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

[H2OMAN]

They will soon...right after I order Foxes!!!

It's always possible. And, it's about time. But, they have to catch up before they can surpass. Your Foxes will serve you well for years and years.

 

[boogielander]

I'll have to figure out a local place that I can take to, that can check and fill if needed. That would be great if I can go up on the PSI for firmer ride. Do you know what they're supposed to come with?

iirc it's 150psi or 200 or something like that.

 

[boogielander]

Actually, Don wasn't saying he advised Carli Kings, he was saying he advised the Carli Commuter 2.5F/2.0R setup for me over the Fox 2.5 PE DSCs.

Sure, the Carli Comms do have 2.5-3.0" lift like the Fox PEs, but the PE's DSC is what I feel would help me to get what I want for ride quality.

Carli Comms are supposed to be a very comfortable street setup, but you get what you get with them.

I Carli Comms have some kinda "magical" valve setting, then Don could do that with Kings..and maybe his Stage-1 would be that(?).

Anyways, Don didn't feel his Kings would be best for me, and he didn't seem to be big on the Fox shocks. It's interesting that he sells Fox 2.0s for 2500s and Ford/GM..maybe he's commenting more about them thsn the PE DSCs..I couldn't get him to elaborate as to what he didn't like about the Foxes..he just mentioned that the base valving was anything but soft(?!)..I don't get it..I thought Fox PEs are basically Progressive at 1L/1H and then become more Linear at 5L/7H (half way) and then become more Digressive near closed at 10L/14H..at least that's what I gleaned from Accutune's info pages(?).

The Carli Commuters very well could be sufficient, and maybe perfect for my street truck (and cheaper for sure), but I can't afford to get the strut/shock pick wrong since I'm spending a lot of cash.

My brain says the Carli Commuters are a smart choice, but my gut says the Fox PEs are what I've wanted since the day I bought the truck. Problem is, I can't always trust my brain or my gut..which is why I love input from the Forum

(**I want to get ordering parts.. the Thuren parts to install as Stage 1, then the shocks as Stage 2 to study how affective the Thuren parts are, but the markets haven't been playing nice this week so far)

ah
yeah the commuter can be a good fit for you. I know why Don is not a big fan of Fox, but I am not at liberty to disclose. For me personally though, Fox has gotten so big with OE applications that "aftermarket" support is bad. Really bad. For instance, I was told by Fox "one spin" on the preload collar is enough to bring my front down after I went 700lb springs... nope I had to bring it up 1 full inch at the collar to get my preload right.

At this point yes, the commuter can work for what you want. Remember I said Carli's tuning works for 80% of the people, while Thuren's tuning works for the remaining 20% that is very specific on what they want/ need. Fox 2.5 PE is the better version of the "off-the-shelf" solution where you can turn the knobs to cater to your needs.

There's more to how a shock rides than progressive vs digressive. It has everything to do with how the shims are stacked in the piston, like the diameters of the shims. Different diameter combinations change how soft/ hard a shock rides. Progressive vs digressive is a blanket description of how a shock performs, but the actual "ride" is on the design of the shim stack. Shim stack is what shock tuning is.

Rebuild = opening up the shock body, replace existing shims in the piston with exactly the same, change the seals, refill new shock fluid, refill nitrogen, reinstall, and done.
Tuning = opening up the shock body, replace existing shims with new stacks (secret sauce as base line), replace seals as needed, refill fluid, refill nitrogen, reinstall, test it, and repeat from step 1.

 

[boogielander]

Haaaa, so true!!
I JUST sent Zeb at Thuren an email response that I was waiting for the markets to make me the $$$ this week, so the Thuren would be free, AND INSTEAD..the F-ing markets lost me the Thurens AND Foxes, but I told Zeb.."Monday I'll send in the order"..the money will always come..and go again!!

Not 100% yet on Foxes, but Fox PEs will be ordered Monday..or next week also.

I want to the Thuren parts on..then compare Thurens plus Fox PEs.

yo where's the invite lolll
i need the market to help me buy a power wagon and it seems like you can talk to the market

 

[boogielander]

They will soon...right after I order Foxes!!!

you'll be fine lol
helll, good thing you don't wheel/ play in the desert or else the next thing you want is LT and bypasses, not Eibach or some other ones lol

 

[boogielander]

alslo, if anyone looking at suspensionmaxx sway bar end links to go wiith their Fox 2.5, feel free to go for it.
I F*CKED up on my end link install and F*CKED the bushings (i didn't read instruction and therefore, I didn't see the torque instruction) and went to run Henderson to Laughlin race course and then Mojave with end links showing 3 threads only.

