Build details of the 2010 4Runner Trail Edition w/KDSS

When I purchased my 2010 4Runner it was on its second owner, making me the third. It has been meticulously maintained and didn't show any of its age even at 179K miles. Upon making my decision on the 4Runner platform, I had a plan and an undisclosed agenda with it, but it has since progressed well beyond my expectations and plans and has tackled much more than I had ever intended to throw at it..and it continues to progress.

KDSS WOES and MISINFORMATION

Shortly after getting the 4Runner home, I began planning the first steps which included a lift and snorkel. The snorkel was an easy choice, and the Dobinsons unit has kept my filter free of dust and other contaminates and allowed me to feel more comfortable hitting deeper water. However, when it came time to do the lift, I found that the internet was littered with information stating that KDSS equipped 4Runners could not have more than a 2.5" lift kit. Reading this information was a bit of a bummer as I had originally intended a 3"+ lift. So with some reluctance in mind, I ordered a 2"/1" lift kit and stuck with the factory sized tires when replacing them with some Pirelli Scorpion AT's. While it all performed well and got me into places I wouldn't have imagined, I still wanted to pursue my original plan, and I began to do proper, in-depth research and some measuring on the KDSS system itself.

Research, Progress and Bolt-On Parts!!

Displeased with the current setup after a short while, I began to do research the right way. Upon reading how the KDSS system worked, taking a few measurements and reading some articles I had found online, I came across another product from Dobinsons that would provide exactly what I needed. Starting with an Icon Stage 2 mid-travel lift kit, I mated a pair of stacked PS59-4030 shims to the top of the coilovers. The 4Runner suspension geometry equated to the 1/4" thick shims gaining 1/2" of lift at the hub. This meant that a pair of the shims stacked, deemed safe via the crew at Dobinsons, would yield 1" of lift at the hub without the addition of preload on the coilovers. This was the answer and solution to safely obtain a 4" front lift! However, more was needed to ensure proper retention of the suspension geometry and front driveline. Dr.KDSS, TreatyOak Off-road and others have now entered the chat..

Making it happen

Having solved the issue with obtaining a 4" front lift left some other areas that needed attention to retain the geometry of the suspension. While the front benefitted from the Dobinsions spacers, I was now 1" lower in the rear with the 2" Icon springs. This was remedied with a 1" spacer set from Cornfed Suspension which leveled the front and rear perfectly, but did not account for the additional weight that was yet to be introduced, more on that later. Factory hub to fender measurements for the KDSS Trail Edition 4Runner are 20" front and 22" rear. I had achieved 24" front and 25" rear. However, my panhard bar in the rear was at an unsightly angle, and the front KDSS swaybar was killing the bushings while the rear was over extending the KDSS piston. With the inclusion of Dr.KDSS adapters in the front, TreatyOak spacers in the rear and an Eimkeith weld-in PCK, everything was back in place and no unnecessary stress or awkward angles were present. Per Dom's suggestion at Dr.KDSS, new bushings were installed up front as well as his sway bar clamps. Now, while I do not have updated photos at this time, due to the inclusion of some excessive and unplanned weight from my RTT, awning, tire carrier, spare tire and fuel, not to mention my standard gear, the rear Icon springs have been replaced with Dobinsons HD overland springs. At full trail weight, the rear was sagging excessively with the Icon springs and placing the rear bump stop 1" off the axle while level and static, and coil spaces on the Icon springs had been reduced to less than 1/2". Having installed the extremely heavy springs, at full trail weight, the rear now sits level again loaded with what I have calculated is just over 850lbs constant load. It was pointed out to me when posting a picture of the new setup that the rear appeared to be overlifted. At the time it was as I had just finished swapping the springs, however, the rig was empty and lacked more than 3/4 of my gear I take with me, and several weeks was spent speaking with people that utilized the heavy Dobinsons springs, and their overall gear weight and loadouts. Now being fully loaded for 5-7 day long adventures, with the inclusion of a new drawer system, my rear hub to fender measurement is back at 25" and I still have room for additional tools and gear, and the springs to handle the weight. Having known they were the markets heaviest springs for the 4Runner, I chose them based on current weight and future plans which include a full rear bumper, shore power with solar and a static water setup for hot showers on the go. This also denotes its close to time for a regear.

Everything Other than Suspension

Everything else on the 4Runner is fairly obvious, except maybe the gusseted spindles. The gussets were added after some strain was placed on the spindle on a trail run with the local NM4RT group. Some new parts and a bit of welding has since kept the 305/70/17 (34") Nitto Ridge Grappler tires from hurting anything since then, and being 120lbs per wheel and tire, it should have been done sooner. I do not regret grabbing the E-rated tires though, the hybrid AT/MT has held its own through every terrain I have come across, from icy or rainy roads, snow, mud and rocks. The Black Rhino wheels have taken a few hits, yet due to the solid face design of the Armory wheels, rocks, branches and other debris has been kept away from the outer face of my brakes and other components behind the wheels. Spare tire, and now after some more welding and fabrication, spare fuel duties are handled with the RidgeArmor swing carrier. It has been a solid unit that I have been able to build off of, and while I still have some reserve and concern about the weight added to it, it has held up great and the crew at RigidArmor has answered all of my questions and plainly told me to "bring it on!!" when I shared a photo of the modified unit. The Ironman4x4America tent and awning have been a blessing and literally kept me protected through both rain and snow storms. While the RTT is a bit cumbersome to pack down at times, its simple and effective design paired with it only weighing 130lbs has me hesitant to change. The CaliRaisedLED light bar has taken care of a couple unintended night runs and have shown zero signs of moisture buildup or other ailments. The CaliRaisedLED roof rack on the other hand, well, that will be a later post and it will be clear and honest, but not all 100% positive. To finish this portion of this post, the Harbor Freight Apex Badlands winch...think what you want of HF, we are all entitled to opinions and we all have different experiences with products, such as my roof rack. However, the winch has now saved me three times, moved two downed trees and has yet to skip a beat. It was one item, that as this build progressed, I wondered if I was ever going to utilize and not only has it been used, it has proven to be more than capable and is my go to recovery friend as I explore solo.

I will go more in-depth on each piece of equipment I use later on. Today's trail run with my youngest daughter was postponed to both of us feeling under the weather, but stay tuned, subscribe and share to see more!