Patrol and King Springs

G'day Ken, The sidesteps on the vehicle "look" level. When I purchased the springs I went to the King Springs online catalogue and after much deliberation about which "were the right ones", I finally selected the "middle set" of the 3 recommended for my vehicle.

These were the matched set, but you might be onto something about the winch though.

Cheers,

Peter

Correction, you have extra heavy duty front and rear.
Still doesn't seem right.... unless the vehicle wasn't level to begin with?!?

G'day Len, just rang the store where I purchased them, and they assure me the springs are the right matched pair, but cannot tell me why the front came up more than the rear. They said they checked the latest '05 catalogue.

They told me the heavy duty ones are KDFR-42 HHD and KDPR-59.

Cheers

You can check the catalogue here - http://www.kingsprings.com/kings_master_catalogue.pdf

The part no's you just quoted are the Extra Heavy Duty Plus springs.
The springs you have fitted are extra heavy duty.
The standard raised springs are KDFR-42 and KDRR-45.
Standard height replacement springs are KDFS-42 and KDRS-45.

You will have less articulation with the extra heavy duty springs. I don't know whether this is important to you though.

What style of driving are you into?

G'day again Len. Your spot on. My selection of these springs was because noone around here could give specifics of how these springs performed, in relation to one set or another. The only advice I could from "reputable" 4WD shops was "their springs" were the ONLY ones to buy, OME, Series 2000, or Ironman and I would have trouble with any other kind. BTW, they didn't like Koni's either. Thank God for this forum :-).

My main use of the vehicle is for outback touring on most of the "popular tracks" in the NT and WA at this stage, and I'll be fully loaded and self contained. Perhaps towing a trailer on later trips.

I have since found out the supplying store simply ordered the springs and shocks through Repco here, and don't have direct contact with King Springs, so I have sent an email to Kings to see what they think.

Regards,

Peter

Peter, you have more than likely selected the right springs for your use. If you are going to be loaded up the heavy duty springs are a good idea.

You may even want to consider some air bags (eg. Polyair) if you start towing a trailer.

You should get a good response from Kings. They have a good sales team. Hopefully they can clarify the reasoning behind the difference in lift from front / rear.

And don't forget to check that the Koni's are long travel shocks. You will need them, especially with a 60mm lift in the front.

Just got this reply back from Kings Springs ......

Peter,

These coils should give the vehicle approx 50mm lift. Part number KDFR 42HD is for additional added weight on the front. Alternately you may use KDFR-42 which is 20mm lower

Regards,


Kris Tarrant

Sales and Technical Services
KING SPRINGWORKS PTY LTD

As far as the back end goes, I'm still at a bit of a loss :-o

Now I'm really confused!

Check that your coils are actually the ones you wanted. The part number should be printed on the coil itself. Perhaps they are incorrect?

You are going to have to get this checked out more unfortunately. When you e-mailed Kings what did you ask? Did you say that the lift is different front / back. If you give them the measurements they should be able to give you some more info.

When you took the measurement's was your vehicle loaded / unloaded??
Anything else that may affect the load? Steel/Alloy bullbar - towbar - non standrad rear bar?

The vehicle was measured with full fuel tanks, and nothing else inside other than what's supposed to be there. The standard bullbar is the lightweight aluminium variety.

Here is the text of the email I sent to King Springs;

From: Peter Gordon [mailto:pgor9658@bigpond.net.au]
Sent: Monday, 17 October 2005 11:16 AM
To: sales@kingsprings.com.au
Subject: GU III Spring Height

I have just purchased and installed set of KDFR-42HD and KDPR-58LP springs, along with the appropriate Koni shocks, as per your recommendation.



The front of the vehicle has been lifted 56mm on the front left, 60mm on the front right, 33mm on the rear left, and 38mm on the rear right. All measurements were made from under the lip on top of the alloy rim to the bottom of the wheel arch flare, both before and after installation.



My question is, does the lift under the front end seem normal with this type of spring, or is it possible they were not installed correctly, or are these springs designed for vehicles that have a winch, thus the extra lift?

Thanks for your advice.

G'day again. I got a response from King Springs today. They are at a loss as to why the rear has only been raised 35mm, but Kris Tarrant was very helpful and after discussions about it's intended use he is sending down a set of KDPR-59's.

He has guaranteed these will give me my 50+mm lift,

Thank you to all who replied.

Cheers

Thanks for that Sean. I am taking my vehicle back this morning and having the front end checked to make sure the springs are seated correctly.

The vehicle "looks" level, rides and handles well, so if the front's OK I'll leave it alone.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers.

Had the springs checked this morning and everything that I have is spot on. Had some advice that it's not right though and have forwarded all the measurements and details on to King Springs and just waiting for their reply.

It seems that I may have a set of rear springs with the wrong part no. on them, so we will wait and see.

Cheers