Emailed suspensionmaxx to help me find the bushing listing (they got new site and bushing isn't up yet) and they said don't worry about it we'll send new ones to you for free.

really appreciate that level of customer service despite I fuc*ed it up and willing to own up to it lol

 

[Ready Go]

yo where's the invite lolll
i need the market to help me buy a power wagon and it seems like you can talk to the market

Every day I'm talking..to myself..the markets don't seem to be listening!
Maybe next week

 

[Ready Go]

ah
yeah the commuter can be a good fit for you. I know why Don is not a big fan of Fox, but I am not at liberty to disclose. For me personally though, Fox has gotten so big with OE applications that "aftermarket" support is bad. Really bad. For instance, I was told by Fox "one spin" on the preload collar is enough to bring my front down after I went 700lb springs... nope I had to bring it up 1 full inch at the collar to get my preload right.

At this point yes, the commuter can work for what you want. Remember I said Carli's tuning works for 80% of the people, while Thuren's tuning works for the remaining 20% that is very specific on what they want/ need. Fox 2.5 PE is the better version of the "off-the-shelf" solution where you can turn the knobs to cater to your needs.

There's more to how a shock rides than progressive vs digressive. It has everything to do with how the shims are stacked in the piston, like the diameters of the shims. Different diameter combinations change how soft/ hard a shock rides. Progressive vs digressive is a blanket description of how a shock performs, but the actual "ride" is on the design of the shim stack. Shim stack is what shock tuning is.

Agreed, the Carli Commuters are intriguing..price is good, height adjustments are good, reviews suggest the valving is good, but no valve adjustments like the Fox PEs which means no fine tuning and less margin for error.

The PEs with their DSCs gives more flexibility..case in point, yesterday we took out Wifey-poohs ND Miata Club. I have MeisterR GT1 COs (double Digressive/mid adjust) on four corners, full Goodwin underbody bracing, and -1.9°camber all four..it's Tight! This spring, I dialed down the rear valves 1 click softer to balance the ride "feel" better. Half way on our trip yesterday, I had her pull over and I dialed all four down 1 click softer..and what a huge instant change! I'm getting older and our Wisco roads are getting rougher..that ability to change valving is huge to me.

I know you aren't a fan of Accutune, and I probably don't need real custom tuning anyways for being a street truck, but I do wish there were more tuning options/tuners out there.

 

[Ready Go]

@boogielander
You mentioned height adjusting your Front PEs..am I correct in remembering the PEs adjust on a 0.5:1 ratio (1/2" collar adjust equals 1" ride height change)??

Also, if I don't get my height(collar) measurement set perfectly before installing the PEs, is it sufficient to lift the front end (wheels off) and adjust the spanners..or do they HAVE to come out to adjust the height..hoping not to have to remove them to adjust them!

I plan to set my Fronts to ~2.625" lift (may need RF a fraction more..1/16-1/8") to adjust my current "level lift" to "level lift +1", but in case my rear +1" coils aren't accurate, I'll need to adjust the fronts to get to level.

My MeisterR spanner wrench won't work on Fox PEs..any suggestion on a wrench I should buy that has the dimple fitting for Foxes?

Thanks

 

[Ready Go]

Ok guys..I joined the Fox PE DSC Club..I finally decided & did it!

I ordered from PerformanceMods.com and got the set for $3081.98 total.

According to Shock Surplus, tomorrow (Sunday 08/03) Fox is raising their prices by 10-15% !!!

If anyone is looking to replace their rear 2.0s or wants to buy a set..you may want to do that..today!



If you need links to Fronts or Rears, I can post them

Next up, Thuren
....and...DONE!!

 

[H2OMAN]

Ok guys..I joined the Fox PE DSC Club..I finally decided & did it!

I ordered from PerformanceMods.com and got the set for $3081.98 total.

According to Shock Surplus, tomorrow (Sunday 08/03) Fox is raising their prices by 10-15% !!!

If anyone is looking to replace their rear 2.0s or wants to buy a set..you may want to do that..today!

View attachment 204053

If you need links to Fronts or Rears, I can post them

Next up, Thuren
....and...DONE!!

I got a black friday deal on mine and I think you got a better price. Great job.

 

[Ready Go]

I got a black friday deal on mine and I think you got a better price. Great job.

Yep, not complaining on that price at all..especially if Fox's bumping the price 10-15% tomorrow

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

Ok guys..I joined the Fox PE DSC Club..I finally decided & did it!

I ordered from PerformanceMods.com and got the set for $3081.98 total.

According to Shock Surplus, tomorrow (Sunday 08/03) Fox is raising their prices by 10-15% !!!

If anyone is looking to replace their rear 2.0s or wants to buy a set..you may want to do that..today!

View attachment 204053

If you need links to Fronts or Rears, I can post them

Next up, Thuren
....and...DONE!!

I don't remember with trying to keep up. Are you just leveling the front and nothing in the rear? My setup from BDS with their rear coils gave me about a .5" difference front to rear with my Leer topper on. I forgot to measure before the install where I was.

