- First Name
- Doug
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- '24 4-dr WT, '22 2-dr WT, '15 Explorer Sport, '02 F250 SD V-10
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- Wildtrak
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- #1
I was upgrading from Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 coilovers with HD springs. I installed Fox Performance 2.5 shocks with Eibach +500 lbs/2.3" lift rear springs and +250 pound/1.8" lift front springs, Accutune UCAs, and a Severe Duty Steering rack. The truck has been aligned and I also had a a PPE +1 quart aluminum transmission pan, new filter, and a 3rd adjustment made to the front perches by the shop (Auburn Car Repair and Off-Road). I've put a few hundred miles on the new components but have not ventured off road yet.
These Fox Performance 2.5 shocks seemed to be positioned against the Bilstein 6100 series and save some expense by lacking reservoirs or adjustability except preload. The Fox shocks have a hydraulic top out feature and are designed to use the OEM shock top hat, jounce/boots, and springs. The shocks using OEM HOSS 2.0 or 3.0 spring on a stock truck provide an option for lift using threaded perches. Front lift is 0-3" for base, 0-2" for SAS. The rear lift is 0-2" lift base, 0-1" for SAS. One feature I appreciated in the front was the cross bar used to mount to the LCA was threaded so the attachment bolts came up from the bottom. This seems a little cleaner than having a nut and excess stud length protruding from the bottom of the LCA.
My plan was to basically set the shocks to 0" lift and let the springs do their thing. It didn't quite work out perfectly, I believe because of the 2-door/V6 curb weight of my original '22 Bronco WT configuration. From my experience with standard and HD springs on the Pro Truck 2.0 coilovers, the HD spring rate front and rear is necessary for my trucks weight, but as with the Pro Truck coilovers, the rear springs seem a little long. I have the new Fox rear shock perches two threads from absolute bottom which was about 10-1/2" distance. This should have negated the 1" SAS lift from the Foxes leaving the 1.8" spring lift, but I still have about 3" of lift in the back.
After seeing the results with the back, I originally set the front perches two threads from full low, about 9.5". That resulted in lift about 1/2" over stock after a very brief drive. I was looking for 2" of lift. I had information suggesting that 0.7" of adjustment on the shock produced 1" of lift. I adjust the Fox perch up 1.5" for lift + some anticipated settling. I could tell I was getting a lot of preload on the spring compressors. That 1.5" up perch adjustment produced nearly 3" of additional front lift. Prior to alignment, I had my shop make a final perch adjustment down 5/8" and brought the lift down 1-1/4". Depending on how much the springs settle, that should be about right. The 1" of rake front to rear unloaded isn't too excessive, but I may bring the front up a 1/4" -1/2" later after some additional miles.
As for the ride, it's pretty soft. It doesn't feel quite right front to back since I believe the front has a fair bit more preload on the springs where the rears have just enough to keep the springs from rattling. I'd say the shocks are a little under damped for compression and rebound, but overall they feel pretty good on the street. They eat up large speed bumps at higher speeds with ease. I do feel there is a little more body motion versus the Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 coilovers, with the stock front and rear sway bars. I have the BOSS 4X4 links for the front sway bars, but I may first try finding longer adjustable links for the stock sway bars before jumping back into the BOSS links since I do sense more roll in the body. I did like to see how that translates to stability on the trails first.
I don't know this setup has completely settled in, so I will update later after more miles and some off road adventures. I'll also likely add adjustable upper links to get the rear axle back in place and also to improve pinion angle.
FYI, you will need an 18mm offset wrench for assembly of the top hats onto the shocks. I got a set at Harbor Freight for about $20.
These Fox Performance 2.5 shocks seemed to be positioned against the Bilstein 6100 series and save some expense by lacking reservoirs or adjustability except preload. The Fox shocks have a hydraulic top out feature and are designed to use the OEM shock top hat, jounce/boots, and springs. The shocks using OEM HOSS 2.0 or 3.0 spring on a stock truck provide an option for lift using threaded perches. Front lift is 0-3" for base, 0-2" for SAS. The rear lift is 0-2" lift base, 0-1" for SAS. One feature I appreciated in the front was the cross bar used to mount to the LCA was threaded so the attachment bolts came up from the bottom. This seems a little cleaner than having a nut and excess stud length protruding from the bottom of the LCA.
My plan was to basically set the shocks to 0" lift and let the springs do their thing. It didn't quite work out perfectly, I believe because of the 2-door/V6 curb weight of my original '22 Bronco WT configuration. From my experience with standard and HD springs on the Pro Truck 2.0 coilovers, the HD spring rate front and rear is necessary for my trucks weight, but as with the Pro Truck coilovers, the rear springs seem a little long. I have the new Fox rear shock perches two threads from absolute bottom which was about 10-1/2" distance. This should have negated the 1" SAS lift from the Foxes leaving the 1.8" spring lift, but I still have about 3" of lift in the back.
After seeing the results with the back, I originally set the front perches two threads from full low, about 9.5". That resulted in lift about 1/2" over stock after a very brief drive. I was looking for 2" of lift. I had information suggesting that 0.7" of adjustment on the shock produced 1" of lift. I adjust the Fox perch up 1.5" for lift + some anticipated settling. I could tell I was getting a lot of preload on the spring compressors. That 1.5" up perch adjustment produced nearly 3" of additional front lift. Prior to alignment, I had my shop make a final perch adjustment down 5/8" and brought the lift down 1-1/4". Depending on how much the springs settle, that should be about right. The 1" of rake front to rear unloaded isn't too excessive, but I may bring the front up a 1/4" -1/2" later after some additional miles.
As for the ride, it's pretty soft. It doesn't feel quite right front to back since I believe the front has a fair bit more preload on the springs where the rears have just enough to keep the springs from rattling. I'd say the shocks are a little under damped for compression and rebound, but overall they feel pretty good on the street. They eat up large speed bumps at higher speeds with ease. I do feel there is a little more body motion versus the Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 coilovers, with the stock front and rear sway bars. I have the BOSS 4X4 links for the front sway bars, but I may first try finding longer adjustable links for the stock sway bars before jumping back into the BOSS links since I do sense more roll in the body. I did like to see how that translates to stability on the trails first.
I don't know this setup has completely settled in, so I will update later after more miles and some off road adventures. I'll also likely add adjustable upper links to get the rear axle back in place and also to improve pinion angle.
FYI, you will need an 18mm offset wrench for assembly of the top hats onto the shocks. I got a set at Harbor Freight for about $20.
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