Raised Kings - comfortable ride? alternatives?

Gazoola said:
Taza, that last pic must be an oldie with 693's tyres on it, or have you changed from the Yokohama's?
BTW - I've had the D694's on for about 75k km and they still have about 5k left on the front and about 10-15k on the rear, but they are getting harder and quite slippery in the wet after 7 yrs so I'll be changing to D697's shortly.
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That was his spare wheel, we painted that one too.
 
I got this negative response from someone about their Kings in an L-series:
I put Kings & new KYB's in my L-Series when the original ones died coz I went by hearsay on the Kings too. But now the ride is too hard even with tyres let down rocks & corrugations are a nightmare now.
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The weight of the L-series could have something to do with it:
Kerb Weights
1990 SUBARU L SERIES L SPORTSWAGON 1080kg
1999 SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED 1335kg
 
I wonder which king springs he used. Was it HD, & was it springs/struts for his model or did he go for an alternative combination which may fit but not be suitable?

Its also VERY subjective...what one person calls "firm" another might call "harsh"...
 
Job done...Just had the Foz serviced, and got my mechanic to install the lot
- Kings springs (raised HD) x 4
- Subtle 1" x 4
- KYB shocks rear (per Kings catalogue)
- Rear adjustamble camber bolts
:ebiggrin:

Here is the comparison. It looks a little more raised than I expected, but should settle a bit.

6523854317_c7f5bdab8d_b.jpg


New radiator too - I did see some dry coolant leakage spots on the bottom of the tank some weeks ago. OEM one lasted 12yrs (159k), so I've got to expect this. It needed new coolant anyway so got it power flushed and new thermostat while at it.
 
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That's good - welcome to our fleet of "higher" cars! :iconwink:
 
Yeah I'm happy with the look and the ride. Gave it a good slalom and speed hump workout and all good. Definately feel the extra firmness, and can't wait to go over some corrugated roads in a few weeks.

The only thing I am not 100% about yet is since the lift there is a massive increase in tyre noise roar while turning on tar at about >=15kmph. I never had this before on this car. The tyres, Bridgestone D697's, are only a few weeks old and I had all wheels aligned with the suspension install. Anyone got any theories? Could it just be the new tyres? Or an incorrect alignment?
Cu
Gordon
 
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^^^ looks really great Gordon!!! :raspberry:

When im down next I will have to take you on a beach run :cool:

I can't help with the road noise though.

I was about to give you a call and ask how the lift was going, just been caught up reciently.
 
Unfortunately for us Yanks, our choices do not include Dobinsons. Also, I do not believe they are made for my Legacy. My plan is to finally get my lifted Outcack King springs in Feb. The roads around here are hell on my subie.
 
MadScotsMan said:
Unfortunately for us Yanks, our choices do not include Dobinsons. Also, I do not believe they are made for my Legacy. My plan is to finally get my lifted Outcack King springs in Feb. The roads around here are hell on my subie.
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If you want another alternative check out Sumo Parts, he sells Ironman springs. He doesn't have them listed for the Outback, but if they make them he should be able to get them, send Joseph an e-mail.:)
 
^ Nice Gordon. I have a similar pump... think mines just abit bigger. Air down your tyres to 15-16psi and off you go, maybe turn the power button on as sometimes you need the high revs to get you out of trouble in soft stuff.

When you head down there get some pics and let us know how it goes :biggrin: Have you found out what the more road noise is from?
 
Looks great & I love that colour.

I can only think that if the wheel alignment is correct then you are getting more road noise while turning cos of an increase in force on the tyre from a combination of higher centre of gravity trying to make the car roll more & stiffer springs resisting this & pushing down harder on the outside tyres...if that makes any sense lol. If this is what is happening its just a function of stiffer springs & lifted body & I wouldn't worry too much.

I would however have a look at the W/A printout for toe in/out & camber...let us know what they are.
 
Just got back from Denmark, 400km south of Perth, on the south coast., and as expected I sure notice the difference when attempting to swerve through country road roundabouts (the extra large ones), like near Mount Barker (WA), or twisting roads through the Karri forrests. Compared to my weekly driver, a lowered VW Golf TDI, the raised Foz really has to slow down and feels like there is considerable understeer, so I just have to get into a different mode of driving. I keep wondering if I should have put in new front shocks, not just the sagging rear ones, when I did the lift

The severe corrugations at Madfish Bay were OK though, and felt similar to a Mitsubishi Pajero I went for a ride in.

The excessive road noise has all but vanished too and I put it down to the tyres being new when I first tested, but with 1500km on them, I don't hear it anymore. :)
 
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