Over the weekend with the help of a couple of forum members(jjvw and tworley) I outboarded my rear shocks and installed Fox 2.0 w/remote reservoirs. I purchased the shocks and had them tuned by pcoplin with fullstack motorsports. This is my initial review of the ride quality. A few details first, I am running 35x12.50x15 Goodyear MTR W/Kevlar at 25 psi on Raceline beadlocks. On the front end I am running Rancho RS55255 (5000x) shocks in 10.730 travel with Currie CE-9132FP 4" springs. I raised the upper shock mounts about 1-1/8" in order to achieve maximum uptravel. On the rear I am running the Fox shocks outboarded with a custom tune by pcoplin, and Currie CE-9131RH3P 4" springs. Both front and rear suspensions are set up at 50/50 travel bias with Metalcloak control arms at all 8 locations. This initial review involves about 50 miles this afternoon on the worst paved road I could find. The road is a two lane asphalt, with many corrugations, cracks, and potholes. It is traveled extensively by oil field traffic and farm equipment. With my prior bilstien shocks 55 mph was a serious adventure, jarring, hard bounces, potholes that would knock you out of your seat. I avoided the road at all costs. (Perfect for testing a new set up!)
The difference between the Bilstien and the Rancho on the front is significant. The difference with the Fox shocks on the rear is astronomical. I was able to cruise at 65mph, The tail of the jeep was planted, the Fox shocks just soak up the bumps like nothing is there. The side to side motion on the tail of the jeep is gone. It takes a pretty major pothole to feel the tail move, These shocks work! The custom tune is excellent so far. I can't wait for spring to get on some good trails so I can do a more thorough review.
Another comparison I would like to make is how different the front feels from the rear. With the Bilstiens bumps and potholes felt pretty similar front to back. Jarring, alot of body movement. With the Ranchos up front and the Fox shocks on the rear, there is now a large difference front to back, while I still feel alot of the smaller corrigations and smaller pot holes with the Ranchos, the Fox shocks really just soak them up.
Please keep in mind, I am no suspension expert and that these reviews are seat of the pants. I will post more reviews this spring and summer, as the trails here in Colorado up.
The difference between the Bilstien and the Rancho on the front is significant. The difference with the Fox shocks on the rear is astronomical. I was able to cruise at 65mph, The tail of the jeep was planted, the Fox shocks just soak up the bumps like nothing is there. The side to side motion on the tail of the jeep is gone. It takes a pretty major pothole to feel the tail move, These shocks work! The custom tune is excellent so far. I can't wait for spring to get on some good trails so I can do a more thorough review.
Another comparison I would like to make is how different the front feels from the rear. With the Bilstiens bumps and potholes felt pretty similar front to back. Jarring, alot of body movement. With the Ranchos up front and the Fox shocks on the rear, there is now a large difference front to back, while I still feel alot of the smaller corrigations and smaller pot holes with the Ranchos, the Fox shocks really just soak them up.
Please keep in mind, I am no suspension expert and that these reviews are seat of the pants. I will post more reviews this spring and summer, as the trails here in Colorado up.
