Long Travel BS Thread

I want to believe @Arcticelf but my understanding is the same as Shane's lol.

I know valving plays a huge role and that's one thing I need to get done asap.

Then I guess I should ask, what spring rate are people running on +2 kits (valving aside). Sliders, bumper, skids...Currently on 700lb and again, aside from valving it feels just too stiff. I know there's so much that goes into it, even including the angle of the shocks, etc. Picked up 16" 600lb springs but have been thinking over and over after reading about being "too soft" with them

 

Spring rate does have some effect on ride quality, but much less than valving.

I have heard 2 rules of thumb for picking spring rate and I don’t know which one is better.

1. Choose the lightest spring rate and add preload to get the desired ride height. The lighter spring rate forces the valving to do more of the work in controlling wheel movement.

2. Choose the heaviest spring rate with minimal preload to achieve the desired ride height. The higher spring rate will help the valving control wheel movement at least on compression, but give less control on rebound.

I feel option 1 with lighter spring rates is better for those running bypasses as you have 2 shocks and much more tunability in controlling wheel motion.

Option 2 may be better for those winning a single Coilover and really trying to still push their trucks hard through rough terrain. The additional spring rate will help fight compression and valving could be adjusted accordingly to limit its effects on rebound.




This said I am moderately weighted down with a +3.5” kit and 700lb springs with a single Coilover. The truck feels “harsh” on some smaller chatter, but blows through front travel when taking bigger hits. Medium hits and chatter it handle fine. Made some changes the last time shocks were apart that started us in the right direction and will be making more changes soon to help it out more since bypasses are over a year or more away for me.

 

My guess is since my 2.5x8's feel extremely stiff, and taking a guess that the valving is the reason, I can compensate by dropping to a 600# and not be overly soft.

I'll be doing bypasses next year hopefully so keeping the lighter spring rate should be fine. I guess we'll find out, worst it comes to is me having 3 sets of springs lol.

 

You can always try to sell them when you figure out which ones you want to keep.

Key thing with lighter spring rate is not adding too much preload and running into coil bind.

 

Very true, that's my only worry. I've snapped a coil before and it wasn't fun hahah!

The hard thing is finding people with a similar +2 setup since most people have shocks that were spec'd for their kit. My 2.5x8's are just standard. Oh my regrets of not going with something from TC.

 

Most “spec’d“ shocks from what I’ve seen are very minimally adjusted from standard. Usually just adding a flutter or something.

 

Very true - I was talking with King today how they only make small adjustments but enough to see a difference.

@Evenflow you're running 600lb springs right? How are they?

 

You’re not helping your argument.

 

The whole "linear" portion of the spring description helps pretty well though.

 

Not if you know what that means and apply that to the real definition of preload.

 

IMO 600’s are perfect w/ full skids, bumper and winch

 

Roger, thank you for getting back.

I meant to ask you - Do you have rod extensions on your Kings? I couldn't clear tie rod with the standard ones, had to buy 2" extensions.

Ignore how the tie rod extension is setup right now.

 

no bypasses

 

if you look close you can see that i do not have an extended rod end but i have the extended lower coil seat

 

Got it I can see it, thanks!

 

To add to your question.
4wd or 2wd?. What type skids?. Engine cage or not ?roll cage or not.? Weight different is key. Just to simplify things we all have different set ups for the most part.

 

4WD, all three skids aluminum back to tcase, sliders, roof rack, bumper, winch, no cage, full interior, dynamat, bunch o’ speakers, 1 missing bulb in the dome light, truck is 12 yrs old so the clear coat has been worn pretty thin and I usually don’t shit until around 5am at the job site so add a cup of tea and a breakfast burrito if it’s a pre dawn weigh in...

 

Mmmmmmmm breakfast burrito.

 

Lol. The burrito had me in stiches.

 

I lol’d so hard at this