Thoughts on removing coil springs on A1R

[Third From Texas]

Yeah, the pandemic really crippled the custom shock world. The survivors are still recovering.

I'd start with a 3" body and talk to them about how best to do the can (likely going to be a remote), Maybe get your actual curb weight (CAT scales) for the front axel (that would be how I'd "fuzzy" it). Give them those weights and see what they recommend for valving/bypass. You're not really going to be racing it, so you have a lot more fudge factor to play with. And depending on how they valve them, you might be able to get away w/o a bypass.

But that's likely how I'd start the discussion with them. One of their techs should be able to sort it out. But I haven't dealt with King (or any of the others) in a lot of years. Sounds like you have the time, so that works in your favor. But it's quite the expense, obviously so you want it right for sure.

 

[GCecchetto]

Yeah, the pandemic really crippled the custom shock world. The survivors are still recovering.

I'd start with a 3" body and talk to them about how best to do the can (likely going to be a remote), Maybe get your actual curb weight (CAT scales) for the front axel (that would be how I'd "fuzzy" it). Give them those weights and see what they recommend for valving/bypass. You're not really going to be racing it, so you have a lot more fudge factor to play with. And depending on how they valve them, you might be able to get away w/o a bypass.

But that's likely how I'd start the discussion with them. One of their techs should be able to sort it out. But I haven't dealt with King (or any of the others) in a lot of years. Sounds like you have the time, so that works in your favor. But it's quite the expense, obviously so you want it right for sure.

Well, ultimately, I will have a habitat on the truck, so the current curb weight, which I know from having it on a scale, would be light compared to the finished build. Fortunately, a buddy of mine who is a fellow LMTV owner apparently knows the owner, or owners daughter at King. So hopping that connection can get me to the right person to work with.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

King will tell you they have no idea and that they will have to be custom made. A friend of mine has KING shocks on his M1088 and he also knows the owner who apparently arranged a team to custom build a set for him. Took them an entire day to manually machine all the required spacers and bushings. Apparently it was an unprofitable cluster. Not sure if they will want to do another one or not. Maybe they have forgotten the pain. I'm positive though that it will cost and absolute fortune.

Personally - I've driven a bunch of trucks with a pile of different "schemes" for the suspension. Everything from completely stock A1R's and A1P2's all the way to an M1088 that's has the one axle removed and the other slid back to be roughly between where the two rear tires would sit and the suspension entirely replaced with an air bag system off an air ride tractor.... Truck also had the cab air bridge AND air ride seats. The effect was nauseating and felt like a cheap water bed. The KING shocks on the M1088 overland setup felt fine - truck also had air bridge and air ride seats so also kinda "vague" and handles like a garbage scow.

I'm not changing mine. The spring delete is excellent and I don't really have any desire to mess with it further - can if be improved? Sure. Is it worth the cost? Nope. Maybe a low profile air-ride seat but y'all can have the air bridge problems and the expensive custom shocks just don't provide enough ROI. The cost is absurd for what I would estimate is about 10-20% improvement. It's honestly hard to tell the difference most of the time and it's fairly subjective. Deleting the springs is NOT subjective. That makes about a 500% improvement in ride quality and it's free. Several thousand $$$ for another 10% is chasing diminishing returns.

If I'm gonna plunk down that kinda money I'll spend 3-4x and find someone involved with the General Kinetics active suspension prototypes the Army didn't end up purchasing......

 

[IronhorseTX]

Spring was easy to cut with the cutoff wheel, just watch out when it lets go, you might fracture the cutting disc.
Requires 2 cuts to release pressure, second cut has almost no tension, then you can screw the springs together and a few whacks with a hammer you can take it all apart. Easy peasy. Threw on a coat a paint and polished up some corrosion on the shaft. Shock isn't gas charged - it will stay where you move it. Very easy to reinstall.

View attachment 934464

View attachment 934467

Thank you so much for the pictures, detail and your explanation of this process. I’m gonna try to do this this weekend. Curious how violent is the spring when it lets go?

 

[Ronmar]

Thank you so much for the pictures, detail and your explanation of this process. I’m gonna try to do this this weekend. Curious how violent is the spring when it lets go?

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Thank you so much for the pictures, detail and your explanation of this process. I’m gonna try to do this this weekend. Curious how violent is the spring when it lets go?

Safety glasses..... Jock strap. Two condoms. 911 keyed in......

When they pop you WILL lose that death wheel. Where it goes.... Nobody knows.