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KDSS existing or new owners BEWARE!

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by ColinClive, Jan 8, 2020.

  1. May 1, 2021 at 1:46 PM
    #91
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Yeah, I see that now.

    I had the impression that the system was all passive, since it's basic functions could be accomplished without electronic intervention. It seems overly complicated, but I'm sure Toyota had their reasons.
     
  2. May 1, 2021 at 5:07 PM
    #92
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    I believe that there are different versions of KDSS on older Landcruisers. I thought I recalled reading something about this and saw a photo of it on the ih8mud forum, and there was no electrical connector on the accumulator assembly. It seemed purely mechanical/hydraulic.
     
  3. May 1, 2021 at 5:23 PM
    #93
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    You're probably right. I assume the earlier version may have been entirely mechanical and self sufficient.

    I still love the benefits I get from KDSS. But, I can fully understand why some folks don't want it.
     
  4. May 1, 2021 at 7:34 PM
    #94
    captrussia253

    captrussia253 New Member

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    I’ll just continue to clean the area regularly and enjoy years of comfortable ride on and off road.
     
  5. May 1, 2021 at 7:47 PM
    #95
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    ^^^^this. ;)

    The benefits are real. Definitely worth a little bit of maintenance.
     
  6. May 2, 2021 at 5:56 PM
    #96
    Starr

    Starr Life Off the Road, off the Grid

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    KDSS, Baja Sport amber fogs, PRO Black wheels, BFG KO2's
    Definitely a part of regular maintenance, power washing from below every 6 months or so.

    Boeshield is our favorite spray-on corrosion preventer. We're in a corrosive marine environment, and boeshield or corrosion X etc work well at keeping it at bay.
     
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  7. May 7, 2021 at 12:44 PM
    #97
    RayCon

    RayCon New Member

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    Further to my post(#39). I installed a $12 mudflap in front of the main KDSS cover. I bolted it into one of the crossmembers of my rocksliders. It goes all the way up against the body and just down enough to prevent debris flying up from the tire and onto the cover. This is a very small price to pay for the excellent handling characteristics of the KDSS.
     
  8. May 7, 2021 at 4:18 PM
    #98
    gordonf

    gordonf New Member

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    Can you please share link to the mudflap?
     
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  9. May 8, 2021 at 7:33 AM
    #99
    RayCon

    RayCon New Member

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    There is no link to share. I bought a heavy duty truck mudflap at NAPA, it’s made of rubber and nylon for strength. I simply cut it to fit with a jigsaw. Drilled 2 holes in the slider cross member just forward of the KDSS, tapped the holes to M8X1.25 and bolted the mudflap on with 1” stainless steel washers. As previously mentioned, I drilled larger holes in the KDSS covers and added a few holes. I will still remove, clean and spray some Fluid Film twice a year. The way I see it, you only get one chance at preserving this part! Do it right and with reckless abandon!
     
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  10. May 24, 2021 at 7:21 AM
    #100
    icyhotahs

    icyhotahs NEw mEmBER

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  11. May 24, 2021 at 9:30 AM
    #101
    captrussia253

    captrussia253 New Member

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    Cleaned mine this weekend when doing my oil change. Nothing to it.
     
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  12. Jul 1, 2021 at 7:03 PM
    #102
    captrussia253

    captrussia253 New Member

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    Just installed the treaty oak KDSS spacer front and rear. Feels a lot more stable and less body roll due to sway bar being put back in its factory angles. Highly recommend getting these if you have KDSS.
     
  13. Jul 7, 2021 at 7:38 PM
    #103
    Flashpoint

    Flashpoint New Member

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    This thread has been useful for me in deciding if KDSS was worth it. For me it is worth it and now I know to keep that area clean of dirt/salt. Thanks for the info.
     
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  14. Aug 11, 2021 at 11:27 AM
    #104
    LA260

    LA260 New Member

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  15. Aug 11, 2021 at 11:30 AM
    #105
    LA260

    LA260 New Member

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    Did you loosed the KDSS shutter valves before installing the spacers?
     
  16. Aug 11, 2021 at 11:32 AM
    #106
    captrussia253

    captrussia253 New Member

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    No I did not. But Im thinking about loosening the valve and rocking the truck back and forth. But so far its all levelled.
     
