King Shocks

[Trenton Wilson]

Anyone running King shocks on their lifted Ram? Worth the $4K?

 

[rwhjr]

Not unless you’re going to really abuse the truck offroad IMO. And if you plan on doing that then plan on having a backup set when it’s rebuild time and you have to remove them and ship them out.

I’ve been in trucks with high quality shocks and they’re worth their price and then some.....but only if you plan on using them right. if not then you’re tying up more $$$ in the shocks than you really need to.

And judging by your setup (especially the wheel and tire setup) your truck’s more of a street truck anyways. I’d pick something more middle of the line if I were you and spend the extra on something else.

I’m in the same boat as you where I want something better than my 5100s and was considering Kong’s. But then I actually thought about how often I’m banging on my truck going fast offroad and it’s not often enough to justify the price and the hassle of keeping them rebuilt/fresh as well.

So my general direction is toward some lower priced Fox shocks or Bilstein 6112s which are supposedly a nice step above the standard 5100s. I don’t like my 5100s and think they ride like crap on everything other than a smooth asphalt road. But when I researched I found that $4k shocks aren’t worth it for me either.

 

[ram1500rsm]

Where are you guys getting the $4k number for King shocks?
Perhaps the $4k number comes from the Jay dude in youtube or whatever his handle or name is with a white RAM 1500 crew cab diesel giving his opinion on his $4k Carli kit?
The shocks alone aren't $4k, the full kit with the Carli/King specd shocks, Carli rear springs, ucas, sway bar links and drop TB bracket is $4500, the Carli UCAs alone are $800.

Sure Kings aren't cheap but the price for 2.5 CO/shocks without the adjusters is about $2500 depending if you're going OE or adding a custom valving and tune. With adjusters the price goes up to about $$3100. And Kings are a tad cheaper than Fox. Get them valved from Accutune Off-road or Filthy Motorsports. You just need to tell them your mods, weigth and what you want out of the shocks.

Are they worth it? I keep paying for high performance shocks in almost every offroad application I've had. Prob the only one who didn't was my Jeep Wrangler. I'm going to get rid of my King rear shocks and i alreay ordered longer Fox 2.5 instead cause King doesnt make a 29" long shock, they're either 28 or 32" long. Fox happens to have a 29.3" long 2.5 shock with RES (for the 2500 RAM) and i'm having accutune do the same valving and tune they did on my Accutune valve/tuned Kings

Comparing Hi performance shocks prices (list prices)
Price is for both 2.5 coilovers with RES and 2.5 shocks with piggybacks RES: (Icon do not add front RES or Front adjusters)
Kings without adjusters: $2500
Kings with adjusters: $3100
Fox without adjusters: 2800
Fox with Adjusters: $3500
Icons without adjusters (Fronts CO's don't have RES): $2300
Icons with Adjusters (Front don't have RES or Adj, Only rears have adjusters and RES): $2500
Radflo without adjusters: $2500
Radflo with adjusters: $3000

Best price for options is Radflo, cheapo to the core is Icon because they don't give front RES or adjusters, Most expensive by far is Fox. King follows Fox prices closely. None are $4k shocks


Then add your options if you don't have them:
rear coil springs, front UCA's, rear control arms, sway bar links, rear trackbar, etc, etc, not couting the price of your bracket lift if you have/ will have one.

In the OP case, King doesn't have 6" coilovers or longer than 2" lift rear shocks, at least in OE form, meaning if you have a 6" lift you have to measure and order custom lenght. They can make anything you want within their specs. For instance in my case with the rear shocks, they only have 8" smooth 2.5 shocks with piggybacks or 10", the 8" are 28" extended tops, the 10"s are 32" extended.

Have fun.

 

[BombSq030]

Check out filthy Motorsports. I just purchased a set of custom length king COs with remote reservoir, no adjuster for $1800. The guys over there are very knowledgeable and very easy to deal with to get exactly what you need. I have a 6 inch ProComp lift and wanted a better set of coilovers. The King's were the same price as Fox 2.0s without custom valving and what not. I always say buy the highest quality your budget can afford. So if you can afford the king's and plan on a little abuse, I'd get them. King's may be overkill for a truck that never sees the dirt...

 

[rwhjr]

Where are you guys getting the $4k number for King shocks?
Perhaps the $4k number comes from the Jay dude in youtube or whatever his handle or name is with a white RAM 1500 crew cab diesel giving his opinion on his $4k Carli kit?
The shocks alone aren't $4k, the full kit with the Carli/King specd shocks, Carli rear springs, ucas, sway bar links and drop TB bracket is $4500, the Carli UCAs alone are $800.

