4x4 Action Group

Posted: **Sun Feb 10, 2019 11:21 am**

I’d heard of this before but never paid much attention to how it worked exactly.

The system is actually incredibly simple & must prove to be a huge benefit offroad.

How it works is that when any wheel drops down, it disconnects the swaybar for that wheel, so that articulation is increased. Brilliantly simple.

The Rubicon has an electronic swaybar disconnect but the KDSS suspension is applicable to vehicles with independent suspension.

So the question I have is why doesn’t every independent suspension vehicle that claims to be a proper 4x4 have it as standard?

https://youtu.be/bb7B6h_CNyU

Posted: **Sun Feb 10, 2019 3:39 pm**

Cost... XJJ...

It's hard to say exactly, but it seems it would add about R30k to the cost of a Hilux or Fortuner...

Posted: **Sun Feb 10, 2019 6:06 pm**

I’m really struggling to understand this “wheel articulation” concept. Can someone please explain it to me?

Posted: **Sun Feb 10, 2019 6:55 pm**

Sadly only available in the Prado VX and 200 VX.

The system allows for 100mm extra travel. Doesn’t sound like much

Posted: **Sun Feb 10, 2019 8:19 pm**

Mike Nel wrote:
The system allows for 100mm extra travel. Doesn’t sound like much

100mm is 4 inches. Yet guys spend big bucks on a lift kit for half of that extra height.

Posted: **Sun Feb 10, 2019 8:20 pm**

Mad Manny wrote:Cost... XJJ...

It's hard to say exactly, but it seems it would add about R30k to the cost of a Hilux or Fortuner...

I doubt it would cost as much as a lift kit.

Posted: **Sun Feb 10, 2019 8:23 pm**

XJ Junkie wrote: ↑
Sun Feb 10, 2019 8:19 pm

Mike Nel wrote:
The system allows for 100mm extra travel. Doesn’t sound like much
100mm is 4 inches. Yet guys spend big bucks on a lift kit for half of that extra height.

This is true

Posted: **Sun Feb 10, 2019 10:12 pm**

Mike Nel wrote: ↑
Sun Feb 10, 2019 6:55 pm
Sadly only available in the Prado VX and 200 VX.

The system allows for 100mm extra travel. Doesn’t sound like much

Only Jeeps need more - even 75mm is more than enough...

Posted: **Mon Feb 11, 2019 8:28 am**

XJ Junkie wrote: ↑
Sun Feb 10, 2019 11:21 am

I’d heard of this before but never paid much attention to how it worked exactly.

The system is actually incredibly simple & must prove to be a huge benefit offroad.

How it works is that when any wheel drops down, it disconnects the swaybar for that wheel, so that articulation is increased. Brilliantly simple.

The Rubicon has an electronic swaybar disconnect but the KDSS suspension is applicable to vehicles with independent suspension.

So the question I have is why doesn’t every independent suspension vehicle that claims to be a proper 4x4 have it as standard?

https://youtu.be/bb7B6h_CNyU

Neil, it does not disconnect the swaybar for any wheel at any time - it disables the anti-roll bar (sway bar) system hydraulically, allowing the wheels to drop further. Brilliant concept.

Articulation will still be restricted by the length of the shocks and wishbones though and it will work better with a live rear axle than with full IS. I'm not sure if the LC in the video has full IS, but the schematic shows a vehicle with a live rear axle, which is the one that actually flexes.

Posted: **Mon Feb 11, 2019 9:16 am**

So we have Thys and Neil giving thumbs up to something out of a Toyota.
Is the world about to end?

Posted: **Mon Feb 11, 2019 9:40 am**

Ja Mike!!!! I must admit that it was not easy .........................

Posted: **Mon Feb 11, 2019 9:43 am**

While I like the thinking behind the system, I think it is overly complicated - a simple disconnect system like the Rubi will have the same effect and even better, normal quick disconnects (the manual type) is even better, cheaper and will be more reliable.

Posted: **Mon Feb 11, 2019 11:19 am**

[quote="ThysleRoux"

Neil, it does not disconnect the swaybar for any wheel at any time - it disables the anti-roll bar (sway bar) system hydraulically, allowing the wheels to drop furthe.[/quote]

That’s what I said. Although if there’s a solid axle then it won’t be able to disconnect individually. But it does happen with this IS system

Posted: **Mon Feb 11, 2019 11:21 am**

The Rubi can stay disconnected up to a certain speed/parameters, whereas this system only disengages the swaybar momentarily, which is wise.

Posted: **Mon Feb 11, 2019 12:00 pm**

XJ Junkie wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 11, 2019 11:19 am

ThysleRoux wrote:
Neil, it does not disconnect the swaybar for any wheel at any time - it disables the anti-roll bar (sway bar) system hydraulically, allowing the wheels to drop further.
That’s what I said. Although if there’s a solid axle then it won’t be able to disconnect individually. That but it does happen with IS.

The Rubi can stay disconnected up to a certain speed/parameters, whereas this system only disengages the swaybar momentarily, which is wise.

Neil, the KDSS is either "ON" (swaybars connected for on-road use) or "OFF" (swaybars disconnected for offroad use) and disconnects both the front (IFS) and rear (LIVE/SOLID axle) sway bars simultaneously. It does not automatically decide when extra articulation is required and then only disconnects that wheel.

The additional articulation is mostly derived at rear (LIVE/SOLID) axle.

See the narrative in the pics out of the video: