Want to get rid of Kings for a softer/smoother ride

We have a lot of details on comparing those two here: https://accutuneoffroad.com/fox-vs-king-oem-coilovers/

We usually recommend Fox over King due to their quality of parts being used. Makes them last longer. They also have a 2.0 rear option which may be fine for your truck. The 2.0 shock would allow for a much softer/smoother ride.

 

285/70R17 Cooper AT3 with Icon Rebound rims. From the factory wheels I increased 3lbs per rim/tire. I have all the sidewall, lol.

Airlift as well. I have the daystar cradles so they're floating. That is a valid point with the internal jounce bumpers. Maybe I'll put my gopro back there and see if that's the cause. Good call!

 

Ditch the air bags and any spacer lift you got in the rear because Kings ( or any shock brand for that matter) is not providing you any lift in your rear. Get a proper leafpack from Deaver, Alcan, ARB, Dobinson etc to provide your lift...

 

I'm not after a lift in the rear. The Kings are setup to be level up front and the rear has no spacers, shackles, etc. The bags were there for towing and hauling. Seeing that the Deaver F85 and Icon AAL will raise the rear up a little isn't something I'm after, but if the ride is greatly improved then it's worth a shot.

What I will do is see of any of them make springs for no lift but progressive rates. I think that would be up my alley.

 

The stock leaf pack sucks for ride. Once you replace the pack it make a huge difference but all usually have 2in lift. Your ride will be way more planted

 

Do you still have the parts you removed to install the kings? If so throw those back on and see if the ride softens up. That will at least help you know if your leaf packs are to blame. While you're on the old shocks get your Kings set up.

I say this because leaf packs are nothing but compromise. Want a soft ride? Say goodbye to payload. Want to keep that payload and have a soft ride? Say hello to 3" of lift, and it still will buck when not loaded. Ordering leaf packs takes a sure mind and isn't cheap. Plus of you change your mind on them theyre hard to sell unless you get lucky enough to find a local buyer who wants them.

 

I do not. When stationed down in Miami I gave them to a subordinate who needed new ones for his older Tundra.

 

Oh I see, I read the part about giving older stuff away but wasn't sure if that was the original parts.

 

I have some nice almost new sport shocks and struts. Send me those kings and I’ll send you mine .
Have you looked at the Falcons? Some people talk a lot about those.

 

I'm running King 2.5.s with reservoirs and adjusters with 700lb coils and Alcan leafs with Coachbuilder Plus 3 Shackles, my ride is smooth as silk. Really planted on road and great off. I also have about 300 lb additional weight on the front with bumper, winch and lights. Before the bumper the front was pretty rough.

 

Ditch the load e tires, ditch the air bags or get daystar cradles, and get custom accutuned fox 2.5s.

I'm running 37s Load D's @ 32 psi and my accutuned fox 2.5s ride better than my 1st gen raptor.

 

Trade for TRD Pro Fox shocks in the mean time?

 

Trade ya my bilsteins Fer ya kings

 

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. My plans going forward are to swap out the E rated tires for D rated Toyo tires in my size (287/70R17). I'm going to try the add a leafs and I'm going to pull my Airlift setup as I think this my be the culprit. If it is, I'll see about either getting the Firestone bags and/or getting leaf springs custom made (although I don't carry anything in the bed on a daily basis, may do a cap eventually).

Thanks again for all the suggestions and advice. It's greatly appreciated.

 

2Tall if you're ever in the Fort Bragg/Fayetteville NC area, hit me up. I owe you some beers/drinks and dinner.

Pulled the Airlift bags @ the recommendation of 2Tall. Smooth as butter. I guess I hadn't really run the Kings without the bags since I got them around the same time. The bags are on a shelf in the garage and will probably be tossed. Now to find some bump stops for the ones that I cut.

 

Glad I could help you out bud! Check out Duro Bumps or Wheelers Off-road for bump stops that are an upgrade from stock.

 

I had load E coopers and the ride was horrible, even with the stock suspension. I switched them out for Bridgestone revo 3 load E and the difference is significant. I would like load range C or D eventually, but it’s clear that tire manufacturer/quality makes a big difference.

I have kings also, front is fine but rear isn’t. I already put on coach builder shackles, minimal improvement. I have a deaver mini pack in the garage waiting to go on. No reason to get rid of the kings, just have them valved for what you want. One day I plan to take them apart and try valving them myself.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. In truth, my ride has vastly improved by removing the Airlift bags. The internal jounce bumper is wht was causing the harsh ride. Since removing them, I have no complaints at all.