Progressive Rate Springs.... aftermarket.

[DougH]

Well it was getting sloooooooooooooooooow around here, maybe this will get a few responses. Keep my ADHD (attention difficulty hyperactive disorder) ass entertained, you know.

Over here in the US we have only one main company making springs for our trucks, aftermarket. They couldn't get the process of progressive rate springs down, so they ended up turning out a bunch of springs that sagged real quick.

I wont name any names *cough* VSW *cough*, but their solution was to change out the progressive design, which is the stock type, for a linear rate coil.

Personally I think Linear rate coils suck, especially if you carrying alot of weight. I also think it is a half asses solution.

I personally would like a coil that is progressive, with the same spring rate, maybe slightly stiffer, than stock. I want to get my lift from more spring length, not a tail bone bruising stiffer coil.

What are the more popular type of coils over in Aus?

Frank you mentioned you had some one that did custom coils a while back, still have the same opinion?

[MrGenius]

Ive got Series 2000 TJM springs which are progressive rate and the ride is pathetic unless weighted down but this may be because mine is a SWB.
Just about all aussie spring manufacturers will make springs to whatever specs u want.

[Tropijero]

I have Kings progressive rate coils in the back of my '96 LWB and they work fine (I'll post a part number when I get home). The originals would bottom out going unladen over a speedbump at the supermarket.
Now even with a heavy load on the ball when towing the rear end sits nicely, no sag. They work very well when unladen as well so all in all they suit me quite well.
Springs are a touchy subject with some people and my brother (who makes springs and fits suspensions) has some full on arguments with people about what is suitable for their needs. Generally they call in before going to the Cape, demand something totally inapproriate for their vehicle or situation, then come crawling back (usually they have trouble walking because the bad suspension they demanded be fitted has crippled them) admitting that they should have listened to the guy who designs suspension in the first place.
My advice is to get someone experienced in the field who knows suspensions, explain what your usage is and let them put together a suspension package for you. It may be a little more expensive than just ordering off the aftermarket website but in the long run you will have a suspension that does what you want.
Mr Genius is right there a few around who will make a coil to whatever you want you just need to have the bucks.

Craig

[Bitsamissin]

Well I'm not going to argue with anyone.
But my opinion is progressive rate springs are junk, the progressive rate collapses very quickly and your left with only a slightly higher lift than stock.
Yes I know of some Gen 3 Paj's with custom 3" lift springs and where I got mine would do a 3" as well.
For serious offroad work (I MEAN SERIOUS) linear rate is the way to go in the rear end. If you are doing moderate trails then the progressives will probly be ok.
How many people I've heard of that got TJM progressive springs only to replace them 1-2 yrs later with stiffer linear rate springs. Indeed where I got my springs done the guy said he luved TJM coz half of his business was from disgruntled customers !!!
I'm not concerned about a stiff ride just rip your rear swaybar off and all thoughts of ride comfort go straight out the window.......................

[DougH]

Yeah but why would mitsu use progressive coils. I think most of you can agree that mitsubishi thought out alot of the shit that went into this truck.

I usually like to stick with their judgment... they overbuild and they know thier stuff.

I think the trouble with people using progressives in the past is they were only stiffer, but otherwise offered no lift. A longer spring can only sag so much, because it is longer.

Thats my thought on the subject.

[Tropijero]

Frank I know you had a bad run with the TJM progressives but not all springs are the same. From my experience and what I have learned from others, springs from retailers (remember they buy them they don't make them) like TJM and OME are generally of one type, they don't have sets of springs tailored to suit a number of different applications. Basically they have a set of coils to suit a Toyota or a Pajero and that is what you get. This is fine if all you are after is the look and don't intend actually using the springs to carry loads or do hard work. Many of these kits are designed to make the vehicle look macho and the majority are sold to those people who drive around the suburbs in 4x4s that have never been further off road than the nature strip in front of their house.
This is why I have said that to get a set of springs suited for what you want to do, you need to talk to a person who is in the business and understands what suspension is about and can put together a suspension to suit your usage, after all not everyone uses their vehicle for the same purpose so how can one spring suit them all.
For instance I don't go crawling over rocks and stuff, I tow an offroad trailer and carry quite heavy loads on severely corrugated roads and bush tracks, I don't need 3" of lift but I do need springs that will carry the load and remain supple enough to not cripple me when the car is unladen as it is a daily driver. The Kings coils I have were selected to be able to do this job by a suspension expert who knew what my usage was.

Craig.

[Bitsamissin]

Yeah thats the problem not many people know where to go.
They decide they want a lift or carry heavier loads so they look in magazines, yellow pages etc and who has the biggest adds ?????
I went to a specialist 4x4 shop and he had my springs made up to what I wanted and I'm very happy with them. Yes they are stiffer but I got my 2.5" lift and they haven't sagged even though they have copped heaps.
I have sent a few people over to him as well and they were very happy with the result. He matched the springs with 2" longer Koni shocks but I think even longer shocks could be used for some extra travel with the swaybar removed. I'm looking at some Rancho RS9000's to find a longer shock and with the adjustability feature I will be able to soften/stiffen the ride. The Koni's are great, they are adjustable but you have to remove the shock to do it.

[pajpwr]

I'm not happy with my rear coils. They sag 28mm measured at the back with all my recovery gear in. I'll probably get stiffer coils. But what about Polyairs? Any experience, anyone?

[95Montero]

I Contacted Kings, this was the reply for a 2.5 - 3 inch lift

Thankyou for your inquiry,

We do not have a U.S Distributor of our 4WD coil range.

We have Part No's KCRR-23HD (rear) to raise your model vehicle to the approximate requested height.

Costs are as follows:

Rear Coils AUD $160.00 per pair = 94.7640 USD

FedEx Air (3-7 days) AUD $185.00 per (set of 4 coils) = 109.568 USD

Total delivered to you is AUD $345 .00 (set of 4 coils). Cost can be reduced to AUD $272.00 if Australia Post (6-8 weeks) is used.

Payment can be made via credit card or direct business account deposit.

Regards,

Brad Green - Sales & Service
KING SPRINGWORKS PTY LTD

[DougH]

Total delivered to you is AUD $345 .00 (set of 4 coils). Cost can be reduced to AUD $272.00 if Australia Post (6-8 weeks) is used.

Excuse my dense head, but you would end up with two sets of coils right? It doesnt look like they are shiping just one set for that price.

I would be willing to go halfs on something like that, and then ship the second set for free (I get free ups shiping at work) to who ever was spliting the purchase and shiping costs.

My only qualms is that they are listing that part as an hd spring, so it probally is significantly stiffer, but the spring isnt much longer.