King shocks running stiff

[Ordeis]

So I’ve just recently installed king 2.5 shocks on my 2-door Big Bend non sasquatch. The shop that installed it for me told me he had dropped down the psi in the front to 130 and 160 in the rear. I’m running 315/70/17 tires all terrain at 35 PSI. I haven’t changed the coils, everything is factory from king. I don’t seem to know what the problem is.. It’s running quite harsh and stiff. Whenever I go over a speed bump at a speed, I feel like the rear tires fly up. Could it be that I have lifted it too much? Too much preload?

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[5GENIDN]

Interesting that he is keeping the pressure so much higher in the rear. I understand why you would do that on a pickup that tows things.... but there is less weight in the back with the Bronco. I know the Kings are Digressive from the factory. I am not fond of that. I like mine linear... But I am a bit of a simpleton and I like to keep things simple. I am running about the same preload in the rear (to keep the Bronco relatively flat) But like I said, I had mine revalved to linear. Mine are nice and soft running the same spring. I do not know what pressures I am running but that would not really be equitable since I am valved entirely different. My only thought is that the rear pressure needs to come down or you need to add weight to the back, but I am not any kind of expert here....

The reservoir valve adjustment has 30 clicks... on road I run mine at about 12 to 14 clicks tighter than full open (softest setting).... If I tighten them up I can get them pretty harsh.

 

[Silver-Bolt]

Soften the compression and rebound. Start at the softest setting and work up as needed. You may end up lower the nitrogen pressure in the rear. 160psi sounds high to me.

 

[AccuTune Offroad]

So I’ve just recently installed king 2.5 shocks on my 2-door Big Bend non sasquatch. The shop that installed it for me told me he had dropped down the psi in the front to 130 and 160 in the rear. I’m running 315/70/17 tires all terrain at 35 PSI. I haven’t changed the coils, everything is factory from king. I don’t seem to know what the problem is.. It’s running quite harsh and stiff. Whenever I go over a speed bump at a speed, I feel like the rear tires fly up. Could it be that I have lifted it too much? Too much preload?

I wouldn't recommend changing the PSI. Thats not how you tune a shock. These shocks are designed to operate at a certain PSI rating and King is typically 150 PSI.

The shocks you have are an early model with the dual rate spring kit. They have since switched to a single progressive rate spring. The new spring is capable of holding more weight, much better option that the dual rate spring kit you currently have.

The rear Bronco King Shocks come with digressive pistons, but the fronts do not. Not all King shocks come with digressive pistons.

The adjusters on King Shocks is a mid speed compression adjuster, there is no external rebound adjustment.

For ride quality issues, this is 100% what we specialize in. We must first make sure the spring rates are adequate for the total weight of the vehicle, from there we confirm shock lengths and amount of preload. If the setup is good, then we would recommend sending them into us for a revalve. In this case we would definitely recommend linear pistons. Depending on added weight, we have (2) different multi rate springs that may be a better fit also.

If you would like to explore some options, shoot over a message and we can help you out.

 

[popo_patty]

I too was unhappy when I first got my Kings. They rode really really stiff. I ended up going through Accutune for a shock tune and couldn’t be happier.

They swapped my rear piston for a linear piston, changed my spring rates and cleaned up the valving.

It rode waaaay better after that.

Keep in mind, I felt like there was quite a break in period as well. I ended up driving 1000 miles and jumped the Bronco six times in a row (for fun) to get it all broken in. While jumping isn’t needed, it certainly was fun

Also, a common thing I see is people new to off-roading think more expensive shocks mean better on-road feel in terms of plush ride. Now while this CAN be the case depending on what shocks you go with. Kings were developed from off-road racing roots. They will not be a car-like ride as that is not their intended purpose. Where they shine is when you’re flying through those whoops and hitting those rocks. That stiff feeling on the road means less bottoming out off-road in simple terms.

Now I’m in no way saying you’re new, just throwing that out there in case that was your expectation.

Another thing to consider is tire load rating. If you bought new tires, they could be Load Range E or D. It should say on the side of the tire. C is a softer load rating. E and D will result in a stiffer sidewall which can contribute to ride quality. I run D rated tires and settled at 30 psi.

Is is a video on the accutune process and some B-Roll of the Kings.

 

[Ordeis]

I wouldn't recommend changing the PSI. Thats not how you tune a shock. These shocks are designed to operate at a certain PSI rating and King is typically 150 PSI.

The shocks you have are an early model with the dual rate spring kit. They have since switched to a single progressive rate spring. The new spring is capable of holding more weight, much better option that the dual rate spring kit you currently have.

The rear Bronco King Shocks come with digressive pistons, but the fronts do not. Not all King shocks come with digressive pistons.

The adjusters on King Shocks is a mid speed compression adjuster, there is no external rebound adjustment.

For ride quality issues, this is 100% what we specialize in. We must first make sure the spring rates are adequate for the total weight of the vehicle, from there we confirm shock lengths and amount of preload. If the setup is good, then we would recommend sending them into us for a revalve. In this case we would definitely recommend linear pistons. Depending on added weight, we have (2) different multi rate springs that may be a better fit also.

If you would like to explore some options, shoot over a message and we can help you out.

Thank you for replying! I tried adding weight to my bronco in the rear and I took a speed bump at a high speed and it was waaay more comfortable. Note that I have a spare tire delete in the back. Could it be a weight issue? spring rate ?

 

[TLO]

Did the shop torque all the suspension bits up while it was all at full droop, instead of on level ground?

