Kings

[HarryDangler]

Been a minute since I’ve been on the site, but I just received my King 2.5 OE series from Filthy Motorsport. Adjustable, stock length and keeping factory springs.

The truck already has half ton numbers I’m not looking to reduce that any further but the factory Bilsteins are in my opinion budget garbage.
Anyways I found limited info on shocks for this truck, and all the Thuren and Carli kits self describe as requiring proprietary taller and softer springs. No thanks.
So if anyone is interested I hope to have these mounted in a week or so and can test pig results. Worth $3k I dunno but I trust they wont be worse than the screen door dampers this thing came with.

 

[johanh13]

Been a minute since I’ve been on the site, but I just received my King 2.5 OE series from Filthy Motorsport. Adjustable, stock length and keeping factory springs.

The truck already has half ton numbers I’m not looking to reduce that any further but the factory Bilsteins are in my opinion budget garbage.
Anyways I found limited info on shocks for this truck, and all the Thuren and Carli kits self describe as requiring proprietary taller and softer springs. No thanks.
So if anyone is interested I hope to have these mounted in a week or so and can test pig results. Worth $3k I dunno but I trust they wont be worse than the screen door dampers this thing came with.

Looking forward to seeing some photos and specs! I am running Carli King 2.5" resi shocks, 2.5" leveling coils in front, stock coils in the rear...

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Been a minute since I’ve been on the site, but I just received my King 2.5 OE series from Filthy Motorsport. Adjustable, stock length and keeping factory springs.

The truck already has half ton numbers I’m not looking to reduce that any further but the factory Bilsteins are in my opinion budget garbage.
Anyways I found limited info on shocks for this truck, and all the Thuren and Carli kits self describe as requiring proprietary taller and softer springs. No thanks.
So if anyone is interested I hope to have these mounted in a week or so and can test pig results. Worth $3k I dunno but I trust they wont be worse than the screen door dampers this thing came with.

The bilstein shocks are pretty good for stock shocks im not sure what you are going on about. For a 3/4 ton truck they work quite well unless you are expecting pre runner suspension… I'm assuming you have a Power wagon if you are saying it “has half ton numbers”

 

[HarryDangler]

The bilstein shocks are pretty good for stock shocks im not sure what you are going on about. For a 3/4 ton truck they work quite well unless you are expecting pre runner suspension… I'm assuming you have a Power wagon if you are saying it “has half ton numbers”

Thanks for your opinion on the bilsteins, it’s great you’re happy with them. Mine being it’s a budget shock with commensurate budget performance. I’m not going on about anything I’m attempting to help anyone who is on the fence about better shocks before they spend the coin by sharing my experience and opinion. If you have some affinity for the stock bilsteins, this isn’t a post you need to follow.
And for clarity, yes it’s a ‘22 power wagon I thought using the “Power Wagon” forum was adequate back story I’ll be more thorough next time.

 

[HarryDangler]

Out of the box they looks great and they arrived perfectly in tact so thanks to Filthy or more so King for the boxing. These have long front hoses to allow multiple mounting options though only one spot seems viable so I think shorter hoses could be better. I’m waiting for Thuren front mounts and booties which don’t look as great but I feel could be valuable in protection to the shafts, then I’ll swap these in.

 

[HarryDangler]

Looking forward to seeing some photos and specs! I am running Carli King 2.5" resi shocks, 2.5" leveling coils in front, stock coils in the rear...

Tempting as they are, I’ve always encountered some cons along with the pros anytime I’ve changed the geometry to my vehicles. My goal is to make improvements, conceding up front the improvements won’t be maximized, without inducing any unwanted aspects.
Conversely, I’ve done half measures before and wished I went all out. As an example I did 35’s on this truck and while I’m happy I can’t help but consider 37s at times. So we’ll see.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Thanks for your opinion on the bilsteins, it’s great you’re happy with them. Mine being it’s a budget shock with commensurate budget performance. I’m not going on about anything I’m attempting to help anyone who is on the fence about better shocks before they spend the coin by sharing my experience and opinion. If you have some affinity for the stock bilsteins, this isn’t a post you need to follow.
And for clarity, yes it’s a ‘22 power wagon I thought using the “Power Wagon” forum was adequate back story I’ll be more thorough next time.

Missed that it was in the PW section my bad, yea if you are using a PW as designed the bilsteins are not the ideal shocks they are good for a mild overland setup, kings are great shocks you should be happy with them

 

[HarryDangler]

Missed that it was in the PW section my bad, yea if you are using a PW as designed the bilsteins are not the ideal shocks they are good for a mild overland setup, kings are great shocks you should be happy with them

I could drive this truck for 100k miles on the bilsteins and never be held back or disappointed so I’m not encouraging anyone to follow my lead, just sharing.
Raptor/Trx excluded, I’m of the opinion shocks are an overlooked feature when companies piece together $70-100,000 adult toys. I ended up with a Level3 PW and it’s got a ton of features I wish it didn’t that no doubt I paid for because of the way the options get bundled, but the same shocks my $34k Tacoma OR had. And their performance got them booted from that truck as well.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Nice upgrade. No shortage of shock opinions on this forum but you can’t go wrong if you have the money for the big kings

 

[HarryDangler]

Installed. Process had its bumps. I decided to use Thuren mounts despite preferring the king supplied mounts simply because my garage is too small and my driveway/road are too sloped to safely jack high enough to get max droop and between the springs.

Right rear body contacts the ebrake cable. I’ll need to fix this. According the Filthy, some Covid era trucks delivered with shorter cables than most. Lucky me. Either a modified cable bracket or a longer cable.

I’ll give it some miles before commenting on the ride.

 

[HarryDangler]

Looking forward to seeing some photos and specs! I am running Carli King 2.5" resi shocks, 2.5" leveling coils in front, stock coils in the rear...

View attachment 75007

I also prefer the angle of your reservoir hose at the shock body.

 

[johanh13]

I also prefer the angle of your reservoir hose at the shock body.

I used the thuren resi mounts with Carli Kings... I wanted to tuck the reservoir in as much as possible and did not like the idea of sandwiching it between the coil isolator and frame...

 

[HarryDangler]

I used the thuren resi mounts with Carli Kings... I wanted to tuck the reservoir in as much as possible and did not like the idea of sandwiching it between the coil isolator and frame...

Yea I did the same. I try not to make permanent modifications (drilling) if I can avoid it but they as you said also place them back further so given my particular case it was the best option I could find.

 

[HarryDangler]

I won’t write some love story here. The kings are great, I’m glad I got them, I’m glad I got the adjusters. I’ll play around some but with 24 clicks, +12 front +10 rear (from softest) is working very nicely.
I’m positive the full up kits with coils ect work even better, not trying to knock that route, but if you call around (Carli, Thuren, CJC…) and everyone tells you shocks alone won’t do much and you need the full kit that’s total Bs. Hopefully this helps a few mulling their options.

 

[Soapy]

I did not want to raise the truck and go the whole spring route either. I just went with Bilstein 5160s and got the ride improvement I was looking for. I am sure the Kings are even better. Your truck looks great.

 

[HarryDangler]

I did not want to raise the truck and go the whole spring route either. I just went with Bilstein 5160s and got the ride improvement I was looking for. I am sure the Kings are even better. Your truck looks great.

Thanks friend, I’m pretty satisfied with its current state. PW’s are one of few 4x4’s I see and don’t instantly think “it could use a lift”. I know lots of folks had good opinions of the 5160s when I had my Tacoma and was making some changes.