Standard vs Extended travel Kings, Fox, Icon

I'm having some trouble finding information about the differences between standard and extended travel shocks. I've found some brand new standard travel fox 2.5s on craigslist for cheap and was wondering if they could be adapted to extend the travel? I think I remember it was just the difference of removing a spacer?

Also do these Kings from Headstrong come in an extended version? I've only seen the Fox and Icons in extended versions, but these Kings are cheaper than I've seen them anywhere else, and I know they and the Foxes are pretty comparable.

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p277/King_OEM_Performance_Series_2.5"_Coilover.html

Again, if it's simple to change the shocks from standard to extended, and something I could potentially do on my own then maybe it's worth the savings? But if I need to get my new shocks tuned anyway that could be worth it as well?

What are all your thoughts? I'm going for a mid travel setup up front and eventually plan for an under-bed shock relocate in the rear and some newer leafs to get the most flex out of it. If anyone has recommendations for rear setups I would love to hear about those options as well.

Here's a pic of the truck for good measure:

 

I would imagine the shaft is longer and possibly the body. You will need uca like total chaos to run the extended travel. Kings do come in both varieties and that would be my pick. As for the rear I would do a U bolt flip relocate the shocks and build a new x member as close to the bed floor as possible

 

When you have them rebuilt they can be converted to extended travel.

 

So there is no difference if I were to buy the standard kings from headstrong offroad for $990 vs paying $1234 for extended at wheelers or downsouth if I'm just going to have them rebuilt anyway? Thereby paying more for the same thing if I go extended from those places?

I plan on buying camburg UCAs as well since they're cheaper than the tc's by a bit, and do my lbjs, otre, and rack bushings before the install.

I am leaning towards the kings mainly from the rapport they get on here and elsewhere, although apparently the fox shock bodies and shafts are made of a better material?

 

The ext travel Kings I got have 1" extra down travel.

I've never heard of anyone converting from standard to extended travel. Might be possible, but you'd have to be getting a damn good deal on the shocks for it to be worth it, because I can imagine it would have to be done at the factory, and that is likely to be expensive.

 

When I got my Kings (ext travel) from DSM, they didn't have the Camburgs, and didn't have any idea when they would come in so I ended up with the TC ucas. I think I paid $9 something for the Kings. price has since gone up I guess.

I also did BJs, rack bushings, LCA bushings, TREs and a few other odds and ends. Truck felt like new (better than new, with the Kings!).

 

That sounds great! Yeah that's my goal, get it as close to factory steering feel as possible (with much improved offroad ability of course).

It is really a bummer that everyone has seemingly raised their prices, I guess demand isn't what it was. Do you recommend downsouth as a vendor? Does the "lifted application" mean extended travel for the kings? And how does their valving work? They do it in house based on what you want?

 

The valving was set from the factory (I just got them "off the shelf"), and I'm so far really happy with it. Went out with a friend with a nearly identical truck, I gave him my old coils with 5100s. We were cruising down a fire road going a decent clip, nothing crazy. I stopped and waited and waited for my friend. He finally rolls up and starts telling me all the times he "found the bumpstops". I was like dang, I didn't even feel much... lol

I'm sure I could have it re-valved, but they are so vastly superior to the 5100s I had, I can't find anything to complain about.

Lifted application does NOT necessarily mean the ext travel. I think that just means the shocks are height adjustable 0- you can "lift it". Probably best to give them a call and talk to a human to be sure you get what you need.

I was happy with DSM, I bought both my 5100s and a few other odd and ends from them years ago, and went back to them for my Kings. But I've heard they don't offer a TW member discount anymore (maybe only for certain items?). Might be why I got mine for under a grand.

I've heard really good things about headstrong offroad as far as their cust service, but I haven't dealt with them yet, but I'm sure I will.

 

I wouldn’t say no difference. I’m just saying if you found 2.5 FOX for really cheap and your ultimate goal is “extended travel” you can convert them when they’re rebuilt.

