2-2.5" AHC Lift Using King Coils & Shock Spacers

[wildsmith]

I think it has been posted before but I have notes from a previous 100 build with the following for the AHC

FRONT OPEN = 465mm

FRONT CLOSED = 320mm

REAR OPEN = 615mm

REAR CLOSED = 395mm

 

[PADDO]

I also thought these numbers had been published somewhere - front stroke is 145mm, rear is 220mm. Front actuator stroked volume is ~200cc and rear is ~175cc.
Rear coils are approx. 95 lbs/in, free lengths of 445mm (PS) and 460mm (DS) and wire diameter of 12.1mm and 12.3mm (including paint). Torsion bars measure 25.3mm including paint.
Edit: ^ for North America spec

 

[JayM]

Hi DirtDawg, Nice write up with pics. Have you had any luck further dialing in the set up? Seemed like lower shock mounts might have been an issue? Final thoughts on best lift height in regards to maintain a nice ride? Do you think the rear spring rate should be lower? Did your alignment specs change much? I know, I'm full of questions...J

 

[DirtDawg]

Hi DirtDawg, Nice write up with pics.
Have you had any luck further dialing in the set up?
I have this set up about dialed in as I am going to get it without replacing some parts. My rear globes are not in the best shape, so over certain surfaces I have a slight bouncing motion in the rear. I also believe my lower shock mounts on all my "shocks" are blown. I know the front ones are toast, because of certain steering/ride characteristics and because I visually inspected them. I believe the pressure "happy point" for everyone's rigs is different.

Seemed like lower shock mounts might have been an issue?
Yes, mentioned above.

Final thoughts on best lift height in regards to maintain a nice ride?
20.5"-21" in the front, 21.5"-22.5" in the rear maintaining at least a 1" rake. I prefer a 1.5" rake. This gives me the best handling and steering.

Do you think the rear spring rate should be lower?
No, I absolutely LOVE the king springs. I think they are hands down the best mod you can do to an AHC equipped rig. They are definitely firmer than stock, but still very comfortable. And the extra weight handling is nice. By far the best improvement to my system.

Did your alignment specs change much?
When lifting, your toe should only be the main changing factor, but be sure they do a proper alignment from 0. I have been using a cheap alignment shop (rhymes with dibdon) and have not had one good alignment yet from them. Going back one more time, hopefully they can get it right. As much castor as you can get.

I know, I'm full of questions...J

Ask as many as you want, I want this thread to be an informative database for those looking to lift their AHC equipped rig.

Answers above in red.

 

[JayM]

Thanks for the reply. Great info for the AHC challenged vehicles!

 

[winegamd]

Are the king springs longer than the AHC? I really wish someone made something similar to the slinky's with rates more accommodating for AHC.

 

[DirtDawg]

Are the king springs longer than the AHC? I really wish someone made something similar to the slinky's with rates more accommodating for AHC.

I didn't compare heights, but the King coils had one extra wrap. Slinky are a dual rate coil that has a high rate and a low rate section, I'm not sure a dual-rate would work well with the AHC system. If you need extended length out of the King coils you can always use a spacer.

 

[Ramathorn15]

If I remember correctly, the King's were an inch or two taller than stock. I'm stock height and only have a drawer system in the back and my Kings feel pretty great. I know once I get a rear bumper with swingouts its going to be damn close to stock feeling. I might still have some room to lift a bit too depending on my pressures.

 

[syche]

I believe it is actually the other way arround, the king are shorter but with higher spring rate

 

[brandon12777]

I'm going to try the same thing but I really want to get some OME springs for the rear maybe 866s and front torsion bars. The biggest thing I'm wondering is after lifting will I be able to get the AHC pressures high enough or will the springs not allow it.

Also I'm curious on the rear AHC spacers they look like they might bind at the lower shock mount. ( I already ordered a set either way)

 

[DirtDawg]

I'm going to try the same thing but I really want to get some OME springs for the rear maybe 866s and front torsion bars. The biggest thing I'm wondering is after lifting will I be able to get the AHC pressures high enough or will the springs not allow it.

Also I'm curious on the rear AHC spacers they look like they might bind at the lower shock mount. ( I already ordered a set either way)

My rear AHC spacers look like that because my lower bushing is shot. If your bushings are in better shape I'm sure they will hold their shape better.

 

[BillZ260]

I should have taken a pic of the King's next to Stock last week when I had them sitting next to each other, they seemed to be almost identical in length. I'm still working on my desired height, I'll settle on it once I get my wheels/tires.

 

[DirtDawg]

I should have taken a pic of the King's next to Stock last week when I had them sitting next to each other, they seemed to be almost identical in length. I'm still working on my desired height, I'll settle on it once I get my wheels/tires.

I observed the same thing with my kings, almost the same length as stock. The higher spring rate is definitely noticeable once you start fiddling with your pressures though!

 

[ntsaint]

@DirtDawg can you elaborate on the above? I'm (finally) about to install mine. Right now rear pressures are out of spec, it's overloaded. I'm hoping the stiffer Kings will bring it back into spec. Should that be the case?

 

[REZARF]

Looks great. I really dig a beefy lifted truck with a classy "L" on the front. Keep on being awesome.

 

[DirtDawg]

@DirtDawg can you elaborate on the above? I'm (finally) about to install mine. Right now rear pressures are out of spec, it's overloaded. I'm hoping the stiffer Kings will bring it back into spec. Should that be the case?

Yes. Not only do they act like a new spring, but the spring rate is higher. Meaning the springs can handle extra weight better. At stock height your pressures will be low, which others have described as riding fine. And at about 1.5" of lift I'm sitting in stock nuetral pressure range.

The coils will also help handle extra weight better on road trips.

 

[ntsaint]

awesome. I'm also at about 1.5" AHC lift. And it dips into low occasionally while offroad. Hope this does the trick.

 

[ntsaint]

King Springs and 30MM trim packer in tonight. Did not do the shock extensions.

Made a huge difference in AHC pressure.

Before

After

 

[bamabrock]

Did the king springs stiffen the rear a noticeable amount?

 

[ntsaint]

No. My ride is actually MUCH improved. However, i was way out of spec before the springs with everything i have bolted on.

I would assume using these on a non-armored truck would result in a stiffer ride.