1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

To KDSS or not to KDSS that is the question.

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by OverlandLuke, Nov 18, 2020.

  1. Nov 18, 2020 at 7:54 PM
    #1
    OverlandLuke

    OverlandLuke [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2020
    Member:
    #17954
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    Hello all, I am on the hunt to purchase my first ever 4runner! I have been doing quite a lot of research, reading, and youtube video watching over the last several months to guide me but I still have some major questions I need answered before I pull the trigger on such a large and hopefully long-term purchase. Any help or insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

    First, is the question on KDSS or no KDSS. I am leaning heavily toward KDSS as the majority of my driving will sadly be on normal paved roads and I would like the comfort it will provide (currently driving a BMW 3 series). The problem I am having is finding something that has KDSS in the first place. Most of the 4runners I find for sale do not have them equipped, and those that do are priced not far below what a brand new one would cost. I am fine with ordering a new one from the dealership if that is what is the best option, but I am also worried that with the placement of the toyota safety sensors on the new 4runner models that it will severely limit what mods I can do when it comes to bumpers... Which leads me to why I am thinking maybe I should not do KDSS as I do want to do mods down the road. I am okay with only a 2"-3" leveling kit which from all the reading I have done should not be an issue with the KDSS. However, I will also most likely want 35" tires at some point as well and I am unsure if the KDSS will get in the way of mods I want to do.

    tl;dr: KDSS or no KDSS? New 4runnner (2020/2021) with toyota safety sensor or used 4runner (-2019) with no safety sensor?
     
  2. Nov 18, 2020 at 8:11 PM
    #2
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2018
    Member:
    #7922
    Messages:
    1,887
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5
    Yes to KDSS.
     
    Red_5 likes this.
  3. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:17 PM
    #3
    flyinhoot

    flyinhoot When in doubt, Throttle out.

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Member:
    #13871
    Messages:
    718
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Nor Cal
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Pro 4Runner "Trudy"
    Monochrome everything. LED reverse lights.
    NOOOOOOOOOOOOO to another one of these threads.

    :goingcrazy::frustrated:
     
  4. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:18 PM
    #4
    flyinhoot

    flyinhoot When in doubt, Throttle out.

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Member:
    #13871
    Messages:
    718
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Nor Cal
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Pro 4Runner "Trudy"
    Monochrome everything. LED reverse lights.
    Just get it with. It’s a cheap upgrade as far as factory add ons go.
     
  5. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:25 PM
    #5
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Member:
    #15823
    Messages:
    1,938
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    Get KDSS.
    If this is your first 4Runner, just drive it stock. You’ll be surprised what it can do.
     
  6. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:26 PM
    #6
    CJT4Runner

    CJT4Runner Frosty

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2020
    Member:
    #12672
    Messages:
    290
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Vehicle:
    ‘20 TRD ORP
    Get it now because if you change your mind later, it’ll cost a lot to add.
     
  7. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:28 PM
    #7
    LA260

    LA260 New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2020
    Member:
    #14602
    Messages:
    388
    Gender:
    Male
    Mil or moa...
     
    DRobs likes this.
  8. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:36 PM
    #8
    thirdyota

    thirdyota shouldn't be trusted

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Member:
    #3748
    Messages:
    507
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2017 T4R TRD Off Road Premium
    I'd say you should buy one with KDSS and one without KDSS.

    Drive them both for about a year or so and then keep the one that you like the best and sell the other one.

    :yes:
     
  9. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:05 PM
    #9
    flyinhoot

    flyinhoot When in doubt, Throttle out.

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Member:
    #13871
    Messages:
    718
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Nor Cal
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Pro 4Runner "Trudy"
    Monochrome everything. LED reverse lights.
    Basically for what you paid for it.
     
  10. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:17 PM
    #10
    dosomeplowin

    dosomeplowin New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2020
    Member:
    #17754
    Messages:
    155
    Vehicle:
    '22 AG ORP
    Our first two 4runners didn't have KDSS. Our new one does and I would never go back.
     
    DrewMan and OverlandLuke[OP] like this.
  11. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:17 PM
    #11
    OverlandLuke

    OverlandLuke [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2020
    Member:
    #17954
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    You are both not wrong lol
     
    Thatbassguy and Doglover2003 like this.
  12. Nov 19, 2020 at 5:30 AM
    #12
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,408
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Welcome to the forum!

    This is why I bought new. If you want a newer used 4runner, your best bet is to look at higher mileage vehicles. If you don't want high mileage, new generally makes more sense, to me at least

    If you're thinking 35's and hardcore off-roading, you should probably skip it. If you get into rock crawling, you'll probably delete the sway bars anyway.

