KORE Chase suspension

[Joseph Donnelly]

Jeff Argo, NMTDR President, and I installed the KORE Chase on the 2004 Friday and Saturday. Easy job with two people, about 6 hours total, taking our time. Gained back the inch of height lost with the Reunel bumper/ Warn up front, and up 2. 25" more than stock. Rear went up . 75" with the Reunel and Warn 9000 on the back. Truck rides much better and handles speed bumps like a car now. I used to have to slow to 12 mph, now twice that is still pretty smooth.

 

[testraub]

Welcome to the KORE suspension family Now all you need is the 35" Toyo's

 

[F-15I Ra'am]

Joe,did you get the heavier duty springs that Kore recommends for after market bumpers?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I got the progressive rate front springs, and they gained back the 1" I lost with the Reunel/Warn up front, and another 2. 25" up over stock. Replacing the bottom flat heavy leaf on the rear with his 4-leaf pack raised the rear . 75" even with the Reunel/Warn setup back there.



I have NEVER bought a lift kit and don't like them, as the ones I have seen were more for display at the drive-in than a real performance improvement (other than making room for bigger tires). Often they ruin the geometry of the suspension and in particular increase universal joint angles and frequently make them uneven on the two ends of the driveshaft. Since u-joints cause the shaft to speed up and slow down as it turns with the joints at an angle, uneven angles at the two ends put a lot of stress on the parts.



I bought the KORE not expecting much, other than a good set of shocks and knowing that longer springs were a better way to get back my 1" of height than spacer rings. Those rings are usually made of polyurethane and cost the rip off price of $200 (for no more than they are). I didn't expect to get much more than the 1" due to the 300 lb increase in weight on the front.



I was amazed at the improvement. The increase in ride height is just about what they advertised on a ball-park basis even for stock trucks. The ride is totally better, more like a sports car, if you can believe that. Lean and poor tracking on corners are gone. Going over problems in the road, including nasty speed bumps, you will feel a huge improvement. The Fox shocks work great. No more "porpoise-motion" or repeated suspension up and down movement, on speed bumps, etc. No excessive deflection on the more aggressive bumps. The height increase is clearly intended to give just enough suspension movement so that he can design a real set of springs, which require more than the paltry amount of suspension travel the factory height affords.



It is no wonder that Kent Kroeker gets upset if someone calls his suspension system a lift kit. His stuff is in a different world altogether. I took a chance and found that my money was spent more wisely than I deserve credit for.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

Joseph,

You're a tease!



I am waiting for my KORE Chase kit at this very moment (ship on Wednesday?) I was hoping I'd get it last week, because I was hoping to install it over the weekend, since I was expecting to have surgery on my wrist this week (dirt bike race crash). My surgery was put off until next week, so even though I dreaded the delay of that, the glimmer of hope is that I will be able to install the system this weekend (yeah, with a broken wrist and a non-mechanically inclined helper).



I feel so sorry for my truck. I'm going to have a mentality that it's a trophy truck (even though I know it's not), and destroy it. I will surely test the durability of the Snug Top shell. And to think I thought I learned my lesson with my 2nd gen 1500 that 4x4 doesn't mean it's bulletproof, when I badly bent its front axle and steering components while driving aggressively. I should start looking to reinforce the axle housings now. Greg?

 

[pwerwagn]

I have to agree with Joe. The install went perfectly. I've installed many "lift-kits" on all models of vehicles and this KORE kit was probably the best. Even Kents directions are good. Every part of this kit is well thought out, and ALL parts were included. No running to the parts store to find longer bolts, or any of that crap typical of "other" suspension companies.



The install would have only taken about 4 hours if Joe didnt want to grease every bolt!! Just kiddin Joe.



--Jeff

 

[SMorneau]

I bought the KORE not expecting much, other than a good set of shocks and knowing that longer springs were a better way to get back my 1" of height than spacer rings. Those rings are usually made of polyurethane and cost the rip off price of $200 (for no more than they are). I didn't expect to get much more than the 1" due to the 300 lb increase in weight on the front.

.

Why would you not expect much? So many people on this site, including me, value your opinions. I find it puzzling that you would not be confident in the opinions shared by so many on this site regarding KORE products.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I just hadn't done a lot of research on KORE before I called Kent. I also did not "think" that I "needed" or "wanted" too much of a change. No slight on members of this site was implied.

 

[BBarner]

Still waiting on my KORE Chase ordered up 4 weeks ago from DRC. I have my 35 Toyo's on now and just thinking of Greg every time the front tires rub!



Hope it is sent out to J&H already this week - WAITING, WAITING, WAITING!

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

The Eagle has landed guys... . ! Systems are shipping today!! Woooo Hoooo!



Greg DRC

 

[Fred Swanson]

Joe, you have to hit those speed bumps at about 45, then you'll truly see the difference.

 

[pwerwagn]

You havent seen Joes speedbumps!!!! They are insane, in speedbump terms.

But I'd be willing to hit em' at 45mph in your truck Joe, if you'll let me.



