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FOX 2.5 DSC

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bb360

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Hi wondering if anyone here has put the 3 inch BDS lift kit with fiox 2.5 dsc and rear dsc kit ? also wondering if its worth outting front stabiliser bar and upgrading rear sway bar


any info would be gretaly appreciatred
 
I'm running the BDS 3" lift and upgrading the rear sway bar with Hellwig is definitely worth it. I know on the 4th Gen Hellwig claimed the front wasn't worth it, so they didn't make. I see they make for the 5th Gen, but pricey. I'll be upgrading the bushings and already upgraded the SuspensionMaxx links.

Also recommend Rear links, arms and panhard upgrade with CORE4X4
AAA.jpg
 
so the BDS kit is basically a Fox 2.5 DSC with UCA and rear springs
UCA - generic tubular UCA, not boxed design
rear springs - unknown spring rates

there's no additional benefits in terms of increase droop or tuned valving. BDS is basically a factory store for Fox suspension, and that's it. Aside from the Fox suspensions, there's nothing special about their stuff. They didn't even publish any technical numbers for their kits, which led me to believe nothing special was done to help with performance.

if you want something that actually performs well, much better to just get the Fox 2.5 by themselves and add better components to it:
1758065696230.png
I did the front springs because of weight, you don't have to. Fox 2.5 comes with standard 450lb springs.
For the rear springs, you can do Carli Rebel rear springs that give you 1.5" lift for non-rebel/ org trucks (or 0.5" for rebel/ org trucks). I started with Carli Rebel HD springs which gave me 1" of lift in the rear, even with 500lb constant weight in the back. Now I have more than that, so I switched over to the Clayton 2.5 HD.
UCA you can't go wrong with Carli or Thuren. Both are boxed design and both are well-known in the Ram offroad performance world.

I added the rear end link because of increased travel. For the front, I got away with stock end link for so long, then I swapped to SuspensionMaxx end link because I was bored.

The result?

See my initial thoughts and reviews of the Fox 2.5 before I modified the setup:
boogielander

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

1684795311693.jpeg​
There are plenty of suspension offerings on the market for the 5th gen Ram 1500 platform, ranging from cheap to expensive. In this thread, I will be detailing why I chose Fox 2.5 for my build, procedures of installing and dialing in the ride, and a review of the build as everything came together. If you are interested about my background, experiences, and story, you are more than welcomed to visit my build thread here.
1684822658301.png​

Parts Used​

  • Carli Boxed Upper Control Arms: CS-RAM15UCA-09
  • Carli Rear Springs, Rebel HD...
  • boogielander
  • fox fox 2.5 fox shocks lift lift kit lift size lifted performance shock
  • Replies: 234
  • Forum: Suspension
  • Like
  • Love
 
so you where happy with the upgrade correct ? made a big difference just trying to convince myself for the purchase
 
bb360 said:
so you where happy with the upgrade correct ? made a big difference just trying to convince myself for the purchase
Click to expand...
Not to sidetrack at all, but curious.. does fox make a shock for a 6 inch lift? I’m thinking of upgrading either coilovers with resevior or something higher end comparwd ro what I got, like fox.
 
bb360 said:
so you where happy with the upgrade correct ? made a big difference just trying to convince myself for the purchase
Click to expand...
yeap.
i'd gone Thuren because of all the added weight and i push my suspension beyond 99% of the people here, so Thuren (again, if they were in stock at the time of ordering parts circa 2022) would be the ideal one to go with so I wouldn't have to customize the kit and do the math myself.

but for most guys the 2.5 will be sufficient.
 
boogielander said:
so the BDS kit is basically a Fox 2.5 DSC with UCA and rear springs
UCA - generic tubular UCA, not boxed design
rear springs - unknown spring rates

there's no additional benefits in terms of increase droop or tuned valving. BDS is basically a factory store for Fox suspension, and that's it. Aside from the Fox suspensions, there's nothing special about their stuff. They didn't even publish any technical numbers for their kits, which led me to believe nothing special was done to help with performance.

if you want something that actually performs well, much better to just get the Fox 2.5 by themselves and add better components to it:
View attachment 205824
I did the front springs because of weight, you don't have to. Fox 2.5 comes with standard 450lb springs.
For the rear springs, you can do Carli Rebel rear springs that give you 1.5" lift for non-rebel/ org trucks (or 0.5" for rebel/ org trucks). I started with Carli Rebel HD springs which gave me 1" of lift in the rear, even with 500lb constant weight in the back. Now I have more than that, so I switched over to the Clayton 2.5 HD.
UCA you can't go wrong with Carli or Thuren. Both are boxed design and both are well-known in the Ram offroad performance world.

I added the rear end link because of increased travel. For the front, I got away with stock end link for so long, then I swapped to SuspensionMaxx end link because I was bored.

The result?

