LandCruiser 200 Series KDSS: Adjusting and Levelling Guide

What is KDSS, and why does it matter when lifting?

KDSS is Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, which Toyota also calls a hydro-mechanical semi-active anti-roll bar. It uses a hydraulic system to control the sway bars, and that system is opened and closed with two levelling valves in a valve housing under the vehicle.

To remove and fit springs or struts, you have to open the system first so the sway bar ends can move freely. Afterwards it has to be closed again in the right way and with the vehicle in the right position, so the vehicle sits level.

Tools you'll need

• 2-post chassis hoistSo the wheels can hang freely
• 5mm hex keyTo open and close the levelling valves
• Floor standTo support the sway bar link (TRC4308 fitment)
• Torque wrenchTo tighten fasteners to spec

Finding the KDSS valve housing

The valve housing sits on the left-hand side of the vehicle, on the inside of the chassis rail, about halfway between the front and rear. It has two levelling valves, and you reach them from underneath the housing.

Use this when replacing springs or struts on a KDSS-equipped LandCruiser 200 Series or Lexus LX.

1. Lift the vehicle on a 2-post chassis hoist so the wheels hang freely.
2. Find the KDSS valve housing on the inside of the left-hand chassis rail (Figure 01).
3. From underneath the housing, use a 5mm hex key to turn both levelling valves 3 full turns anti-clockwise.
4. The system is now open. The sway bar ends should move freely with little effort, so you can remove and fit the springs or struts.
5. Do not drive the vehicle at this stage. The valves are still open.
6. With the vehicle back on level ground, turn both levelling valves clockwise to close them, then tighten.

Use this to level the vehicle by fitting the SuperPro TRC4308 KDSS sway bar link.

Release the system and fit the link

1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist so the wheels droop, and take a moment to get familiar with where everything is.
2. Find the KDSS valve housing and open both levelling valves with 3 turns anti-clockwise (Figure 01). On newer models the valves may have standard bolt heads.
3. Support the existing extended sway bar link with a floor stand (Figure 02).
4. On the fixed link at the opposite position, find the 2 chassis mount bolts and remove them (Figure 03).
5. Carefully lower the floor stand until the sway bar rests loosely.
6. Remove the factory arm and fit the SuperPro TRC4308 in its place.
7. Refit the chassis mount and securely tighten all of the fasteners involved. Remove the floor stand and lower the vehicle to ride height.

Re-level the KDSS system

1. Using the hoist, raise only the driver's side of the vehicle until the driver's side wheels are at full droop.
2. Carefully turn both KDSS levelling valves clockwise until they are finger tight.
3. Lower the vehicle back to ride height and torque the fasteners to the values in the table below.
4. Re-torque all fasteners after 1000 km.

Torque specifications

Use these values for the sway bar link fasteners when you fit the SuperPro TRC4308 in Scenario 2 above.

Use this when adding a 20mm coil spacer to a ReadyStrut on a KDSS-equipped LandCruiser 200 Series or Lexus LX. If you're fitting ReadyStruts with KDSS offset springs, follow Scenario 4 instead.

The hydraulic system has to be released before the sway bar can be reconnected:

1. Fit the ReadyStrut with the 20mm coil spacer to the right-hand side of the vehicle.
2. Lift the vehicle on a 2-post chassis hoist so the wheels hang freely.
3. Find the KDSS valve housing on the inside of the left-hand chassis rail (Figure 01).
4. From underneath the housing, use a 5mm hex key to turn both levelling valves 3 full turns anti-clockwise.
5. The system is now open and the sway bar ends should move freely, so you can reconnect the sway bar.
6. Do not drive the vehicle at this stage. The valves are still open.
7. With the vehicle back on level ground, turn both levelling valves clockwise to close them, then tighten.

Use this when fitting ReadyStruts built with KDSS offset springs to a KDSS-equipped LandCruiser 200 Series or Lexus LX.

1. Lift the vehicle on a 2-post chassis hoist so the wheels hang freely.
2. Find the KDSS valve housing on the inside of the left-hand chassis rail (Figure 01).
3. From underneath the housing, use a 5mm hex key to turn both levelling valves 3 full turns anti-clockwise.
4. The system is now open and the sway bar ends should move freely, so you can remove the old struts and fit the ReadyStruts.
5. Check the side marking on each spring and fit each ReadyStrut on the matching side of the vehicle.
6. Do not drive the vehicle at this stage. The valves are still open.
7. With the vehicle back on level ground, turn both levelling valves clockwise to close them, then tighten.

Related parts

TRC4308KDSS sway bar link, used to level the vehicle (Scenario 2).View part→ SPF3281-201KFits on the right-hand front of KDSS vehicles. Vehicles with E-KDSS need a system reset after fitting.View part→ 91017-BBracket required for Formula 4x4 F4R fitment only.View part→Coming soon