No matter what brand you go with you’ll still have to pay for whatever parts you need to make that happen. I wouldn’t buy brand new ones that are standard if you want extended - just get them and problem solved.

 

“Lifted Application” can mean a variety of things. Usually, the 0-3” lift for the front of our trucks is extended travel and does require aftermarket UCAs.

I dont know if it’s a demand thing or it’s a cost of materials, etc. I’m not sure what you’re referring to “their valving?” Are you taking Kings valving or DSM? Valving is a variable depending on the driver and vehicle application. It’s really hard to “valve” a vehicle correctly without using a calculation, as Accutune uses or having driver input. What works for one person may not work for the next, etc.

 

I forgot to mention that depending on the shock, it’s easy to convert it to and extended travel. That’s if you’re comfortable tearing apart a shock. It’s all interior parts. Most of the time it’s just replacing a spacer with a smaller, more appropriate size but thats a general statement. You’d have to find a part number to know for sure.

 

I don't think it is referencing extended travel coil overs. Most lifts, like the 5100's maintain the same wheel travel as stock, they just ride higher in the stroke.

I think it is just warning you that the shock is long enough that it might bottom out before you hit the bumpstops. Usually that's an issue with rear shocks, not typically an issue with the fronts unless you're stacking a spacer lift on top of your coilovers (don't do that!).

 

I guess I might as well just get what I need to begin with and save some hassle.

How much should I expect to pay for valving done right? And do most feel it's necessary to change from the factory valving of the fox, etc.? And I've heard lots of guys go without a swaybar when they run upgraded coilovers?

Thank you everyone for the input.

 

I’m following and can agree with the first part of your response but you lost me with the second part of that statement.

I kind of misinterpreted the “lift” part and will make a correction.

 

The 2nd parts was mostly incoherent rambling... I just mean that if you put a shock on that's too long, it will bottom the shock out before you hit the bumpstops (= bent/destroyed shock). I.E. my rear 5100s are longer than stock, and are recommended to have at least 1" lift. For the front, the only time this can really happen is if you stack lift kits and get a spacer on top of your coilover. One that is thick enough that it pushes the shock down far enough that the shock bottoms out before hitting the bumpstops.

Like I said, my Kings were such an upgrade form previous, I didn't feel a need to get custom valving. Maybe later, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I do NOT run a swaybar either. This is purely a personal choice. Yes, the body rolls more, but my Taco isn't my daily driver, so I leave it off. I drive a bit different, but the body roll really isn't bad unless I MAKE it bad (throwing the wheel back and forth to freak the wife out, etc...)

 

You should call headstrong Offroad. I just bought these in standard for my truck, and to my understanding they are built to order (4 week wait time for me). So they should be able to sell you the extended version. You can even PM them directly on here

 

Just sent them an email

Here's what they said about the extended Kings:

"King doesn’t really offer an “extended” travel coilover or rear shock. Some companies will market an extended shock like part number 25001-151-EXT however these are generally ¼” difference from the normal King shocks. They just have King remove an internal spacer. Now King can make custom length shocks that are truly extended but they will cost more since they would be a custom one-off. We do not really offer this service since our pricing on custom shocks isn’t much better then retail."

Interesting and possibly swaying me more towards the Fox 2.5s now.

 

Pm in coming

 

King has always had ext travel our trucks are getting old so they are limiting money and not offering both as not everybody wants uca’s. I was at King three weeks ago and with a simple rebuild they can remove the spacer that limits downtravel. That’s the only difference between what they say is ext travel and reg. This will allow for more preload as the shaft is moved down on full droop, ps get the Kings w/650# springs that way you can stay away from too much preload and you’ll get a cadillac ride.

 

Yup same for Icon, just a spacer removed to make them extended. I don't really consider them extended though, barely gaining an inch if that. But as said, you need aftermarket UCAs with the extended, at full droop the stock upper ball joint with hit the coilover.

So during installation you won't be able to put the extended one on without lifting up the suspension a bit to clear. Once there's weight on the coilovers it would be fine but I wouldn't install the extended coilovers without aftermarket UCAs.