4R choose KDSS or not?

[trailtracker]

So I am considering the 2018 4R offroad premium but I am confused whether I add on KDSS if I am going to do an after market upgrade to the suspension and do a 3” life anyway.

New to this sport so probably a pretty basic question for you all experts!

 

[Steve]

but I am confused whether I add on KDSS if I am going to do an after market upgrade to the suspension and do a 3” life anyway.

The general consensus is that if you are leaving it stock or just leveling, that the KDSS is a nice option. If you are going to do any serious suspension upgrades, skip the extra cost.

For my specific use, knowing that a vast majority of my miles would be on asphalt, and that I wouldn't be making suspension upgrades, the KDSS option was the best choice. Coming from a WRX wagon, I wanted the road manners, and KDSS offers more articulation than the stock suspension off road. 26k miles later, I'm pleased with my choice.

 

[trailtracker]

Super helpful, Steve. I think I will be 80/20 asphalt/offroad just coz I will be commuting to work as well!

 

[Lindenwood]

From what Ive read, those who have it like it, and those wo don't have it aren't that concerned about it. TRDPs can't come with it, and I remember being impressed with its road manners when driving faster than I should have on some nice winding mountain roads the 2nd day off the lot :) . So, *shrug*.

I'd say, skip it if you plan on suspension mods.

And, to be honest, if I could do it all over again I'd have gotten a base-model SR5 given the huge aftermarket. We didnt originally plan on modding her TRDP (part of the reason I bought it), but for the 10k difference we could have had a lot of sweet stuff. But, she really wanted the fancy brown paint :P .

 

[Nomadik Nova]

The general consensus is that if you are leaving it stock or just leveling, that the KDSS is a nice option. If you are going to do any serious suspension upgrades, skip the extra cost.

For my specific use, knowing that a vast majority of my miles would be on asphalt, and that I wouldn't be making suspension upgrades, the KDSS option was the best choice. Coming from a WRX wagon, I wanted the road manners, and KDSS offers more articulation than the stock suspension off road. 26k miles later, I'm pleased with my choice.

Steve.... since you don't plan on any suspension mods, can I ask what (if any) armor or external mods you are or plan on doing?

I'm more than likely adding a roof rack and front bumper, just not exactly sure which ones yet. I was thinking I may have to do a suspension mod with added weight ... but not sure.

 

[Beer Hounds]

I don't know that you can add on KDSS aftermarket. I have had a drink or two...so may be reading this incorrectly :)

Yeah you can save money on the SR5 over the PRO and do upgrades yada yada yada....but wait until resale time. NOTHING holds its value like a PRO. Many people have bought them, drove them for a couple years, and made money on them when they sold.

 

[trailtracker]

From what Ive read, those who have it like it, and those wo don't have it aren't that concerned about it. TRDPs can't come with it, and I remember being impressed with its road manners when driving faster than I should have on some nice winding mountain roads the 2nd day off the lot :) . So, *shrug*.

I'd say, skip it if you plan on suspension mods.

And, to be honest, if I could do it all over again I'd have gotten a base-model SR5 given the huge aftermarket. We didnt originally plan on modding her TRDP (part of the reason I bought it), but for the 10k difference we could have had a lot of sweet stuff. But, she really wanted the fancy brown paint :P .

Thanks Lindenwood. So the other thing is I am wondering whether I should get a truck or not. I like the fact I can haul my motorcycles but unsecured and outside cargo space is more hassle.
Why do people get suspension mod and lift vs. not? Is it for difficult trails and rock crawling?
To put it realistic, I like to do trails like White rim trail in Utah after a bit so if a raised rig is needed then I think I will need it.

 

[trailtracker]

I don't know that you can add on KDSS aftermarket. I have had a drink or two...so may be reading this incorrectly :)

Yeah you can save money on the SR5 over the PRO and do upgrades yada yada yada....but wait until resale time. NOTHING holds its value like a PRO. Many people have bought them, drove them for a couple years, and made money on them when they sold.

