Kakadu vs GXL - KDSS & CRAWL Benefits

[matt12 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close matt12]

Is there a noticeable offroad benefit for the Kakadu features of KDSS and CRAWL?

I would primarily use the 150 on sand and I am not sure if it worth paying the extra money for KDSS and CRAWL.

In the lower end of the market, the difference is about $10k.

[Guest Close Guest]

The KDSS is beneficial for body roll and articulation. It changes the characteristic of the swaybar such that during cornering, it keeps the Prado flatter, but during 4wdriving, it creates better articulation.

CRAWL is good for going downhill as the Prado is doing its best to maintain a safe speed using the brakes. On long hills it could prevent brake fade.

[matt12 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close matt12]

I know ... but my question was .... "Is there a noticeable offroad benefit for the Kakadu features of KDSS and CRAWL?"

If I am powering through some soft sand in a Kakadu Petrol vs GXL Petrol .... is there going to be a big difference? Or is it a 2% difference that might only save the day on a rare occasion?

[Samboz150 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Samboz150]

Yes.

No.

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

I cannot speak from experience about CRAWL but I would think it achieves nothing you can't do yourself. As for KDSS is, in my opinion, a very worthwhile addition but mostly on the road improving road manners.

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

Agree with Mjrandom.
Nice to have, but really how much would you use crawl to justify, once every 6 months? Me thinks, driver skills makes a much bigger difference here.
KDDS makes the suspension better, but if you do aftermarket anyway will you really notice a huge difference...
My bilstien / kings combo ride brilliantly and a lot less than 10K...
$10K is a lot of mods....
just my 2 cents

[matt12 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close matt12]

Hmm .. interesting thoughts.

a) So I am driving through the soft sand
b) I get stuck (probably unlikely anyway)
c) I turn on CRAWL (in the once in every 6 or 12 mths opportunity)
d) Perhaps, there is probably only small chance that CRAWL could get me out anyway. There is probably a good chance I would stuck with or without CRAWL.

I think you guys are right .. I should save the $10k!

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

That's the wrong attitude! Use the $10k on mods!!!!!

PS: I wanted to buy a VX around about this time last year but there were none in stock. Ordering meant no real discounts on price and while I wanted KDSS the $10k extra bought stuff I didn't want so I couldn't rationalise the $10k over the GXL. I could have bought a V6 (what?) Kakadu that was in stock for the same money as the VX but the Kaka held even less appeal to me. So a GXL with bits was the order.

[matt12 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close matt12]

I could have bought a V6 (what?)

what is wrong with the V6? It is going to be better in the sand with more kW, right?

[barajak Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close barajak]

what is wrong with the V6? It is going to be better in the sand with more kW, right?

Not really, you just get bogged quicker. There is probably plenty said on the differences between the motors and the benefits of each. To clarify with the diesel peak torque is in the normal driving rev range so you can use all it has often and without wringing it's neck, with the V6 the power figures given are at revs you will not normally use so these are not a realistic comparison at all.

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

Hmm .. interesting thoughts.

a) So I am driving through the soft sand
b) I get stuck (probably unlikely anyway)
c) I turn on CRAWL (in the once in every 6 or 12 mths opportunity)
d) Perhaps, there is probably only small chance that CRAWL could get me out anyway. There is probably a good chance I would stuck with or without CRAWL.

I think you guys are right .. I should save the $10k!

I might get flamed for this but in you scenario above, for (c), I bet if you drop you tyre pressure enough and use a set of maxtraxx for $300. IMHO it would be a lot more effective than CRAWL and save you $9700..... Even if you had to buy 2 sets of Maxtraxx.

But in the end it is what you are happy with.
I suggest you try going for a drive in both if you can.
Cheers

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

Hey don't get me wrong the V6 is a good engine and there is nothing wrong with petrol powered 4wds it's just that the way I drive is better suited to a diesel, low speed and easy does it relying on the engine torque. A few members on here have petrol Prados and they go plenty of places. Of the six vehicles at home (17 if you count bicycles and kayaks )only one has spark plugs. Though all are forced air fed.

[DSS150 Find all posts View Profile Close DSS150]

IMO Crawl is of no benefit for sand driving.

Proper driving techniques and correct tyre pressure, then Tracks if you get stuck.

Don't know if you have seen this?

[matt12 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close matt12]

Not really, you just get bogged quicker. There is probably plenty said on the differences between the motors and the benefits of each. To clarify with the diesel peak torque is in the normal driving rev range so you can use all it has often and without wringing it's neck, with the V6 the power figures given are at revs you will not normally use so these are not a realistic comparison at all.

In this thread, there are comments that the petrol is better in sand ...
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...v-Diesel/page3

[matt12 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close matt12]

IMO Crawl is of no benefit for sand driving.

Proper driving techniques and correct tyre pressure, then Tracks if you get stuck.

Don't know if you have seen this?

What about this ...

youtu.be/7m55WQBrHgc