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…)

 

[cmpugh7]

I was making some tweaks today, and got some good pictures of the rear. Rides very very well.

 

[t3lcfe]

I was making some tweaks today, and got some good pictures of the rear. Rides very very well.

Great to hear that you had great experience with that. How does it compare to stock ones? Appreciate if you can share more details!

The reason I want to lift the LC because I want to have higher clearance, softer ride with KO3, more travel suspension and can fit 35” comfortably.

I will have TC UCA + King shock front and rear + Econ rear 2” lifted springs. Got the quote from my local shop (recommend by TC), and will be scheduled for the upgrade.

 

[cmpugh7]

Great to hear that you had great experience with that. How does it compare to stock ones? Appreciate if you can share more details!

The reason I want to lift the LC because I want to have higher clearance, softer ride with KO3, more travel suspension and can fit 35” comfortably.

I will have TC UCA + King shock front and rear + Econ rear 2” lifted springs. Got the quote from my local shop (recommend by TC), and will be scheduled for the upgrade.

It's firmer and yet smoother than stock by a long shot. I don't get anymore nose dive on hard braking, and I'm not chirping front tires when accelerating through tighter turns anymore. Went off-road on Thursday, and was impressed with how smooth it was and the articulation was pretty good for IFS, and as expected in the rear.

I wheeled it with Readylift, Dobinson and Kings... Kings are better without a question. Whether or not they are $2500 better than Dobinson and $4k better than Readylift is subjective, but in my mind, for what I do, they are my best option.

I did some expensive R&D, but am ultimately happy, and can put Dobinson back on when I go to rebuild the Kings.

 

[t3lcfe]

It's firmer and yet smoother than stock by a long shot. I don't get anymore nose dive on hard braking, and I'm not chirping front tires when accelerating through tighter turns anymore. Went off-road on Thursday, and was impressed with how smooth it was and the articulation was pretty good for IFS, and as expected in the rear.

I wheeled it with Readylift, Dobinson and Kings... Kings are better without a question. Whether or not they are $2500 better than Dobinson and $4k better than Readylift is subjective, but in my mind, for what I do, they are my best option.

I did some expensive R&D, but am ultimately happy, and can put Dobinson back on when I go to rebuild the Kings.

Thanks much for detail experience sharing.
Dang, you sold me, bro
$7,400 (for my selected set) will be taken from my bank

 

[gettinReady]

Been driving around town with the TC set and Dobinsons springs in the rear. I have not tried the LC off road yet. But it has been a smooth ride. It’s firmer than the stock suspension. I think the setup is definitely worth it.

 

[flynncruiser]

Do you know what valving they used for the shocks? I went with KING OEM on the 4runner it was very much like oem, on the taco I went with Kings and accutune 50/50 and it was a little harsh for around town.

 

[cmpugh7]

Do you know what valving they used for the shocks? I went with KING OEM on the 4runner it was very much like oem, on the taco I went with Kings and accutune 50/50 and it was a little harsh for around town.

The kit I got from Total Chaos is adjustable. King does have a non-adjustable option for a few hundred dollars less.

 

[t3lcfe]

Been driving around town with the TC set and Dobinsons springs in the rear. I have not tried the LC off road yet. But it has been a smooth ride. It’s firmer than the stock suspension. I think the setup is definitely worth it.

Dobinson VS. Icon 2” lift springs quality and reliability wide? Do you know?

Icon now only has 2” lift springs (rear) with OEM/factory load
Dobinson has both 2” lift springs (rear) for OEM /factory load AND 175-330 lbs loaded over OEM/factory load

 

[cmpugh7]

Dobinson VS. Icon 2” lift springs quality and reliability wide? Do you know?

Icon now only has 2” lift springs (rear) with OEM/factory load
Dobinson has both 2” lift springs (rear) for OEM /factory load AND 175-330 lbs loaded over OEM/factory load

I don't have any experience with the Icon springs, but can speak for the Dobinson with 175-330, and am very happy with how they ride/perform. Price is great too.

 

[t3lcfe]

I don't have any experience with the Icon springs, but can speak for the Dobinson with 175-330, and am very happy with how they ride/perform. Price is great too.

Thanks much!

 

[gettinReady]

Dobinson VS. Icon 2” lift springs quality and reliability wide? Do you know?

Icon now only has 2” lift springs (rear) with OEM/factory load
Dobinson has both 2” lift springs (rear) for OEM /factory load AND 175-330 lbs loaded over OEM/factory load

I also do lot have any experience with the Icon. But I am waiting for Dirtcom spare tire carrier for the back so I opted for the Dobinsons. So far even without the extra weight in the back, the ride is smooth.

 

[t3lcfe]

I also do lot have any experience with the Icon. But I am waiting for Dirtcom spare tire carrier for the back so I opted for the Dobinsons. So far even without the extra weight in the back, the ride is smooth.

Thanks for all great experience shares.
It’s very helpful!

Today, talked to RPM Garage (local tech here) which I tend to have them to install the set. They told me that Dobinson is a bit stiffer ride in town without heavy loaded compared to Icon, but handle loaded better while off-road.