Total Chaos / King Coilover Kit

[cmpugh7]

Installed Total Chaos PART #LC250-24-25-K2A yesterday.

Only put a few miles on it because I still need to get an alignment, but initial impression is ride is stiffer/smoother than the Dobinson kit that I had on it. I am going wheeling next Tuesday so should be able to report back real world off-road experience on the same trails I ran with the Dobinson kit. I'll have my Westcott sliders installed as well, so I'll be choosing some harder lines.

Install was very straight forward, and took me about 5 hours start to finish. The toughest part was removing the upper control arm through bolt on the driver side. Took some pry bar manipulation, but ultimately was pretty easy by coaxing it from the engine bay.

Some things to note for those wanting the kit. It was nearly impossible to find how much initial pre-load was on the coilovers straight from King... In doing some calculation and measuring off the vehicle, I was able to determine it would gain about 1.5" over stock. I turned the collar 3 full turns prior to install, which yielded exactly 2.1" (5 turns = 1")... which brought be down by .4" and was perfect to achieve a little more rake. It would be pretty easy to gain nearly 3" in the front if desired... I was only down roughly 6 threads at 2+/-".

I would encourage doing your homework/calculations and adjust prior to install, otherwise you will be removing the tire, removing the upper control arm knuckle bolt to get it out of the way of the remote reservoir hose, or removing the coil all together.

In the rear I'm still running Dobinson 2" coils w/ .5" spacer. With all the weight it yields me about 1.5" of lift.

Sorry I didn't get better pictures... I'm terrible about doing that during install.

 

[t3lcfe]

Installed Total Chaos PART #LC250-24-25-K2A yesterday.

Only put a few miles on it because I still need to get an alignment, but initial impression is ride is stiffer/smoother than the Dobinson kit that I had on it. I am going wheeling next Tuesday so should be able to report back real world off-road experience on the same trails I ran with the Dobinson kit. I'll have my Westcott sliders installed as well, so I'll be choosing some harder lines.

Install was very straight forward, and took me about 5 hours start to finish. The toughest part was removing the upper control arm through bolt on the driver side. Took some pry bar manipulation, but ultimately was pretty easy by coaxing it from the engine bay.

Some things to note for those wanting the kit. It was nearly impossible to find how much initial pre-load was on the coilovers straight from King... In doing some calculation and measuring off the vehicle, I was able to determine it would gain about 1.5" over stock. I turned the collar 3 full turns prior to install, which yielded exactly 2.1" (5 turns = 1")... which brought be down by .4" and was perfect to achieve a little more rake. It would be pretty easy to gain nearly 3" in the front if desired... I was only down roughly 6 threads at 2+/-".

I would encourage doing your homework/calculations and adjust prior to install, otherwise you will be removing the tire, removing the upper control arm knuckle bolt to get it out of the way of the remote reservoir hose, or removing the coil all together.

In the rear I'm still running Dobinson 2" coils w/ .5" spacer. With all the weight it yields me about 1.5" of lift.

Sorry I didn't get better pictures... I'm terrible about doing that during install.

Thanks much for great detail write-up.

After installing the complete set 120 lbs dv8 steel front bumper + 12,000 lbs winch this weekend, I will see how height differences between rear and front. Then will next go with 2-2.5” fully lift kit (springs + TC UCA + adjustable King shocks )
After had Frontrunner drawer system+fridge slider, the front is only 1/2” lower than rear. If I add fully gears/ spare tire carrier for my family of 4 off-road/overlanding trip, It will be leveled.

Learned from my current Gwagon setup, I had stiffer springs on rear to accommodate the heavy loads when off-roading. Talked to tech guy, I will use the same method for LC

 

[cmpugh7]

Thanks much for great detail write-up.

After installing the complete set 120 lbs dv8 steel front bumper + 12,000 lbs winch this weekend, I will see how height differences between rear and front. Then will next go with 2-2.5” fully lift kit (springs + TC UCA + adjustable King shocks )
After had Frontrunner drawer system+fridge slider, the front is only 1/2” lower than rear. If I add fully gears/ spare tire carrier for my family of 4 off-road/overlanding trip, It will be leveled.

Learned from my current Gwagon setup, I had stiffer springs on rear to accommodate the heavy loads when off-roading. Talked to tech guy, I will use the same method for LC

The Dobinson 2" springs are Mid Duty (as I would call them), I believe they are 100-300lbs over stock. I have an ADGU drawer system, tools, recovery gear, compressor etc in the back. I also have DirtCom's rear tire carrier. Made it drop just under 1".

I'm getting DV8s front bumper and winch as well, so would be interested to hear your experience with the sag in the front.

 

[t3lcfe]

The Dobinson 2" springs are Mid Duty (as I would call them), I believe they are 100-300lbs over stock. I have an ADGU drawer system, tools, recovery gear, compressor etc in the back. I also have DirtCom's rear tire carrier. Made it drop just under 1".

I'm getting DV8s front bumper and winch as well, so would be interested to hear your experience with the sag in the front.

Thanks again for more details added in. I definitely get the shop doing the suspension stuffs. However, I will start the front bumper + winch by myself this weekend. I just chopped/deleted the DV8 logo at the 20” light bar. Don’t want it obviously shows and blocks my Baja Design light Will let you know how it goes.
Wish me luck
Happy LC

 

[gettinReady]

Thanks for the write up. I drove to Vegas from
LA after installing the kit. The front setup settled and now need to take apart like you said to adjust.

 

[cmpugh7]

Thanks for the write up. I drove to Vegas from
LA after installing the kit. The front setup settled and now need to take apart like you said to adjust.

You can get 3/4 of a turn without much issue, but then it will be a struggle to get the collar tightened again. If King opted for a set screw like Icon, this wouldn't be an issue, but the way they secure the collar from rotating takes up a lot of real estate.

 

[gettinReady]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[t3lcfe]

Thanks again for more details added in. I definitely get the shop doing the suspension stuffs. However, I will start the front bumper + winch by myself this weekend. I just chopped/deleted the DV8 logo at the 20” light bar. Don’t want it obviously shows and blocks my Baja Design light Will let you know how it goes.
Wish me luck
Happy LC

Check out my new post about self installation of dv8 bumper + integrated / hidden 12,000 lbs winch + 20” light bar

Next will be fully lifted kit (not spacers or preload collars stuffs…)