King coilover preload

I picked up a pair of King coilovers (25001-151-EXT) and they came set with ~11 threads showing. That seems like a lot of preload to me. Curious how much preload (threads) other people are running on their 1st gens with the Kings.

 

If they are new (looks like it) they should be set at the factory for a specific amount of lift (1.5, I think). How much lift you get out of that is more determined by your truck and accessories. I can see you have a v6, so the heavier of the two motors. Do you have a front bumper, winch, rock sliders, etc... Even then, when I replaced my worn out coils, I had to back off the preload a ton to get back to the 1.5" of lift I was after. You're not gonna know where you sit until you're all buttoned up and you measure (hopefully you took some before measurements).

 

You're correct -- they are new, and I do have the v6, with stock bumper.. no winch/steel bumper yet.

Unfortunately, I didn't get good before measurements. These are replacing a worn set of old sway-a-way racerunners, and I had the original OEM coilovers on the last week while I was waiting for the Kings to arrive. That's why I'm curious about the preload setting - I don't have a good reference point.

 

What rate are the springs?

 

600lbs

 

Drive it and see how it feels. If it's rough just dial them back 2 turns and repeat.

 

You're fine. Just get them on there, and then just them to your liking. As you've had adjustable shocks in the past, I probably don't need to say this, but for completeness sake- just make sure you loosen the lock bolts on the collar before trying to adjust them.

 

Since I did coilovers and UCAs - I'm planning to get an alignment today or tomorrow. Will backing off the coilovers throw off the alignment (assuming I need to drive/test/adjust before alignment)?

 

haha - yea, I had to give the driver side 1 turn to level it; made sure to loosen/tighten to lock bolt on the collar. Thanks for the reminder

 

It will but nothing noticeable enough to affect tire wear or driveability.