Dr. KDSS upgrades on your GX460 - what's been good for you? (6 Viewers)

[PoindAxster]

Since switching over to the stiffer Dobinson's springs, I'm noticing the geometry being off on my truck a little more. I picked up Dr. KDSS' BOTCK (which has not been installed yet) and am now researching the front end. After searching the forums, I found no single thread focused on all the different things Dr. KDSS has. A lot of little mentions in build threads. Hopefully, this will become a worthwhile resource for anyone looking to correct some stuff after lifting their GX.

 

[xychromosome]

I'm only aware of the BOTCK and his disable KDSS switch. The only other modification would be spacers, that the general consensus only recommends for the rear. I have all the above and while the BOTCK helped adjust the rear end geometry after a lift and the spacers helped create more room for a larger spare tire, the only thing that cured my KDSS lean was the addition of a 5mm spacer to the front passenger strut.

 

[BigSwede]

I have the BOTCK, front sway bar end adapters, and front sway bar billet clamps. I also have rear sway bar spacers from another vendor, and an adjustable KDSS track bar from Ironman.

It all seems to be working well, all I can say is the GX is great off road and I definitely do more off road with my GX than most people.

 

[jdam]

I have the front slotted sway bar brackets (no plates), rear sway bar spacers, BOTCK, and KDSS switch.

I found that installing and reinstalling the front sway bar when doing my suspension was significantly easier with the slotted front brackets as you get a bit of leeway to play with the front sway bar. The bushings aren't also at a super weird angle - keeping in mind mine is only at a 2" lift up front. Out back, the track bar is level and the sways are at a good distance from every thing, but I did not drive the truck post-lift without the track bar correction. It still sways a little in the back on off-camber bumps.

KDSS switch is kind of it's own thing, and while I've used it I maybe don't notice it as much as I don't really do fast offroad stuff. It's nice for dirt roads where you can keep up some speed where the sway bar would be engaged.

 

[PoindAxster]

I inquired with Dom (DR KDSS) through his site, and eventually, it turned into a phone call. He looked through some photos I sent and recommended the front billet clamps and bushing brackets, with the option to get his bushings, too. It was cool of him to explain why no other parts were necessary in the rear or front. Anyone else could have easily said "buy this and this too" to get the revenue as high as possible. Where I was ready to drop $500+ to get things right, it all came to $189 this morning.

Here's where my front bushing is a little out of alignment - which he explained in good enough detail to make sense to my thick, dumb skull. You can see where the front sway bar is getting pushed down on the bushing. Will report back after the install is done.

 

[Jstawgn]

The KDSS bypass switch is great on high speed gravel. I volunteer for stage rally sweep and running high speed on gravel is sketcy with KDSS on. My GX470 KDSS are much stiffer than GX460 and might contribute to this behavior. Front bar is 50 mm VS 41 mm and rear is 33 mm vs 30 mm.
The high roll stiffness transfer weight too aggressively on gravel and makes it easier to break traction. It felt really skittish and feel like I am going drifting at much lower speed. With the bypass switch enabled the weight transfer are much slower and enable me to corner much faster on gravel.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Just have the switch and also love it for high speed gravel and dirt with my 5100s

 

[Hehena]

Here's where my front bushing is a little out of alignment - which he explained in good enough detail to make sense to my thick, dumb skull. You can see where the front sway bar is getting pushed down on the bushing. Will report back after the install is done.

I installed them with new OEM bushings with good results.

 

[Carnevino]

Have you looked into these from Treaty Oak?

KDSS Spacer Kit

If you’re lifted, and have wheeled, you have undoubtedly encountered some kdss lean. In the 6 years of working with my 2005 GX470 sport with kdss,...

www.treatyoakoffroad.com

 

[Banandalorian]

I think I have all the DrKDSS goodies along with Treaty Oak spacers on the rear bar. On my 2017 I'm running Dobinsons MRRs that are roughly a 2.2 inch lift front and 2.5 inch lift rear that I installed in February 2023. I installed the DrKDSS BOTCK and Treaty Oak spacers a couple weeks later. I added the DrKDSS front brackets and the locking rings a couple of months after that. I also have the KDSS switch. My review/assessment for each is below.

