Pedders or King lows, I'm letting you decide.

[Cmycv8]

Hi all,

Well I have searched hi and low (pun intended) for an answer to my spring dilemma. I'm going to drop the 03 Monaro a set of lows, I can get both Pedders and King springs cheap so I can't decide what to do, what do I go for.

I'm keeping the standard shockers and just fitting the springs, I need your help to decide what brand to go for and yes, I used the search option and read past posts but this is a little different.

Any advice, pics or persuasion is going to be greatly appreciated.

[Luke_]

Kings are a progressive-rate via tapered wire technology and design for the Commodore range.

Kings come with a limited lifetime warranty against sagging and breakage.

Kings are all manufactured here in Australia, on the Gold Coast using Australian steel and materials.

[Wonky]

Will lows drop it enough to even see? I had King SSL and KYB short body shocks all round on my VZ SS and had absolutely no complaints. Similarly with my two VEs (SSV sedan SSLs all round, rears replaced under warranty for being lower than spec, SSSLs all round on ute, fronts replaced with SSL due to W427 bar being too low) - am very happy with them!

[white lie]

Much of a muchness IMO. I don't think you'll notice much of a difference, especially dropping it that height. I would agree with Wonky though, the Monaro should already be at low or Fe2 height. You'd want to go lower than that... I'd take Lovells over either of them, but I've used plenty of King springs as they're very cheap.

[dawkinsdisciple]

Kings are a progressive-rate via tapered wire technology and design for the Commodore range.

Kings come with a limited lifetime warranty against sagging and breakage.

Kings are all manufactured here in Australia, on the Gold Coast using Australian steel and materials.

go the kings, support aussie industry, its cheap and good quality

[SS317]

I had the pedders ones in my ve ss but wanted it lower so I took em out and put in sssL kings.
The kings are a bit of a harder ride than the pedders but I like it like that.

[v8dude78]

I have king low's with standard shocks/struts in the Calais and have found them to be a perfect height.
Slightly lower than FE2 but still very drivable and when loaded up with the family still very nice to drive even when fully loaded doesn't bang, jolt, scrape in every day driving

[wyldnyt]

You need to go atleast superlows or there no point in changing, and get the king springs

[VXSS346]

I have king low's with standard shocks/struts in the Calais and have found them to be a perfect height.
Slightly lower than FE2 but still very drivable and when loaded up with the family still very nice to drive even when fully loaded doesn't bang, jolt, scrape in every day driving

Similar story here, I've got Kings 'lows' on mine and I honestly wouldn't want it any lower.
Cops don't look at you twice simply because it still looks sensible. :idea:
Easy ride height to live with but still low enough to scrape here and there. :(

Looks just right to me, but then I've never liked the look of ridiculously low cars anyway.

I say go for it. :goodjob:

My 2c

Cheers :)

[Cmycv8]

Much of a muchness IMO. I don't think you'll notice much of a difference, especially dropping it that height. I would agree with Wonky though, the Monaro should already be at low or Fe2 height. You'd want to go lower than that... I'd take Lovells over either of them, but I've used plenty of King springs as they're very cheap.

It is FE2 but since the guard is higher than the rear so IMO it needs to go down at least a full inch which the Kibg Spring lows should do. Wonk maybe on to something that since it's already lowered it might make bugger all difference.

Might see a mate at Pedders and chat to Gary at Chevs.

[Chris_L98]

Go Kings, if you're considering Pedders save some coin & take an angle grinder to your current springs.

[AiRHeaD]

Ive had 4 sets of kings and 3 sets of pedders over the past few years

and will be looking at lowing the VE soon and it will be with kings.

[Cmycv8]

Ive had 4 sets of kings and 3 sets of pedders over the past few years

and will be looking at lowing the VE soon and it will be with kings.

Looks like kings it is, was going to do it at home but might not be able to compress the new springs on to the shocks.

[white lie]

You can get a decent set of spring compressors for about $50. Cheaper than paying someone else to do it ;)

[wyldnyt]

Looks like kings it is, was going to do it at home but might not be able to compress the new springs on to the shocks.

And you dont need to compress the new springs, you may have to use them geting your old ones off

[BLACKVE]

go the kings, support aussie industry, its cheap and good quality

Aren't pedders made in Aust????


