Anyone got Kings KTFR-101HD springs fitted?

[1coolbanana]

Let me clarify my specific situation.
Maybe they arent so harsh for me as I have the option of adjustable shocks and I keep them on the soft side.
The first fixed rate shocks I tried with these springs were a little harsh thats why I immediately changed them to the adjustables.
For me, they are an excellent combo, good height, great ride and a huge improvement.
Adjustable shocks are a great bonus.

Also, if you believe the blurb, yes, the TD springs are the same rate and made by Kings but are made of a much better quality german spring steel to TD specs, thinner diameter and less winds making them considerably lighter for less unsprung weight and less prone to sagging.....So they say

At the moment I believe it as in 3 months, they have not sagged at all from the day they went in!

[Davros]

I am interseted in those springs too.
I am tossing up between the tough dog tdc974 and those kings you are talking about.

[craigm]

Thanks Peter. So with my Prado having a Sahara bar & Winch (with Steel cable) on the front and no Dual Batt (for the time being), going the KTFR-101H would give me an end result of approx 790mm at the front with circlip in the middle? With the front of the Prado currently sitting at 715mm that's still a significant result without loosing to much droop. I'm finally ordering my kit early next week to fit next weekend so I will need to make up my mind ( I'll have a look at retaining the airbags at the same time). Marc seems quite happy with his TDC974H's stating that they are not too harsh but there are other members stating that their ride was too firm for their liking.
I guess it's going to be einy meeny miny mo....

[Peterpilot]

Peter, have you any further info on the KTFR-101"H" ? (not HD)

I found this on a Hilux Forum:
"If your coils are marked as KTFR-101H only you are running the medium coils with 385mm free length/17mm coils and rated to 660 lbs.

This part number is not available on the King catalogue/website. Only KTFR-101 and KTFR-101HD is shown on the website."

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co....google.com.au

[craigm]

Peter, have you any further info on the KTFR-101"H" ? (not HD)

[Peterpilot]

You're quite right Davros the H variety is not displayed in the latest catalogue, but they do exist. Kings Springs state that they will give you the same ride height as the HD with the spring rate of the KTFR-101 (660lb), so not as firm as the HD. I'm unsure what the free length on these are...

KTFR-101 free length 375mm rate 660lb/in
KTFR-101HD free length 370mm rate 800lb/in
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...nsion-Database

[craigm]

According to the 2011 catalogue, the "H" variety doesn’t exist.

Have a look here.... http://www.kingsprings.com/catalogue..._catalogue.pdf

You're quite right Davros the H variety is not displayed in the latest catalogue, but they do exist. Kings Springs state that they will give you the same ride height as the HD with the spring rate of the KTFR-101 (660lb), so not as firm as the HD. I'm unsure what the free length on these are...

[Davros]

According to the 2011 catalogue, the "H" variety doesn’t exist.

Have a look here.... http://www.kingsprings.com/catalogue..._catalogue.pdf

[craigm]

Running around now trying to get best prices on Bilsteins & Kings up front and have been advised to go to a KTFR-101"H" (not "HD"). Apparently these are inbetween the Standard Raised and the HD (same spring rate as the standard) These are not in any catalogue that I have seen and are better suited to a Prado with bull bar and winch combo & no dual Batt or Bar & dual Batt combo & no winch. Has anyone heard of these?

[Peterpilot]

I believe it is 2:1 from my measurements. I have also been told by both Bilstein and Ridepro the ratio is 2:1. However, Ironman claim that a 10mm trim packer will give a 15mm lift. I don't understand why or how that would be true particularly since the Ridepro guy said very specifically that a 10mm longer spring will give you 20mm more lift. Maybe it depends on where the ride height is measured. All my measurements are from the bottom lip of the wheel rim to the bottom lip of the guard. The wheel travel to strut ratio at that point is 2:1. The ratio would be less if your measurement was inboard of this point and if the measurement was without the wheel in place.

[1coolbanana]

Excellent stuff Peter, just what Im looking for.
Ive read that the raio is 1.5:1 but other places Ive read its 2:1.
So would a 10mm packer give me 15mm or 20mm height increase.
I realise preload comes into it but approximately???

[Peterpilot]

So are we saying that a Bilstein in the lowest circlip position is about the same as other shocks that dont have that adjustment?

Does anyone make a spring spacer (not strut spacer), or does anyone know who could make me a 10mm spacer?

Yes Marc, that's correct. According to Bilstein, the lowest circlip position on a Bilstein strut is the same position as other struts without adjustment. I have also measured this on a Bilstein strut and can confirm this to be true.

What you want is called a "trim packer". I believe ARB have them, the Ultimate Suspension also use them and Ironman do them but they claim they're only for Ironman struts: http://www.ironman4x4.com/suspension...a/prado/91.pdf

[1coolbanana]

So are we saying that a Bilstein in the lowest circlip position is about the same as other shocks that dont have that adjustment?

Does anyone make a spring spacer (not strut spacer), or does anyone know who could make me a 10mm spacer?

[Peterpilot]

I believe the Tough Dog TDC974H is the same specification coil as Kings KTFR-101HD because Kings Springs manufacture the TDC974H coils for Tough Dog. Marc (1coolbanana) has Tough Dog TDC974H coils fitted to his Grande with Tough Dog adjustable shocks and has reported 790mm with ARB bar, so IMHO with either the KTFR-101HD or TDC974H you should get 800mm at the middle circlip position on the Bilstein, even with a winch.

[Way2go]

I think you will find the HD springs a bit hard in the front. I used to run billies with SD Kings on the lowest circlip with bull bar and dual batt and it was fine.. Had about 800mm. Once I installed the winch I moved the circlip to the highest setting which was not comfitable at all due the the preload. I was sitting at 820mm

So, going by the above, with winch, ARB bar and dual battery and the Bilsteins on the middle circlip position I should still be sitting around the 795-800 mark even on the non-HD springs.

So in summary, you don't need HD in the front, but perhaps in the rear but you should consider an adjustable shock incase it's too rough... My billies were to rough with the HD Kings in the rear.

Rear is not an issue as it's a Grande - already running the Bilsteins, just need to reset the rear a bit higher.