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

Trail with KDSS or Trail Premium without??

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by glandnut, Jan 5, 2017.

  1. Jan 5, 2017 at 10:31 AM
    #1
    glandnut

    glandnut [OP] Reserve Collection Squirrel Hair

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3256
    Messages:
    135
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    NE Florida
    Vehicle:
    16' Trail Premium
    I just posted this as a pm to a friend here but what the hell, what do the masses say?

    Talk myself off the ledge here...

    I bagged a deal on a used Trail 14' with KDSS after grinding on my local dealer and finally got them down to 35,600 for a 16' Trail with KDSS and the sliding cargo tray. Thing is with my price limits, I also have the option to get a Trail Premium without KDSS for 36,200.

    Thing I'm getting at here is this: are you happier with the premium package stuff more than the KDSS? I can do one, not both. I greatly prefer the KDSS ride to the stock mushy/wallowing ride they normally have. I believe the KDSS also has thicker sway bars.
    You feel the better ride is really more due to the thicker sway bars, the KDSS, or both?

    I can firm up and lift a non-KDSS truck with less hassle perhaps and would gain some of the Premium benefits- moonroof, premium tunes, and leather....

    But, that KDSS ride really impressed me when compared to the other...what say ye??
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2017
  2. Jan 5, 2017 at 10:35 AM
    #2
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2016
    Member:
    #2304
    Messages:
    1,772
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner Trail Premium w/ KDSS
    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    do you have to have it now, could you wait it out a bit. How many miles on the '14, that price seems high to me
     
  3. Jan 5, 2017 at 10:58 AM
    #3
    glandnut

    glandnut [OP] Reserve Collection Squirrel Hair

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3256
    Messages:
    135
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    NE Florida
    Vehicle:
    16' Trail Premium
    No, I canned a possible deal on a 14' KDSS after seeing I could get a new 16' for a few grand more.
     
  4. Jan 5, 2017 at 11:04 AM
    #4
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2016
    Member:
    #2304
    Messages:
    1,772
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner Trail Premium w/ KDSS
    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    I really like the KDSS, I like the ride and firmness it gives in corners so for me it was a must have. The moonroof is nice but it wasn't on the must have list, are you likely to upgrade the HU or speakers? They are nice but I miss the low end tones and I really miss my sub but I'm not willing to commit that much floor space for a box. The softex is nice, but cold as hell in the winter when you first get in and my back get a bit sweaty in the summer with it, I really like the perforated leather in the limited so much more though.
     
    topdec likes this.
  5. Jan 5, 2017 at 3:22 PM
    #5
    topdec

    topdec New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2016
    Member:
    #2241
    Messages:
    307
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 4R ORP CSM 2023 Tundra LTD ORP. 2016 4R TE (sold)
    I'm interested at this thread because I'm wanting to get the front-end more planted.

    If I switch to bilstein 5100s, aside from preventing nose dive, is this mod also the cheapest route to get a more on-road compliant front-end suspension?
     
  6. Jan 5, 2017 at 3:50 PM
    #6
    OvrlandNoob

    OvrlandNoob New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2016
    Member:
    #3193
    Messages:
    76
    Gender:
    Male
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner Trail Premium w/KDSS
    Bilstein 6112 and 5160 with Bilstein rear coils. SPC UCA s, TRD Pro wheels, Shrockworks sliders, Nitto Ridge Grapplers 265/70/17
    I recently purchased a 16 Trail Premium with KDSS. I think the ride is not so mushy when cornering at higher speeds. I believe this is directly related to the KDSS. Not sure that it makes much difference off road. I love the way that it feels when driving and cornering on streets or at a higher speed on a twisty road. I say go for it.
     
  7. Jan 5, 2017 at 3:55 PM
    #7
    OvrlandNoob

    OvrlandNoob New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2016
    Member:
    #3193
    Messages:
    76
    Gender:
    Male
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner Trail Premium w/KDSS
    Bilstein 6112 and 5160 with Bilstein rear coils. SPC UCA s, TRD Pro wheels, Shrockworks sliders, Nitto Ridge Grapplers 265/70/17
    I also went for new rather than trying to deal on a '14. They were asking way too much for a used vehicle with low miles and would not deal much at all (due to demand for that particular model/trim) I had them locate a new one for me with KDSS, Moonroof, heated seats, cargo drawer, etc. Ended up being a few thousand more although I was getting a new vehicle.
     
  8. Jan 5, 2017 at 5:14 PM
    #8
    Relentless

    Relentless Offroad armor Fabricating beast! Vendor

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2014
    Member:
    #74
    Messages:
    221
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Sparks NV
    Vehicle:
    05 Limited 4.7 V8, long travel, dual locked
    Lifted on 35s and Relentless Armored, too much to list!
    I vote Non-KDSS TEP.
    Wife has one, we special ordered it as such. The KDSS is just a hindrance IMO, costs extra and makes adding lift etc a bit more challenging.
     
  9. Jan 5, 2017 at 5:19 PM
    #9
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Get off my lawn

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2016
    Member:
    #2681
    Messages:
    1,096
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    For me, the kdss was an option I wanted. I knew I wasn't going to go crazy building this vehicle. I wanted as capable as possible in near all factory form. Kdss gives great on road handling with better off-road suspension travel. It was the best of oath worlds for satisfying my wants and needs.
     
  10. Jan 8, 2017 at 12:30 PM
    #10
    TedRCASC

    TedRCASC New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2016
    Member:
    #2867
    Messages:
    374
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ted
    Our '16 Trail came with KDSS and it does handle both twisty and rough roads very well indeed. Never drove a 4R without KDSS though, so I really cannot compare. - Ted
     
  11. Jan 17, 2017 at 9:05 PM
    #11
    WobblyDuck

    WobblyDuck New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2017
    Member:
    #3329
    Messages:
    8
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Montgomery County, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner Trail Premium with KDSS
    Does anyone know what happens to the KDSS when you add a lift to the car? Trying to figure out if it would be difficult on a off road premium to add a lift kit with that system.
     
  12. Jan 18, 2017 at 8:59 AM
    #12
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2016
    Member:
    #2304
    Messages:
    1,772
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner Trail Premium w/ KDSS
    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    @Dark Knight has KDSS and recently did a lift he might be able to offer advice
     
  13. Jan 18, 2017 at 9:13 AM
    #13
    thenomad

    thenomad New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2017
    Member:
    #3380
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Way
    I've seen others with Icon stage 5 with KDSS. I would go with the KDSS. Seems valuable for those who use it on and off road.
     
  14. Jan 18, 2017 at 11:39 AM
    #14
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Get off my lawn

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2016
    Member:
    #2681
    Messages:
    1,096
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    KDSS is valuable to me. I like the stability on road and good suspension travel offroad. It can be a pain to install. For the driver side I was able to put the new coil-over in without disconnecting the swaybar, the passenger side was a different story due to the rigid swaybar mount on that side. I can give you pointers if you need them. It's not bad if you have good mechanical skills and the right tools to simplify getting the swaybar back in place on the passenger side.

    For reference, I installed King front coliovers
     
    jester243[QUOTED] likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top