1. A panhard correction is a must have. The DrKDSS BOTCK is nice because it is a pretty straightforward bolt on. The Eimkeith weld on kit also works. You definitely want one of these if you are lifted 2+ inches to keep handling behavior feeling like stock. I would get an odd shimmy on mid corner bumps before I corrected panhard geometry.
2. The Treaty Oak rear spacers: The price is low enough and the install is easy enough that there's no reason not to get these. I've never had an issue with KDSS lean so I believe these do help there. I think the spacers also free up a little bit of extra travel/flex, but I didn't take before/after measurements so can't confirm.
3. DrKDSS Front Sway Bar Adaptors: I would recommend these as it does prevent the bushings from binding up and frees up some down travel in the front - maybe an inch on the passenger side and closer to 2 inches on the driver's side.
   1. Passenger front droop travel is limited by the fixed KDSS mounting bracket.
4. DrKDSS locking rings front/rear: You may not need these right away but its a good thing to know about if you actually off road. I bought these because it seemed like a good idea, and it was a good thing I did. One of the OEM front straps was broken in half and the other one basically disintegrated as soon as I touched it with ~70,000 miles on the car. The rear OEM pieces were in fine shape but I trimmed them off and installed the lock rings anyway.
5. DrKDSS switch/controller: Worth it just to flex on everyone with your fancy sway bars. This does help with comfort and head toss on faster trails or crappy paved roads. It may not be a must have like the geometry-correcting pieces but it definitely comes in handy.

I've been running all this stuff since 2023 and almost 25,000 miles and have had no issues. Everything seems to work as its described and has been holding well.

 

[Hiluxforever]

One thing i really like about the kdss switch is you can make sure your swaybars aren't kept locked due to an interlock when hitting a trail. That way you know you can show off your Lexus Flex

 

[Banandalorian]

Was in WV last month following some buddies on a paved road through a holler to the next trail going like 35-45 mph. Because of frost heaves and wash outs and generally being in the middle of nowhere this road was basically an Olympic mogul course. I clicked the KDSS controller and the difference was wild. It felt like we went from being inside a metronome to just floating on the cloud of Dobinson MRRs.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Was in WV last month following some buddies on a paved road through a holler to the next trail going like 35-45 mph. Because of frost heaves and wash outs and generally being in the middle of nowhere this road was basically an Olympic mogul course. I clicked the KDSS controller and the difference was wild. It felt like we went from being inside a metronome to just floating on the cloud of Dobinson MRRs.

Yes, it's massive. I am the same way. Then I will forget to turn it back on and get knocked around by cross winds.

 

[Werdagey]

I've been looking at front outer sway ring clamps and rear spacers. Those with these additions find them worth the upgrade? Mostly light offroad and city driving. Though Houston roads are arguably as bad as some trails

 

[Hiluxforever]

I've been looking at front outer sway ring clamps and rear spacers. Those with these additions find them worth the upgrade? Mostly light offroad and city driving. Though Houston roads are arguably as bad as some trails

I only have the override switch, I have not done anything else. Part of why I have kept my lift minimal.

 

[Banandalorian]

I've been looking at front outer sway ring clamps and rear spacers. Those with these additions find them worth the upgrade? Mostly light offroad and city driving. Though Houston roads are arguably as bad as some trails

Both are relatively cheap and easy to install. The clamps are only needed if the OEM rubber straps are broken or deteriorating but they work as advertised.
The rear spacers correct some geometry when lifted over 2 inches and I believe they free up a little extra flex. My assessment is that whatever geometry they fix helps prevent KDSS lean with my source being that I've never had lean issues and I do dumb crap off road all the time.

 

[suitcase]

I've got about a 2" lift, Treaty Oak KDSS rear spacers, DrKDSS BOTCK, and DrKDSS Bushing Bracket. The KDSS rear spacers gave more room for the spare tire, which in my case is a 265/70/17. Previously, it was tight fit especially with the factory hitch. BOTCK helped bring down the track bar and thus pull the passenger side rear wheel back in. The bushing brackets helped to reduce the strain on the bushings. Honestly, I couldn't tell too much of a difference in driving, but I could see how the different kits helped correct the geometry.

I've posted about this before. I would avoid using front KDSS spacer. I originally had one installed with the lift to preempt any lean, but it extended the KDSS piston and caused it to contact the backside of the CBI skid plate. I talked to Dom and he said he no longer recommends the front KDSS spacer as it can over-extend the KDSS piston. That front spacer also didn't help with lean. I've got a slight lean (never more than 2cm) that comes and goes. Dom said cycling KDSS on/off with his KDSS harness kit can help fix the lean, but I've yet to get it.

Everything was pretty easy to install, but I remember having to do some heavy grinding away of an ABS tab for the BOTCK and it required a high level of care to not nick the ABS wire. I also got the billet clamps, but my factory straps seem fine for now so I haven't installed them.