I have kings with monroe GT shocks in both VY and VE, VE is great ride even on 20's the VY is a bit harsh. I know it sound stupid but i'd have kings in VE and pedders in pre VE from my experiance

[V28VX37]

You can get a decent set of spring compressors for about $50. Cheaper than paying someone else to do it ;)

I got a pair off ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250678968597) not long ago $39 inc. postage, worked perfectly fine. Took only a couple of days to arrive from interstate. $15 cheaper than supercheap and they look very similar in the photos :)

[Cmycv8]

I got a pair off ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250678968597) not long ago $39 inc. postage, worked perfectly fine. Took only a couple of days to arrive from interstate. $15 cheaper than supercheap and they look very similar in the photos :)

I have a set but it's no small task to get the fronts out.

[MrHSV318]

If your going to go ssl or ultra low i would recommend changing your shocks as well as they will be at there limit for travel and bang and bounce of every little pot hole. My clubbie had ultra lows with stanard FE2 when i got it and i've just changed to the king's recommended monroes and the ride is much better , still very firm but no more horrible thud over an little bump.

[BEARWOOD]

Kings springs will also drop it further than they say it will so be careful of this. It happened to me and i've read a few others had it happen to them aswell.

[Quicksilverls1]

go the kings, support aussie industry, its cheap and good quality

I agree support Oz ! :goodjob:

[WOMBIE]

I have king lows on the front with standard shocks and ssl kings on the rear with Koni adjustable yellow shocks.Never had a drama although I will be upgrading the oem shocks with the Koni adjustable yellows when time and $$ permit....hopefully next January.

In the meantime I'll try a get up a pic asap for ya :)

[Cmycv8]

I have king lows on the front with standard shocks and ssl kings on the rear with Koni adjustable yellow shocks.Never had a drama although I will be upgrading the oem shocks with the Koni adjustable yellows when time and $$ permit....hopefully next January.

In the meantime I'll try a get up a pic asap for ya :)

Thanks mate, big thanks from everyone for there help.

[MrHSV318]

I have king lows on the front with standard shocks and ssl kings on the rear with Koni adjustable yellow shocks.Never had a drama although I will be upgrading the oem shocks with the Koni adjustable yellows when time and $$ permit....hopefully next January.

In the meantime I'll try a get up a pic asap for ya :)

What size rims do you have? Mine has 19's with 35 series tyres and with the standard struts it was bad , maybe mine were just shot (they seemed ok when they came off though). with the shorter struts it is heaps better.Koni's will be better again but to many $$$ for now as ive still got more go fast mods to do.

[WOMBIE]

Thanks mate, big thanks from everyone for there help.

No probs I'll upload the pics tonight :)


What size rims do you have? Mine has 19's with 35 series tyres and with the standard struts it was bad , maybe mine were just shot (they seemed ok when they came off though). with the shorter struts it is heaps better.Koni's will be better again but to many $$$ for now as ive still got more go fast mods to do.

I'm running the same size rims and profile tyres as you are bud and so far so good but like I said I want to change them up along with all front and rear bushes.

[WOMBIE]

245 wide rubber all round with no scrubbing anywhere but I hope this pic gives you an idea on ride height :)

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w262/QIK346/03092010391.jpg


I'd post a couple more but photobucket is being painful tonight with resizing issues :vpo:

[Cmycv8]

No probs I'll upload the pics tonight :)



I'm running the same size rims and profile tyres as you are bud and so far so good but like I said I want to change them up along with all front and rear bushes.

Thanks, great ride by the way.

Looks like it's kings.

[MrHSV318]

Yeh king's are the go and there are so good deals to be had on ebay, all 4 springs or springs and shocks in a package. Keep us updated on how you go.

[Madmik]

Aren't pedders made in Aust????


I have kings with monroe GT shocks in both VY and VE, VE is great ride even on 20's the VY is a bit harsh. I know it sound stupid but i'd have kings in VE and pedders in pre VE from my experiance

:teach:Pedders shocks are Monroe GT shockers

[MrHSV318]

:teach:Pedders shocks are Monroe GT shockers

I think he was talking springs.

[Wonky]

:teach:Pedders shocks are Monroe GT shockers

Proof? :confused:

[VYSHSV8]

Pedders springs all round on 2 of the 3 cars no probs with them at all:) VE will probably get pedders as well:)

[Madmik]

Proof? :confused:

Nothing wrong with Pedders.
Living in Townsville for 8 years bought a TF magna which the springs lasted a week before i took it into see Peter (MANAGER) from Pedders. He had done previous work on other cars i have had also. He explained to me that the Pedders Sports ryder system was GT Monroe Gas.
Had no dramas with the shocks at all. After 10 years they had began to sag slightly but that was with a good 8 years of spirited driving in that car too.

