Lifted on King Coilovers - How to obtain more, safely?

[KennyArsen]

If a coilover (King) is rated for a 0-3" lift, 3" being 15 full turns of the collar (5 turns=1"). What could be the possible problems/issues of going with a couple more turns for .5" of more lift?

Since the 15 turn adjustment, the spring has settled quite a bit (lost some lift) & I have been left with MINOR front rake. Right after the adjustment was made it was a VERY firm ride, not so much anymore (happy about that).

Wondering if I should give it a couple more before getting my camber adjusted, alignment has already been done. I would prefer the front to be level or a tad higher than the rear. The Icon 2" springs have lost some firmness since install, but no noticeable height drop.

 

[Slow]

Are you on the OEM kit 550lb springs? If so preloading more will just be detrimental. You really should up the spring rate.

 

[Bourbonator]

You didn't mention whether or not you've taken care of it, but at that much lift, I'm pretty sure you need a diff drop..

If you're looking for even more (usable) lift, you might consider going long travel.

 

[KennyArsen]

Are you on the OEM kit 550lb springs? If so preloading more will just be detrimental imo. You really should up the spring rate.

I am on the King OEM replacement coilover (w/comp. adj.), although I am not positive what the spring rate is. I heard it was 650, maybe it is 550.

Upping the spring rate would provide a bit more lift, safely? I was under the impression that would only determine stiffness of ride quality/combat additional weight up front?

 

[Slow]

You didn't mention whether or not you've taken care of it, but at that much lift, I'm pretty sure you need a diff drop..

If you're looking for even more (usable) lift, you might consider going long travel.

A diff drop really should not be need at 3in or less lift

 

[Bourbonator]

A diff drop really should not be need at 3in or less lift

Hey man, they're his CVs, not ours. He may not need one, but not having one does increase the risk of damage, especially if he intends to stay at max lift, or go for even more lift. I'm sure you know some people who've gone years with 3" and had no problem without the diff drop. I bet there are others who only went a month or two before the boots wear out. If the OP decides to stay at 3" and not get a diff drop, I suggest that he keep an eye on his boots.

 

[Slow]

I am on the King OEM replacement coilover (w/comp. adj.), although I am not positive what the spring rate is. I heard it was 650, maybe it is 550.

Upping the spring rate would provide a bit more lift, safely? I was under the impression that would only determine stiffness of ride quality/combat additional weight up front?

Look at the coil it will say 3.14.*** last three will be the lb. if you are excessively preloading to achieve the 3in height you want then the rate is to low.

 

[KennyArsen]

A diff drop really should not be need at 3in or less lift

I do have the diff. drop kit, not installed yet. As stated in my 1st post of the thread, I went 15 full turns of the collar(s) which should be 3" according to King. The angle of my CVs is surprisingly straight/similar to stock height.

I will be installing the diff. drop regardless (peace of mind). I am just curious as to what could be the negative result(s) of going an extra 2.5-3 turns of the collar, which would equal out to 3.5"-3.75" per King.

I think I will give King a call today, run this idea by them and verify spring rate.

 

[Slow]

Hey man, they're his CVs, not ours. He may not need one, but not having one does increase the risk of damage, especially if he intends to stay at max lift, or go for even more lift. I'm sure you know some people who've gone years with 3" and had no problem without the diff drop. I bet there are others who only went a month or two before the boots wear out. If the OP decides to stay at 3" and not get a diff drop, I suggest that he keep an eye on his boots.

over 3in drop it.Under 3in meh

 

[KennyArsen]

Are you on the OEM kit 550lb springs? If so preloading more will just be detrimental imo. You really should up the spring rate.

Just looked and yes, it is the 550lb spring. So I need to step it up to a 650 to safely get 3" at their suggested 15 turns?

I appreciate everyone taking the time to chime in. I searched the forum and couldn't find anything directly related to a King being taken to a full 3+ a little.

Thanks all!

 

[SixthSnail]

You should be set with a higher spring rate. Definitely don't need a diff drop for a 3" lift. I know plenty of people with that much that are just fine.

 

[Slow]

Just looked and yes, it is the 550lb spring. So I need to step it up to a 650 to safely get 3" at their suggested 15 turns?

I appreciate everyone taking the time to chime in. I searched the forum and couldn't find anything directly related to a King being taken to a full 3+ a little.

Thanks all!

I have 650's on order with mine. You will not have to over preload them to stay at 3in which is detrimental to ride among other things. king shocks are not at stock ride height with no preload 15 turns sounds like you may be pushing over 3in of lift though.

