KORE suspension kits?

[JCockerill]

i want to set my 06 up for getting new tires soon, before next winter. I want to upsize from the stock tires. . I was looking at getting the KORE leveling kit for the front with new shock front and rear. my question is, will the truck look right? or should i get the 2in all around kit with the extra springs? next question is wht do the add more springs? the truck is stiff enough. mostly drive unloaded, so i don't want the ride any harder than it is. what kit should i get? would like to run 34's or 35's. stock tires look like car tires on this truck

 

[testraub]

The recon setup will smooth the ride a bit. Wife even noticed the differance after install.

 

[Tinman]

The rear leaf mini packs replace the super stiff helper spring. So you aren't adding springs per say you're changing them. The mini packs use 3 to 5 (depending on who you buy from) smaller leafs in place of the on big one. This way the total load/hauling capacity of the truck is the same as stock, but you get more useable wheel travel. With the stock helper spring you really only get 1 or 2 inches of rear travel. The mini packs allow a more gradual spring rate to GVWR. Now if you really want a good ride and can sacrifice load carrying, get a full leaf pack replacement. Get the mini packs, front springs and 4 shocks. It'll be worth it. I think the 5100 series shocks sold my the different vendors are basically the same. But, as a whole, KORE's shocks and springs are the stiffest of all the performance suspensions we have for our trucks.

 

[hearingyourlies]

Given the choice, I'd go with Carli ... and I have a Kore set-up!

Their customer "service" is an absolute joke and half their vendors don't even carry their stuff anymore. Just my 2 cents.

 

[CDonaldson]

I have the KORE leveling kit, I installed it at about 1K miles, I also installed Bilstein shocks in the rear at the same time. I considered the mini-packs, I also considered the full packs, still stock springs in the back as I did not want to sacrifice load carrying.



I have been very pleased with the leveling kit. It was easy to install. I have had NO problems with the kit. As far as customer service, it was shipped out right away, the instructions were very complete in detail for installation, I have had no reason to need customer service so far in over 40K of use.





CD

 

[Bochuck]

When it comes my turn to change the shocks, what does everyone recommend? Basically a stock 04. 5 2500 48RE. I talked to a guy who had the leveling kit on his truck and it looked nice, but he had no idea what it was and therefore couldn't offer me any advice. It appears his was a spacer at the top of the front springs. If I add a front leveler, will I need to change anything, ie shocks, steering components, front end alignment... etc? Any recommendations on brand?

Bob

 

[DonFitzwater]

I just installed an HP series on my wifes mega cab. I was very surprised by the softening of the ride. The truck jolted really hard on small bumps before and had to be driven at a crawl over any larger bumps. The Kit made a huge difference for 670. 00. The only issue I had was about a 4 week wait because the front vr coils weren't in stock I also think the shocks did an enormous job in improving ride because I couldn't even compress two of the factory shocks and I am 6'2"/250, and the dealer said there was nothing wrong with my truck. Just make sure they have everything in stock before you order or you may be waiting a while.

 

[JCockerill]

the carli kit is $800 the kore kit is $385... thats a big difference for a leveling kit with shocks. .

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I have the KORE Chase suspension and it has well exceeded my expectations. See TDR Issue 53, p. 110.

 

[AClayton]

It is ironic that this thread popped up because I just ordered the Kore HP for my truck and have nothing but good to say about the girl I talked with over the phone. Her knowledge of their product line was second to none and they have a special now if you order on line. I have airbags on my truck so what I did was grind off the rear-most section of the bottom leaf to improve the ride. I left the front half to help with axle-rap and have not had a problem in over a year... ... . with almost 500hp!!I do however need to put more in the bags than I used to to support my trailer... . but never over 70psi with my heaviest load. The KORE simply replaced the over-load with their new,revised spring to maintain GVW rating. The factory springs do a great job with road mannners without the OVRLds until you put a heavy load in the truck or on the hitch..... I simply add air to the bags to compensate. The HP front springs were $385 and can't wait to see the difference. I cheaped out last year with new 3" springs from Rough Country and the name certainly applies to how they ride!!



Alan

 

[AlaskanCummins]

I installed a Kore Chase system about 3, maybe 4 years ago on my rig. It did exceed my expectations in some areas, not as much in others. Exceeded on the frost heaves on our highways up here and not as much during slow speeds on potholes, washboard.



