Best ON-ROAD Suspension Upgrade? (not OFFroad!)
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Best ON-ROAD Suspension Upgrade? (not OFFroad!)
I know there's many many threads re: OFF road suspension upgrades, but I'm curious what's out there that improves the ON road (freeway, surface street, twisty mountain road) handling?
I'm waiting for the right GX470 with KDSS to come along, and I know that KDSS goes a long way to improving handling. But what else can be done?
There must be aftermarket suspension systems that are built specifically for on road SUV performance, no?
Thanks!
I'm waiting for the right GX470 with KDSS to come along, and I know that KDSS goes a long way to improving handling. But what else can be done?
There must be aftermarket suspension systems that are built specifically for on road SUV performance, no?
Thanks!
#2
Pole Position
Off Road will work well on road. You can fine tune the on road ride by adjusting spring rate. If you want stiffer then get a slightly stiffer springs. People under estimate how important the shocks are to ride. A good shock will make the GX feel so much better then the tired OEM. I would call Mark at Metal Tech and just get some suggestions from him. His is very GX knowledgable and sells some good stuff and a very fair price.
#3
What do you want cornering preformance or ride quality? Those two kinda take you in different directions. Poly suspension bushings and sway bar mounts are probably a good start.
#4
Rookie
Thread Starter
Off Road will work well on road. You can fine tune the on road ride by adjusting spring rate. If you want stiffer then get a slightly stiffer springs. People under estimate how important the shocks are to ride. A good shock will make the GX feel so much better then the tired OEM. I would call Mark at Metal Tech and just get some suggestions from him. His is very GX knowledgable and sells some good stuff and a very fair price.
I have to wonder why no one ever made beefier aftermarket sway bars for the GX... I guess because the compromise in ride comfort would be too severe?
#5
Pole Position
It's not ride comfort. It's that it counter what a Off Road SUV is about. I would consider the Red Poly Sway Bar Bushings. I think it's the red that are self lubing. Better Shocks and lastly springs. You may find that New shocks bushings are enough to make you happy. Taller Height is counter what you want in the end.
#6
Maybe someone will chime in that has an anti rock bar to give some insight as to how it compares to factory swaybars.
poly bushings are a good idea, but can be noisy. You're going to have to compromise something, you can't have a body on frame SUV handle like it's on rails and be comfortable unless you start getting into fully adjustable air ride systems, or doing something like an ICON system with adjustable CDC Valving.
poly bushings are a good idea, but can be noisy. You're going to have to compromise something, you can't have a body on frame SUV handle like it's on rails and be comfortable unless you start getting into fully adjustable air ride systems, or doing something like an ICON system with adjustable CDC Valving.
#7
Rookie
Thread Starter
Maybe someone will chime in that has an anti rock bar to give some insight as to how it compares to factory swaybars.
poly bushings are a good idea, but can be noisy. You're going to have to compromise something, you can't have a body on frame SUV handle like it's on rails and be comfortable unless you start getting into fully adjustable air ride systems, or doing something like an ICON system with adjustable CDC Valving.
poly bushings are a good idea, but can be noisy. You're going to have to compromise something, you can't have a body on frame SUV handle like it's on rails and be comfortable unless you start getting into fully adjustable air ride systems, or doing something like an ICON system with adjustable CDC Valving.
I've seen the side-by-side video comparisons of KDSS in action and it truly is night and day in terms of cornering.
The following users liked this post:
arseum (10-19-20)
Trending Topics
#8
Pole Position
Keep in mind that the KDSS is going to be old on any 470. The price of repair on KDSS can be $3000 if it goes out. To me I would skip KDSS and just like it as is with out the KDSS. You know the KDSS is eventually going to fail. Do you really want to pay that bill? If the answer is Yes, KDSS and the cost of repair is worth it then by all means do it. Just know in advance what your getting into.
#9
Rookie
Thread Starter
Keep in mind that the KDSS is going to be old on any 470. The price of repair on KDSS can be $3000 if it goes out. To me I would skip KDSS and just like it as is with out the KDSS. You know the KDSS is eventually going to fail. Do you really want to pay that bill? If the answer is Yes, KDSS and the cost of repair is worth it then by all means do it. Just know in advance what your getting into.
I myself have wondered how Lexus can possibly claim that KDSS never needs service. It's filled with hydraulic fluid, and while "sealed", is certainly not 100% oxygen impermeable. Meaning the system will inevitably pull in air and perhaps even absorb moisture as it ages. Both of which will eventually make most hydraulic systems operate poorly. I'm generalizing here and don't know everything about hydraulic fluids, but is this not typically the case?
Anyways, yeah, you're probably right. It might be time to move on and "settle'. Ha, as though buying a Lexus (used or otherwise) is settling!
No matter what, a non-KDSS is gonna drive magnificently compared to my FJ Cruiser. At least the few test drives I've done seem to indicate this.
#13
I paid $20K for a 2008 with 80K from original owner 10 days ago
#14
Rookie
Thread Starter
Truck has 83k on it so I imagine bushings and mounts could stand to be replaced regardless.
What do you think?
The following users liked this post:
detrouge (10-13-23)
#15
Driver School Candidate
First time poster, and already broke a rule by bringing this thread back from the dead. I have not seen enough threads on on-road handling improvements, so hopefully this will continue that.
mstrsltr,
You won't regret it and hope that you did end up getting that sport edition with KDSS. If so, please update us with your review of it. Also, we're you able to upgrade the bushings to poly? I have only seen them offered for non-KDSS. I would think at least the D shaped bushings would be a different size than the non-KDSS since your bar diameter will be larger. I have also not heard many instances of the KDSS breaking down.
I unfortunately rushed my research on my 2009 and did not get KDSS. I got poly bushings that I have not yet installed, but am currently researching to see if my swaybars are shared by any other vehicle platforms. I am verifying, and would appreciate any help, if the 4R bars are the same as Addco sells larger diameter versions for front and back.
mstrsltr,
You won't regret it and hope that you did end up getting that sport edition with KDSS. If so, please update us with your review of it. Also, we're you able to upgrade the bushings to poly? I have only seen them offered for non-KDSS. I would think at least the D shaped bushings would be a different size than the non-KDSS since your bar diameter will be larger. I have also not heard many instances of the KDSS breaking down.
I unfortunately rushed my research on my 2009 and did not get KDSS. I got poly bushings that I have not yet installed, but am currently researching to see if my swaybars are shared by any other vehicle platforms. I am verifying, and would appreciate any help, if the 4R bars are the same as Addco sells larger diameter versions for front and back.