Anyone got Kings KTFR-101HD springs fitted?

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Hi Marc.... I was toying with the idea of a spacer on top of the strut, as described in post #10 in this thread. http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...ont-end-travel.
I have just ordered a set of bash plates and a diff drop kit from AMTS. I am hoping he can send the diff drop kit immediately, but I'll wait to hear back from Andrew.
My old friend of the past 30years, is also my mechanic, and also is a tough dog supplier, and is the guy we go on holidays/4wd'ing with regularly. I will be getting all of the gear at cost, which I like.
I was intending to fabricate the spacers myself, next weekend when we fit the suspension in my friend’s workshop. I have some 6mm steel plate which I was intending to use.

So.... you are saying it is better to space the spring at the top hat, rather than space above
the top hat??

Steve

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

So.... you are saying it is better to space the spring at the top hat, rather than space above
the top hat??

Steve

Im just saying that because the TD front strut has so much more travel and extension than most, if you want more height, dont space above the top hat as that may give you probs elsewhere with UCA and CV's.
A spring spacer might be the way to go if you want a little more height in this case, ideally at the bottom but I dont believe anything is available that fits so maybe at the top between the top hat and spring as long as the spring is still located.
Remember the ratio is about 1.5-2:1.
What is it youre trying to achieve?

Cheers

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Hi again marc, and thanks for the reply.

I am mainly just trying to get extra height, so I get some clearance when off road, and so the ass doesn't drag so lo when I hook up the trailer when the back is loaded up.
I have had the prado for nearly two years now, and am very happy with it except for the (what I consider) very low ride height from factory. I have difficulty sliding under the vehicle to empty the sump, which is not a problem I have ever had in owning six or seven 4WD's over the past 30 years.
The low height is a let down for me, because otherwise I find the prado an excellent off road and touring vehcile.

So.... I want as much extra height for my off road adventures, good articulation, greater load carrying capacity, good handling, soft and subtle ride, strong components that will last, a setup that doesn't damage other components (hence wanting to purchase the diff lowering kit) and I would preferably like this to come in at an affordable price.
On price though, I would much prefer to pay extra for the right equipment, than end up with soemthing that doesn't do the job.

I don't want much hey. :-)

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

I would imagine that with the diesel, Soveriegn bar and dual batteries that you would have about the same front height as me, about 790mm with a full tank.
A 5-6mm spacer will probably bring you up another 9-10mm.
Good luck with it and let us know how it goes :-)

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

Well, here's the reply from Kings re the 101 vs 101H vs 101HD for my application (ARB bar, winch and dual battery under the bonnet):

With the weight over the front wheels I would recommend to use a KTFR-101HD
(790lb/" and approximately 560mm HTG with the added weight). The KTFR-101
(650lb/") would be too low and the KTFR-101H (660lb/" would not be strong
enough to hold the weight for a long period of time and would sit at
approximately 540-550mm HTG.

Still a bit confused which way to go, and need to get them fitted o nWednesday or Thursday!

[Peterpilot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Peterpilot]

Well, here's the reply from Kings re the 101 vs 101H vs 101HD for my application (ARB bar, winch and dual battery under the bonnet):



Still a bit confused which way to go, and need to get them fitted on Wednesday or Thursday!

With a Bilstein strut, the spring seat at the centre circlip and 1230kg weight over the front axle, I rekon the KTFR-101 will reap a ride height of around 760-770mm, the KTFR-101H about about 20mm more at around 780-790mm and the KTFR-101HD around 790-800mm. At least that's what my little Canon calculator says.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

OK I've ordered the KTFR-101HD's with the Billies instead of the Billies. Only cause I had to take into account that my fat arse will add to the load of the vehicle too and ....( notice how I didn't mention SWMBO in the previous sentence?? )

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

Peter
Thats sounds pretty right.
I have now a front ride height, 785-790 (550-555 HTG) at the equivalent of the HD with the billies at the bottom circlip.

WayToGo
So why not use the H's at the top circlip for a plusher ride, should give you 790-800? Or are you concerned about the sagging?

Like I said before though, the HD at 800lbs arent that harsh and you are carrying a lot more weight up front than me.

Cheers
Marc

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

OK I've ordered the KTFR-101HD's with the Billies instead of the Billies. Only cause I had to take into account that my fat arse will add to the load of the vehicle too and ....( notice how I didn't mention SWMBO in the previous sentence?? )

Youre treading a dangerous fine line there mate

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

So, I also ordered the 101HDs today - going in on Thursday. And we head off on our trip on Sunday.....

(Also got the HT bolts and washers to give the back a bit of lift as well).

Marc, the 101H didn't sound to me like it would handle the extra weight without sagging after a while (and I seem to have the same 'fat arse' affliction of CraigM!). Also, the preload with the circlip on the highest position would make the ride a bit harsher anyway. I'm prepared to hope the Kings guy knows what he is talking about...

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

Good onya mate
Be nice to get the front back up again!
They will be fine, you are carrying a lot over the front.
Make sure you get a good wheel alignment too.
Good luck, have a good trip and maybe our pathes will cross

BTW, do know Dave? I believe you did the Simpson crossing and he had a 100 series?

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

BTW, do know Dave? I believe you did the Simpson with him in a 100 series?

Don't know anyone called Dave from a Simpson crossing. Only ever been in a 100 series 4 or 5 times in my life - I had an 80 before the Grande.....

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

Don't know anyone called Dave from a Simpson crossing. Only ever been in a 100 series 4 or 5 times in my life - I had an 80 before the Grande.....

Hmm, no worries, Dave must be thinking of someone else

[Peterpilot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Peterpilot]

I did a Simpson crossing in 2002 with Dave who owns a 100 series... but he had a Hilux when we did the crossing and I had an 80 series, so it's probably a different Dave.

W2G, I think that the KTFR-101HD is the best option for the weight you have on the front of your car, have a good trip... both of you.

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

OK, got the 101HDs being fitted as I type.

After a bit of playing around (i.e. many trips back and forth under the car, lots of cycling through L-N-H-N-L-N, etc.) last night and a bit of a drive to settle things down this morning, I have the rear sitting at 820 and 830 with an almost fully empty fuel tank and pretty much nothing in the back. Once I fuel up a bit and do some packing, I'll remeasure, but my rear droop is just over 890mm, so I'm not too concerned at present.

The rear height has been achieved without remounting the bracket on the chassis with washers or such - basically I played around with the mounting plate where it was and changed the settings of the arms with the vertical adjustment slot, and voila!

Looking forward to seeing what the front is measuring once I pick it up......