The faster I go over frost heaves, the better it responds. Slower over washboard, the stiffer it seems to be compared to stock.



For the most part, I am pleased with the system and totally agree with hearingyourlies about customer service - doesn't exist. I've written e-mails to different vendors and to Kore themselves and don't even get responses, let alone answers.

 

[Jeepr]

I have the Kore Recon with Bilstein's and have been very happy. I have called them a few times for small things, and have been happy with their assistance. I run 35's, but they do rub a bit, but I don't have the stock offset wheels as recommended.

 

[zippinbye]

I started a similar thread about two months ago and had a lot of very helpful responses. I had way more advice steering me to Carli and Lorenz and some Thuren. But I had asked about the KORE HP at $670 (plus $125 or so for shipping) in the context of value compared to the others and function compared to stock. A lot of the feedback I received seemed to overlook my budget and stated goals. I think the "other three" probably have superior products at many points in their line of suspensions. And perhaps better customer service than KORE. But after a week since HP installation, I can only say that the only shameful party in the suspension game I have encountered is Dodge! The ride is so far superior to stock, on and off road, it's not even funny. I ran 30+ mph on a ATV trail in the desert that I crawled at 10-15 before, due to the stock harshness with zero load. And the price was literally half of a comparable suspension from the above-mentioned competitors. My calls to KORE were not always answered. Haven't tried e-mail they are only open Monday through Thursday , and sometimes are out for races and trade shows. So what? They have been knowledgable and helpful with each contact. I am very pleased with the quality appearance of all the components. Their rep in Sacramento even talked me through the install on a Friday when I thought I didn't receive instructions (they were in a shock package I hadn't looked in). The install went well, except that their instructions did not mention (nor did any TDR members with KORE suspensions) a potential for interference from the parking brake cable when decompressing the rear suspension; I'm thinking mine might be a bit shorter than normal. That made removing the overload difficult, but I found a way. I am so pleased that I would consider it a waste of money to spend 2x as much on a competitors "entry level" suspension. If money were no object and I was going high-end, well, I would study the options once again. If you want a great ride, significantly improved off-roadability and no compromise of stock load capacity, the KORE HP should please you. BTW, mine came out at 3" up in the front and 1" up in the back. It looks cool (and close to level, perhaps a bit rear-high still) even with my stock Michelins - sort of like a 70's F-250 that almost seemed lifted from the factory. PM if you have any questions. Now I'm ****** at myself for not doing it sooner - I could have had a better ride for pennies per mile if it was done a few years ago!

 

[KLockliear]

Do any of the websites that sell Kore stuff show pricing? I've got a Mini Pack I'm not going to use, and need to get out of the garage, but have no idea what it's worth and which trucks it will fit besides my 01.

 

[Bob4x4]

The 2nd gen mini packs will fit all year 2nd gens... ... ... ... ... ... I will have a used set to sell real soon too.

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

mini packs Carli

About time you-got the full leaf's Bob for that 94!

 

[Bob4x4]

Sometimes slow is good

 

[Bochuck]

Thanks for the excellent info Rich! It was very informative and you seem to have the same goals and limits I have. Looks like I'll be delving further into info regarding a Kore purchase. The back of my truck now sits a little lower than a year or two ago probably due to age and wear (towing a SeaRay regularly as well and keeping 3-400lbs of tools in the back doesn't help either). I'm wondering if the Kore lit will restore the ride height plus the 1" you mention, or if I need to get new springs (or air bags) as well.



Thanks again!



Bob

 

[Udaloy]

So is it possible to get just the progressive rate front springs, without the new shocks? I already have the Bilstein shocks for a stock truck, and don't know if the one's they offer are longer?

 

[zippinbye]

My Bilsteins are about 23" with normal weight in the truck, measured from center of the lower bolt eye to the top of the shock tube (basically where it touches the shock tower). I never measured that stockers. I would get your Blstein part # and do some Internet research, or just call KORE. I notice the VR shocks are not listed seperately on the KORE website. The leveling kit is $380 including springs, shocks and sway bar drop blocks. The shocks separately are $180, so the $200 or so I seem to recall for the springs should be about right. Considering that front coil spacer kits are $80 or more, this is a no-brainer to get 2"-3" of lift, with the bonus of a better ride.