Anyone got Kings KTFR-101HD springs fitted?

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

As per the thread title, does anyone have the Kings KTFR-101HD springs fitted, preferably with Bilstein shocks?

I'm looking at getting these springs and am interested in getting some confirmations re the ride quality with an ARB bar, winch and dual battery fitted, as well as getting an idea of the ride height - hopefully somewhere around the 800mm mark with Bilsteins on the middle circlip.

Anyone able to help?

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

W2G, please enlighten us.. are you not happy with this combo? I am interested as I have the same Prado, Sahara Bar & same winch on board and am looking at the same combo setup as have many other members.

Edit:Sorry WTG, Just read another thread (Grande Airbag Retaining,,,) and realized that you presently have standard height springs not the raised. Now I'm just interested in what others have to say like yourself and although I'm sure from what I have read and heard elsewhere that it'll all be positive....

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

Craig,

I've fixed the wording in the original post to clarify that I'm looking to install these springs. Sorry for the confusion....

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

I have the Bilstein - Kings combo but the springs i fitted are the standard raised not HD. Also have the usual - ARB, winch, second battery and found the front lift of 40mm with the spring on the lowest clip. Rear was 50. Our previous Prado had the OME HD setup and was just too stiff. The uptravel was limited and on rough roads, the front would jump up and get airborn after going through dips in the road. When i got the new car fitted the Bils and Kings, drove the same roads at the same speed and no air.
As for load carring we also have the Trailblazer, tools, extra water in the back and the non HDF springs hold up OK. Have travelled back from the Cape on the Laura - Maytown track towing the camper and no issues.
A while ago i started a thread for Lift-Vs-Articulation-Vs-Load-Carrying (see attached)
We did like the ride improvement of the softer springs and can still carry the same weight (almost).
Good luck.
Rusty.

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-Load-Carrying

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

A;lso interested in the response! (For the front anyways) as my bilstein, easy rider combo is sagging worse than nannas fun bags after the bar, dual battery, winch etc etc.

[Peterpilot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Peterpilot]

MLC, what Ridepro front spring did you have fitted, ZC7300 or ZC7302? Was the circlip on the Bilstein strut set to the bottom or middle position?

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

MLC, what Ridepro front spring did you have fitted, ZC7300 or ZC7302? Was the circlip on the Bilstein strut set to the bottom or middle position?

Not sure, where do I check, BUT the clip is set on the highest ie no 3 not 2 or 1. Its The autocraft's usually recommended springs I believe.

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

I have the Bilstein - Kings combo but the springs i fitted are the standard raised not HD. Also have the usual - ARB, winch, second battery and found the front lift of 40mm with the spring on the lowest clip.

With the 40mm lift on the lowest clip, what is your actual rim to guard measurement?

I emailed Kings yesterday to query ride height with the HDs and the extra weight at the front - they provide figures from the hub to the guard (HTG) and quoted 570mm.

Based on the rim width (it's actually closer to 18" when measured, as it covers quite a lot of the tyre bead), that would give me 805mm from rim to guard.

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

W2G. Just measured the front - 780mm from bottom of rim to gaurd. The rear is 810 with 90 lts fuel left. I have 20l water and storeage system frame but no fridge.

Rusty

[double_d69 Member Find all posts View Profile Close double_d69]

I think you will find the HD springs a bit hard in the front. I used to run billies with SD Kings on the lowest circlip with bull bar and dual batt and it was fine.. Had about 800mm. Once I installed the winch I moved the circlip to the highest setting which was not comfitable at all due the the preload. I was sitting at 820mm and had almost no down travel left which is not recommended. I still wanted the 820mm ride height so I put in the ICON's (non HD) which are extended travel and light racing UCAs which gives me 80mm droop still. I still run HD Kings in the rear with 20mm spacers due to my drawers and fridge in the back... Rear sits at 850mm. Very comfitable, mainly because I run remote res SRC shockies with 30 stage adjustment ;P

So in summary, you don't need HD in the front, but perhaps in the rear but you should consider an adjustable shock incase it's too rough... My billies were to rough with the HD Kings in the rear.

Double_D

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Seriously
I find nothing more confusing than, suspensionlifts, springs, droop, sag, HD,SD and anything else to do with giving my Grande the best lift without compromising cornering under speed and general handling. IT IS A TOTAL HEADF$%K. I just want someone to say buy these springs for a firm ride setting with my bilstein's on the first or second clip position (NOT top) and you will have minimum sag in your front end, decent performing and good looking clearance.

Am I asking too much? Suspension was one of my first mods and ironocally will be my last after the bash plates go in. I don't want to spend money on 500 attempts to get the right springs...... By the way, what is a droop measurement when it comes to suspension (as opposed to anything else)

BTW Double _D, you have some serious looking suspension travel. Damn shame I have the Grande or I would just copy yours!

[Guest Close Guest]

This is how droop is measured:
1. Measure distance from bottom of rim to wheel arch on flat level ground.
2. Jack up at the chassis until tyre is off the ground and take another measurement at the same spot.

Droop = 2nd measurement - 1st measurement.

[Peterpilot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Peterpilot]

As far as the circlip position on the Bilstein strut is concerned, I visited the Bilstein distributor today and had a look at a Bilstein BE5-A712 strut and discovered:

1: The bottom circlip position is the standard height position which equates to the same distance from spring seat to bottom suspension mount as a Toyota strut.
2: Each circlip groove is spaced 7mm apart which should equate to about 14mm lift per groove or 28mm from bottom to top position.
3: Bilstein quoted me 552mm as the open length of the strut, I measured the strut and confirmed.

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

I think you will find the HD springs a bit hard in the front. I used to run billies with SD Kings on the lowest circlip with bull bar and dual batt and it was fine.. Had about 800mm. Once I installed the winch I moved the circlip to the highest setting which was not comfitable at all due the the preload. I was sitting at 820mm

So, going by the above, with winch, ARB bar and dual battery and the Bilsteins on the middle circlip position I should still be sitting around the 795-800 mark even on the non-HD springs.

So in summary, you don't need HD in the front, but perhaps in the rear but you should consider an adjustable shock incase it's too rough... My billies were to rough with the HD Kings in the rear.

Rear is not an issue as it's a Grande - already running the Bilsteins, just need to reset the rear a bit higher.

[Peterpilot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Peterpilot]

I believe the Tough Dog TDC974H is the same specification coil as Kings KTFR-101HD because Kings Springs manufacture the TDC974H coils for Tough Dog. Marc (1coolbanana) has Tough Dog TDC974H coils fitted to his Grande with Tough Dog adjustable shocks and has reported 790mm with ARB bar, so IMHO with either the KTFR-101HD or TDC974H you should get 800mm at the middle circlip position on the Bilstein, even with a winch.