novelmike
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2015
- Posts
- 788
- Reaction score
- 319
- Location
- Central California
- Ram Year
- 2012
- Engine
- 5.7
So I finally got the Fox 2.0 Perfromance Series installed a couple weeks ago. I did the install myself and it all went pretty smoothly. I put the Rancho quicklift shocks on a year ago so I knew how to do the front and the little tricks to make sure it went right and fast. The rear shocks were easier than I thought they'd be. I did have to cut a 8" crescent wrench down to about 3" to get it on the drivers side upper bolt. I did not have to remove the fender wells. But I did remove most of the fasteners to make them more bendy and give me better access to the shock nuts and bolts. I also removed the rear tires for better access too.
So why did I replace the Rancho quicklift shocks after a year? The only reason is my truck still had too much of a rake. The front of my truck was still about 1.5 inches lower than the rear. I do not like trucks that are higher in the back than the front. I couldn't take it anymore and I didn't want to spend $1600 for a pair of King or Fox reservoir shocks. So these seemed like the best fit for me.
The ride with the Rancho's were good and I was happy with it. The amount of adjustment of these shocks is quite impressive. The "1" setting will provide a softer than stock ride and to simply put it, a "bouncey" ride at high speed. The "9" setting will give you a very stiff shock and ride. The shock still moves, but it will not bounce up and down unless the road does. If you're driving at 70mph+ and you hit a bumpy section, a stock ride will give you an extra controlled bounce or 2 to smooth out the ride. The "9" setting does not give you that. If you have a aftermarket, heavy front bumper, these shocks will work great! Especially on the rear of your truck and you're towing or hauling a heavy load.
The Fox shocks did exactly what I wanted, they leveled my truck. Almost exactly and right out of the box too. All 4 corners of my truck are now 40". And if they didn't level my ride, either too low or too high, its not hard to fix that with these shocks since they are ride height adjustable. They say they'll give you 0-2" of lift, I think you could go more if you wanted to. But it might give you the same problems the Bilstein shocks give some people when set at 2.8
Now for the ride.....unfortunately I haven't been out on any dirt fire roads or been off road at all since the install. But so far the ride is great! I do not think they provide a stiff harsh ride like some people on here thought they would. I actually think they are soft for the first bit of wheel travel. It feels somewhere between a truck and an old Cadillac. I hope that makes sense. There is a section of my commute that consists of going up a steep hill and at the top there is a bump in the road that you hit while turning right at 65mph. The bump that used to make me feel out of control for a split second if I'm above 65mph, is now so calm and smooth. I feel like I could drive through that section a lot faster now, while still being in control and comfortable. There are parts that I've noticed are truly a night and day difference between the Rancho and Fox. That's just one example. And remember, I had Rancho RS9000 shocks before, and they where a great improvement of stock!
Even though these are Fox entry level and least expensive shock. You wouldn't know it by looking at them. These shocks not only look great, they seem like they're extremely well made. There is nothing cheap about them. Especially the price. $429 each for the front. And $129 each for the rear shocks. But they might be the last shocks you have to buy for your truck. A complete rebuild of the shock by Fox is only $75. And to re-valve the shocks to your driving style and the ride you prefer is only $25. In my opinion, that sounds pike a good price to me. Especially since its the manufacturer thats doing the work.
I'm really looking forward to getting my truck off the pavement and seeing how these shocks perform. I will update when I do.
If attached a few pics...the first 2 are with the Rancho. Third and fourth are with the Fox
So why did I replace the Rancho quicklift shocks after a year? The only reason is my truck still had too much of a rake. The front of my truck was still about 1.5 inches lower than the rear. I do not like trucks that are higher in the back than the front. I couldn't take it anymore and I didn't want to spend $1600 for a pair of King or Fox reservoir shocks. So these seemed like the best fit for me.
The ride with the Rancho's were good and I was happy with it. The amount of adjustment of these shocks is quite impressive. The "1" setting will provide a softer than stock ride and to simply put it, a "bouncey" ride at high speed. The "9" setting will give you a very stiff shock and ride. The shock still moves, but it will not bounce up and down unless the road does. If you're driving at 70mph+ and you hit a bumpy section, a stock ride will give you an extra controlled bounce or 2 to smooth out the ride. The "9" setting does not give you that. If you have a aftermarket, heavy front bumper, these shocks will work great! Especially on the rear of your truck and you're towing or hauling a heavy load.
The Fox shocks did exactly what I wanted, they leveled my truck. Almost exactly and right out of the box too. All 4 corners of my truck are now 40". And if they didn't level my ride, either too low or too high, its not hard to fix that with these shocks since they are ride height adjustable. They say they'll give you 0-2" of lift, I think you could go more if you wanted to. But it might give you the same problems the Bilstein shocks give some people when set at 2.8
Now for the ride.....unfortunately I haven't been out on any dirt fire roads or been off road at all since the install. But so far the ride is great! I do not think they provide a stiff harsh ride like some people on here thought they would. I actually think they are soft for the first bit of wheel travel. It feels somewhere between a truck and an old Cadillac. I hope that makes sense. There is a section of my commute that consists of going up a steep hill and at the top there is a bump in the road that you hit while turning right at 65mph. The bump that used to make me feel out of control for a split second if I'm above 65mph, is now so calm and smooth. I feel like I could drive through that section a lot faster now, while still being in control and comfortable. There are parts that I've noticed are truly a night and day difference between the Rancho and Fox. That's just one example. And remember, I had Rancho RS9000 shocks before, and they where a great improvement of stock!
Even though these are Fox entry level and least expensive shock. You wouldn't know it by looking at them. These shocks not only look great, they seem like they're extremely well made. There is nothing cheap about them. Especially the price. $429 each for the front. And $129 each for the rear shocks. But they might be the last shocks you have to buy for your truck. A complete rebuild of the shock by Fox is only $75. And to re-valve the shocks to your driving style and the ride you prefer is only $25. In my opinion, that sounds pike a good price to me. Especially since its the manufacturer thats doing the work.
I'm really looking forward to getting my truck off the pavement and seeing how these shocks perform. I will update when I do.
If attached a few pics...the first 2 are with the Rancho. Third and fourth are with the Fox