Sure Kings aren't cheap but the price for 2.5 CO/shocks without the adjusters is about $2500 depending if you're going OE or adding a custom valving and tune. With adjusters the price goes up to about $$3100. And Kings are a tad cheaper than Fox. Get them valved from Accutune Off-road or Filthy Motorsports. You just need to tell them your mods, weigth and what you want out of the shocks.

Are they worth it? I keep paying for high performance shocks in almost every offroad application I've had. Prob the only one who didn't was my Jeep Wrangler. I'm going to get rid of my King rear shocks and i alreay ordered longer Fox 2.5 instead cause King doesnt make a 29" long shock, they're either 28 or 32" long. Fox happens to have a 29.3" long 2.5 shock with RES (for the 2500 RAM) and i'm having accutune do the same valving and tune they did on my Accutune valve/tuned Kings

Comparing Hi performance shocks prices (list prices)
Price is for both 2.5 coilovers with RES and 2.5 shocks with piggybacks RES: (Icon do not add front RES or Front adjusters)
Kings without adjusters: $2500
Kings with adjusters: $3100
Fox without adjusters: 2800
Fox with Adjusters: $3500
Icons without adjusters (Fronts CO's don't have RES): $2300
Icons with Adjusters (Front don't have RES or Adj, Only rears have adjusters and RES): $2500
Radflo without adjusters: $2500
Radflo with adjusters: $3000

Best price for options is Radflo, cheapo to the core is Icon because they don't give front RES or adjusters, Most expensive by far is Fox. King follows Fox prices closely. None are $4k shocks


Then add your options if you don't have them:
rear coil springs, front UCA's, rear control arms, sway bar links, rear trackbar, etc, etc, not couting the price of your bracket lift if you have/ will have one.

In the OP case, King doesn't have 6" coilovers or longer than 2" lift rear shocks, at least in OE form, meaning if you have a 6" lift you have to measure and order custom lenght. They can make anything you want within their specs. For instance in my case with the rear shocks, they only have 8" smooth 2.5 shocks with piggybacks or 10", the 8" are 28" extended tops, the 10"s are 32" extended.

Have fun.

Are those prices for front and rear? Because if I’m going to use Kings upfront I probably don’t wanna keep cheapo shocks in the back right?

and he has a 6” lift. Should he use normal length fronts and still use a top hat spacer from the lift? Or, if he’s going all-out should he get the proper length front coilovers and pay for the custom length? I’ve always wondered these things myself since I have a 6” lift too.

what kind of price am I looking at to get the right length coilovers front and then some good matching rear shocks? If your prices above are for all four corners it’s better than I thought but still expensive if you don’t plan on off-roading a lot.

 

[ram1500rsm]

Post the cisto

Are those prices for front and rear? Because if I’m going to use Kings upfront I probably don’t wanna keep cheapo shocks in the back right?

and he has a 6” lift. Should he use normal length fronts and still use a top hat spacer from the lift? Or, if he’s going all-out should he get the proper length front coilovers and pay for the custom length? I’ve always wondered these things myself since I have a 6” lift too.

what kind of price am I looking at to get the right length coilovers front and then some good matching rear shocks? If your prices above are for all four corners it’s better than I thought but still expensive if you don’t plan on off-roading a lot.

Prices are front and rear, full 2.5" coilovers with reservoirs and rear shocks with piggyback reservoirs.
He should use a custom length no need for spacers. custom length is only like $100 more or so.

 

[rwhjr]

I was always under the assumption doing custom length was $$$$$$.

so I can get them to make the 2.5 body shock in any length for just 100? That’s not bad.

I’d really like to eventually have a full length front CO and replace the big top spacer. And I always thought the only option was the BDS FOX COs.

how would a set of custom length Kings compre to those bds fox COs for the 6” lifted trucks?

 

[ram1500rsm]

I was always under the assumption doing custom length was $$$$$$.

so I can get them to make the 2.5 body shock in any length for just 100? That’s not bad.

I’d really like to eventually have a full length front CO and replace the big top spacer. And I always thought the only option was the BDS FOX COs.

how would a set of custom length Kings compre to those bds fox COs for the 6” lifted trucks?

