SHOCK TUNING per-load vs stiffer springs

[johncraddock445]

I am playing around with the suspension on my wraith. Currently I am running 110mm Kings, the stock springs tha came with the wraith are really soft and make it almost uncontrollable at speed and give horrible torque twist. So I ordered the rcw4d spring kit for the kings. my question is...
Will their be a difference in performance between running stiffer springs vs cranking down pre-load adjustment?

[mtublazer2]

Yes there will be a performance difference. Adjusting the pre-load doesn't change the spring rate for the springs. Turning the preload down basically adjusts ride height/shock shaft showing. Changing springs will make the suspension stiffer (assuming you go with a higher spring rate). After swapping to stiffer springs you may have to back off the preload adjustment to get the ride height down. A higher spring rate will get rid of some of the torque twist and make the body roll less. A sway bar will also help control the body roll and cornering at speed.

[johncraddock445]

Originally Posted by mtublazer2

Yes there will be a performance difference. Adjusting the pre-load doesn't change the spring rate for the springs. Turning the preload down basically adjusts ride height/shock shaft showing. Changing springs will make the suspension stiffer (assuming you go with a higher spring rate). After swapping to stiffer springs you may have to back off the preload adjustment to get the ride height down. A higher spring rate will get rid of some of the torque twist and make the body roll less. A sway bar will also help control the body roll and cornering at speed.

On the same hand, doesn't adding preload also give you a stiffer ride as well??

[altd896]

Unless you have progressive rate springs (which the Kings don't) changing the collar position changes the ride height (& if you change it enough to coil bind limits travel) it does nothing to stiffen anything.

All you've discovered there is the small body scale shocks (Kings/RockKrawlers/Ballistic) from RC4WD look great but have to small a piston to dampen at any kind of speed.
If you want to persist with them you'd be better trying to improve their dampening with a higher rate shock oil than heavier springs.

[4runner530]

So if I pre load the springs to make them a little stiffer, does it make the ride height lower or higher

[crawlhog]

Originally Posted by 4runner530

So if I pre load the springs to make them a little stiffer, does it make the ride height lower or higher

neither,preload spacers take out some of the slop out of the springs when the truck is sitting on a table it just stiffens them. it wont make your shocks any taller or shorter.

[EeePee]

Preload does not change the spring rate, only the ride height.

[Szczerba]

Also, King scaler shock pistions are too small to effectively control 1/10 rig at high speeds.

[JokersWild]

Originally Posted by Szczerba

Also, King scaler shock pistions are too small to effectively control 1/10 rig at high speeds.