Kdss suspension upgrade

New to the 4runner community, I tried searching but there are 187737648 different threads on this topic, all with different answers.

My trd off road has kdss, I'm looking for options to upgrade the suspension a little bit.

I'm not looking for sports car handling, but I would like to get rid of the terrible nose diving under hard braking. And possibly stiffen things up a little.

I'm not interested in lifting my suspension, if I were to lift it would be very minor... Maybe an inch.

What would you folks suggest?

 

The easy button would be Bilstein 5100's in the front with stock height, eliminates the awful brake dive.

 

You could do a Bilstein 6112 setup in front with 5100's or 5160's in back.

Eibach is another popular value option.

Almost any aftermarket setup will be an improvement.

 

I see the 5100s referenced alot, looks like a popular option.

I'll dig into the 6112's a little more.

 

They aren't a ton more, and having had 5100's on my previous 4Runner, I can state that for me the 6112's are an improvement over an already good shock.

 

Good to know, thank you.

 

Keep in mind that having KDSS doesn't really change anything as far as options. If you go with a big lift then yes you will need the spacers but that's about it.

 

Thanks! I'm learning as I go. I thought that KDSS severely limited my options. Just looking to upgrade the shocks since I live in Calgary, and need to fit in underground parking

 

I mean you couldn't go long travel as easily but most don't.

 

A local offroad shop recommended 6112 up front and 5100's in the rear. Putting together a quote

Thanks for the help!

 

I tried 6112/5100 and didn’t love the way the rear felt. Upgraded to 5160 and I’m very happy! I’d recommend learning from my experience and skip over the 5100 entirely.

 

^^^That. Yeah, if you're going to spring for the 6112s, you might as well upgrade to the 5160 for the rear. I've only read good things about those from owners who went from 5100 to 5160 rear shocks.

BTW, how do you clear the parking garage now?

 

I mentioned the 5160s to the off road shop, he was adament that they would be overkill and strongly suggested the 5100s.

I don't do any hardcore wheeling, just looking to get rid of the dreaded nose dive.

Ended up ordering morimoto xb evo headlights, taillights, and fogs as well.

Today was an expensive day

 

I think he’s wrong. The additional cooling may be overkill but the difference in valving is something you’ll feel every day and it’s a better match in feel to the 6112 in front. 5160s have less compression damping and more rebound compared to the 5100. With 6112 in front, the 5100s feel brittle and less composed. 5100 all around is probably fine since the axles will be matched.

 

My understanding is that the 5160s are valved to match the 6112s. This is what I am running and they feel balanced. 600# coils in the front and 1" B12s in the rear

 

I'll call back to see what the cost difference is to upgrade to the 5160s in the rear.

Thanks for the intel.

 

That doesn't make any sense. Why would they care which you wanted? If they're installing them, it's not that much more work to put on the 5160's, just the mounting brackets for the remote reservoirs. Got any other off road shops you can visit?

 

He suggested the 6112s since they come with new coils to help combat the nose dive I wanted to eliminate.

He asked about my driving habits, and suggested 5100s in the rear since 5160s would be overkill.

I'll call back and see what the cost difference is to upgrade the rears as well.

Appreciate the feedback fellas!

 

It's an additional $600 cdn to upgrade to the 5160s

 

That’s exactly my setup. It’s really good!

 

The 6112 + 5160 are a perfect OEM+ upgrade for a daily driver. I also have KDSS and love it

 

To mount 2 brackets?! Robbery!

 

Well the shocks are more expensive, too.

 

I’ve KDSS with Fox2.0 struts and shocks which is amazing combo. Eliminated excessive nose dive during braking and lot better than stock handling. Considered Billstein 5100 but figured to stiff for KDSS application and would result in harsher ride compared to Fox.

 

to be fair the reservoir mounts require a little more work with some drilling of the frame on KDSS 4Rs.