    If you're thinking 35's just for show, I might reconsider. 33's look great on a 4runner, and don't automatically require a regear.

    With a smaller lift, and minor modifications, I still benefit from KDSS. My lifted 4runner on 33's handles very well for what it is. And, it's very stable over uneven terrain off-road. I have no regrets about it.

    But, if you're planning major suspension work, (lifting beyond 3", sway bar delete, long travel), you might want to go with a non-KDSS 4runner.
     
  13. Nov 19, 2020 at 5:58 AM
    #13
    Fltslr

    Fltslr the last hurrah

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2020
    Member:
    #17253
    Messages:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kevin
    Vehicle:
    2021 Lunar Rock 4runner Pro
    I wa on board for KDSS, until I started reading about long term use. Essentially, KDSS uses hydraulics, consequently, seals eventually go, and repairing KDSS is expensive.
     
    OverlandLuke[OP] likes this.
  14. Nov 19, 2020 at 6:03 AM
    #14
    canadian.bacon

    canadian.bacon H9 halogen is the best led bulb

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2020
    Member:
    #15450
    Messages:
    1,013
    Snowland
    Vehicle:
    ‘22 Tesla Model Y
    also keep in mind that not all models come with KDSS, and you coming from a bmw, i bet you want the limited which (i think) comes with xreas :)
    if it is was an option, i would get one without kdss, without tss, less things to go wrong and easier/cheaper to lift, to get a bumper for, mod in general.
     
  15. Nov 19, 2020 at 6:04 AM
    #15
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,408
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Have you read of a failure? I would be interested, if you have a link to where you read that.

    I don't doubt the possibility. I just hope Toyota engineered this for long term reliability. It would surprise me if they were to equip the Landcruiser with anything that isn't pretty much bulletproof.
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2020
    Red_5 likes this.
  16. Nov 19, 2020 at 7:31 AM
    #16
    mac1usa

    mac1usa New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2020
    Member:
    #17452
    Messages:
    2,028
    I am interested in anyone's insight on towing a trailer with KDSS? I am wondering how it impacts or does not impact towing a 3,500lb boat trailer around? I plan to order a 4Runner in a few monhs. Sadly I have not been able to find one with KDSS around to test drive. I also worry about maintenance (a little anyway) I plan to keep this vehicle 15-20 years (but will not drive in winter).
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  17. Nov 19, 2020 at 8:26 AM
    #17
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,408
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch

    I have towed a handful of times. It doesn't affect towing.
     
    DrewMan likes this.
  18. Nov 19, 2020 at 8:55 AM
    #18
    Fltslr

    Fltslr the last hurrah

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2020
    Member:
    #17253
    Messages:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kevin
    Vehicle:
    2021 Lunar Rock 4runner Pro
    https://www.4runners.com/threads/kdss-existing-or-new-owners-beware.12050/
     
    Thatbassguy[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Nov 19, 2020 at 9:00 AM
    #19
    dosomeplowin

    dosomeplowin New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2020
    Member:
    #17754
    Messages:
    155
    Vehicle:
    '22 AG ORP
    I researched far and wide before purchasing our new 4runner with KDSS. I saw that thread as well and took it as it is- just a reminder not to let salt pile up and sit against any part of your vehicle. However, I'm not saying that KDSS is a perfect system or is guaranteed to last for eternity.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  20. Nov 19, 2020 at 9:06 AM
    #20
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,408
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
  21. Nov 19, 2020 at 7:37 PM
    #21
    lrizzo

    lrizzo New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2020
    Member:
    #17658
    Messages:
    149
    Gender:
    Male
    Northern New Jersey
    I just went through the same situation. I wound up with a KDSS Venture model and am picking it up on Tuesday. It took about a week but the local dealer found one with KDSS. Not one dealer had one with KDSS in stock.
     
    DrewMan likes this.
  22. Nov 19, 2020 at 9:07 PM
    #22
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10964
    Messages:
    5,536
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR, KDSS, RSG sliders, Eibach shocks, 265/70 Falken Wildpeaks
    Poster who came on this forum last January to warn us of this impending danger -
    KDSS existing or new owners BEWARE!

    Made that one post, but did not post again. It was not a failure of the KDSS system on its own, it was due to a buildup of salt and/or road chemicals from driving in a northern state that uses those in the winter. It was a good thing to point out, but hardly proof that the KDSS system is failure-prone and should be avoided. We never heard back from the OP as to what he did. That was his only post.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top