't take 10 minutes to measure the weight of your vehicle at a truck stop with a CAT scale and only cost about 11 bucks (or may be 13) if I'm not mistaken. I have a video showing how I did it and should be easy to find if anyone interested. Not really worth sharing the link on this post as it's very simple.

My family hates to travel in TRD Pro due to the noise from TRD exhaust.

 

lol

 

The Pro requires no changes to take it on adventures right from the dealership. And it has some nice amenities. It also retains a ridiculously high resale value.

 

em heritage grill and shocks gooo faaaarrrr

 

Some folks believe we should all be driving the same kind of American made cars to only be used as the government decides purpose is best served. Thank God it’s a free country and we usually value differences of opinion and don’t get a crap load of sh-t for spending or ‘saving’ how we want.
My response isn’t directed at one person. I can say from experience, usually you get better engineered and matched components from the factory.

 

I agree, why I feel TRD Pro is not in perfect quality compared my other 4Runners that are build 100% in Japan.

 

Inferno is by far the best color in my opinion. When they first came out with it I wanted it. I looked for months for a tundra in inferno but sadly the closest one was over 2k miles away so I settled for MGM. I bought my wife a red 4runner since it was “close enough” to inferno haha.

Afer having KDSS on my GX, we opted to get one without for future modifications. I lifted it 3” and removed the rear sway bar. Also, 35s..

 

Two different trims intended for different priorities…..of course they won’t be the same for different applications.

 

I have one.
This is a very valid criticism.
I swear the doors are gonna fall off before its battery dies. It feels too fragile, and cheaply made.

 

I feel like that seems fine, and expected. I am guessing due to regenerative braking?
But yes, it seems not well put together.

 

My engineer son was hired to troubleshoot robotic production line problems on the Fremont assembly line. He has all sorts of assembly line horror stories like the bend-to-fit technique….the Model X doors most notably.
He left after 3yrs.

 

My taco is BRM & I love it!

Nice Tundra. I kinda wish I had your tundra for towing but we may get a 2nd gen sequoia for that. Right now my taco or the 4runner can tow our pop up, but if we upgrade to a 5th wheel, we'll have to get something with more power

 

Nice taco! Almost got one until wife convinced me we needed something bigger for family and towing. So we got a 30’ travel trailer and the tundra pulls it no issues.

I love the second gen sequoias. Someone did a tundra front end swap and made it look badass. Trying to convince the wife to trade her 4runner for one.

 

As for OP. We paid around $29k for our SR5 premium with 35k miles. I added a lift, wheels/tires, grill, and CarPlay. All that added $4k. So we got a pretty capable vehicle that looks nice and paid much less than a trd orp or pro.

 

Made our decision today, Pro it is. Alas, no photos as it is due in about a month….will be fresh from the factory.

 

Wise decision. Both from quality and future resale standpoints. I doubt any other 4R 5th gen models will appreciate more than a last-year-5thgen-PRO (either Terra or Underground). IMO, they will be like the 1997 80series LCs Collectors Edition.

 

What lift/tire size? Looks great

 

I saved the 17” wheels from my wife’s Tacoma. They are 2020+, so fairly attractive, and they have some 2-winters-old Nokians on them. I haven’t had a definitive response yet as to whether they will fit her new Pro. Might have to do a test fit this summer.

If they don’t , then I guess we’ll be shopping for some nice-looking 4Runner wheels and a set of 235/80/17 Hakkapellitas. (And I get some nice snow tires, already mounted, for my Taco)

 

If that's what you plan get Limited. Pro, ORP are same systems except you don't have to pick the terrain, the system adjusts automatically. I will go everywhere a Pro does. You just need a 4runner with good set of tires. Limited is closer to a Lexus GX type system. Drives like a car, goes like a 4runner.

 

I don't know. They don't look like they have any more articulation. I do know that in a tug of war the 4runner will drag a Bronco around and make it like it. The advantages of having enough ass.