$100 extra per shock.
Take the extended/compressed length for example from the Fox 4-6" CO's that come with the BDS kit
26.57 extended, 20.38 compressed and you can call anybody, Icon, Radflo, King to make you Coilovers with those specs. If you see the post from @Joseph Franco above, he said he got his from Filthy for $1800 which is the same thing you'll pay for Fox 2.5 for the 0-3" application so is not really that much expensive. @Joseph Franco , did you measure the length you needed or simply used BDS 4-6" specs for your 6" King CO's ?

For instance the normal Fox 2.5's CO for the RAM 1500 are 22.540 extended , 16.780 compressed
Kings are 22.5 extended, 16.84 compressed, so literally the same thing, they're both extended travel CO's.
Add 4" to that and you can see it's the same thing as the longer Fox that BDS sells to you for the 4-6" BDS CO.

For the back, what is BDS doing with their Fox 2.0's? they're giving you 28" extended for 4" i think, and 30" extended for 5" lift. You can have anybody cut you 28" extended 2.5 smoothies with reservoirs, or 32" extended for a damn long shock , or you can use the offering from Fox 2.5's for the 09 2500, 29 extended or 31" extended which is what i'm doing, in my case i'm having them valved and tuned for my truck from Accutune. If you went with Kings say 28" extended, you'll only pay $200, extra in which case you'll match the price of the Fox 2.5 for the normal 0-2" lift, so still not bad at all and still not $4k.

How do they compare ? they're all good, Accutune for example favors Fox, Filthy favors Kings.
This is from Accutune, they're not RAM CO's but in concept and how they work they're all very similar.
https://accutuneoffroad.com/fox-vs-king-oem-coilovers/

I've used Icon, Radflo and now King in 2.5's with and without adjusters, Fox only in 2.0 smoothies, soon i'll have King 2.5 front, Fox 2.5 rear. They're all good i've said so many times it all comes down how you want to show the stickers and shock colors hahaha. King is King without any doubts and nothing looks as good as their shinny silver/blue logo, imagine how good their marketing is everybody always think Kings are $4k shocks when in fact Fox are more expensive

Hope it helps.

 

[IRSmart]

I am! but I might be the exception, not the rule.

 

[novelmike]

Check out filthy Motorsports. I just purchased a set of custom length king COs with remote reservoir, no adjuster for $1800. The guys over there are very knowledgeable and very easy to deal with to get exactly what you need. I have a 6 inch ProComp lift and wanted a better set of coilovers. The King's were the same price as Fox 2.0s without custom valving and what not. I always say buy the highest quality your budget can afford. So if you can afford the king's and plan on a little abuse, I'd get them. King's may be overkill for a truck that never sees the dirt...

The Kings are a DEFINITE overkill if it’s never going to be used offf pavement at speeds or rough dirt roads. But, there is DEFINITE cool factor by you having them to the people that recognize what they are!!

 

[BombSq030]

@ram1500rsm I took measurements of the lift spacer, fully extended strut length and hub to fender when resting on the ground. However right now I'm running the pro comp runner shocks in the rear because they're brand spanking new. But I'll put them through their paces and then swap to kings. Overall it's a very easy process to get custom length.

And I believe the additional cost for my custom length was about 200. So 100 per side. Definitely worth a few extra bucks to have a full length setup and filthy offers custom shock tuning with all custom length orders if I'm not mistaken.

 

[ram1500rsm]

@ram1500rsm I took measurements of the lift spacer, fully extended strut length and hub to fender when resting on the ground. However right now I'm running the pro comp runner shocks in the rear because they're brand spanking new. But I'll put them through their paces and then swap to kings. Overall it's a very easy process to get custom length.

And I believe the additional cost for my custom length was about 200. So 100 per side. Definitely worth a few extra bucks to have a full length setup and filthy offers custom shock tuning with all custom length orders if I'm not mistaken.

Do you happen to have the final measurement ? that should help everybody out ordering 6" Coilovers.

 

[BombSq030]

Do you happen to have the final measurement ? that should help everybody out ordering 6" Coilovers.

28.5" full extended from strut tower to mounting point. However this includes a 5" spacer from the pro comp lift and a 2" leveling spacer. (I know... Don't run a spacer under a lift spacer. Waiting for my King's to show up.) I don't have the compressed length. But resting length is 26 3/8".

But hey, since you're here and not to hijack the thread, any end link solutions for the front when it comes to a 6" lift? I've read your build 3 times over haha. So I know you're knowledgeable on this stuff.

 

[ram1500rsm]

View attachment 207817

28.5" full extended from strut tower to mounting point. However this includes a 5" spacer from the pro comp lift and a 2" leveling spacer. (I know... Don't run a spacer under a lift spacer. Waiting for my King's to show up.) I don't have the compressed length. But resting length is 26 3/8".

