Is KDDS Good or Bad if going to lift GX?
12-08-14, 11:45 AM
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Is KDDS Good or Bad if going to lift GX?
I have gotten mixed information. Some folks have told me I want KDDS while others have told me not to get it especially if I am going to add a lift and suspension?
12-09-14, 02:25 PM
#3
KDSS will work fine with a lift. It will help with sway when lifted on road. However, when you install the front coilovers, you need to take off the KDSS sway bar which is in the way of the install. Putting it back on is a royal PITA since it is under pressure from the KDSS piston.
12-10-14, 04:47 PM
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I have KDSS and I have lifted my truck about 2.5". There are no issues in terms of ride characteristic or functionality of KDSS with the lift. Someone mentioned that if you lift over 3", you will run into issues because you can't simply add a sway extension.
As 470SNC mentioned, the primary pain of having a KDSS is fitting any kind of rock sliders. The new 4Runner Trail edition comes with KDSS but they have a different hydraulic plumbing and several manufactures make sliders for them. For us, there is no option other than having a fabricator make a custom version.
As for the pros, KDSS is mainly beneficial when off-roading. It virtually disconnects the sway bars for better articulation. I can't completely vouch for its usefulness, but there have been times when my friend's 4Runner was spinning his wheels at the same location where my GX climbed up without losing traction.
My truck is almost 10 years old but I have low miles (70K). I haven't seen any issues with the KDSS system yet. If the system ever fails, I plan on ripping it out and replacing it with a standard sways.
In my opinion, a better question would be whether you want the Navigation system or not. If you shop for a vehicle with KDSS, it will most likely come with a Sports package (it was hard to get KDSS without sports option), and the sports option comes with Nav and Mark Levinson audio. I hate the Nav and would love to replace it with a newer aftermarket unit. However, Lexus with its infinite wisdom, decided to incorporate climate control system into the Nav. So.... IF I had to do it all over again, I would probably pick up a basic version without the Nav.
As 470SNC mentioned, the primary pain of having a KDSS is fitting any kind of rock sliders. The new 4Runner Trail edition comes with KDSS but they have a different hydraulic plumbing and several manufactures make sliders for them. For us, there is no option other than having a fabricator make a custom version.
As for the pros, KDSS is mainly beneficial when off-roading. It virtually disconnects the sway bars for better articulation. I can't completely vouch for its usefulness, but there have been times when my friend's 4Runner was spinning his wheels at the same location where my GX climbed up without losing traction.
My truck is almost 10 years old but I have low miles (70K). I haven't seen any issues with the KDSS system yet. If the system ever fails, I plan on ripping it out and replacing it with a standard sways.
In my opinion, a better question would be whether you want the Navigation system or not. If you shop for a vehicle with KDSS, it will most likely come with a Sports package (it was hard to get KDSS without sports option), and the sports option comes with Nav and Mark Levinson audio. I hate the Nav and would love to replace it with a newer aftermarket unit. However, Lexus with its infinite wisdom, decided to incorporate climate control system into the Nav. So.... IF I had to do it all over again, I would probably pick up a basic version without the Nav.
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