Hey guys,

To keep it short, I've been researching a lot lately on an upcoming upgrade from my current Bilstein 6112/5160 shock combo. I'm specifically looking at going KING with adjusters all around, but can't really understand my rear shock situation.

With 3" ICON Overland coils + SSO rear bumper, I'm sitting at ~2.5" lift at rear end unloaded.

Had a quick chat with Ben from filthymotorsports who suggested that 'standard' KING rear shocks were designed for only up to ~1.5" lift, and I would definitely need a customized (extended) shock for my setup and have to extend the factory bumpstops.
They asked for figures at full droop, and would build them from there and tell me how much of a bumpstop extension would be needed..

Here's what I don't get:
My current Bilstein 5160 shock, #25-227611:
Collapsed Length (IN): 14.83
Extended Length (IN): 23.5

KING rear shock #25001-279A
Compressed length: 15.58
Extended length: 24.29

From the last rear coil install, I recall we had to lift the axle by ~0.5" to fit the shock lower bolt.. So KINGS (should) fare better being ~0.79" longer than the 5160s

Going by figures above for compressed length, I can see how the KINGS could need at least something like a 3/4" to 1" bumpstop extension due to them being taller..

So what am I missing here? Is it a good idea to give the salesman the extra $$ for a custom length setup? Or would the standard ones work??

Any help here would be appreciated!

My rear end has cali fab linkages and im in the process of trying to long travel the rear. I too have ICON 3 inch coils and on the way SSO bumper.

Me and Ben have been talking a couple weeks now and I was finally able to get some measurements of my axle at droop and based off of that and knowing kings wouldn't be perfect at 3 inches, Ive made the choice to get custom kings built by him.

By not going custom kings, stock, my rear end would be limited by 2.5 inches in down travel.

Don't most people wanting more lift with kings just run the Tundra rear?

My suggestion is to let the shop you are planning on ordering your shocks from do the measurements. King Shocks will build anything you want but there is zero sympathy from them when it comes to custom shock measurements if they don't work out for you the way you thought they would.

I have built 2 really nice MT travel trucks and two LT trucks using King shocks. They have great customer service if you know exactly what you need.

What droop figures u got on cali fab linkages vs stock? I imagine you had to extend the stock bumpstops by quite a bit too..

Would love to be able to do this.

However I wouldn't trust the KING distributor here in Kuwait with swapping the cabin air filter correctly, let alone measure and customize a pair of shocks...

I posted a picture of my custom rear King LT rear shocks in my build thread (order tab is pictuered with measurements and order number). You could use that if you want. They are good in both directions but you do need to have your bumps set with extensions to keep from bottoming out the shocks.

I previously had installed the toytec 2 inch drop.

My measurements at full droop, have not done extended brake lines yet or upper linkages but have CaliFab track bar and lower links with hiem joints, were 27 inches from middle of bottom shock mount to top mount. I sent pictures and Ben gave me the measurements.

Going with Tundra shocks is an option (bushings have to be swapped) but with Kings customization there's really no reason not to just have them built for you.

Wow didn't see your location. I like the suggestion below from bimrunner. If you have the exact spring, bump, setup you might get away with copying measurements but if any part of your setup is different ex. spring rate, aftermarket bump stops etc your taking the risk of building custom shocks that won't work.

not sure if this is too late but look at metaltech 4x4 they have done the legwork already and have developed a whole long travel kit for the rear of the 4r. You can use radflo or icon shocks that have been customized longer for the progressive springs.

My Kings were designed to work with the MT LT setup but you'll have to copy my order if you want Kings. MT doesn't publish their spec'd Icon and Radflo shocks. They make you order from them to get them (icon/radflo).

Your coils probably won't work with LT. They will fall out.

You need to decide what you want in terms of travel and what type of wheeling you do. The downside of a full LT rear is you have to lose some up travel and extend the bump stops. A shock cannot be built that will extend to 29" and compress to 14... not to mention your tire will be in the fenders when articulated anyway with that much travel.

Something in the middle may be better if you like high speed desert type stuff. For rock crawling and trails, the LT approach cannot be beat. But you will need springs that can extend that long. About a 19.25 free length.