even uncut king springs aren't captive. I've had similar trouble, though I wasn't looking at going nearly as low. I spoke to someone on the tech help info type phone line at king (in QLD afaik) and they suggested an alternative - which turn out to be heavier rate lowered (not super low) springs - for the rear of a hyundai excel or something like that. I've gotten the springs here now, but haven't fitted them (too many things came up and i ended up fitting stock springs back on there to get the roadworthy)

I'll probably be fitting them this week so I'll let you know how low compared to standard it sits (for the record I'm not after anything a lot lower, 1-2 inches tops, but was after the heavier spring rate.

Fwiw, the stock springs are a good 5-6 (possibly even more) cm longer (free length) than they need to be in order to be captive springs, which means, by rights, they should be able to wind a spring that is lower and heavier and still have the required free length (but in this case only perhaps 1cm or so) to be captive.

I used to run lovells springs on practically everything I had, and never had a drama with them. If they actually make a set for the datto 1200, I'd be more confident (sight unseen) that they'd be captive, or would come with a warning otherwise, but I haven't seen/bought any of their gear for a number of years now.

Anyway - If the new king springs are captive when assembled onto the strut on the bench, I'll post back here about the change in ride height and cornering difference (apart from new strut inserts - kyb 362001 and a 120 y front sway bar, it's std springs, and the change to new inserts and swaybar made a decent difference to handling/predictability)

About the only thing I dislike about the king springs is that they are variable rate. They have certain advantages I suppose for ride/comfort, but I prefer to keep it simple.