  17. Aug 11, 2021 at 11:35 AM
    #107
    LA260

    LA260 New Member

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    Thanks. I read the instructions watched Mike's video but I'm still a little nervous touching the valves lol. I'm going to install the spacers over the weekend
     
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  18. Aug 11, 2021 at 11:58 AM
    #108
    captrussia253

    captrussia253 New Member

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    I opened the valves when doing my lift install. Nothing too it. Just don’t go passed the recommended turns. I marked mine with a sharpie to make sure I didn’t.
     
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  19. Aug 11, 2021 at 12:09 PM
    #109
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I wouldn't open the valves unless it was absolutely necessary. It seems like a good way to end up with a lean.
     
  20. Aug 11, 2021 at 12:20 PM
    #110
    captrussia253

    captrussia253 New Member

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    Watch Ironman 4x4 install video on the gx460. Also a lot of LC owners do it with no issues. But I do understand if one is concerned (don’t fix if it ain’t broke right?).
     
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  21. Aug 11, 2021 at 12:39 PM
    #111
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I wouldn't hesitate if there was a lean. But, unless there's an issue or it's been tampered with, it should not lean.

    I think there's a lot of confusion about it. Unless the system is compromised, it should hold the sway bars level except when the suspension is flexed.
     
  22. Aug 11, 2021 at 12:43 PM
    #112
    LA260

    LA260 New Member

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    I'm not worried about installing the rear spacers, but the front might be a pain to install without loosening the valves, at least that's the impression I got from watching exitoffroad video
     
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  23. Aug 11, 2021 at 12:53 PM
    #113
    captrussia253

    captrussia253 New Member

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    I didn’t loosen the valve and was able to install both front and rear
     
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  24. Aug 11, 2021 at 2:40 PM
    #114
    Rock-N-Roll

    Rock-N-Roll TRD Amateur

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    Man, now I need to go check and see if I have any lean. I haven't noticed any yet but...
     
  25. Aug 11, 2021 at 3:05 PM
    #115
    Rock-N-Roll

    Rock-N-Roll TRD Amateur

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    It's maybe, MAYBE an 1/8" lower on the passenger side in the front and the back looks level. I couldn't see it because it was so subtle. I did get a 2.5" lift in the front and 2" in the rear so maybe the lean is more extreme as you get to 3" in the front?
     
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  26. Aug 11, 2021 at 3:14 PM
    #116
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    KDSS should NEVER cause a lean unless it's tampered with or damaged. As long as the system is intact, it wants to keep the truck level. I think problems occur when the system is damaged, or when people open those valves and allow the hydraulic pistons to droop or compress simultaneously and then close them while the sway bars aren't level.
     
  27. Aug 11, 2021 at 3:18 PM
    #117
    Rock-N-Roll

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    To quote treaty offroads site:


    ▪️KDSS is a complete system front and rear, that works in tandem. The driver side has an articulating cylinder and the passenger side has a rigid link, connected to the LCA (or axle in rear) via a large sway bar. They work together via hydraulic lines and accumulators that open and close to allow fluid to flow, or not flow, depending on speed. On a stock vehicle this allows for extended wheel travel vs a standard sway bar setup AND sports car type handling at speed.

    ▪️when you’re vehicle is lifted, the cylinder extends as the vehicle is raised, but the passenger side can’t due to that rigid link. This is what causes your lean.


    This make sense to me but I am nothing even close to knowledgeable regarding suspensions or KDSS. :notsure:
     
  28. Aug 11, 2021 at 3:37 PM
    #118
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I think this information is incorrect. I know those guys are smart, but I have to disagree with this part

    The cylinders should not extend due to a lift.

    As long as the system isn't damaged or tampered with, the hydraulic cylinders cannot extend or compress simultaneously. The hydraulic fluid that flows back and forth to allow greater articulation in off camber driving should not flow if both axles are pushing up or down at the same time.

    If people are opening the valves after a lift, it could allow the cylinders to simultaneously extend, causing a lean. Otherwise, they should remain level.

    This is why I would avoid opening the valves unless there is already an issue.


    EDIT: I want to point out that I do think their link extenders are a good product! I just disagree with their reasoning.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2021
  29. Aug 11, 2021 at 5:20 PM
    #119
    captrussia253

    captrussia253 New Member

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    I’ve read that two or less turns is safe and anything over that can cause a leak and you’ll have to get it repaired a t the dealership.

    But who knows, I don’t have a lean and enjoying the KDSS ride.
     
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  30. Aug 11, 2021 at 9:37 PM
    #120
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I love it, too!
     

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