See my initial thoughts and reviews of the Fox 2.5 before I modified the setup:
boogielander

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

1684795311693.jpeg​
There are plenty of suspension offerings on the market for the 5th gen Ram 1500 platform, ranging from cheap to expensive. In this thread, I will be detailing why I chose Fox 2.5 for my build, procedures of installing and dialing in the ride, and a review of the build as everything came together. If you are interested about my background, experiences, and story, you are more than welcomed to visit my build thread here.
1684822658301.png​

Parts Used​

  • Carli Boxed Upper Control Arms: CS-RAM15UCA-09
  • Carli Rear Springs, Rebel HD...
  • boogielander
  • fox fox 2.5 fox shocks lift lift kit lift size lifted performance shock
  • Replies: 234
  • Forum: Suspension
  • Like
  • Love
Click to expand...
Boogie,

First want to shout you out for all the info and guidance you've provided - it's helped me immensely.

I have the BDS on my EcoD and it's been just OK. The rear springs suck so I'm going with the Carli's but my question for you is the front springs.

I don't off-road like you do but I definitely believe we need to swap out the front springs. Do you have any recommendations or would you suggest to Eibach 600lbs for future proofing?
 
GoBlue02 said:
Boogie,

First want to shout you out for all the info and guidance you've provided - it's helped me immensely.

I have the BDS on my EcoD and it's been just OK. The rear springs suck so I'm going with the Carli's but my question for you is the front springs.

I don't off-road like you do but I definitely believe we need to swap out the front springs. Do you have any recommendations or would you suggest to Eibach 600lbs for future proofing?
Click to expand...
which one for the front really depends on your constant weight.
do you have bumper? do you have skid plates and all other armors? do you have cab full of stuff all the time? are you sagging? or just too soft ride despite having both knobs maxed out?

perhaps look into 550 instead of 600 if you're just sagging and have no additional weight. Eco Diesel should be somewhere between 100-200lb heavier than hemi, according to Google, so 100lb/ in more should help you tremendously. I really don't think you need 600lb up front with nothing but diesel... quite honestly, I think 600lb/ in for me is a bit too stiff.

that is, i assume you have the normal BDS kit that's no more than 3". If it's over 3" then it's probably different... can't do much without data and BDS doesn't publish data.
 
Just made the upgrade to BDS 3-inch fox 2.5 dsc, wow , so far so good, handles like a sports car compared to the previous one I had. Is there anything else I can add to this kit for Any recommendations would be greartly appreciated
 
bb360 said:
Just made the upgrade to BDS 3-inch fox 2.5 dsc, wow , so far so good, handles like a sports car compared to the previous one I had. Is there anything else I can add to this kit for Any recommendations would be greartly appreciated
Click to expand...
What did you set your L/H valving at?? TIA
Rear adjustable sway bar really helps!!
 
bb360 said:
Just made the upgrade to BDS 3-inch fox 2.5 dsc, wow , so far so good, handles like a sports car compared to the previous one I had. Is there anything else I can add to this kit for Any recommendations would be greartly appreciated
Click to expand...
range-industries.com

Fox DSC Adjustment Helper Knob

CNC machined helper knob for turning Fox's high speed DSC adjuster. Knob is made from Delrin to prevent damage to shocks. Note: If backordered parts typically ship within 2 weeks.
range-industries.com range-industries.com

get yourself one of these.
 
Ready Go said:
What did you set your L/H valving at?? TIA
Rear adjustable sway bar really helps!!
Click to expand...
not sure left it at whatever the installer put on but needed to get wheel alignment i think camber might be out , have a mob in the city that sets up performance suspension,race cars etc will let him have a look, which sway bar you guys recommend?
 
Last edited:
bb360 said:
not sure left it at whatever the installer put on but needed to get wheel alignment i think camber might be out , have a mob in the city that sets up performance suspension,race cars etc will let him have a look, which sway bar you guys recommend?
Click to expand...
I'd highly recommend checking your valving! (you SHOULD be about 3L/3H, but who knows?!)
In prepping my PEs to install soon, I found three were at 2L/3H and one was at 1L/1H..I believe Fox recommends starting at 3L/4H, so you'd think that's were they'd factory set them, but mine were definitely not.
I used a Progress Technology 25mm 2-way bar for a year happily, but just switched to a Eibach 25mm 3-way bar recently..the Eibach has side-to-side positioning rings on the bar and billet axle mount clamps with zerks in them (the PT had neither). Both have smooth, powder coat finishes and hold up really well to salt and snow..PT is a pearl grey color, Eibach is silver to match your Fox CO springs.
Many are using Hellwig bars, but I personally don't like the Hammertone finish as it tends to flake and rust in our salty, snowy Wisconsin winters.
 
Ok, will need to ask tomorrow, this seems a little too complicated for me, I will check the dials in the morning, but very informative, thank you. what would be the better sway bars to get for front and rear
 
bb360 said:
Ok, will need to ask tomorrow, this seems a little too complicated for me, I will check the dials in the morning, but very informative, thank you. what would be the better sway bars to get for front and rear
Click to expand...
The Front bar is already a ~1.375" (~36mm) hollow bar from factory..just replace the bushings with Energy Suspension Poly-urethane bushings and your fine.
5.5160G (black) or 5.5160R (red)
 
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