Fox 2.5 DSC Suspension - A Brief Overview, Procedure, and Review of Proper Suspension Setup

[Ready Go]

just swipe the card!

or email Fox see when they gonna release the EVO lol

Today I'm checking if wheels are done powdercoating. Then tires mounted. My OEM Mopar fender flares are will be painted within two weeks, then on..once I'm set and satified with them, I'll start ordering suspension..Fox PE DSCs, Thuren F-UCAs, and Carli Rear Swaybar Endlinks. Currently, discussing with myself the idea of going all in and getting the Thuren R-U/LCAs and Panhard and being done done! Why not pull it all apart at once, plus the "buy once, cry once" will be over then. (let's see where the NYSE goes this week)

I am curious if/when the EVO will hit on the Ram setup(??)

 

[boogielander]

Today I'm checking if wheels are done powdercoating. Then tires mounted. My OEM Mopar fender flares are will be painted within two weeks, then on..once I'm set and satified with them, I'll start ordering suspension..Fox PE DSCs, Thuren F-UCAs, and Carli Rear Swaybar Endlinks. Currently, discussing with myself the idea of going all in and getting the Thuren R-U/LCAs and Panhard and being done done! Why not pull it all apart at once, plus the "buy once, cry once" will be over then. (let's see where the NYSE goes this week)

I am curious if/when the EVO will hit on the Ram setup(??)

just do the full thuren stuff all at once lollll
send them an email see if they'll hook you up since you're buying everything all together. but tbh i have yet to find the need for rear arms and panhard bars.

and i highly doubt the EVO will hit the Ram setup... the sales volume is not there for them to update it. but can always send them an email lol

 

[Ready Go]

just do the full thuren stuff all at once lollll
send them an email see if they'll hook you up since you're buying everything all together. but tbh i have yet to find the need for rear arms and panhard bars.

and i highly doubt the EVO will hit the Ram setup... the sales volume is not there for them to update it. but can always send them an email lol

Will check both those

 

[boogielander]

Will check both those

yeah Don may give you a earful on the discounts part, just giving you a headsup haha
but still better than going through some middleman internet sales who thinks he knows everything though but doesn't (yeap he here on the forum too)

 

[Ready Go]

yeah Don may give you a earful on the discounts part, just giving you a headsup haha
but still better than going through some middleman internet sales who thinks he knows everything though but doesn't (yeap he here on the forum too)

I'll give Don a try, but won't expect anything..other than really great parts!

 

[Morenar]

I'm super happy to hear the feedback from you all..I feel like 5L/7H sweetspot might be the magic number..everyone has their own idea of what they want though..but, I'm really leaning into the Fox PEs now after your feedback!!

Anxious to hear more

So I tried the 5L/7H and I feel 6H in my setup feels better. Going to give it a few more days to be sure.

 

[Ready Go]

So I tried the 5L/7H and I feel 6H in my setup feels better. Going to give it a few more days to be sure.

Thanks for the feedback, and any updates!

 

[Morenar]

Thanks for the feedback, and any updates!

Haven't driven much since yesterday. I should have some feedback by end of week or early next.

 

[Ready Go]

I'm currently debating...pay Accutune $4100 for tuned Fox 2.5 PEs (probably not worth the $$ for street driven only) or buy standard Fox 2.5 PEs for $3100 from generic seller...pretty sure standard is sufficient, but any thoughts one way or the other??

 

[Morenar]

I'm currently debating...pay Accutune $4100 for tuned Fox 2.5 PEs (probably not worth the $$ for street driven only) or buy standard Fox 2.5 PEs for $3100 from generic seller...pretty sure standard is sufficient, but any thoughts one way or the other??

I can't speak on the Accutune but heard getting the Fox's tuned to your specs and likes is most likely the way to go. I have just the basic just as they came from BDS\FOX and it works for me. I may send them to Accutune when it's time to service mine and just get them tuned. @boogielander what's your opinion?

 

[Ready Go]

For $15, I can run my Ram on a CAT Scale to get a Front & Rear weight measure for Accutune to use.

The Adventure Tune would be what I'd have them custom tune off of.