[V28VX37]

I have a set [of spring compressors] but it's no small task to get the fronts out.

I just had a look at some of the photos of the Monaro and I think you're right, looks bloody complex! I was working on the Skyline and it was just 3 nuts to get the coilover out, although cracking the bottom one was a bastard.


If your going to go ssl or ultra low i would recommend changing your shocks as well as they will be at there limit for travel and bang and bounce of every little pot hole. My clubbie had ultra lows with stanard FE2 when i got it and i've just changed to the king's recommended monroes and the ride is much better , still very firm but no more horrible thud over an little bump.


I have king lows on the front with standard shocks and ssl kings on the rear with Koni adjustable yellow shocks.Never had a drama although I will be upgrading the oem shocks with the Koni adjustable yellows when time and $$ permit....hopefully next January.


Pedders springs all round on 2 of the 3 cars no probs with them at all:) VE will probably get pedders as well:)

In all honesty, I don't think the springs matter nearly as much as the shocks do. I've got Kings + yellow Konis on the Monaro and Kings + stock shocks on the Skyline and I'll let you guess which one rides better. So if you're dropping it heaps (an inch or more) consider changing to shorter shocks.

Also, when I had the Monaro suspension done a while back I remember the workshop guys saying that they had to reuse part of the stock struts to adapt the Konis to suit, has anyone else heard of that? If so it may not be a straightforward swap at all. Rears should be easier.

[WOMBIE]

Also, when I had the Monaro suspension done a while back I remember the workshop guys saying that they had to reuse part of the stock struts to adapt the Konis to suit, has anyone else heard of that? If so it may not be a straightforward swap at all. Rears should be easier.

Yup that's what Luke@WSP told me and he should know :)

[Cmycv8]

The fronts are tough as the whole front struts come out to be able to remove the springs. A mate at pedders will put the springs on the stock shockers as there machine does it in minutes. The rears I can drop the sway bar, pop the rear CV's out a little and the new springs should be fine.

Since it's only going down an inch the shockers should be fine, any lower then I will need short struts.

[BLACKVE]

Pedders springs all round on 2 of the 3 cars no probs with them at all:) VE will probably get pedders as well:)

I've had pedders in all my cars up to ute and SV8, the kings/Monroe setup in the VE is awesome had pedders springs with stock shocks in my VE sedan and the kings are heaps better ride, having said that the kings/monroe in my Sv8 rides like a bitch very harsh compared with pedders setup i've had in VX's/VY's before.

[Wonky]

Living in Townsville for 8 years bought a TF magna which the springs lasted a week before i took it into see Peter (MANAGER) from Pedders. He had done previous work on other cars i have had also. He explained to me that the Pedders Sports ryder system was GT Monroe Gas.

I've heard rumours before that Pedders Sports Ryders were actually Monroes, but seen no definitive proof and wouldn't call that definitive either. The Monroe GT Sport are not the same thing I believe - the VE version was actually a joint operation between Kings (95%) and Monroes (5%).

[Munro3]

Here's a pic of Pedders on my 03 Monaro, It's an old photo but the springs are still the same. I find this height perfect as any lower and I will be scraping my exhaust everywhere. It dropped approx 25mm (inch).






http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss124/Dutch001/best2-1.jpg

[MrHSV318]

The fronts are tough as the whole front struts come out to be able to remove the springs. A mate at pedders will put the springs on the stock shockers as there machine does it in minutes. The rears I can drop the sway bar, pop the rear CV's out a little and the new springs should be fine.

Since it's only going down an inch the shockers should be fine, any lower then I will need short struts.

Dont for get to change your strut top bushes and bearing at the same time. the super pro ones are the go.

[Cmycv8]

Dont for get to change your strut top bushes and bearing at the same time. the super pro ones are the go.

Don't worry, haven't forgotten. Well I did till you reminded me. :goodjob:

[MrHSV318]

Don't worry, haven't forgotten. Well I did till you reminded me. :goodjob:

No problem. My bearings fell to bits and the bumpstops were mashed as well, i think this is where alot of the noise was coming from.
When you dropping it?

[Cmycv8]

No problem. My bearings fell to bits and the bumpstops were mashed as well, i think this is where alot of the noise was coming from.
When you dropping it?

Will be done this weekend or the next. I had the issue when a top bearing went in my VT. Make a squeak like hell.

[Madmik]

I've heard rumours before that Pedders Sports Ryders were actually Monroes, but seen no definitive proof and wouldn't call that definitive either. The Monroe GT Sport are not the same thing I believe - the VE version was actually a joint operation between Kings (95%) and Monroes (5%).
Yeah you could be right.


