2 inch Lift Kakadu - Losing Suspension Settings - Sport/Comfort

[Bawky Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bawky]

So from all posts on the subject I believe the lean is due to both adding additional weight to the front of the vehicle and raising the vehicle. Both of these issues change the relationship of the car height to the sway bars. Wouldn't the best way to actually fix the cause to be to modify the linkages length to the sway bars?

[Sydneydude Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sydneydude]

So from all posts on the subject I believe the lean is due to both adding additional weight to the front of the vehicle and raising the vehicle. Both of these issues change the relationship of the car height to the sway bars. Wouldn't the best way to actually fix the cause to be to modify the linkages length to the sway bars?

Nice thought. What would it actually look like? And does that mean there is no other fix to the lean? I could not find a drawing or anything like it. Wondering if soemthing is on those CDs / DVDs that could be had on Ebay ?? Also wondering how Mannell Motors managed the lean with their lifted Kakadu?

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

On the non KDSS models you can fit front sway bar spacers and extended links for the rear. However I am not sure how the KDSS bolts in and not sure fitting these will be a good idea necessarily. Rear maybe, front not so sure.

[Rogerthatv2 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Rogerthatv2]

Mannell replaced the front struts as well and from what I am led to believe by Giles's comments they fitted both washers in the rear and a strut spacer in the drivers side front.

They also fitted new springs front and rear? Kings have a spring for KDSS equipped vehicles to correct the lean.

[Bawky Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bawky]

I tried the Different length front springs by Kings and the lean was still there, even after having the KDSS bled and repressurised by Toyota.

To Date i Have tried OME front springs and that failed, King Springs, Failed , KDSS system bled and repressurised.

With the 2 different makes of springs tried i ended up with the passenger side 25mm higher then the drivers side.

So i am now back on the original tojo springs..and only a 4mm lean (which is how it comes from the factory).

Even Toyota was at a loss to explain why the King springs did not work, being as they were different length springs, at least Toyota did not charge me for the KDSS bleed and repressurising, as they could not fix the lean.

So it seems it works for some and not for others.

I don't know anyone that has had success, except adjusting rear airbags differently. This does not seem like a fix as I think this is fighting the KDSS. Who has had success and removed the lean?

[bfranzen Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bfranzen]

Guys - just a refresher of my experiences to date with one of my earlier posts.



Had the bilsteins/lovell combo on since Nov/Dec last year and love them. Bit firmer than stock on road but much more compliant off road. ride heights are unchanged since install at about 800mm all round.
when I load up the vehicle for a trip away the rear ends up lower than the front slightly but obvious to the naked eye. expect the same when I eventually tow a trailer. I have investigated the 2" replacement airbags from airbag man but have not done this yet. these will give me enough lift in the rear to load up and tow whilst keeping the nose down. on the KDSS lean issue, it come and goes to a max. of about 5mm towards the drivers side...depends on fuel load, slope of ground, park angle etc. 5mm however is not noticeable to the naked eye. have not braved the rear sensor trick as I feel this is only a short term solution...any gain in height doing the trick will reduce max. factory lift of bags on H setting. I use the H setting when off road so would prefer to have Max. lift then.

As with others I wish the KDSS issue was simpler but it is not. It is also difficult to find people who understand it because Toyota do not. Once I eventually replace the rear bags, it should be all sorted.

Doesn't matter what springs you use but YOU MUST use adjustable Bilstein struts to control the lean. THERE IS NO OTHER SOLUTION.

[Rogerthatv2 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Rogerthatv2]

I am sure that Michael Weare has also replaced the front springs, rear washers and has next to no lean.

[Sydneydude Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sydneydude]

REally appreciate the responses. Thinking, the best approach is the Bilsteins after all, as Bruce pointed out, still it seems like fighting the KDSS. Really a mystery the whole thing. As said before, Toyota confirmed the procedure as described here .... http://www.ironman4x4.com/pdfs/suspe...structions.pdf ... Still doesn't work as it's supposed to.

