Sport added value (1 Viewer)

[madtoy]

That is incorrect. Some of us want superior articulation offroad for the non-hardcore stuff, and superior performance on road where we spend most of our time...KDSS provides both. I've seen people say "expensive to repair" -- but I have yet to see a first-hand account of someone actually needing to repair it. I had two wheels in the air last week, but I don't consider myself someone who "truly uses the truck heavily offroad." If I did, I'd probably get another 80 series.

I have yet to find anything that wouldn't work on a KDSS rig with proper application of a cutoff wheel. I put Budbuilt skids and MetalTech OPOR sliders on mine.

Exactly!! I removed the sway bar from my Tacoma, which had heavy springs and a much more stable wheelbase. It always made me nervous in emergency maneuvers on the highway. Removing the sway bar on the GX is down right dangerous on the road - regardless of what most will say that have removed it. 99% of the time, it's fine. But that 1% when it's not, can make you pay a steep price.

And while I also have heard it's expensive to repair, I found so very few examples of folks that have had to get it repaired. More folks have to replace transmissions more often.

I also had quick discos on my GC. While it wasn't too big a deal, I couldn't stand laying in the dirt after a tough day on the trails, fighting to get them back on - and they didn't make any for the rear.

 

[madtoy]

I don't consider something fitting properly when you have to use a cutoff wheel, lol. You get superior articulation with a factory swaybar disconnected as well. It takes me 10 minutes to pull the links. Last time I was in Moab I hung 2 wheels at a time with them still connected. Superior on road handling? You're talking about a GX, not a Maserati. Factor that in with a LT tire, and upgraded suspension, and you eliminate any benefit it once had. What type of superior on road handling are you talking about? Less body roll? I could see the argument being valid if were discussing its benefits on a road course, but we're not. We're talking about a system that electronically disconnects links and alters length by using wizardry and high pressure fluid. basically the same thing I can do in 10 minutes with a ratchet and a socket. It is only my opinion after all, but I gurantee you my non KDSS truck will go anywhere an exact same truck with KDSS will go.

Definitely not arguing that a sway barless ride will outperform KDSS off road. I think it would be fairly equal to be honest. I get as much travel as my suspension will allow. The only thing I can't do is put the long travel rear on it. But again, I wouldn't want that if it meant losing the sway bar.

 

[BlackCat]

Definitely not arguing that a sway barless ride will outperform KDSS off road. I think it would be fairly equal to be honest. I get as much travel as my suspension will allow. The only thing I can't do is put the long travel rear on it. But again, I wouldn't want that if it meant losing the sway bar.

That's why I pull links off road. Throw them back on when it's on street duty.

 

[JLee]

I don't consider something fitting properly when you have to use a cutoff wheel, lol. You get superior articulation with a factory swaybar disconnected as well. It takes me 10 minutes to pull the links. Last time I was in Moab I hung 2 wheels at a time with them still connected. Superior on road handling? You're talking about a GX, not a Maserati. Factor that in with a LT tire, and upgraded suspension, and you eliminate any benefit it once had. What type of superior on road handling are you talking about? Less body roll? I could see the argument being valid if were discussing its benefits on a road course, but we're not. We're talking about a system that electronically disconnects links and alters length by using wizardry and high pressure fluid. basically the same thing I can do in 10 minutes with a ratchet and a socket. It is only my opinion after all, but I gurantee you my non KDSS truck will go anywhere an exact same truck with KDSS will go.

The KDSS sway bars are massive. It handles ridiculously well for what it is. Nobody is claiming a KDSS truck can go places you can't with disconnected sways - but try (well, don't) an emergency avoidance maneuver on the highway with your swaybars disconnected and you'll see what we are talking about. Maybe a good suspension mitigates that somewhat - mine was stock. Another benefit is how seamless it is - last week I went across New Mexico on a combination of trails and forest service roads. I had normal on-road suspension performance whenever I was on normal terrain, and when I encountered stuff like this, I had additional articulation. It is the best of both worlds.

I do find it hilarious that you find cutting stuff to fit unacceptable, but you're happy to lay in the dirt and connect/disconnect your sways every time you go out. That's not "proper" either.

 

[Scat Adams]

Oh Yeah, it's an 05

The best year

Congrats!

 

[BlackCat]

The KDSS sway bars are massive. It handles ridiculously well for what it is. Nobody is claiming a KDSS truck can go places you can't with disconnected sways - but try (well, don't) an emergency avoidance maneuver on the highway with your swaybars disconnected and you'll see what we are talking about. Maybe a good suspension mitigates that somewhat - mine was stock.

I do find it hilarious that you find cutting stuff to fit unacceptable, but you're happy to lay in the dirt and connect/disconnect your sways every time you go out. That's not "proper" either.

Ya, I agree, it's so rough to throw a towel under the front of the truck and lay on it for 5 minutes. The rears can be disconnected while kneeling.

 

[madtoy]

Ya, I agree, it's so rough to throw a towel under the front of the truck and lay on it for 5 minutes. The rears can be disconnected while kneeling.

It's all a matter of opinions anyway. Everyone has different ideas of what is best for them. I personally wouldn't pay extra for KDSS - but if all else was equal, and I had a choice between one with KDSS and one without, I wouldn't hesitate to take the KDSS version.

 

[JLee]

I would like to drive a non-KDSS model sometime and see if I'd be ok with one. I sold my truck to my dad in TX last weekend, as I refuse to drive it in the salt here in NJ. I'm finding older high mileage GXs for $5-7k, which is cheap enough that I'd run it in winter and not really care...