Dont for get to change your strut top bushes and bearing at the same time. the super pro ones are the go.

Most people forget to change the bump stops and bearings. Best to save money get them all done at once then enjoy the benefits. Another to think about is that strutbar to chassis. Not too sure with the VE but for vx -vz the originals are oil filled rubber which tend to split/crack and leak, and have quite a bit of movement. Once the (nolathane/super pro) strutbar to chassis bushes are installed you will certainly feel your seatbelt and get a much better feel from your brakes.

[Cmycv8]

Yeah you could be right.


Most people forget to change the bump stops and bearings. Best to save money get them all done at once then enjoy the benefits. Another to think about is that strutbar to chassis. Not too sure with the VE but for vx -vz the originals are oil filled rubber which tend to split/crack and leak, and have quite a bit of movement. Once the (nolathane/super pro) strutbar to chassis bushes are installed you will certainly feel your seatbelt and get a much better feel from your brakes.

How changing the sway bar to a whiteline while I am at it?

[Luke_]

Changing the swaybar is a completely different (and more labour intensive) job as you have to drop the k-frame down to gain access to the brackets that hold the swaybar onto the k-frame.

[Blown V2]

Changing the swaybar is a completely different (and more labour intensive) job as you have to drop the k-frame down to gain access to the brackets that hold the swaybar onto the k-frame.
Sorry to get a bit off topic here, but do you need to drop the K-frame on VT> V6's aswell?

Cheers.

[Luke_]

Yes you do, same design VT-VZ.

[Madmik]

Yes you do, same design VT-VZ.
Your talking front Luke or does the back have to come down also.
Hey quick Qn for you about previous work. I'll PM you

[Blown V2]

No the rear bar will just come straight out.

[Luke_]

The rear cradle needs to be dropped down a bit as the bracket is very close to the floor, drop it down a few inches and you can get to the 1 bolt on each side, and slide the bracket out.

[Blown V2]

Did mine yesterday without having to drop it. I suppose it would be a little easier, but more labour. 6 one way, half a dozen the other lol

[ash-ls1]

i have king ssl and my mate has some pedders stuff in his and i think mine may ride a touch better but barely noticeable.

[Cmycv8]

The rear cradle needs to be dropped down a bit as the bracket is very close to the floor, drop it down a few inches and you can get to the 1 bolt on each side, and slide the bracket out.

Thanks mate, I will dump it on Pedders and see how she rides.

[Cmycv8]

Well I went to get springs and had the shockers tested while I was at Pedders so I have good news for the car and band news for my bank account.

Shockers are pretty much gone as they are the original FE2 struts are sagging at the rear, so for a little $$$ I can get the coil overs front and rear....

I am really sorry bank account but it must done.

[korrupt]

Sounds promising. You'll have to take me for another ride once you get this sorted. I'm thinking suspension could be next on my list.

[Cmycv8]

Sounds promising. You'll have to take me for another ride once you get this sorted. I'm thinking suspension could be next on my list.

Will do mate, I think its your turn to take me for a spin though :)

Are ou coming on the cruise?

[DCV1NU]

Well I went to get springs and had the shockers tested while I was at Pedders so I have good news for the car and band news for my bank account.

Shockers are pretty much gone as they are the original FE2 struts are sagging at the rear, so for a little $$$ I can get the coil overs front and rear....

I am really sorry bank account but it must done.

Do yourself a favour & go see John @ protek tyres in oakleigh, he'll more than likely do a better price for you than pedders & mention that your an ls1 forum member aswell.

[Cmycv8]

Do yourself a favour & go see John @ protek tyres in oakleigh, he'll more than likely do a better price for you than pedders & mention that your an ls1 forum member aswell.

I will for sure, I got trade on the coil overs for around $1800. If he can do better I owe you big time.

[DCV1NU]

wow $1800 trade price is pretty good! is that including fitting & wheel alignment? cause the price i got from John was a couple more hundred than that, but it was for a ve tho so im not sure if there's a big price difference for pre ve coilovers.

[Cmycv8]

wow $1800 trade price is pretty good! is that including fitting & wheel alignment? cause the price i got from John was a couple more hundred than that, but it was for a ve tho so im not sure if there's a big price difference for pre ve coilovers.

Only a coupled of hundred for the fitting, didn't think the price was that bad actually.

[DCV1NU]

Yeah the the price i got qouted was supplied & fitted, so it'll work out to be the same as your price i suppose.