 

[Ready Go]

I don't remember with trying to keep up. Are you just leveling the front and nothing in the rear? My setup from BDS with their rear coils gave me about a .5" difference front to rear with my Leer topper on. I forgot to measure before the install where I was.

I'm currently level lifted at +1.625" in front.
I have a pair of McBay 0.5" billet rear spacers (almost certainly not using them), a pair of Ram ORP 1" rear springs(probably not using them either), and a pair of Eibach 1" rear springs(almost certainly using them).
My truck had a 5/8" left lean from the factory. I wacked one whole top ring off the RR OEM spring which is a 3/8" thick coil. I still have 1/8-1/4" left lean depending on full or empty gas tank. The Eibach spring is a 5/8" thick coil, so I'll wack the whole top coil off and then I should have a Left-Right level rear end.
I'll set up the Foxes to +2.625" 'level+1' lift..I actually like dead level ride-wise and appearance-wise. I know these trucks can look nose high at dead level, but I'm ok with it.
I did get the Thuren F-UCAs, R-U/L CAs, R-Trackbar, shock boots(for the Fox rear shocks), and also the Core4x4 JJ Track +1" R-Endlinks.
I'm currently running a Progress Technology 25mm rear swaybar on Tight, but it doesn't have side-to-side locators(which may not really matter, but I don't really like it), so since I'll have silver Eibach springs in front (on the Foxes) and rear now, I also have a silver Eibach 25mm rear swaybar(that does have the locators), that I'll also set on Tight, ready to go on.
I'm gonna do the rear U/L CAs, Trackbar, swaybar, and endlinks first to be able to accurately judge their benefit while I have my current struts/shocks on, and then do the Foxes and F-UCAs as a final stage.
I have Airlift rear bags that I run at 5psi currently and I'll reinstall them in the Eibachs.
I've been doing psi adjustments on my new Fuel/Ascents(285/60) and am currently pretty happy at 39F/35R, but want to some more settings yet before changing out any parts..although, once everything is installed, I'll probably find some other psi settings may work better. I'll chalk test it when everything is installed..and then get the truck aligned..and call it done! (although, I'm already thinking about Stainless Works 1 7/8" LT headers and true dual 3" exhaust!! Problem is, the G/T with Paddle Shifters isn't supported by Diablosport..and even though SW says their headers won't throw a code, I hear they often do.

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

Looking forward to all the feedback after all said and hopefully done.

 

[Ready Go]

Looking forward to all the feedback after all said and hopefully done.

I'll post up as I go in stages

 

[boogielander]

@boogielander
You mentioned height adjusting your Front PEs..am I correct in remembering the PEs adjust on a 0.5:1 ratio (1/2" collar adjust equals 1" ride height change)??

Also, if I don't get my height(collar) measurement set perfectly before installing the PEs, is it sufficient to lift the front end (wheels off) and adjust the spanners..or do they HAVE to come out to adjust the height..hoping not to have to remove them to adjust them!

I plan to set my Fronts to ~2.625" lift (may need RF a fraction more..1/16-1/8") to adjust my current "level lift" to "level lift +1", but in case my rear +1" coils aren't accurate, I'll need to adjust the fronts to get to level.

My MeisterR spanner wrench won't work on Fox PEs..any suggestion on a wrench I should buy that has the dimple fitting for Foxes?

Thanks

i think in my case it was actually 1:1 or something, 1 full collar turn is like 0.25" so 4 full collar turns is 1". something like that I can't remember right now LOL

it is better to do it by removing it first. I tried to cheat by jacking up the front and give the wheels full droop and that made the collar walked from the threads. Granted, I was on 700lb springs so that heavy spring rate may be the issue LOL

 

[boogielander]

Ok guys..I joined the Fox PE DSC Club..I finally decided & did it!

I ordered from PerformanceMods.com and got the set for $3081.98 total.

According to Shock Surplus, tomorrow (Sunday 08/03) Fox is raising their prices by 10-15% !!!

If anyone is looking to replace their rear 2.0s or wants to buy a set..you may want to do that..today!

View attachment 204053

If you need links to Fronts or Rears, I can post them

Next up, Thuren
....and...DONE!!

good pricing.
Now get yourself some Baja Designs:

10% off through Poly hahaha

 

[Ready Go]

good pricing.
Now get yourself some Baja Designs:
View attachment 204153
10% off through Poly hahaha

I've got a RC Curved Dual-Riw LED & DRL in there already.

 

[Ready Go]

i think in my case it was actually 1:1 or something, 1 full collar turn is like 0.25" so 4 full collar turns is 1". something like that I can't remember right now LOL

it is better to do it by removing it first. I tried to cheat by jacking up the front and give the wheels full droop and that made the collar walked from the threads. Granted, I was on 700lb springs so that heavy spring rate may be the issue LOL

I was just looking at Fox 2.5 CO Spanner wrenches on Ebay..I'm gonna assume the COs don't come from Fox with one??