KDSS, yes or no?

Looking at two new 2018 4Runners. Off road models.
One has the KDSS and the other doesn't.
Which would you choose and why?
Thanks.

 

kdss takes some guess work out of some stuck situations. if you know or have experience with sand/mud you know how much a pain in the a$$ it can be sometimes. that being said if you have the experience and plan on lift and accessories then I would think no kdss is a good option.
me, I went with kdss because i got an AWESOME deal. it's fun to use but to be honest I've never really have had to use it.

 

KDSS was a must have for me on my 18 ORP. I do go off road but 99% on my miles are on-road and the KDSS helps the Runner turn better and flatter. I'm a bit aggressive on the street sometimes as I drive with a purpose so the flatter turning is a plus. I will be lifting my rig and when I raise the center of gravity I think I will really see the benefit of KDSS. Also, my off roading is generally slow, if I spent a lot of time blasting fire roads and whoops I would have not gone with KDSS as I believe a no KDSS is smoother in those situations.

Having said all of this, I believe you can "tune" a non-KDSS Runner with new shocks and springs to get the ride and cornering that you want.

 

I went against kdss on my offroad simply because I didn’t want to deal with a fluid sway bar system. I worked as a tech for Porsche and they have a similar system and it had its issues. I bought my 4 runner to be like an older vehicle. Obviously the hydraulic/electric brake booster is gonna be an expensive system to replace if it ever goes out. I’ve seen one replaced in real life without a warranty and it was like 3k. Anyhoo to me it was just something that could offer me issues and I didn’t want to deal with it in the long run. Is it cool, definitely. Just not my thing.

 

KDSS is used every time your go around a corner, curve, hill, etc....Love it or hate it , it works very well for what it is designed for. I have enjoyed mine but I also don't want to lift my 17' even though it can be done very easy.

 

I purchased new & own a 2016 4R Trail Premium w/ KDSS ($2,700 option back then) and just last year I did what is referred to as a mid lift (2”) that consisted of installing Bilstein 5100 Series Shocks w/ Daystar 1.5" Rear Spacers, used stock coils, adjusted front to keep factory rack and installed BFG AT KO’s LT275 /70 R17 … Couldn’t be more happier on/off road, handles great and drives smooth!

 

after having KDSS for a while i would absolutely get it again

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm still undecided.

 

I absolutely love what does KDSS does for the street manors of the rig as well as the off road increased articulation. Noticeable difference.

 

I'd think it would be cool, more on road. Curve, turns, and such. It has to help with a comfy drive.
That said, I opted NOT for it, just because i know i dont need it, waste of my money, for me. Just something else to go wrong or break, which i dont think happens often, if at all. But, it was just to fancy for my needs. But, if you got it,... get it. Why not. People successfully lift them errryday with no issues. It's got to help make the drive a pillowy mother. Its gotta ...

 

I wish I bought a 2016 Trail with KDSS, but this option wasn't on the vehicles already in-transit at that time and the non-KDSS vehicle was cheaper.

The non-KDSS trail can turn well on the street, but it takes practice. For me a lot of it is about how smoothly I need to be when lifting my foot off the gas pedal, transitioning to the brake pedal, and back again to the gas pedal when I go thru a corner. This is to smoothly transfer weight to and load the front suspension that is not the stiffest because it is meant for dual purpose (on and offroad). It's a compromise. Also, smooth doesn't mean slow.

If I had to do it again, I'd get one with KDSS.

 

I love KDSS. I did have the KDSS lean after the install of my lift, but was able to resolve it.

 

i have KDSS on my 2016 trail (stock suspension) and am considering getting a 2020 Pro. Do you think the Fox suspension will generate about the same result for driving comfort that the KDSS system did? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

Both of my runners never had kdss but my pro rides good enough my 83 year old mom complimented how nice the ride is. She bitched about climbing in but likes the ride

 

I don't think so.

Rode in my friends SR5 with Fox. While the suspension is nice is still doesn't compare to one with KDSS.

 

I test drove both options and purchased the model WITH KDSS. Noticable difference to me with nose dive as well as all around road manners.

 

I think a few people are confused about KDSS and what it does for on-road driving. It doesn't make the suspension cushier or smoother, all models have the exact same coils and shocks with the exception of the Limited and Pro.

What KDSS does is make cornering flatter and more stable at speed, since it uses thicker sway bars than other models. This would normally be a detriment to off-road articulation, but the KDSS system uses unfixed mounting points. The sway bars attach to hydraulic pistons, which relax and decouple automatically at speeds below 12 mph. This is not quite like disconnecting the sway bars, but the end result is similar.

 

Good pick, Getsum! It’s hard on a test to pin point a difference like that. It’s hard to separate out all the noise and find what’s real. You did it. Once you really start driving, and occasionally at high speeds passing, merging, cloverleaf, super-elevated bridges etc., you’ll be really happy with your decision. A 4 Runner with KDSS handles pretty well at high speeds. Much, much better than you’d think from an off road vehicle. We’re lucky that Toyota makes a vehicle like this in 2020.

 

True! Mine is surprisingly comfortable at 90 MPH, not that I would ever cruise at that speed...

At 100 or so, it starts to feel a little sketchy though.

 

Haha, mine too.

 

Thanks. I was debating between both options. I do plan on adding a lift when it comes time to servicing the suspension so it's in the cards but no rush. Test driving both options and noticing the difference made it a no brainer for me. Love the rig and ive put it through its paces but i do have a "whining" sound im trying to identify. See my reply to another thread...

 

This video is pretty informative. How does the KDSS know when to dampen and when to loosen? I just got a 2015 TE w/KDSS about 3 weeks ago and I just lifted it 3".

 

Seems like if it was that simple there wouldn't need to be a computer involved. Wait... is there a computer involved?

 

So....people who have KDSS love it and have no regrets. People who don’t have it, don’t want it and can live without it. Test drive both and see what you like better.

 

Those without just can't admit it enough to drive one with.

 

No kdss. Just one more thing to fail. Also a pain to work around.