Do adjustable coil overs compensate for spring rate?

[mgreezy]

I’m looking to purchase a lift kit for my 2017 TRD ORP with KDSS. I have a 2.5/1.5 Daystar spacer lift, however my rear springs seem to have settled a bit. I also regularly carry 100-200 lbs of additional weight in the back.

Toytec recommended their Aluma 2.0 3” lift with SPC UCA’s.

I’m interested in the King Suspension with adjustable coil overs so I can fine tune the ride quality. I know that spring weight will ultimately determine the ride feel, but will the adjustable coil overs offer some level of adjustment?


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[socomanche]

I’m looking to purchase a lift kit for my 2017 TRD ORP with KDSS. I have a 2.5/1.5 Daystar spacer lift, however my rear springs seem to have settled a bit. I also regularly carry 100-200 lbs of additional weight in the back.

Toytec recommended their Aluma 2.0 3” lift with SPC UCA’s.

I’m interested in the King Suspension with adjustable coil overs so I can fine tune the ride quality. I know that spring weight will ultimately determine the ride feel, but will the adjustable coil overs offer some level of adjustment?


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The adjustable coilovers will allow for adjustment of ride quality and lift height. Adjusting to add lift height essentially adds pre-load to your coils, and will probably reduce ride quality. I would recommend getting the coilover / spring combo that most closely matches your weight support needs and your desired lift height as that will allow you to not have to use unnecessary preload adjustment to get the lift height / weight support you need.

For me, I started out with some Freedom Offroad coilovers up front that claim adjustability from 2.5" - 5" inches. At the time, I didn't have a good understanding of coil spring rate and coil height. Along with the coilovers, I installed an artec industries front bumper and winch. I had to add a crap load of pre-load via the coilover adjustment to get the lift height I wanted with the weight of the bumper and winch. I never got a clear answer of what the coil spring rate is on the coils, but they weren't meant for extra weight. I ended up getting some used 3" lift 700# King Coils on Craigslist, and replacing the original freedom offroad coils with these. What a difference. They didn't require nearly as much pre-load to get the lift and the ride is much better. I would recommend the full King setup if you're already considering it.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Adjustable coilovers work on basically the same principle as adding spacers to your rear springs. They will not change the spring rate, they will only change the static ride height.

 

[08TxRunner]

Adjusting to add lift height essentially adds pre-load to your coils

They do NOT add "preload." Nor does any other kind of spacer.

 

[TEujunga]

Ah, the "pre-load" myth rears its ugly head again. I tried waging a campaign to try to stamp out the "pre-load" myth a few years ago but was overwhelmed by the tide of ignorance and unshakable misconceptions, so I gave it up.

To answer the OP's question, on a T4R, adjustable coil-overs provide for fine tuning of ride height, not ride quality -- the spring rate remains the same no matter where the coil-overs are set. All else being equal, a higher ride height often results in a stiffer ride not because of "pre-load" on the spring, but because of the resulting change in suspension geometry.

 

[08TxRunner]

I can't believe this keeps coming up...

 

[mgreezy]

After reading this post, I should have clarified that I was referring the adjustable dampers. [emoji2359]


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