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Coilover differences

Discussion in 'Long Travel Suspension' started by KENNY, Jul 20, 2021.

  1. Jul 20, 2021 at 3:19 PM
    #1
    KENNY

    KENNY [OP] New Member

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    I was curious if anyone had any real knowledge on the differences between a set of KING extended coilovers and LT ones.. I mean I know they are different, but what exactly? I imagine LT coilovers being able to compress more, but are the shafts, coils etc interchangeable to make this do-able?
     
  2. Jul 20, 2021 at 3:28 PM
    #2
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    No first hand experience with the King's, but typically with stock travel vs LT they're fundamentally the same, but longer (assuming you're getting the same diameter). Longer travel means different body and shaft length, potentially different bottom spring perch, obviously different internal valving, etc. You can't really convert a non LT coilover to a LT one since you're swapping out most everything. The coils could be reused, but you'll most likely need a different spring for the increased travel and different tuning.

    Now if you're going to a suspension that requires fabrication, your shock will probably get simpler since you don't need the complexities of mounting to the coil bucket and other things but still not worth reusing a stock travel shock.
     
  3. Jul 20, 2021 at 4:43 PM
    #3
    C.I.

    C.I. Surf, off road, sleep, repeat

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    No such thing as LT shocks, but of course, longer shocks mean more available suspension travel, but not USABLE wheel travel.

    Basically non extended are like 6.9" of travel while EXT are 7.6" which translates to about 1 more inch of travel at the wheel (proper UCA's needed), this of course means the body and shaft are also longer. As snivilous explained, internally they're the same, however if you were to put an EXT shock shaft on a regular one, you're looking at severe damage before the bumpstop does its job, those extra 0.7" of shaft would have nowhere to go but up, likely going into the cap.
    Springs? EXT's are longer and using those in a shorter shock could cause binding at full compression. That being said, any King 2.5 can share all of it's internals with another King shock... just not IBP :p
    Valving and spring rate are 100% customizable regardless of which shocks you choose, this is what makes or breaks a setup.


    Typically you can run EXT coilovers on an LT kit and call it a day, but a full 8" is more desirable.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2021
    KENNY[QUOTED][OP] and snivilous like this.
  4. Jul 20, 2021 at 8:34 PM
    #4
    KENNY

    KENNY [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the replies guys :cheers:. I'm really trying to find out the difference between the EXT KINGS i am running now, and what is advertised as an 8" LT fitting coilover from them. Is it something as simple as a half inch of valving and internal rubber stops, or are the bodies and everything different?
     
  5. Jul 20, 2021 at 8:47 PM
    #5
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    I don’t know the differences. But here is a pic of my TC spec King LT coilovers for comparison.
    504F3836-BD21-4925-BBA7-74AC3ECA747D.jpg
     
  6. Jul 20, 2021 at 8:53 PM
    #6
    KENNY

    KENNY [OP] New Member

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    So by that picture I can tell that the coil on there looks shorter than the regular EXT ones
     
  7. Jul 20, 2021 at 8:53 PM
    #7
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    To keep it simple the ones for use with long travel are... longer. Longer body, longer shaft.
     
  8. Jul 20, 2021 at 8:59 PM
    #8
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    Don’t know. It is a 16” length coil spring, but bigger diameter, 3.5” iirc.. Had to change it out for smaller 3.0” coil springs due to interference with RCV axles.
     
  9. Jul 21, 2021 at 7:29 AM
    #9
    C.I.

    C.I. Surf, off road, sleep, repeat

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    The physical difference is the bottom end of the shock. "OEM" replacement shocks have coil buckets that are rised about ~1.5" above the bottom eyelet/rod end. This is so the bucket does not hit the lower arm when at full droop. Stock mounts are recessed into the arm while LT kits mount shocks on top of it so clearance is not an issue.

    LT spec may have different valving (if anyone can confirm). Vizsla's picture is evidence that the coil bucket sits right on top of the eyelet and it's not raised.
     
  10. May 6, 2022 at 8:51 AM
    #10
    Peeeheeuuu

    Peeeheeuuu New Member

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    do you have the parts list and possibly part numbers for the spring swap? I have the same setup, I also have rcv axles and I'm a bit worried that I'll be running into the same issues. Parts list and part numbers would be helpful. Thanks
     
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