KDSS existing or new owners BEWARE!

I may not be seeing something here, but does the skid for the accumulator bolt to the accumulator? If so, seems like a good way to destroy it if you actually had to use the skid for its intended purpose.

 

I believe you're correct. The accumulator is tucked up next to the frame rail, and seems pretty sturdy, so I'm not too concerned about it. However, it is a good idea to remove the skid periodically and clean the accumulator as corrosion can develop and has caused issues for a few people.

 

Would a worthwhile solution be coating it in marine grade wheel bearing grease (since its designed for water exposure) and annually clean it with brake clean and reapply the grease?

 

It might be. I have considered using fluid film or wool wax.

 

James, I have been reading a lot on the KDSS system. I have to agree on your assessment. I actually read the service bulletin on these and boy if you don't open those valves in a perfect sequence then it is going to cost big money at the dealer to level and fix. And just to get the air out, the high pressure tool alone is a few grand.

It's important for forum members to take into consideration when doing these kind of adjustments, dealer technicians have all the special tools on hand in case something goes wrong.

I think I remember you mentioning you peel off quite a few miles in your rig. I don't know what you have for a lift but I imagine it's mild. These KDSS spacers (to get a high lift) look like a whole new introduction to problems down the road.

I'm pretty sure that as long as you don't get crazy with the lift and do a proper install this system will be very reliable. I have been going back and forth deciding whether to add it when we get our 4Runner. Going up and down a twisty mountain road up to a few times a week to the cabin has got me leaning on getting the KDSS.

Now if only you could retrofit the Land Cruisers "Turn Assist" to the 4Runner!!

 

Yes, about 2000 miles a month. I'm at 2.4"/1.5" so you are correct.

I think they should be fine as long as they can be installed without opening the valves. I think it's a good idea if you're planning a larger lift.

Agreed. I hope I never have to eat crow on this! I'm probably the one of biggest pro-KDSS advocates around here, so I'll definitely feel like a fool if mine craps out on me!

I know you're likely to stick to a minimal lift, if any, so you should have no issues with it.

 

How would spacers that are designed to "return the angle of the sway bar back to OEM angles" introduce whole new set of problems down the road?

 

I may have not explained myself well. If you are able to do it without opening any of the valves then maybe. OTOH, anytime you are modifying angles to get back to OEM specs it can introduce issues not related to what you are trying to accomplish. Whenever you are doing a lift the OEM angels are going to change beyond the specs during the articulation of all the moving components.

Example: Dropping the front diff to keep OEM CV axle alignment. Now you are changing the rear shaft angle beyond factory spec and can get driveline vibrations. It can be a vicious circle.

 

I see what you mean. There is just too many unknowns. Will KDSS lift without adding spacers give problems down the road? Will adding the spacers give issues? Should I just get rid of the lift? (not happening). I went through similar issue with the diff drop spacers. I installed and took them out 4 or 5 times already lol

 

The takeaway of all this is that you are enjoying what you have done. I'm guilty of doing extreme modifications myself over the years. some have worked out great and some have bit me.

 

I’m not sure if smothering everything with fluid film is necessary. From what I’ve read the electrical connector seems to be vulnerable to corrosion. Maybe just unplug it and pack with waterproof silicone grease (aka as dielectric grease).

 

I have a 2008 Land Cruiser with the older style KDSS with the mechanical valves and a 2013 trail with the newer style electrical connectors, and I will have to say that Toyota has done a piss poor job of protecting the system from long-term corrosive damage, given how damn expensive it is to repair, and that’s even assuming that your dealer knows what they’re doing when most do not.

I think people have decided to start putting fluid film on is because that’s the fix for the land cruisers, but not necessarily the 4Runners.

 

This is true. Most of the crap I’ve seen on mine is due to it getting flung off the DS front tire. I’m considering getting a KDSS shield but in the meantime I rigged up a rubber sheet as a stone/dirt deflector in front of it and slightly wrapping it. Kind of a “KDSS kondom”. I’ll see how it protects from dirt and stones after my next off-road trip.

 

Just took the rig out on a forest road with a lot of potholes and curves. Glad I have KDSS. Took all the hit like a champ and wife/kids were very comfortable.

 

Looks like Toyota dealership deny warranty work on KDSS when its lifted.
I wonder why its a big deal to deny warranty for KDSS leak since dealership are getting money from Toyota (i guess)? Why not just replace the part and win the customer?

 

If mine ever fails I’ll just remove it and run heavy duty coils and do a front non kdss sway bar.

 

I pressure washed under my car to get mud off. But I never thought to check inside the KDSS protection plates....

 

Oh snap!!!!

 

Me running to get Fluid Film

 

Better get on it! You don't want those electrical connections getting corroded!

 

I took a 4 day trip up to the NW side of Colorado and there were plenty of muddy spots on the trail. Thanks to this thread, I popped the cover off and gave it a good rinse.

 

I wonder if that still is like regular dry mud, or if it has started to calcify like you see on shipwrecks metal/coins.

You can kinda see the corrosion has worked into the mud, which makes me think it’s not going to simply hose off. I’d be careful softening up that mud before trying to remove it. And if it’s not softening up, I’d hesitate trying to take it off because it might have become “one” with the metal. Maybe just wool wax the living crap out of it at that point.

 

You're right! That looks really nasty! Hopefully it can be cleaned up.

 

@Thatbassguy and I were just talking about this. How easy would it be to retrofit a standard suspension in the tragic event of KDSS failure? Would the frame and suspension have all the holes needed to mount swaybars to the different locations required by the normal swaybars?

 

Just looked underneath the GX and the two holes where the sway bar bracket would mount doesn’t have any threads so it looks like you’d have to weld a bracket in place. Damn it!

 

Although I don't have KDSS, from all I have read and viewed regarding the 4Runner, all proper holes/threads are there, so it'd be just purchasing the non-KDSS swaybars, links, bushings, brackets, etc.

I'll be buying another 4Runner in the next 6 - 8 months or so and am considering KDSS. I must admit, the 12 mph speed limit had me concerned...until I saw this:

https://blackgatecustoms.com/products/kdss-control-harness

Now that is cool if you have KDSS!

 

If you are going to go with a KDSS switch I suggest you go with dr_kdss harness. Everything is plug and play and inside the vehicle.