--Jeff

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I was thinking 65-80 mph is a good number for a little speed bump. Kroeker took me over some 24 inch whoops at 70 last weekend in the Beast. Funny thing is, those were the same whoops that killed the front diff last year. This stuff just gets better and better... . !



Greg DRC

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Jeff, if you try them at 45 in your truck, I'll follow to pick up the pieces

 

[MNielsen]

I was thinking 65-80 mph is a good number for a little speed bump. Kroeker took me over some 24 inch whoops at 70 last weekend in the Beast. Funny thing is, those were the same whoops that killed the front diff last year. This stuff just gets better and better... . !



Greg DRC

GREG/KENT

I finally got enough time off to install the CHASE suspension system with parnelli jones dirt grip 35/12. 5/17's and all I can say is even in pouring rain in my parents driveway all I needed was a jack and two jackstands(heavy duty of course) and a few tools including 2 torque wrenches and there she stood (4" taller) made me cry!! I just had to race over to "sign hill" a mountain in SSF that reads "SSF the industrial city" and try her out. Well I must say I tamed that there mountain in the pouring rain as if it were a speed bump!( did get pucker factor to 9 though). THIS SYSTEM KICKS SOME SERIOUS BUTT!!!! Oo. Oo. Of course it no longer fits in the parking garage at work BUT WHO CARES I HAVE A 1TON PORSCHE WITH A CUMMINS!!!WWWHHHHEEEEWWWHHHEEEE

Thanks to Greg and Kent!!! Killer system!!!

 

[pwerwagn]

Kroeker took me over some 24 inch whoops at 70 last weekend in the Beast

you guys make me soooooo jealous!!! As soon as Im done with my BSME, im building a truck and im gonna come play too!!! :{



--Jeff

 

[JeepinDoug]

GREG/KENT

I finally got enough time off to install the CHASE suspension system with parnelli jones dirt grip 35/12. 5/17's and all I can say is even in pouring rain in my parents driveway all I needed was a jack and two jackstands(heavy duty of course) and a few tools including 2 torque wrenches and there she stood (4" taller) made me cry!! I just had to race over to "sign hill" a mountain in SSF that reads "SSF the industrial city" and try her out. Well I must say I tamed that there mountain in the pouring rain as if it were a speed bump!( did get pucker factor to 9 though). THIS SYSTEM KICKS SOME SERIOUS BUTT!!!! Oo. Oo. Of course it no longer fits in the parking garage at work BUT WHO CARES I HAVE A 1TON PORSCHE WITH A CUMMINS!!!WWWHHHHEEEEWWWHHHEEEE

Thanks to Greg and Kent!!! Killer system!!!

Where on Sign Hill? Give up the info on poaching a good trail. :-laf



I just picked up my Chase system this weekend but can't find any directions. I was hoping I'd find some tips on the shock install without purging the nitro. I figured I could string them collapsed and cut the string for final attachment.

I know most of the install tips but don't have any specs, such as nitro psi (if I need to purge) and torque specs.

 

[Briman]

You don't have to purge the shocks. Install them while the axles are at full drop. You have to lift the front axle just a little bit from full drop for the lower shock bolt to go in. The back shocks need only a slight compression while axle is at full drop (1/4"). Call Kore for the directions. I couldn't imagine the install without them. The one thing I did to make the job easier was to unhook both sides of the rear axle at the same time and set it on three jack stands. Then I pivoted the whole axle a few degrees from normal/perpendicular so the spring pins were not directly on top of the spring perch. I did this because the driver side could not be dropped enough to install the pins. The brake line and emergency brake cable restricted distance axle would drop. Just make sure you don't drop the axle on the floor. That would be bad. There may be a better way but that's how I dealt with it.

 

[jtwcummins]

I had the Chase system installed on my 97 a couple of weeks ago. The VR springs aren't available for the 2nd Gen trucks so I was debating the install for along time since I don't do alot of off road driving living in San Jose. The 'paved' roads in alot of Cal really suck, pot holes and cracks, and my tuck would rattle dentures and want to constantly change direction. Going up 80 to Reno was really bad. Had to slow down to maintain control. Never knew where the rear end would end up going around the corners. Since we bought a house in Minden and I am retiring in a few months and moving there I really started looking at doing it.



Finally broke down and did the upgrade. Words can't really describe the difference. Went to Reno and had no problem maintaining speed. Truck tracked true all the time and had no steering stabilizer on. The ride quality improvement was huge. The expansion joints no longer bounce you to death, still not like a good riding car but alot closer to a half ton pickup. The wheels feel planted all the time in the corners and I have to pay attention to speed more than before.



It's like getting hit on the head with a regular steel hammer and a rubber mallet. You still feel it, but which one would you choose. (other than shoot the hammer holder)

 

[ohnoitsyu]

I experienced just the opposite. With the Chase and VR coils on my 06, I practically have to wear a kidney belt on the freeways around OC and LA. It was bad stock, but it's worse now. My friends with Lexuses and Acuras wonder why I drive such a rough-riding truck... until we veer off the road, then they kind of get it. "Hold my drink. "



Oddly enough, sometimes very rough dirt roads feel better than these damned freeways, and they were much worse when stock.