Taco to 4runner?

I understand KDSS, know the details. It's a hydraulic system that moves the front and rear swaybars via hydraulics. Theoretically, that seems good, but anything hydraulic fails.

Nice system initially, then when it wears out KDSS is godawful expensive to replace. You'll rip it out and put a traditional suspension in. Same thing people did with the XREAS.

 

It’s funny....haven’t read one story on the forums of KDSS “wearing out”...care to elaborate?

 

Freaking legit spec rig brother! Any advice for someone looking to upgrade the same King lift as this?

 

Thanks! I did upgrade to 650 front springs from 550 spring rates. Rear springs are Metal Tech 2" lift. Advice wise it's super easy to install the Kings w/KDSS up front and rear. Just make sure you either rent or buy a spring compressor for the rear spring install. It makes the job easier for a one man job

 

X-REAS was part of the actual suspension system (physical shocks and spring dampening)...hydraulically linked, controlled dampening. KDSS is (like you said) a sway bar control system. When X-REAS failed it left a vehicle listing to one side and was no longer equalized in dampening, people often pulled the system out and went to "a traditional system" as you stated, because of the expense of replacing an entire "suspension" system. It also caused issues with lifting and required removal or extreme modification to do so. KDSS being only swaybar related....already uses a "traditional suspension" and supports that system with engineered swaybar control. All hydraulics do fail...you've replaced your shocks on some vehicle right? The difference...KDSS works with any suspension modifications up to about 3", and does not require anything if it fails, except replacement of hydraulic cylinders supporting the swaybar control IF you wish to maintain it....otherwise rigid mount the swaybars, remove them, or simply replace the cylinders. On a KDSS system the "traditional suspension" stays in place whether the sway control is active or not. KDSS is different from X-REAS in almost all ways other than the design purpose. Apples to Oranges. IMO. FWIW. YMMV. Outlaw out.

 

My fault. Carry on, KDSS men.

 

Why not a Land Cruiser? They're slightly bigger, but totally manageable and ridiculously capable on the trail while giving you a nice V8 with close to 400 horsepower and FAR nicer than virtually anything Toyota makes (standard 4 zone climate control with rear heated seats standard starting in 2008 for example). They're expensive when new, but you can find an 08-11 with decent miles for mid $20-35k range, a 13-15 (no 2012 model year) for $35-55k or a 16+ for $55k+. The only major differences in the "gens" is that in 13 the electronics got updated, cooled seats added, radar cruise, couple little things like HIDs, and then in 16 they got an 8 speed tranny, LEDs everywhere and the Toyota safety tech package. The Land Cruiser is the pinnacle IMO, and I've had 4 including 2 we currently own. The only downsides are (1) they're expensive - but depreciate slowly (2) they're thirsty at ~12-15mpg combined depending on build - what modern gas Toyota truck gets good mpg anyway (3) mods are expensive - few manufacturers support the platform and all parts are heavy and $$$. If you don't need a bed in a truck, there are few better all around vehicles in the world than a 200 series Land Cruiser. If you want to spend less, the 100 series Land Cruiser is incredibly good too and far easier to find since they made many more than 200 series.

 

I also vote for Land Cruiser. You can also go with a LC200 2013 for about $40k.

 

LC200, 5800lbs curb weight, only 9" stock ground clearance, 5.7l V8. 5th Gen 4Runner seems better.

Sure would be nice if Toyota slapped that sweet 4.6l V8 into the 4Runner. The 4.6l is the base engine now for the Tundra. The 4.6 can fit into the 4Runner engine bay, hell they put a 4.7L V8 into the 4th Gen 4Runner and it's pretty easy to work on, good enough room in the engine bay to do maintenance.

 

Lol - 4runner is better in what way exactly? Very insightful post there.

 

They do. It’s called a GX460.

 

I agree with @Lord Helmet but I prefer red.

 

I got black last time...probably going black again but Fox this time on the Taco

 

Be wary of fox in Hawaii. The salt air eats the shit of those for some reason.

 

Oh really?! Shit maybe i'll be going Blue instead. Or maybe just go Icon again.

 

Yea ask some of the guys in our Oahu thread they tell you the same. I wanted go fox until the told me what’s up.

 

Yeah, sure would be nice if Toyota allowed the 4.6 into the 4Runner, not gonna happen though. I looked at the GX460, I think they had standard rear air suspension, not a simple vehicle like the 4Runner with a manual T-case.

 

I think the air suspension is only standard on the "GX Luxury." I believe they call it "Adaptive Variable Suspension."

 

Hey Meso! Nice pair of toyota’s, if you have a Runner why don’t you have more mods available for them?

 

I looked at the 5th generation (N280) 4Runner before I bought my Pro. I liked the old school drivetrain but was turned off by the dated interior, KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), nearly 11-year old platform, lack of push button start, etc.