[alexchatz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alexchatz]

Melbourne Prado Point Members!
Opposit Lock in South Dandenong can now raise Kakadu's 2"inch. Which all the methods pretty much discussed above.
Front - replace spirngs and shocks/struts - loose sport/comfort settings - can chosse between adjustable or non-adjustable shocks
Rear - replace standard air bags with larger bags - and adjust sensors - can still raise/lower rear end.

Can also crack KDSS valve to readjust compression/lean etc after work has been completed.


All for the not bad price or around $2400 bucks! They are the FIRST people to actully understand what thee issues where and how to fix them i have found in melbourne! So i guess i am booking my Kakadu in soon unless someone can tell me otherwise!

[alexchatz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alexchatz]

For those in Melbourne/Vic who want to lift there Kakadu - PM me and i can give you more information about ESC etc. .

(May Also Apply in Other States as the Vic Road Guidelines are based on VSB 14 - which i also have both of in pdf format if you would like a copy.

I have emails between myself and Air Bag Man and so forth if you are concerned with meeting the Vic Road Guidlines or VSB 14 Guidelines

This goes for putting bigger wheels on your car as well.

[cano Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cano]

Hi there, I haven't had a chance to post this up in any of the sections or my own build up, however I've pretty much done what you're wanting to achieve replacing only the front springs and leaving the front Toyota struts and rear shocks and airbags in place. I did the work with ARB OME springs, but in unfortunately in general ARB won't do this work. It's only due to me knowing the owner of one of the local stores, he agreed to do this.

The reason I did this apart from the lift aspect was to negate the effect of the drop on the front end from the dual battery systems ARB bar, lights, etc.

Here's what we did :
- Replace Toyota springs up front with ARB/OME springs.
- Fool rear airbag sensors to raise rear.

All up have gotten at least 50mm lift all round from memory and the system still works as it did before with respect to the ride comfort and the height adjust.

We did have a bit of an issue with KDSS (which everyone does). When ARB replace the struts and springs completely they put a spacer/packer in the drivers side to offset KDSS (Toyota springs are different lengths - see other posts on this). Due to using the Toyota strut, apparently this couldn't be done. To get around this, ARB used 2 different part numbered springs (can look these up later). KDSS lean is pretty good but the passenger rear still sits up from time to time. No biggie when driving.

I did this in June and so far so good. I do want to revisit and have a bit of a look as I get a bit of a bump/clunk noise coming from the passenger rear at times going over sharp little speed bumps. Maybe something to do with the KDSS and the rear lift. Doesn't seem to happen offroad just yet.

Hope this is useful.

Cheers Michael

Hows the set up so far and what's the part numbers please

[cano Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cano]

Hi there, I haven't had a chance to post this up in any of the sections or my own build up, however I've pretty much done what you're wanting to achieve replacing only the front springs and leaving the front Toyota struts and rear shocks and airbags in place. I did the work with ARB OME springs, but in unfortunately in general ARB won't do this work. It's only due to me knowing the owner of one of the local stores, he agreed to do this.

The reason I did this apart from the lift aspect was to negate the effect of the drop on the front end from the dual battery systems ARB bar, lights, etc.

Here's what we did :
- Replace Toyota springs up front with ARB/OME springs.
- Fool rear airbag sensors to raise rear.

All up have gotten at least 50mm lift all round from memory and the system still works as it did before with respect to the ride comfort and the height adjust.

We did have a bit of an issue with KDSS (which everyone does). When ARB replace the struts and springs completely they put a spacer/packer in the drivers side to offset KDSS (Toyota springs are different lengths - see other posts on this). Due to using the Toyota strut, apparently this couldn't be done. To get around this, ARB used 2 different part numbered springs (can look these up later). KDSS lean is pretty good but the passenger rear still sits up from time to time. No biggie when driving.

I did this in June and so far so good. I do want to revisit and have a bit of a look as I get a bit of a bump/clunk noise coming from the passenger rear at times going over sharp little speed bumps. Maybe something to do with the KDSS and the rear lift. Doesn't seem to happen offroad just yet.

Hope this is useful.

Cheers Michael

Would love the part numbers please