King Coilover Owners and 3 inch lift

[assassin]

I was wondering if it was possible to have 3 inches of lift up front with these coilovers and not ride harsh.

King recommends 2.5 inches of lift but I was thinking about running a winch and bumper in a couple of years and was planning on putting them at 3 inches in the front and so the 4runner will run level now and then have factory rake when the weight is added later in the front.

 

[MTN4RNR]

I was wondering if it was possible to have 3 inches of lift up front with these coilovers and not ride harsh.

King recommends 2.5 inches of lift but I was thinking about running a winch and bumper in a couple of years and was planning on putting them at 3 inches in the front and so the 4runner will run level now and then have factory rake when the weight is added later in the front.

General consensus for lifts (especially with adjustable coil overs) is not to tune it for gear that you don't have unless it's a VERY short time until you install. Get springs and set your preload for the weight that you currently have. You will thank yourself later on. Then when you add your winch and bumper, you can swap out for heavier springs that will match your actual added weight with little to no preload.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I must disagree with the general consensus.

My Icon's came with 700lb springs and I installed them with around 3" of lift with a stock front end. Rode fine for me.

But you don't need to set them at 3" from the get-go, you can adjust them on the truck relatively easily. I think even the Kings you can adjust on your truck, the Icon collar is a little different. But you can set them at 2" of lift for now, then when you get your bumper bump them up to whatever you want. Takes 30 minutes each side in your driveway.

 

[MTN4RNR]

I must disagree with the general consensus.

My Icon's came with 700lb springs and I installed them with around 3" of lift with a stock front end. Rode fine for me.

But you don't need to set them at 3" from the get-go, you can adjust them on the truck relatively easily. I think even the Kings you can adjust on your truck, the Icon collar is a little different. But you can set them at 2" of lift for now, then when you get your bumper bump them up to whatever you want. Takes 30 minutes each side in your driveway.

My point was more that setting your spring rate for 200+ pounds of equipment that you don't have will likely give you a harsh ride. What your definition of a harsh ride may vary, but you're better off waiting to upgrade spring rates (especially if it's going to be a few years) to avoid the possibility of a harsh ride.

King recommends that the shocks be removed and the coils compressed to make adjustments to the collar, otherwise you risk marring the threads under tension. Some people will reduce collar tension on their Kings a few turns without removing, but adding preload isn't recommended.

 

[assassin]

My point was more that setting your spring rate for 200+ pounds of equipment that you don't have will likely give you a harsh ride. What your definition of a harsh ride may vary, but you're better off waiting to upgrade spring rates (especially if it's going to be a few years) to avoid the possibility of a harsh ride.

King recommends that the shocks be removed and the coils compressed to make adjustments to the collar, otherwise you risk marring the threads under tension. Some people will reduce collar tension on their Kings a few turns without removing, but adding preload isn't recommended.

Thanks for the input Max, I think I will do that set it on the "high side" of preload so I'll set mine to 10 threads off the truck. Then install on truck see how it goes then reduce the preload.

 

[Inv4drZm]

My point was more that setting your spring rate for 200+ pounds of equipment that you don't have will likely give you a harsh ride. What your definition of a harsh ride may vary, but you're better off waiting to upgrade spring rates (especially if it's going to be a few years) to avoid the possibility of a harsh ride.

King recommends that the shocks be removed and the coils compressed to make adjustments to the collar, otherwise you risk marring the threads under tension. Some people will reduce collar tension on their Kings a few turns without removing, but adding preload isn't recommended.

I've just did some reading...

Adjusting a coilover is the same principal as stacking a spacer on your rear springs. It won't really change the ride quality unless you're drooping all the way out and hitting the limit. Basically the collar is only a ride-height adjuster.

The coilover spring will compress the same amount at ride height (if the load is kept the same) whether the collar is adjusted up or down.

So you can adjust the ride height after adding a bumper but it won't be the same ride quality as swapping to the correct spring rate.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Thanks for the input Max, I think I will do that set it on the "high side" of preload so I'll set mine to 10 threads off the truck. Then install on truck see how it goes then reduce the preload.

You need to have a plan to hold the shocks while you spin the collar. On the truck is easier in this regard and if you jack the front tire off the ground, the shock is at it's extended length too.

 

[assassin]

I've just did some reading...

Adjusting a coilover is the same principal as stacking a spacer on your rear springs. It won't really change the ride quality unless you're drooping all the way out and hitting the limit. Basically the collar is only a ride-height adjuster.

The coilover spring will compress the same amount at ride height (if the load is kept the same) whether the collar is adjusted up or down.

So you can adjust the ride height after adding a bumper but it won't be the same ride quality as swapping to the correct spring rate.

Thanks! Good to hear so ride quality will be affected by either spring rate or if I add weight to the vehicle.

According the filthy motorsports they recommend me running the lightest spring since I am at stock weight.

Is the 2.5 inch lift (gain from center hub to fender) recommendation by king for travel purposes then? When people talk about running too much preload and the ride being chopping this is probably do to them "drooping and hitting the limit" then correct?

 

[Inv4drZm]

Thanks! Good to hear so ride quality will be affected by either spring rate or if I add weight to the vehicle.

According the filthy motorsports they recommend me running the lightest spring since I am at stock weight.

Is the 2.5 inch lift (gain from center hub to fender) recommendation by king for travel purposes then? When people talk about running too much preload and the ride being chopping this is probably do to them "drooping and hitting the limit" then correct?

I'm not entirely sure of their reasoning but that's what I think. Also, the lower and upper control arms are more vertical with more lift so I think they technically transmit more force to the frame instead of that force being transmitted through the shock as if the control arms where completely horizontal (If the control arms were in-line with the shock the shock wouldn't be doing anything). So that may have a little to do with it in theory but I have no idea what it means in practice with our trucks.

Roughly 3" of downtravel and 7" of uptravel isn't an ideal ratio as far as general performance is concerned but it won't be terrible on the street.

 

[mrblah]

I'd compromise and get 600 to 650 ft/lb sprigs and be done with it.

 

[mrblah]

Thanks! Good to hear so ride quality will be affected by either spring rate or if I add weight to the vehicle.

According the filthy motorsports they recommend me running the lightest spring since I am at stock weight.

Is the 2.5 inch lift (gain from center hub to fender) recommendation by king for travel purposes then? When people talk about running too much preload and the ride being chopping this is probably do to them "drooping and hitting the limit" then correct?

ride being choppy can be two different things...... If the spring rate is high for the truck, the ride will be firm. If the spring rate is too soft for your truck, your ride will be bouncy (like weird jello like bounce after bumps).

2.5 inch lift is probably recommended for maximum downward travel, and best ride quality, and I would have to agree. The higher I went, the firmer the ride got, and I lost downward travel. I wouldn't call my ride harsh, its more like firm...... So basically its a lose/lose scenario the higher you go, but sometimes, you need that clearance. On the road, it doesn't really matter. Offload, it might matter depending on what you plan on doing.... I don't rock crawl or do high speed mogul runs, so I don't get myself in situations where I want maximum down travel.... So it doesn't matter to me as much...

 

[a_double]

I have a similar question. How many collar turns from fully backed off to get 2.5" of lift with 550# springs on a stock 2020 TRD ORP?

According to King, 5 turns will get me there.