King Shocks Performance Kit

[offroadjunkie]

I recently purchased a 2009 Sierra SLT and was wondering if anyone has anyone tried the King shocks performance kit? It switches the front end to an adjustable coilover that will add 2"-3.5" of lift and will clear 33" tires. Everything I've read about the kit sounds great and it even increases wheel travel. I'm hoping to hear from someone who has used this kit before I purchase it. For more info, I found it here: http://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-139517-k...up-4wd-2wd.html

[Clint Z]

King makes excellent coilovers. I do not have any on my truck now, but on my rock buggy I run a set up front. They are costly thats for sure

[offroadjunkie]

King makes excellent coilovers. I do not have any on my truck now, but on my rock buggy I run a set up front. They are costly thats for sure

 

 

Yeah, I've been in to offroad racing for a while now and that's the only thing we run on all of our cars and trucks. That's why I was so excited to find this kit which from what I understand, was a new product at this years SEMA show.

[Matt_]

how do they add travel and how much do they add? (upper control arms hit the metal stops at 3-3.5" of travel.)

 

do they lower the diff? does it come with new control arms with better balljoints?

 

i cant see the link on my phone

[blackout07]

how do they add travel and how much do they add? (upper control arms hit the metal stops at 3-3.5" of travel.)

 

do they lower the diff? does it come with new control arms with better balljoints?

 

i cant see the link on my phone

 

 

No Matt, the kit simply consists of coilovers.

 

Nice quote from the site:

"Kit will provide up to 2.5"-3.0" inches of Lift without CV issues"

 

 

3" is definately pushing it on the CV's...and for $1400 they can keep it!

[Matt_]

how do they add travel and how much do they add? (upper control arms hit the metal stops at 3-3.5" of travel.)

 

do they lower the diff? does it come with new control arms with better balljoints?

 

i cant see the link on my phone

 

 

No Matt, the kit simply consists of coilovers.

 

Nice quote from the site:

"Kit will provide up to 2.5"-3.0" inches of Lift without CV issues"

 

 

3" is definately pushing it on the CV's...and for $1400 they can keep it!

 

 

damnit you ruined it for me. I was looking forward to hearing about how just having coilovers will extend travel, fix CV angles, maintain longevity of balljoints, tie rods and other steering components... and all for the super low cost of $1400

 

I love coilovers just as much as the next guy... but anyone who believes ANY of those claims by King really needs a lesson on suspension systems. The ONLY thing they may actually do for SOME trucks is get another 1/2" of down travel (some trucks will bottom out on the droop stops and i've seen others hover 1/16" above the droop stops... might be different coil bodies that come with different models...).

 

For $1400... go buy a real suspension lift kit that will retain factory suspension geometry. I also prefer a knuckle system (the new ones do not increase track width by 3" like those horrible old systems do!)... by increasing the distance between the balljoints via the knuckle, you're effectively decreasing the loads on the joints which in turn help extend their life.

 

Here's a coilover system I like... and if they weren't $900 id already have a set ordered for when i do my 1-1.5" increase up front: http://www.cstsuspension.com/products/sfID...7/productID/424

(NOTE that CST knows what they're talking about... they state 0-2" of increased ride height.. there's a reason for that!

 

[Kevlar]

I have been looking at these King's and CST's for a month now. From what I have gathered from Kings info is the gain of 1 inch in travel, triple bypass valves, with adjustability of ride height. If that is even all that impressive.... I'm not sure its $1400 impressive but it is what it is. King claims they have rigorously tested the system on the model. Now King is a pretty respectable company for suspension, far more respectable than Pro-comp, Skyjacker, Rancho, Rize etc. I mean really its King or Fox shocks that are bolted on 1/2 million plus dollar trophy trucks.

 

I concluded if I can afford $1400 front coils and $800 rear matching King piggybacks then what's a few CV joints every 45,000mi if it's even a problem. It least the suspension might be higher performance.

 

I recently read and article about GM 1/2 ton truck suspension stating that GM spent millions to develop the current front suspension and its over all durability and safety. I'm pretty sure no aftermarket company cares about overall durability, defiantly not safety, just performance, or "it fits 35s" and well lets face it all a classic 6 inch lift kit does is add 6 inches with no added performance, kind of like adding air to your condom. Big pleaser

[bce303]

I have this set up on my truck with the piggyback for the rear. All I have to say is don't bash this setup unless you have driven in a truck equipped with it. It handles like a sports car an swallows up rough terrain with ease. Do not go over 3" with this. Any more and your cv's will be at too much of an angle unless you fab some spacers for the transfer case. Yes it is expensive but it gives me the performance I want. You will also need new uca's with a uniball, I went with the bms, you can also get total chaos uca's. You need uca's, you can't install without them.

[Matt_]

no one is bashing the performance of the shocks. they are very high quality and im sure perform at one of the highest levels in the indusrty.

 

what we dont like however is people who claim they get over 3" of increased ride height and retain another 3-4" of suspension droop.... this is not geometrically possible, regardless of how high performing the coilover is. Dropping the diff and new UCA that are arched to clear the droop stops help, but the lower balljoints and tie rods can only go so far.

 

If someone was willing to spend the money and wanted to level their truck with these instead of the 2" RC kit, there's nothing wrong with that....hell i would LOVE to have a set... primarily for the coilover ride height and resi shock adjustability to dial in the perfect ride height and damping ratio.

 

just dont pretend that you have a high performing long travel suspension setup just by installing coilovers and a new UCA... it takes a bit more than that.

[bce303]

Never claimed it was long travel, nor that it was an extra 3-4" of droop. Of course you need to change more than just the uca's and coilovers for a true long travel suspension...lower control arm, new hubs..etc quite a few components. However, it is much higher performance than the stock components with a leveling kit. Completely changes the handling characteristics of the truck.

[Matt_]

yeah man, sorry i wasnt saying that you personally have made that claim.... others have though and thats why matt and i responded like we did back in the day.

 

the ride characteristics of a vehicle are directly related to the shock/spring design (as well as other things too), so it would follow that a high performance combo like the fox coilovers with resi's would make a notable improvement. no argument there

 

and if you ever sell your truck... ill be glad to take those coilovers off your hands

[bce303]

I will keep you in mind...I just didnt want you to think I was like the other clowns claiming impossible things from this setup. BTW the new wheels look great!

[sic lsx]

i went to a huge off road shop here im Louisana skijacker shop off I-20 and they wouldnt even sell me a 2.5" kit. They said yeah u can get away with it but your on due time. So i got a 2" kit

[Kevlar]

Well Matt ,Trailbleaker, you guys pretty much hit the nail on the head, I also would love to have a set of the king front coils and rear piggys, but i just cant do the $$$ on my new truck with 800 mi on it. maybe after the sticker shock wears off and a good break in ill cough up the money for nice kings.....

[Dilbert]

Hey guys i noticed your talking about king shocks and stuff. Would anyone be able to tell me what size king shock I would need for a 6" fabtech lift kit? I was thinking 8" or 10" of travel. Just not sure which one I should get