King OEM Shocks for Daily Driver? (no crawling/offroad)

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Joined
Jul 21, 2021
Threads
4
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25
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
Would King OEM Performance Shocks be overkill for a daily driver FZJ80? I'm not looking for any lift and if need be, less than 1.75" would be ideal. I'm planning on a set up for the smoothest ride possible for long range trips.
 
Check real availability, versus clicking on a website's Buy button. Lead times are getting longer and longer due to pent up covid demand...

Smoothest ride - stock suspension? Stock vehicle weight? Expectations in terms of handling, types of roads/tracks?

cheers,
george.
 
Check real availability, versus clicking on a website's Buy button. Lead times are getting longer and longer due to pent up covid demand...

Smoothest ride - stock suspension? Stock vehicle weight? Expectations in terms of handling, types of roads/tracks?

cheers,
george.
Not too worried about timing, mainly interstate driving. Completely stock Land Cruiser.
 
Many would say to just buy a set of new Toyota shocks. Cheap and clearly have lasted many years already in your vehicle (assuming they are still stock).

Check the coils to see if they are overly sagged and thus causing the suspension to bottom out on the bump stops when you hit bigger bumps.

Timing... Well, King has >6 month delays on some of their stuff...

cheers,
george.
 
The 2.5" King would be overkill for your application.
Any premium emulsion shock will give you a better ride than stock (Fox, Billstein, etc) and can be revolved for ride preference but will only cost $125 each corner, compared to $600 a comer with the Kings. Talk to the Guys at either Filthy motorsports or Downsouth motorsports. BTW, I do run the Kings but I run my truck hard on remote forest roads all over New England and need the extra performance of a remote rez shock.
 
Many would say to just buy a set of new Toyota shocks. Cheap and clearly have lasted many years already in your vehicle (assuming they are still stock).

Check the coils to see if they are overly sagged and thus causing the suspension to bottom out on the bump stops when you hit bigger bumps.

Timing... Well, King has >6 month delays on some of their stuff...

cheers,
george.
I believe it's currently on at least 2" OME springs and Rancho shocks. I will most likely return to OEM for the best ride for now.
 
Bilstein or Dobinsons monotube are what I was looking at when I was thinking I'd stay stock height with my cruiser. Both have solid reputation, and not stupidly spendy.
Tokico OEM are also a good option if you're at stock height. Possibly available through Partsouq etc

I'm going to add 2" lift and modify shock mounts, so Bilsteins are out due to available lengths. Will probably use dobinsons
 
What is the smoothest riding shock in 2025 ? I have ranch xl’s and they are ok with e loaded tires. Considering getting kings but they are $2500 ish …
 
What is the smoothest riding shock in 2025 ? I have ranch xl’s and they are ok with e loaded tires. Considering getting kings but they are $2500 ish …
Rancho XLs and E-load tires are about a stiff a ride as you can get without buying adjustable shocks and cranking them to 10. Look at stanadard emulsion Dobinson and go to C-load range tire and it will you will experience a MUCH smoother ride.
 
OEM Tokicos, Bilstein 5100s and low load rated tires. Kings you're wasting your money, plus not sure how often the mileage rebuilds are, or if they also "need" a rebuild after a fixed time as well.
 
I have some experience with different shocks on the 80 over the years. Here is my take.

For daily you cannot beat the stock OEM shocks in terms of its the low speed damping which offers very good body motion control. The high speed on the OEM shocks is just ok and will let some harshness through. It is a great value shock.

Old Man Emu nitrocharger sport gives a very firm feel almost sporty like if you are unladen.

OME BP51 by pass shock is great shocks if you are looking for a plush almost floaty ride on the street. On road holding is slightly compromised for off road comfort.
 
My daily stock set up is Dobinson stock height coils and Tokico shocks which net me 1" on 285s AT. Choose Tokico (OEM) because Toyota knows what they are doing......Can't complain.

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My daily stock set up is Dobinson stock height coils and Tokico shocks which net me 1" on 285s AT. Choose Tokico (OEM) because Toyota knows what they are doing......Can't complain.

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What are your hub to flare measurements on those coils? Are you running any bumpers/winch? Any photos you can share?
 
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All stock. 21" from middle of hub to lower fender'-both ftont & rear. 285s is the sweet spot to daily eith. Doesn't rob you power and can still do light trails.

My other 80 is purposely built for exploring. Roughly 2" lift with 20 and 15 mm pucks to get 2.5" 315s with 4.88 to anticipate for future 37s with trimming.

Be careful once modding one thing, all of sudden you want more HP, 37s, bigger lift, CV axles, big brake kits, armor/bumpers, winch.......NEVER ends.

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Another alternate if you're looking for stock(ish) height shocks that I have not seen anyone talk about are the Koni Heavy Track shocks. Or their beefier set, the Heavy Track Raid. These are twon-tube oil dampers, but are not gas-charged. The Raids do have adjustable rebound. I've paired the Raid shocks with a set of OME standard height HD springs. Ride is firm-ish, but not jarring when empty.
 
Terrain Tamer "smart coils" now has a warehouse in CA. Formally Valley-hybrid.
Made in Australia!
 
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