[Cmycv8]

Yeah the the price i got qouted was supplied & fitted, so it'll work out to be the same as your price i suppose.

S*** thing is as I have bought a house so car mods are a little on the back burner for a month or 2 but hope to have it done before the cruise.

[ImpulseSS]

King springs all the way! I've currently just got lows all round on my ute, but soon hopefully putting in some ultralow rears and superlow fronts.

[Kuzman89]

If you go 50mm king springs on the back of a ute is it recomended to change shocks also??

[Cmycv8]

King springs all the way! I've currently just got lows all round on my ute, but soon hopefully putting in some ultralow rears and superlow fronts.

I need new shocks as well and I am really interested in adjusting the ride height and rebound with the coil overs.

[Wonky]

If you go 50mm king springs on the back of a ute is it recomended to change shocks also??

I definitely would, especially while it's apart anyway having the springs done. If you decide later to do it you'll just be repeating the labour cost again. A full set of Monroe GT short body shocks for VE is around $430 on evilBay.

My SSV sedan was lowered around 50mm before the Monroes were released and when they were finally available I put them straight in - difference was chalk and cheese, especially on dangerous roads with lots of camber changes and dips. Eg Ballarto Rd from Clyde to Pakenham South for those who know it. In the end with stock shocks I started avoiding it unless I had time to travel well under the speed limit. With the Monroes - no problem! :goodjob:

[Kuzman89]

I definitely would, especially while it's apart anyway having the springs done. If you decide later to do it you'll just be repeating the labour cost again. A full set of Monroe GT short body shocks for VE is around $430 on evilBay.

My SSV sedan was lowered around 50mm before the Monroes were released and when they were finally available I put them straight in - difference was chalk and cheese, especially on dangerous roads with lots of camber changes and dips. Eg Ballarto Rd from Clyde to Pakenham South for those who know it. In the end with stock shocks I started avoiding it unless I had time to travel well under the speed limit. With the Monroes - no problem! :goodjob:

How low did you go all round?? 30mm up fron you reckon I might as well get shocks too? Best price I've found is $680 for 4x shocks and 4x king springs without fitting. Probably be another $300 for fitting, better start saving more :bawl:

[Wonky]

Originally had SSSLs all round but when I got the W427 front bar it's a lot lower than the SV6/SS/SSV bar so had to lift the front back to SSL (still scrapes easily though). :bawl:

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/gcovo/SSV%20Ute/ssvute20mar1310smfrontraised.jpg

John (Black Diamond) probably can't beat the part prices of eBay stores with minimal overheads but I'm sure he can easily do professional installation with wheel alignment for well under $300. He and Chev's are the only places I trust with my car now. :goodjob:

[Kuzman89]

Yeah was gonna get my tyres and suspension done there when I end up doing it, meant to be going in tomorow, but I'll have to save up more money for shocks. Might as well do it properly.

Looks mint, so they are ultra lows on rear and super super lows front? Love your car, quite jealous haha.

[Wonky]

Yeah, SSSL rear, SSL front due to low bar. It doesn't tend to look raked towards the back, though in pics the sloping of the back is accentuated by the hardlid and tends to make it appear more that way than it really is. Thanks for the comments. :)

[Blown 454 AWD]

Pedders will never work on my car again.

Spent 4 grand on suspension

Picked up car with a scratched rim, rims were 200 klms old from brand new. (bought new set so I used the old ones for skid pan, brakes too big for other rims)

"Was told impossible for them to do this"

Basically ... too bad too sad

They were the only ones to have the rims off (slid on face on concrete)

So, too bad too sad back at yah!

Never again

Cheers

Steve

[Chris_L98]

I can't believe that people actually pay them to perform work on their car & possibly worse still, take the car to them for advice. LOL, don't people watch TV, read feedback on the 'net? There's so much info out there on the alleged shonky operators on all the car forums, do your research guys.

[Cmycv8]

Well after a long time.....and I mean LOOONG time I finally got around to making this car looking a little less 4x4 like and something more respectable.

Running Monroe GT gas all round with Pedders coils.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x183/richiejarvis/FFE26CA8-57A0-4949-B728-4307E824D2AD-429-0000001C27B15EBB_zps04759ce5.jpg

And a big thanks to Mat who with some much needed help getting springs out....and filling up the car.....

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x183/richiejarvis/8EA2DAAB-F61F-430C-89C2-0389E4ECFBC8-429-0000001C22425016_zps6a13071f.jpg

Thank for all your input, was a great thread to read through again.