Thuren - is it worth $700 extra for King shocks over Fox 2.0s?

[MattandLana]

That's the price differential (net of freight) Thuren is quoting. I'm looking for more comfort, towing a 10k TT bumper pull and with a moderate load in the bed, on backcountry bad bitumen and dirt roads.

Is it worth it?

They're saying I'll get personalized design on the Kings, but what that really means in practice when I'm 10,000 miles away, I'm not sure.

 

[AH64ID]

I highly doubt it's worth the cost for your use. Stick with a set of off the shelf Bilstien 5100's.

 

[Mingoglia]

I run Kings on my offroad buggies, but not sure why they're needed on an onroad rig other than to increase their market share. I too would just run a "basic" quality shock for most tow rigs, and a RS9000 or similar shock on rigs with heavy slide-ins and be done with it. Most of the advantage of racing shocks, such as what I run on my buggies is their ability to have multiple spring rates/bypasses/etc... you just can't take advantage of the short travel (relatively speaking) of a 3/4-1-ton truck. Just seems like you're over-paying for technology and R&D you can't take advantage of in our application.

 

[Ozymandias]

They are worth every penny, I'll never give mine back, best buy for this Truck expect the BD Converter.
They are valved right to my driving style and the weight of my Truck.

Got mine from http://downsouthmotorsports.com , he did an excellent job.
Got valved Fox at the Front Axle but doesn't have the same ride quality like the Rear Kings.

 

[BarryG]

I have used both the fox 2.0 and the king 2.5s. I like the king 2.5s better personally. What other suspension mods are being made or is it just the shocks that are changing? Having shocks tuned to the suspension and load definitely make a difference compared to off the shelf shocks. Worth 700 more it was to me when I redid my suspension but it is not setup specifically for pulling a trailer so I cant comment on whether it will be worth it for that but the proper valving can make a significant difference in the shocks ability to do its job properly. The king is a 2.5 shock and I am assuming the fox is their 2.0 shock. The larger king with larger piston and reservoir will help with shock fade and I think tuneability (is that a word) but both of them will be light years ahead of the stock shocks at least with other suspension modifications like if coils and or leafs are also being changed.

 

[AEdelheit]

Id bet everyone saying they are overpriced and not worth it have never ridden in a truck with proper valved 2.5" shocks. The larger piston area allows for much better control in all situations, Bilstiens are great, until you ride in a truck with properly valved Kings.

 

[Regcabguy]

Id bet everyone saying they are overpriced and not worth it have never ridden in a truck with proper valved 2.5" shocks. The larger piston area allows for much better control in all situations, Bilstiens are great, until you ride in a truck with properly valved Kings.

Yep! The King's were an enormous improvement over my SAW 2.25's.
Don's got some great valving and amazing suspension.

 

[Ozymandias]

70MpH on really rough dirt roads with 11000lbs GVW, I think it speaks for it self.

 

[AH64ID]

70MpH on really rough dirt roads with 11000lbs GVW, I think it speaks for it self.

Doing that with a 10K lb TT in tow?

Towing a 10K lb TT on rough roads is LOT different.

 

[TFucili]

I'd take King over Fox any day

 

[Bob4x4]

I have 3" kings on my 05 and bilstein 7100s on my 94. There is no question the bigger kings have a huge advantage both on and off road. That applies to empty or towing. The only problem with the big kings is that sometimes I will forget I am towing. That cost me a transfer case In my jeep I was flat towing in the dirt

 

[MattandLana]

Thanks for the feedback guys. More welcome. To answer the queries: we'll replace the front coils but neither Thuren nor Carli do rear leafs yet for the 2014 3500. Speed will be max 60mph on bad bitumen, slower on dirt (unless it's billiard table dirt). Much slower on bush tracks and forest trails of course - we're holidayers not (any more!) racers.

So can a tuneable King be revalved after installation, eg. if we later change the rear leafs?

 

[Bob4x4]

Yes the Kings can be revalved anytime. Both Don and Carli have so much r and d time in ram applications they can dial in the shocks for your application.

 

[Ozymandias]

Doing that with a 10K lb TT in tow?

Towing a 10K lb TT on rough roads is LOT different.

Maybe yes, every is different, some can, some not. Loading, Tires, Shocks, stability of the chassis, all has an influence.
It's not possible to tell from the distance.

 

[Ozymandias]

Thanks for the feedback guys. More welcome. To answer the queries: we'll replace the front coils but neither Thuren nor Carli do rear leafs yet for the 2014 3500. Speed will be max 60mph on bad bitumen, slower on dirt (unless it's billiard table dirt). Much slower on bush tracks and forest trails of course - we're holidayers not (any more!) racers.

So can a tuneable King be revalved after installation, eg. if we later change the rear leafs?

Believe me, you'll go faster with the Kings, the Truck gives you such a stable, smooth and safe ride. There is no need to go to slow.
I had a set of new bilsteins installed when I got my truck, was a terrible sway all the time, nearly not drivable for my approach.
Now with the Kings the Truck goes like a Bunny wherever I want it to go.

 

[grabinov]

I just put the 5100's on the front of my Megacab in order to stop it from bottoming over speed bumps in the parking lot at the park (at 5mph). They didn't do it, and I don't think they are enough shock for the weight of the Cummins truck front end. If I had it to do again (and I may), I'd go w more shock...

 

[Regcabguy]

I just put the 5100's on the front of my Megacab in order to stop it from bottoming over speed bumps in the parking lot at the park (at 5mph). They didn't do it, and I don't think they are enough shock for the weight of the Cummins truck front end. If I had it to do again (and I may), I'd go w more shock...

My '07 springs did that unladen when new. I always wondered if a Hemi spring went in but it was assembled in Mexico so I doubt it.
Throw a 2000# wet camper on it and it was a trainwreck.
I had longer,stronger springs and much better shocks three weeks into ownership.