In for a doller, in for a grand!

 

[H2OMAN]

Which ever you decide to go with you have to get under there and monkey with the settings to get them where you want. Everyone has different payloads and so no one setting is the answer to everything. Also, depending on the payload you may need to change settings from front to back. And you have to go under the truck to get to the rears. The sooner you get it dialed the less often you have to do that.

 

[Ready Go]

Which ever you decide to go with you have to get under there and monkey with the settings to get them where you want. Everyone has different payloads and so no one setting is the answer to everything. Also, depending on the payload you may need to change settings from front to back. And you have to go under the truck to get to the rears. The sooner you get it dialed the less often you have to do that.

I ordered the Etsy tool to help with that..may get the Range knob if the tool isn't what I hope.

Getting closer to get the Fox PEs.

After the first painter f-d my parts, the fender flares are back ffrom new painter and are perfect! They'll have my Fuel center caps done soon also.

Rims are being P-coated this week and the 285/60s will be mounted next week.

I'll get the CAT Scale weights are everything is on the truck and then chat with Accutune about what they can do over stock PEs for me and decide.

Finally getting back on track!

Thanks for everyone's help amd insight here

 

[boogielander]

I can't speak on the Accutune but heard getting the Fox's tuned to your specs and likes is most likely the way to go. I have just the basic just as they came from BDS\FOX and it works for me. I may send them to Accutune when it's time to service mine and just get them tuned. @boogielander what's your opinion?

not a fan of accutune. (long story short: friend ordered Accutune King back in 2021. Sales rep would NOT sell him the most aggressive tune despite friend telling sales rep he NEEDED the most aggressive tune, even describing what he's doing with the truck - desert high speed runs. Friend settled for the mid tier tune, and it was absolutely trash performance. a year later, we opened up the Accutune King for service... and found out the pistons are exactly the same as off-the-shelf Kings. The only thing that was changed was... spring rate. After that, Accutune is absolute no go for me)

if you're in SoCal there are plenty of other tuners, just know not ALL reputable tuners are willing to touch Fox because parts can be a pain in the rear to source.

I am biased against Accutune so take it with a grain of salt hahaha

 

[boogielander]

I'm currently debating...pay Accutune $4100 for tuned Fox 2.5 PEs (probably not worth the $$ for street driven only) or buy standard Fox 2.5 PEs for $3100 from generic seller...pretty sure standard is sufficient, but any thoughts one way or the other??

see my above reply.
my recommendation would be save your money and buy the off-the-shelf ones and use that saved $1000 for some baja designs... or beer. lots of beer. or ammo.

 

[boogielander]

Forgot to post:
With the new spring rates, here are my current settings:

On pavement:
L: 1 click (Front)
H: 1 click (Front)
L: Max (rear)
H: Max (rear)

Off pavement slow speed trails:
same as on pavement.

Off pavement high speed trails:
L: 3-5 clicks (front)
H: 5 clicks (front)
L: Max (rear)
H: Max (rear)

results:
extremely planted turning and handling on pavement. a bit harder than before with L maxed out in the front. Not plushy, but not as hard as sports car on performance coilovers (M3 on Ohlin Road and Track). Twisties are fun to drive now. With FULL camping/ overlanding weight, the suspension now induce my confidence in the twisties even more and I was passing all kinds of traffic with ease, even in corners.
offroad... well, look at the video I posted a while back ahhaha

Basically, I traded on-road comfort for more performance on and off pavement. No need for tuning session now. I can live with the stiffer ride on pavement.

(honestly, the correct way to tune would require a few videos of how the truck behave in different terrains for the tuner to see what the truck needs in terms of compression and rebound. and even then, it would still require a few more runs to get it perfect. The ideal way would be dragging the tuner to the desert/ trail and have him do it in the field, then go out do a run and improve from there. the one-size-fit-all type of tuning - like Accutune - is still an off-the-shelf type of tuning at its core, but it works for most people. much like Carli's tune works for 80% of the people, but if you really want something that's catered to you, then Thuren is the way. As I say this, I don't count Thuren as a one-size-fit-all tuner because Don the boss will tune to fit YOU based on his extensive knowledge of suspension tuning. His wealth of knowledge is unmatched, and partially is because many of the core people at Dodge Truck Extreme worked with him on tunes and provide feedback for him to adjust their tunes, and that's how his database of knowledge grew over time).