 

[Ordeis]

Did the shop torque all the suspension bits up while it was all at full droop, instead of on level ground?

Yeah they torqued it at full droop

 

[AccuTune Offroad]

Thank you for replying! I tried adding weight to my bronco in the rear and I took a speed bump at a high speed and it was waaay more comfortable. Note that I have a spare tire delete in the back. Could it be a weight issue? spring rate ?

Hard to say with out our sales guys running through your entire setup to see what sticks out. I recall those springs being too light, even for stock weight.

 

[Ordeis]

Soften the compression and rebound. Start at the softest setting and work up as needed. You may end up lower the nitrogen pressure in the rear. 160psi sounds high to me.

Made it 120 PSI in the back and 150 in front and now it’s fine. I thought about lowering it more but I don’t know if having a low psi will damage the shock or not.

 

[SROC3]

I too was unhappy when I first got my Kings. They rode really really stiff. I ended up going through Accutune for a shock tune and couldn’t be happier.

They swapped my rear piston for a linear piston, changed my spring rates and cleaned up the valving.

It rode waaaay better after that.

Keep in mind, I felt like there was quite a break in period as well. I ended up driving 1000 miles and jumped the Bronco six times in a row (for fun) to get it all broken in. While jumping isn’t needed, it certainly was fun

Also, a common thing I see is people new to off-roading think more expensive shocks mean better on-road feel in terms of plush ride. Now while this CAN be the case depending on what shocks you go with. Kings were developed from off-road racing roots. They will not be a car-like ride as that is not their intended purpose. Where they shine is when you’re flying through those whoops and hitting those rocks. That stiff feeling on the road means less bottoming out off-road in simple terms.

Now I’m in no way saying you’re new, just throwing that out there in case that was your expectation.

Another thing to consider is tire load rating. If you bought new tires, they could be Load Range E or D. It should say on the side of the tire. C is a softer load rating. E and D will result in a stiffer sidewall which can contribute to ride quality. I run D rated tires and settled at 30 psi.

Is is a video on the accutune process and some B-Roll of the Kings.

30 psi off road?

 

[popo_patty]

30 psi off road?

On-road.

 

[SROC3]

On-road.

will try this and see how it fares . I'm at 34 cold now

 

[SROC3]

On-road.

I finally got everything installed and dialed in, in terms of ride height, clicks and psi (tire). I did try 30 psi for tires but felt too "squiggly" for me - felt like it was moving left-to-right, rather than tracking with the steering wheel first. I'm also likely running different tires. So to each his own I guess . I have the 1st Gen KINGs, so I have not changed out the "double-spring" setup it came with. I got on the phone with KING and probably spoke to them for almost 3 hours total (over a few phone calls). Since I am NOT running any "big" weight (other than the front winch, 80lbs), the current setup was fine they said. For the OP - I do have 150 psi in the compression adjusters (they were 2nd hand shocks and I was there when the gas was topped off). Now for my settings, in case this helps anyone in finding their own "formula:

- Toyo Open Country M/Ts 35s ("E" RATING)
- Kings installed with Factory collar height in REAR and (4) turns down, to increase height in the FRONT (compensate for winch).

Settings:

FOR STREET:
- 33 psi (COLD), FROM SOFTEST - 11 clicks Front / 9 clicks Rear.

FOR DIRT:
- (with a full compliment of passengers) - 19 psi, FROM SOFTEST - 12 clicks front / 11 clicks Rear.
- (Alone) - 22 psi, FROM SOFTEST - 11 clicks Front / 9 clicks Rear.

Rides like a dream LOVE IT.

I also recently installed a Trackbar Relocation Bracket (in addition to my ICON adjustable trackbar) and it really did a good job of eliminating any remaining rear axle bump-steer I had. I highly recommend it - https://www.rockjock4x4.com/RJ-181400-101

 

[popo_patty]

I finally got everything installed and dialed in, in terms of ride height, clicks and psi (tire). I did try 30 psi for tires but felt too "squiggly" for me - felt like it was moving left-to-right, rather than tracking with the steering wheel first. I'm also likely running different tires. So to each his own I guess . I have the 1st Gen KINGs, so I have not changed out the "double-spring" setup it came with. I got on the phone with KING and probably spoke to them for almost 3 hours total (over a few phone calls). Since I am NOT running any "big" weight (other than the front winch, 80lbs), the current setup was fine they said. For the OP - I do have 150 psi in the compression adjusters (they were 2nd hand shocks and I was there when the gas was topped off). Now for my settings, in case this helps anyone in finding their own "formula:

- Toyo Open Country M/Ts 35s
- Kings installed with Factory collar height in REAR and (4) turns down, to increase height in the FRONT (compensate for winch).

Settings:

FOR STREET:
- 33 psi (COLD), FROM SOFTEST - 11 clicks Front / 9 clicks Rear.

FOR DIRT:
- (with a full compliment of passengers) - 19 psi, FROM SOFTEST - 12 clicks front / 11 clicks Rear.
- (Alone) - 22 psi, FROM SOFTEST - 11 clicks Front / 9 clicks Rear.

Rides like a dream LOVE IT.

Yea I have D load range tires. Super stiff but I like them for durability. Looks good! I’m still convinced something is not right with my front end. It sits soooo high on stock springs at ride height at the lowest setting. I’m on 37’s and have the full bumper/winch setup. If I was on 35’s it would look like a stork.

it’s livable. But I have yet to see another setup from King as high as mine. Still good though even after 3 rubicon trips and tons of desert running and local trails. No CV binding at all

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