KAKADU vs VX

[Wingman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wingman]

Hi all,

This is my first post. I've learned a lot from you all over the last 12 months so firstly a big thank you for the great stuff I see posted. Ok, i'm in a bind and need to know honest opinions.

1. I'm looking to buy a 2013 kakadu diesel but want to do pretty serious 4x4'ing. It's literally fully built already.
2. For the price I could get a good 2013 VX and just add the gear to it!!

I'm worried about the NON SUSPENSION UPGRADES on the KAKADU though? Getting passed the KDSS? I am hoping I could hear your thoughts on Kakadu vs VX. Thanks all.

ps - Once i've made the purchase i'll start my build blog here.! thanks all.

[Guest Close Guest]

The VX has KDSS too.
The Kakadu has rear locker standard.

Don't let a Kakadu detract you from upgrading its suspension.

[Wingman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wingman]

So you're saying you 'can' upgrade the suspension on the kakadu? My ARB dealer said that it's almost impossible due to the kdss system?

[Guest Close Guest]

Yes you can.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

It's not impossible, mine has new front springs while retaining the factory shocks. At the rear the air bag height sensors have been tweaked with the washer trick under the sensor mounts. I haven't swapped out the shocks/struts because I didn't want to lose the sport/comfort setting from the cabin, that all still works and I can still raise and lower the rear airbags using the cabin switch as well.

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

IMO the main off road benefit of a Kakadu over a VX is the crawl control technology. If that doesn't mean anything to you, then the VX makes more sense. I had an issue with sand in my 90 series, and with a Kakadu I'd not have had any. I could have selected sand and a speed and just steered straight out. If still stuck, then I'd have lowered the tyre pressures, but the Kakadu tech may remove lowering tyre pressures in lots of situations when sand is sporadic. If your going to tow a trailer etc., the Kakadu's levelling air springs ie adjustable height at the back is a benefit too.

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

It's not impossible, mine has new front springs while retaining the factory shocks.

So the springs are the same length? Why did you change?

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

So the springs are the same length? Why did you change?

No the front springs are KDSS specific units from Dobinsons (C59-726), they are different lengths. I changed because I have a bull bar, winch, and dual battery system upfront and with the factory springs it kept nosediving under brakes and wallowed like a boat. Changing the springs also gave me a nice lift.

[baz16 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close baz16]

Can I ask who you had do the work for you? I've got the same issue with the kakadu and have just sent the query to amts before I read this thread.

Ta

Justin

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Can I ask who you had do the work for you?

Was that directed at me Justin? If so, I had ############# do the work, he is a member on this site.

[baz16 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close baz16]

Thanks Fido it was!

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

No the front springs are KDSS specific units from Dobinsons (C59-726), they are different lengths. I changed because I have a bull bar, winch, and dual battery system upfront and with the factory springs it kept nosediving under brakes and wallowed like a boat. Changing the springs also gave me a nice lift.

OK ... I don't have a dual battery yet and only have a Toyota alloy bar, which I think does not add much weight because the plastic one itself isn't light.

But ... I don't know how the shockers could work properly, if the springs are longer, and you have lifted the car? Unless Toyota made shockers that were able to function on a longer spring? It surprises me that Toyota would build a shocker for a non factory spring ...

Am I missing something here?


On another issue ... I test drove a used petrol Kakadu - it had the cruise update - and its ride switch was very weird. It rode best over speed humps, with the switch on firm ... and on loose, the ride was poor on the speed humps. I am not sure if the software was corrupted, or the shockers had failed. The mileage was about 60k. Many reports also say the switch makes little difference, but on mine there's a big difference. And on speed humps, the soft setting is by far the least intrusive ride over a bump. The ride is incredible with the soft setting around town.

All a bit curious ... maybe they changed the calibrations or something later on? Mine was registered in March 2013 but was built in December 2012.