Now, if I want that plushy on road comfort back AND get performance, then a tuning session is very much needed. But at this time, I've decided this is where I stop and the next suspension mod I do will be the full Thuren catalogue either on this truck or on a power wagon.

 

[Ready Go]

@boogielander

Thanks for all that great experience insight!

I had wondered if Accutune would really do anything for me since I'd be asking for a plush on-road setup that would seem basic..that money is better spend on beer, ammo, and Thuren rear UCAs(big smile)!!

Plus, members here are dialing in their PEs and have a good base line for me now..and Accutune PEs "should" be different, so not the same..think I'll save the grand!

Not to throw a wrench in, but I LOVE these ADS 2.5" F&R Ram 1500 shocks! Cerakote finish on steel bodies (we salt roads in Wisco in winter), Progressive valving, billet end caps, etc. These fronts have Eibach 600PPI springs which is probably great for all around on & off road, but I'd prefer something more like 500PPI(?). If these had DSC Adjusters, I'd be buying asap. They price at $2640 and I can get the Fox at $3025, so the Fox are smarter choice given the adjustability (and unknown valving & comfort/performance of the ADS)..but these ADS really are pieces of art almost..thoughts??

https://www.adsshocks.com/platform/ram/1500/2024/

 

[Ready Go]

@boogielander

Another thought...

A full Thuren suspension package would run $2400...
Front UCAs, Rear U/L UCAs, Rear Panhard, Rear Swaybar Endlinks

Thuren tuned Kings run $4105 for.. Gas Hemi, 2.5" lift, F&R Adjusters, Std Silver Reserviors, Stage 1 or 2 custom valving.

I've frequently heard that Kings are stiffer than Foxs, but if Don tunes them to my F/R weight distribution, vehicle lift/height, wheel/tire combo, etc..that should be equated for (??).

The Kings are only Mid/1-way Adjustable compared to Fox's Hi/Low, but it seems that members are finding that for street Rams, approximately Mid-settings (~4-5L and ~5-6H) are what's working best for the Fox PEs, so basically the Hi/Low's are being adjusted closely together (~1 click) also/anyways, kind of like pseudo-Kings(??)

Thoughts on the Don-Kings() vs Fox PEs with the Thuren Suspension pieces??
I like the idea of having Don set up a whole package.

 

[Morenar]

Thanks for the feedback, and any updates!

So drove it a few more days at 7H/5L. It’s it bit too stiff for my liking, dropped it back to 6H/5L. I may even try going back to
5H/4L just for kicks and see the difference then settle on one or the other.

 

[boogielander]

@boogielander

Thanks for all that great experience insight!

I had wondered if Accutune would really do anything for me since I'd be asking for a plush on-road setup that would seem basic..that money is better spend on beer, ammo, and Thuren rear UCAs(big smile)!!

Plus, members here are dialing in their PEs and have a good base line for me now..and Accutune PEs "should" be different, so not the same..think I'll save the grand!

Not to throw a wrench in, but I LOVE these ADS 2.5" F&R Ram 1500 shocks! Cerakote finish on steel bodies (we salt roads in Wisco in winter), Progressive valving, billet end caps, etc. These fronts have Eibach 600PPI springs which is probably great for all around on & off road, but I'd prefer something more like 500PPI(?). If these had DSC Adjusters, I'd be buying asap. They price at $2640 and I can get the Fox at $3025, so the Fox are smarter choice given the adjustability (and unknown valving & comfort/performance of the ADS)..but these ADS really are pieces of art almost..thoughts??

https://www.adsshocks.com/platform/ram/1500/2024/

i heard ADS are fine and not much to write about lol
but then the guys telling me ADS are fine are the guys with 2500 and 3500 with 3.0, 4.0 Thuren King shocks and bypasses and trussed axles lol

personally I probably only rode on ADS once or twice and it was so uneventful I don't even remember anything about it LOL