But hey, since you're here and not to hijack the thread, any end link solutions for the front when it comes to a 6" lift? I've read your build 3 times over haha. So I know you're knowledgeable on this stuff.

Here you go
https://suspensionmaxx.com/sway-bar-links?make=Dodge&year=2014&model=Ram|4x4|1500&category_id=8

 

[Trenton Wilson]

Not unless you’re going to really abuse the truck offroad IMO. And if you plan on doing that then plan on having a backup set when it’s rebuild time and you have to remove them and ship them out.

I’ve been in trucks with high quality shocks and they’re worth their price and then some.....but only if you plan on using them right. if not then you’re tying up more $$$ in the shocks than you really need to.

And judging by your setup (especially the wheel and tire setup) your truck’s more of a street truck anyways. I’d pick something more middle of the line if I were you and spend the extra on something else.

I’m in the same boat as you where I want something better than my 5100s and was considering Kong’s. But then I actually thought about how often I’m banging on my truck going fast offroad and it’s not often enough to justify the price and the hassle of keeping them rebuilt/fresh as well.

So my general direction is toward some lower priced Fox shocks or Bilstein 6112s which are supposedly a nice step above the standard 5100s. I don’t like my 5100s and think they ride like crap on everything other than a smooth asphalt road. But when I researched I found that $4k shocks aren’t worth it for me either.

Thank you very much for the information and insight. I do take it down to my ranch often on gravel roads so I was thinking of just getting the stage 1 build. The only reason I am thinking of upgrading is I hear they are safer for lifted trucks. And my truck being lifted 9" is a little top heavy.

 

[Trenton Wilson]

Where are you guys getting the $4k number for King shocks?
Perhaps the $4k number comes from the Jay dude in youtube or whatever his handle or name is with a white RAM 1500 crew cab diesel giving his opinion on his $4k Carli kit?
The shocks alone aren't $4k, the full kit with the Carli/King specd shocks, Carli rear springs, ucas, sway bar links and drop TB bracket is $4500, the Carli UCAs alone are $800.

Sure Kings aren't cheap but the price for 2.5 CO/shocks without the adjusters is about $2500 depending if you're going OE or adding a custom valving and tune. With adjusters the price goes up to about $$3100. And Kings are a tad cheaper than Fox. Get them valved from Accutune Off-road or Filthy Motorsports. You just need to tell them your mods, weigth and what you want out of the shocks.

Are they worth it? I keep paying for high performance shocks in almost every offroad application I've had. Prob the only one who didn't was my Jeep Wrangler. I'm going to get rid of my King rear shocks and i alreay ordered longer Fox 2.5 instead cause King doesnt make a 29" long shock, they're either 28 or 32" long. Fox happens to have a 29.3" long 2.5 shock with RES (for the 2500 RAM) and i'm having accutune do the same valving and tune they did on my Accutune valve/tuned Kings

Comparing Hi performance shocks prices (list prices)
Price is for both 2.5 coilovers with RES and 2.5 shocks with piggybacks RES: (Icon do not add front RES or Front adjusters)
Kings without adjusters: $2500
Kings with adjusters: $3100
Fox without adjusters: 2800
Fox with Adjusters: $3500
Icons without adjusters (Fronts CO's don't have RES): $2300
Icons with Adjusters (Front don't have RES or Adj, Only rears have adjusters and RES): $2500
Radflo without adjusters: $2500
Radflo with adjusters: $3000

Best price for options is Radflo, cheapo to the core is Icon because they don't give front RES or adjusters, Most expensive by far is Fox. King follows Fox prices closely. None are $4k shocks


Then add your options if you don't have them:
rear coil springs, front UCA's, rear control arms, sway bar links, rear trackbar, etc, etc, not couting the price of your bracket lift if you have/ will have one.

In the OP case, King doesn't have 6" coilovers or longer than 2" lift rear shocks, at least in OE form, meaning if you have a 6" lift you have to measure and order custom lenght. They can make anything you want within their specs. For instance in my case with the rear shocks, they only have 8" smooth 2.5 shocks with piggybacks or 10", the 8" are 28" extended tops, the 10"s are 32" extended.

Have fun.

Can you PM me info on what I should get exactly. You seem to know your stuff and I would love more insight. I wanted to go with King because they can come in anodized Red which matches my wheels and truck setup. I know thats petty but I like to match as best I can.