EFS or King Springs? Are they made by the same company?

[malenymac Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close malenymac]

Hi all.

Hi all, another Newby to the forum.

I have an 09 GXL D4D with the DAC/Traction control option pack, Toyota alloy bar, 8,000lb Super winch and ARB dual battery system and an ARB fridge in the back.

After remodelling the underneath bash plates on it's first trip off road, I was recommended to upgrade the suspension to the Bilstein/ King Springs combination which is a popular suggestion on this forum. I was looking at obtaining around a 40mm lift.

A friend referred me to a Brisbane mechanic who had done this upgrade on his GXL so I organised to have the same done. However whilst getting the Bilsteins, the mechanic instead of King Springs installed EFS springs (Heavy duty Front & standard in the rear) which increased the lift 80mm at the front and 60mm in the rear. The mechanic indicated EFS is made by King Springs.

Firstly - I cannot find many comments in this forum about EFS springs. Can someone confirm if they are related to King Springs and are they a recommended spring for the Prado?

Secondly - Whilst I certainly got more that the height I was after, I am now concerned that this configuration may be a strain on my axles/CV's given the front is now only 10mm lower than the back.

I would appreciate any comments on this.

Macca.

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

Re: EFS or King Springs? Are they made by the same company?

See here:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=6254#p88104

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

Re: EFS or King Springs? Are they made by the same company?

Macca, measure from the bottom of the rim up to the flair, it should be around high 700mm-800mm, anything higher than 800 i beleive is when you get into trouble. as for the springs not sure but someone on here will know.

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

Re: EFS or King Springs? Are they made by the same company?

Macca welcome to the forum, I was rushing out the door on my last mesg.

I am also under the impression that EFS springs are made by Kings under their own requirements. I don't know many people that run with those springs but in the link I posted earlier "WeekendMaverick" runs the EFS springs and he is more then happy with them. Might be worthwhile to get in contact with him as they have been in for a while.

[malenymac Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close malenymac]

Re: EFS or King Springs? Are they made by the same company?

Thanks for the quick response guys,

Measuring the front and rear as suggested gives me 800mm front and 815mm rear. They will probably settle a bit so hopefully this will be OK.

There is no website for EFS but I did find a reference to them in a French website so they are exported to France. I will contact "WeekendMaverick" for more info.

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

Re: EFS or King Springs? Are they made by the same company?

My understanding is that EFS are made in the same factory as the TJM XJS gear.

[middojnr Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close middojnr]

Re: EFS or King Springs? Are they made by the same company?

Macca,

As well you know, I came away recently with a broken rear sway bar - and I mean totally broken in two - but I'm not sure that's the fault of the suspension. I'm slowly coming to the realisation that it may be driver error rather than excess strain caused by suspension modification.

We'll sit down and discuss next time we're at the same campfire.

Cheers,
Peter,
Toowong...

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

Re: EFS or King Springs? Are they made by the same company?

A friend referred me to a Brisbane mechanic who had done this upgrade on his GXL so I organised to have the same done. However whilst getting the Bilsteins, the mechanic instead of King Springs installed EFS springs (Heavy duty Front & standard in the rear) which increased the lift 80mm at the front and 60mm in the rear.

What worries me most about this comment is your mechanic didn't listen to you.

I can't believe they went and installed EFS springs without asking you, considering you specifically asked for King Springs. What makes it even more unusual is why he would want to use EFS springs, when King Springs make a heavy duty raised spring (code KTFR-HD if my memory serves me correctly).

It doesn't matter if he claims the springs are made in the same factory, the mechanic should have put in what you wanted, or at the very least told you what he was doing before he did it.

To me, I would be shitty if I went to Toyota and asked for a Prado, then Toyota turned around and gave me a Corolla but claim that it is ok because they are made in the same factory. What a load of toss.

As for the 80mm increase in height at the front, I would be speaking to one of the guru's on here. Not that I want to dob him in, but MickL is all wise in these matters.

What the mechanic probably fails to realise is that with forums like this one out there, customers are able to come to them armed with a lot more info than they get given credit for. I would be going back to get what I wanted.

Good luck with it all.

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: EFS or King Springs? Are they made by the same company?

Just because coils come from the same factory, doesnt mean they are made to the same spec either.

Some wont use the last 600mm of BHP bar, some load test one coil in a batch, some load test all, some lod test none, some use the cold wound wire, but do them hot, etc etc.

Alot of coils also come from overseas now, through Carrolls [Ironman] and can be made with BHP or local wire as well, depending on who ordered them, and to what spec.

The EFX elite shocks are coming out of asia :wink: