Are Fox shocks worth it?

[Mudflap]

Currently once a month. But starting next year i’ll be going once a week. But mostly a DD.

I think you will like them, I have a pretty far commute with rough roads and I still like them. I also don't spend much time off-road. Worst comes to worst you test drive them for about a month and sell 'em for what you payed for them. This being said Rancho's will still take you off-road with a softer ride on-road, if that's what you are looking for, but if you plan on being a weekend warrior I would consider the Fox Shocks. For me the tunable Fox Reservoir Shocks are too high in price, but if your care enough to make a "4x4 Cadillac" you can go that route too. But in your situation you would probably get the most value out of the Fox Shocks you are looking at.

 

[deadbeat son]

Apparently it depends on if they have an Internal Floating Piston. Some do and some don’t. I could be wrong. Still trying to learn.

I think you're missing the bigger point. "2.0" is not a series or model of Fox shocks, it's simply a size — it's the diameter of the shock body (2 inches). They make lots of different shocks with a 2.0" diameter shock body.

Consider how a "33" is a size of tire. You cannot describe all 33s based on your observations of a bias-ply Super Swamper. 33s come in bias or radial construction types, various load ranges, various categories such as MT or AT, various widths (9.5, 10.5, 12.5, 13.5), and various brands. If you categorize all 33s with the specs of the aforementioned bias-ply Super Swamper, your statements would not be relevant to a Cooper Discoverer ATIII, even though they're both 33s.

Example:

Person A: I'm thinking of getting some new tires; probably 33s. I'm looking for something quiet and smooth.
Person B (who has only driven a bias-ply Swamper in 33s): Don't buy 33s, they ride rough, don't balance well, and make a LOT of noise.

Doesn't make much sense, does it?

 

[JMT]

I think you're missing the bigger point. "2.0" is not a series or model of Fox shocks, it's simply a size — it's the diameter of the shock body (2 inches). They make lots of different shocks with a 2.0" diameter shock body.

Consider how a "33" is a size of tire. You cannot describe all 33s based on your observations of a bias-ply Super Swamper. 33s come in bias or radial construction types, various load ranges, various categories such as MT or AT, various widths (9.5, 10.5, 12.5, 13.5), and various brands. If you categorize all 33s with the specs of the aforementioned bias-ply Super Swamper, your statements would not be relevant to a Cooper Discoverer ATIII, even though they're both 33s.

Example:

Person A: I'm thinking of getting some new tires; probably 33s. I'm looking for something quiet and smooth.
Person B (who has only driven a bias-ply Swamper in 33s): Don't buy 33s, they ride rough, don't balance well, and make a LOT of noise.

Doesn't make much sense, does it?

Yes, I think I got corrected plenty of times in this thread. Thank you.

EDIT: I kinda want to delete my posts so it will stop.

 

[mrblaine]

EDIT: I kinda want to delete my posts so it will stop.

Fuck that, I screwed up the goober question thread until I got it figured out and left it, you can take your medicine just like I did.

 

[deadbeat son]

Yes, I think I got corrected plenty of times in this thread. Thank you.

EDIT: I kinda want to delete my posts so it will stop.

Your last post was, “I’m trying to learn,” so it seemed like you were still trying to figure out what you were missing. You never acknowledged that the 2.0 moniker simply refers to the diameter of the shock body and doesn’t equate to a specific shock model.

 

[JMT]

Your last post was, “I’m trying to learn,” so it seemed like you were still trying to figure out what you were missing. You never acknowledged that the 2.0 moniker simply refers to the diameter of the shock body and doesn’t equate to a specific shock model.

Thanks!

 

[kiwi]

Alright might just go ahead and get them, and sell them if i don’t like them. Last question… I’m going to a 3” lift, and these shocks are for up to 3.5”. Eventually i’ll probably even go up to a 4” lift. So should i still get the 3.5”s with that in mind? I want them to fit properly but if the 4” ones will work that would save some money in the long run. Thanks!

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Alright might just go ahead and get them, and sell them if i don’t like them. Last question… I’m going to a 3” lift, and these shocks are for up to 3.5”. Eventually i’ll probably even go up to a 4” lift. So should i still get the 3.5”s with that in mind? I want them to fit properly but if the 4” ones will work that would save some money in the long run. Thanks!

The only real way to determine that would be to install the shocks and cycle and measure the suspension, then add the tires, then do the same with the springs, and compare measurements.

 

[JMT]

Alright might just go ahead and get them, and sell them if i don’t like them. Last question… I’m going to a 3” lift, and these shocks are for up to 3.5”. Eventually i’ll probably even go up to a 4” lift. So should i still get the 3.5”s with that in mind? I want them to fit properly but if the 4” ones will work that would save some money in the long run. Thanks!

3" is a tough lift height to get a good 50:50 travel shock for. Many people on here have struggled at that lift height.

If I was planning to go to 4" I certainly wouldn't break the bank on shocks now.

You might study this chart and see what you can come up with. I ran the Rancho 5000X 22239 and 22241 on 3.5" of lift and they worked pretty well. The travel bias was acceptable. You might try to find something a little bit shorter and ask around.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tj-shock-spring-specification-resource-thread.47846/

 

[Gemma]

I love my Fox 2.0s, a great responsive ride. They are a solid build and the aluminum helps with the heat.

 

[Brianj5600]

I did this before I outboarded the rear. It can allow longer shocks and more travel. Changing spacer lengths can dial in bias.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/i-gained-1-5”-of-up-travel-for-9.36388/

 

[eastbloc]

You all want to discuss which is the better tasting wine for next 4 pages while at it?
I can not comprehend how can anyone recommend shocks to someone, you are developing and sharing opinion based on how your ass feels about it, which in itself based of what you got going on with your Jeep.

So much hype around Rancho 5000x, i got me a set just to satisfy the curiosity. Drove on them for a bit, then forced myself to drive on them a bit longer, eventually had enough of it. It is like driving on a water bed, there is no stability, it just floats on the road. I don't know how anyone can appreciate such wooshy-mooshy ride, definitely not my thing.

At this point i have nothing but good things to say about Fox IFP performance series. In comparison to what my Jeep came with and 5000x they make ride how i like, stable and not teeth shattering. Key words "at this point", some day i will try something new or Jeep will transform into something else, and as a result i will go from there.

 

[JMT]

You all want to discuss which is the better tasting wine for next 4 pages while at it?
I can not comprehend how can anyone recommend shocks to someone, you are developing and sharing opinion based on how your ass feels about it, which in itself based of what you got going on with your Jeep.

So much hype around Rancho 5000x, i got me a set just to satisfy the curiosity. Drove on them for a bit, then forced myself to drive on them a bit longer, eventually had enough of it. It is like driving on a water bed, there is no stability, it just floats on the road. I don't know how anyone can appreciate such wooshy-mooshy ride, definitely not my thing.

At this point i have nothing but good things to say about Fox IFP performance series. In comparison to what my Jeep came with and 5000x they make ride how i like, stable and not teeth shattering. Key words "at this point", some day i will try something new or Jeep will transform into something else, and as a result i will go from there.

If paragraph 1 is true, why do paragraph 2 & 3 exist?

 

[eastbloc]

If paragraph 1 is true, why do paragraph 2 & 3 exist?

valid point, look at them as supporting paragraphs, they both go against general shock consensus around here, thus they support paragraph 1 in their own way.

 

[JMT]

valid point

Just messing with you man. I love to hear your buttometer opinion too.

 

[mrblaine]

You all want to discuss which is the better tasting wine for next 4 pages while at it?
I can not comprehend how can anyone recommend shocks to someone, you are developing and sharing opinion based on how your ass feels about it, which in itself based of what you got going on with your Jeep.

So much hype around Rancho 5000x, i got me a set just to satisfy the curiosity. Drove on them for a bit, then forced myself to drive on them a bit longer, eventually had enough of it. It is like driving on a water bed, there is no stability, it just floats on the road. I don't know how anyone can appreciate such wooshy-mooshy ride, definitely not my thing.

At this point i have nothing but good things to say about Fox IFP performance series. In comparison to what my Jeep came with and 5000x they make ride how i like, stable and not teeth shattering. Key words "at this point", some day i will try something new or Jeep will transform into something else, and as a result i will go from there.

As a counterpoint, I get to drive lots of rigs. I drove a pair in the not too distant past that had the Fox aluminum body IFP shocks on them. Rig 1 was just bizarre. The body roll from just engine torque taking off from a stop was beyond scary. Very little control around corners, sloppy, made a standing on one leg in a canoe seem stable. Hit a sharp edge pothole and it felt like the shocks decided to leave for a minute and trade for chunks of 2x4 between the upper and lower mount. We walked away trying to figure out what we would tell a tuner to get him to duplicate that. Hey buddy, we want no control, but make it so it is so harsh on the small sharp events that it feels like they are super stiff with an inordinate amount of compression.

The second rig was tolerable. Nothing special and I'd certainly have been sad if I spent more than 40 bucks a corner for what it had.

Both rigs were Rubi TJ Unlimited on 35's and very close in overall similarity. You would never drive the two and walk away believing they both had the same shocks purchased close together from the same company.

Point being that shock evaluation is more than a bit of tasting. There are attributes that one can discern which are fully objective.

 

[JMT]

As a counterpoint, I get to drive lots of rigs. I drove a pair in the not too distant past that had the Fox aluminum body IFP shocks on them. Rig 1 was just bizarre. The body roll from just engine torque taking off from a stop was beyond scary. Very little control around corners, sloppy, made a standing on one leg in a canoe seem stable. Hit a sharp edge pothole and it felt like the shocks decided to leave for a minute and trade for chunks of 2x4 between the upper and lower mount. We walked away trying to figure out what we would tell a tuner to get him to duplicate that. Hey buddy, we want no control, but make it so it is so harsh on the small sharp events that it feels like they are super stiff with an inordinate amount of compression.

The second rig was tolerable. Nothing special and I'd certainly have been sad if I spent more than 40 bucks a corner for what it had.

Both rigs were Rubi TJ Unlimited on 35's and very close in overall similarity. You would never drive the two and walk away believing they both had the same shocks purchased close together from the same company.

Point being that shock evaluation is more than a bit of tasting. There are attributes that one can discern which are fully objective.

Mine were worse than my Bilstein 5100’s. Then @rasband’s are pretty good. I’m not sure how similar our rugs are, but they’re not far off. Both in 35’s, same coils, same tranny, different gears, but there has got to be some FOX shock variance.

 

[mrblaine]

, but there has got to be some FOX shock variance.

There's a bazillion variances, which shock specifically are we talking about?

 

[kiwi]

You all want to discuss which is the better tasting wine for next 4 pages while at it?
I can not comprehend how can anyone recommend shocks to someone, you are developing and sharing opinion based on how your ass feels about it, which in itself based of what you got going on with your Jeep.

So much hype around Rancho 5000x, i got me a set just to satisfy the curiosity. Drove on them for a bit, then forced myself to drive on them a bit longer, eventually had enough of it. It is like driving on a water bed, there is no stability, it just floats on the road. I don't know how anyone can appreciate such wooshy-mooshy ride, definitely not my thing.

At this point i have nothing but good things to say about Fox IFP performance series. In comparison to what my Jeep came with and 5000x they make ride how i like, stable and not teeth shattering. Key words "at this point", some day i will try something new or Jeep will transform into something else, and as a result i will go from there.

You’re right, it’s all about opinions and the way a rig is set up shocks aside. I understand there’s no one “best” shock, but i made this thread so i could hear the advantages and disadvantages and past experiences that others have had. Sure it won’t all be the same on my rig, but it gives me an idea.

 

[deadbeat son]

There's a bazillion variances, which shock specifically are we talking about?

The 2.0.