Is E-KDSS really worth an exra 10k over Premium +? (1 Viewer)

[Oakk]

We would really like the 3rd row but are willing to live without it for a superior vehicle. We would offroad 3-5x a year when hitting our cabin.15k miles a year of highway commuting the rest of the time.

18" tires would provide a nicer ride but I can get a whole set for 4-5k, so still not sure if sn extrs 10k+ from dealer is worth it.

Opinions greatly appreciated. And maybe I missed something that Overtrail+ has better than premium+.

-TK

 

[tacoshawn]

All share the same full-time 4WD and are trucks capable of going the vast majority of places, especially if you put good tires on.

Given that, I suggest you already answered in your post what you want most - 3 rows. And what you want second - save $10K and what you value 3rd - spend some of that $10K savings on 3MP AT tires.

I’m seeing a few OT wheels tires starting to pop up on CL around me. People are swapping out for different wheels and going to 34” / 35” tires. Having taken my OT to the trails the factory 33” OT Toyo AT3’s are a very good tire and have a 3MP snow rating.

So, I’d suggest Premium + and some take-off’s from an OT.

I have an OT+, it is nice, the truck is very capable and the multi-modes are handy. Having said that, it an my moderately modified Tacoma (which my son now has) are similarly capable in all places I go. I upgraded to the GX because I wanted the comfort for the 95+% of the driving which is pavement to get to interesting places. Seems like your use case is similar, buy the utility of 3 rows for your primary use, add tires, get to cabin. I don’t think you are missing anything in your thoughts.

 

[APIOQM]

If you do not fret about the rear locker, do not fret about eKDSS.

 

[185]

test drive both. ekdss is a very ymmv. i preferred the better onroad manners of ekdss, but a friend couldnt tell the diff and thought they all rode the same/floaty boaty.

 

[Oakk]

Thank you gentlemen for your help! Saving 10K will be a wonderful thing!

Safe travels to you all!

 

[Phillyd2]

For the Premium trim, No. For the OT trims, absolutely Yes.

 

[Sentinel]

The AVS is a much better benefit of the OT than the swaybar system. Also, the extra $10K gets you skid plates, softer riding tires, and a rear locker. I traded a LC250 without AVS for my OT because the ride and handling was scary at 80mph. In the OT, vehicle dynamics at 80mph are very settled and solid feeling.

 

[turbo8]

The AVS is a much better benefit of the OT than the swaybar system. Also, the extra $10K gets you skid plates, softer riding tires, and a rear locker. I traded a LC250 without AVS for my OT because the ride and handling was scary at 80mph. In the OT, vehicle dynamics at 80mph are very settled and solid feeling.

EKDDS gets you: MTS, Crawl control, DH assist and the rear locker. All which are hard to implement afterwards.

This isn't verified, but the front CVs might be better..like how off-road version of toyota models have better CVs.

 

[gx660]

The AVS is a much better benefit of the OT than the swaybar system. Also, the extra $10K gets you skid plates, softer riding tires, and a rear locker. I traded a LC250 without AVS for my OT because the ride and handling was scary at 80mph. In the OT, vehicle dynamics at 80mph are very settled and solid feeling.

What is AVS?

 

[turbo8]

What is AVS?

Adaptive Variable Suspension

 

[bicycleagent003]

I went to my Toyota dealer and test drove a non-KDSS 4Runner back to back with a KDSS 4R, because I was interested in the feature. I took both 4R's for a very hot lap (with no dealership rep in the vehicle, because it was during COVID). My conclusion was that KDSS works very well and it would be awesome to have, especially off-road. My wife and kids grow weary of swaying around in my 80 Series. KDSS (or e-KDSS) is on my list of necessary features in my next off-roader.

 

[Jeremy556]

I went to my Toyota dealer and test drove a non-KDSS 4Runner back to back with a KDSS 4R, because I was interested in the feature. I took both 4R's for a very hot lap (with no dealership rep in the vehicle, because it was during COVID). My conclusion was that KDSS works very well and it would be awesome to have, especially off-road. My wife and kids grow weary of swaying around in my 80 Series. KDSS (or e-KDSS) is on my list of necessary features in my next off-roader.

I have a 4runner with KDSS. The lack of body roll on road was great, but I eventually removed the front sway bar because it makes the off-road ride absolutely horrible above single digit speeds. I spend a lot of time on washboard roads at 10-50mph. Rides amazing over bumps and flexes much more now, but of course the body roll on road is terrible.

 

[bicycleagent003]

I have a 4runner with KDSS. The lack of body roll on road was great, but I eventually removed the front sway bar because it makes the off-road ride absolutely horrible above single digit speeds. I spend a lot of time on washboard roads at 10-50mph. Rides amazing over bumps and flexes much more now, but of course the body roll on road is terrible.

Thanks for sharing that. Is there a quick detach and reattach option for your sway bar? I wonder if there's a solution that would allow you to have each when you want it. I installed a solution just like that on my 80, though I must confess I've never used it. I feel like I have sufficient flex off road. I'll detach it when I go out to the desert in a couple weeks. Maybe that will help with the washboard. Thanks for that suggestion.