True but I found offroad premium to be better than the PRO. The pro realistically has only front skid plate and A/T tires. I didn’t find anything else to be a value for an extra $5k.
It is better than SR5 but not much better than offroad premium. Thoughts?

 

[Beer Hounds]

It comes down to people looking at it and saying either....

"Meh, it's just another Offroad"

or

"Ohhhhh, that's a PRO!"



Yes, I am biased lol

 

[Lindenwood]

Thanks Lindenwood. So the other thing is I am wondering whether I should get a truck or not. I like the fact I can haul my motorcycles but unsecured and outside cargo space is more hassle.
Why do people get suspension mod and lift vs. not? Is it for difficult trails and rock crawling?
To put it realistic, I like to do trails like White rim trail in Utah after a bit so if a raised rig is needed then I think I will need it.

To be fair, most people with 30-40k vehicles and a few thousand in mods are not doing "hard trails." My wife had her TRDP lifted 2" F/R, but hasnt done and probably won't ever do anything more challenging than she did when it was stock.

That said, a stock truck lifted 2-3" is now 20-30% further off the ground than before, which certainly can factor in to a reduced chance of bumper and rocker panel damage.

 

[Steve]

Steve.... since you don't plan on any suspension mods, can I ask what (if any) armor or external mods you are or plan on doing?

I'm more than likely adding a roof rack and front bumper, just not exactly sure which ones yet. I was thinking I may have to do a suspension mod with added weight ... but not sure.

I have rock sliders for side protection and the factory skid plates. When I get to the point that those start getting damaged, then I will get aluminum skid plates. I don’t see any reason to replace parts that don’t need replaced.

I have a loaded roof rack and pull a teardrop. But the factory suspension works okay for that. I might add air bags to keep it level, though.

See the link in my dig for my modifications.

If I lived out west, where I could regularly visit places that I needed more protection and clearance, then I would address those issues. But here in Ohio, 99% of my driving is on pavement, and what isn’t is forest service roads I could likely drive in a Prius. ::shrug::

 

[Nomadik Nova]

I have rock sliders for side protection and the factory skid plates. When I get to the point that those start getting damaged, then I will get aluminum skid plates. I don’t see any reason to replace parts that don’t need replaced.

I have a loaded roof rack and pull a teardrop. But the factory suspension works okay for that. I might add air bags to keep it level, though.

See the link in my dig for my modifications.

If I lived out west, where I could regularly visit places that I needed more protection and clearance, then I would address those issues. But here in Ohio, 99% of my driving is on pavement, and what isn’t is forest service roads I could likely drive in a Prius. ::shrug::

Kind of my thoughts exactly. First, no need to upgrade something until it needs replacing. And second, I’m in VA and 90% or more of my driving is pavement as well.

Great to hear your mods didn’t affect the suspension too much!

 

[Wanderlost]

Like most owners, ours gets the vast majority of its miles on pavement. We did however want it to perform great, and safe, offroad. Our plan from the start was to replace the suspension with a 3" lift and beefier components. We bought our '17 TRDP without KDSS after doing a ton of research. This is basically what made up our minds:

Pros- Adds a small amount of better handling at highway speeds.
Adds a tiny amount of extra articulation at crawling speeds.

Cons- Adds weight. With added steel bumpers, skid plates, sliders, etc. this would be an issue for us.
Just something else that could break and fail. Toyotas are by far the most reliable platform for what we do but, after talking with our trusted Toyota dealership techs., there is a history of maintenance issues with the KDSS.

The handling and articulation improvements are so small that the cons outweighed the pros.

Bottom line; our decision was based on what we wanted and expected out of our new 4Runner. Your mileage may vary.

On a related note; yes you can perform a 3" lift or leveling on a 4Runner with KDSS without any adverse effects.

 

[trailtracker]

Did anyone consider Landcruiser? Assuming money is not an object which it always is but hypothetically, is it still that good for off-roading?