 

[Jetboy]

Coil springs should be nearly linear in compression within their range of motion. A 550lb coil means that each 550lbs (or 225lbs at the spindle) will compress the spring 1 inch (2 inches at the spindle). More pre-load on the spring will mean higher static ride height obviously. If you have 550lb springs, a new 650lb spring rate spring of the same original length will give you a higher ride height. But, if the spring isn't the same original length it's all up in the air. What you need to make sure you know is whether the replacement springs are the same except for the spring rate. Not all springs are created equal. Adjusting your collars down for more height now probably won't be much different other than having a bit softer ride.

 

[Slow]

Coil springs should be nearly linear in compression within their range of motion. A 550lb coil means that each 550lbs (or 225lbs at the spindle) will compress the spring 1 inch (2 inches at the spindle). More pre-load on the spring will mean higher static ride height obviously. If you have 550lb springs, a new 650lb spring rate spring of the same original length will give you a higher ride height. But, if the spring isn't the same original length it's all up in the air. What you need to make sure you know is whether the replacement springs are the same except for the spring rate. Not all springs are created equal. Adjusting your collars down for more height now probably won't be much different other than having a bit softer ride.

He can get the same spring in 650. 3.14.650

 

[Jetboy]

Looks like you have a lot of options from King. 550, 600, 650, 700. Preload will determine ride height and spring rate will determine the firmness of the springs.

Just for the basic math with a 2:1 leverage, if you have 2500lbs on the front tires, 1,250 ea. that's 2,500lbs on each spring. With 550lb springs you'd have a static height at 4.55" below unloaded - so your static height will be 9.45" coil compressed length.

With a 600lb spring rate coil, you'd have 4.16" compression static, so the overall length is 9.84". At the same collar setting you have now you'd go up in ride height by .78".

With a 650lb spring rate coil you'll have 3.85" static compression. Overall length static compression is now 10.15". Same collar setting will now ride about 1.4" higher than your current height.

So... if you go with 650lb springs you could probably back off the collar by 1/2" or so on the threads and still gain about .5" of ride height lift.

 

[Slow]

Looks like you have a lot of options from King. 550, 600, 650, 700. Preload will determine ride height and spring rate will determine the firmness of the springs.

kind of a misleading statment because the 2 work together for ride height. But hey the rest of your post supports that lol.

 

[Jetboy]

kind of a misleading statment because the 2 work together for ride height. But hey the rest of your post supports that lol.

I guess that's true. Preload should not change the spring's influence on ride quality. A 550lb spring should deflect 1 inch with an additional 550lbs regardless of preload until it blocks. At any given ride height within its range of elastic motion it should compress similarly with the same force. The preload is used to set the ride height not change spring force.

So if you want the ride of a 550lb spring you're better off to move the collar down and add more preload to get your desired ride height, not buy a stiffer spring. Or you could buy a 16" 550lb coil set if the collar location bothers you or you worry about blocking the spring before you hit the bumpstops. If you want a stiffer spring, then buy a stiffer spring. Don't buy them to give you a higher ride height if you don't also want stiffer springs. You can have just about any ride height you want with any spring rate you want - within reason. You just need to figure out what is best for your application.

 

[Gabex35]

3.5" is way too high and will ruin that Plush ride. King recommends running them at 2.5" of lift.

 

[Slow]

I guess that's true. Preload should not change the spring's influence on ride quality. A 550lb spring should deflect 1 inch with an additional 550lbs regardless of preload until it blocks. At any given ride height within its range of elastic motion it should compress similarly with the same force. The preload is used to set the ride height not change spring force.

So if you want the ride of a 550lb spring you're better off to move the collar down and add more preload to get your desired ride height, not buy a stiffer spring. Or you could buy a 16" 550lb coil set if the collar location bothers you or you worry about blocking the spring before you hit the bumpstops. If you want a stiffer spring, then buy a stiffer spring. Don't buy them to give you a higher ride height if you don't also want stiffer springs. You can have just about any ride height you want with any spring rate you want - within reason. You just need to figure out what is best for your application.

while it is true that rate does not change the more preload you add does affect how the shock will react to initial bumps leading to it feeling firmer in most situations that are just initiating travel

 

[KennyArsen]

3.5" is way too high and will ruin that Plush ride. King recommends running them at 2.5" of lift.

I am not shooting for 3.5", I am shooting for 0 front rake. Have a 2" Icon spring in the read and am happy with the height back there. what I am really curious about is any possible issues that may come from lowering the collar too much.