Fox 2.0 Shock Review [pix]

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Phat1842Many

Phat1842Many

10 Year
Joined
Mar 7, 2013
Threads
14
Messages
116
Location
Austin
Fox 2.0 rear side

Fox 2.0 rear side

Wazzup people. I picked up the Fox 2.0's a few months ago to replace a busted AHC system. I'm using them with OME t-bars and 865 springs. Here's what I think:

-They're a good option for someone who isn't going to put weight on the truck. A nice "Lexus-y" comfort shock. I can't honestly compare their ride to AHC as mine was broken with an extremely harsh ride from shortly after I bought the truck a few years ago. With the Slee front/mid/belly skids and Metal-Tech sliders I'm in good shape using the truck like a bus (8 people) or filling it with people and stuff. If I had heavy bumpers in addition that would put me over the edge and I would spend the money something with more dampening.

-As has been mentioned before, the rebound on the rear shocks is under-damped. It's not a big negative for me but I notice the butt pops off deflections a little too eagerly.

-I haven't been off-road with them yet. This truck needs to pass import here in France before that as I can't technically insure it as of now. My understanding is that they are modest in the flex department, but not as bad as Bilstein. They're not for you if you're looking for a lot of extension. Here are a couple pix I took comparing them at full extention vs the AHC tubes. Going by where the hat would hit the mount, it looks like I lost around a half-an-inch of extention on the front (pictured). Not a lot, but annoying. Doing the same for the rear I lost not more than a quarter-inch.
Fox and AHC side by side

Fox and AHC side by side

Fox and AHC comparo

Fox and AHC comparo

-I installed the slee diff-drop at the same time as the shocks and I am noticing that the CVs are throwing grease. The CVs look good with no tears or wear that I can see so I'm a little bummed about it. With my spring combo I'm running about a 1.5" lift from stock so just keep that in mind regardless of what shock you get.

-Installation was super easy for everything. The pita was removing all the AHC stuff since I had to get every pipe and connection. I'm one of those.
Fox 2.0 rear

Fox 2.0 rear

AHC would have been great for my needs, but I didn't know how much cash it would have taken to fix it, particularly because some people changed out everything and theirs was still broken. My system was also 16+ years old so I'm just happy to pass on the headache.

Bottom Line: I recommend the Fox 2.0 shocks for someone with stock to mild weight and lift who wants a comfort oriented ride at a fair price.

Cheers

Phat-
 
Can you send me the front and rear part numbers for your Fox shocks? I was going to go with ICON Stage 3s but after talking to Christo changed my mind. A lot of money and having to rebuild them regularly for a daily driver convinced me not to go that route.
 
Fox makes a lot of amazing shocks. But their factory replacement 2.0s aren't one of them. Across the board from tacoma to 4runner to LC they are lacking in compression. In my tacoma I moved to a Fox internal bypass 2.5 and LOVED them. IMHO stay away from the 2.0s unless you never ever plan on taking it off road.
 
I'm around 25k on mine. I'm constantly re-tightenig the top nut on the passenger front shock. Ive actually had to do it a few time on all four, but that one is worse. The ride is fine once that's done, but its getting old. Ill replace them this summer-No way I'll bother to service the old ones at 30K.
 
Guess I'll get an ARB bumper and learn to love my OME Nitro Sports ... Wanted a bumper anyway lol If it doesn't smooth out my ride at least I'll have a bumper
 
Last edited:
Sounds like a great excuse to get a bumper.

Here are the part #s for reference:

Front: 985-24-066
Rear: 985-24-067
 
Thanks! I thought about Icon Stage 3s but Christo figured the amount of offroading I do wouldn't be worth the pain of getting them rebuilt every so often. If I was to go that route, I'll go Slee cause they're close and I can have them do it. Thanks again for the review
 
Phat1842Many said:
Sounds like a great excuse to get a bumper.

Here are the part #s for reference:

Front: 985-24-066
Rear: 985-24-067
Click to expand...


Sorry to beat a dead horse, but would you mind commenting on the ride performance/review now after almost 2 years of use? How does it perform offroad or washboard roads, on the road etc etc. Maybe is a good solution these fox shocks up front and bilsteins or something in the rear?

Also about loading, I recall reading that you have a generally low weight rig, do you have all rows of seats in? How does the suspension perform loaded up with 8 people + some gear?

Thanks for your time!
 
  • Like
Reactions: TG1
adibtea said:
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but would you mind commenting on the ride performance/review now after almost 2 years of use? How does it perform offroad or washboard roads, on the road etc etc. Maybe is a good solution these fox shocks up front and bilsteins or something in the rear?

Also about loading, I recall reading that you have a generally low weight rig, do you have all rows of seats in? How does the suspension perform loaded up with 8 people + some gear?

Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...
Hoping you get an answer as I'm curious as well.
 
adibtea said:
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but would you mind commenting on the ride performance/review now after almost 2 years of use? How does it perform offroad or washboard roads, on the road etc etc. Maybe is a good solution these fox shocks up front and bilsteins or something in the rear?

Also about loading, I recall reading that you have a generally low weight rig, do you have all rows of seats in? How does the suspension perform loaded up with 8 people + some gear?

Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...
TG1 said:
Hoping you get an answer as I'm curious as well.
Click to expand...

Jump over to the 80 Series forum and do a search, lots of info there on the Fox 2.0s. I had a set on an 80 and the ride unloaded was great, but loaded up the rear shocks were weak. My experience with shock life was poor, I had a front fail in 18 months and the rebuilds failed in 6 months. I know that's all on an 80 series but my experience led me away from putting them on my 100.
 
Phat1842Many said:
Fox 2.0 rear side

Fox 2.0 rear side

Wazzup people. I picked up the Fox 2.0's a few months ago to replace a busted AHC system. I'm using them with OME t-bars and 865 springs. Here's what I think:

-They're a good option for someone who isn't going to put weight on the truck. A nice "Lexus-y" comfort shock. I can't honestly compare their ride to AHC as mine was broken with an extremely harsh ride from shortly after I bought the truck a few years ago. With the Slee front/mid/belly skids and Metal-Tech sliders I'm in good shape using the truck like a bus (8 people) or filling it with people and stuff. If I had heavy bumpers in addition that would put me over the edge and I would spend the money something with more dampening.

-As has been mentioned before, the rebound on the rear shocks is under-damped. It's not a big negative for me but I notice the butt pops off deflections a little too eagerly.

-I haven't been off-road with them yet. This truck needs to pass import here in France before that as I can't technically insure it as of now. My understanding is that they are modest in the flex department, but not as bad as Bilstein. They're not for you if you're looking for a lot of extension. Here are a couple pix I took comparing them at full extention vs the AHC tubes. Going by where the hat would hit the mount, it looks like I lost around a half-an-inch of extention on the front (pictured). Not a lot, but annoying. Doing the same for the rear I lost not more than a quarter-inch.
Fox and AHC side by side

Fox and AHC side by side

Fox and AHC comparo

Fox and AHC comparo

-I installed the slee diff-drop at the same time as the shocks and I am noticing that the CVs are throwing grease. The CVs look good with no tears or wear that I can see so I'm a little bummed about it. With my spring combo I'm running about a 1.5" lift from stock so just keep that in mind regardless of what shock you get.

-Installation was super easy for everything. The pita was removing all the AHC stuff since I had to get every pipe and connection. I'm one of those.
Fox 2.0 rear

Fox 2.0 rear

AHC would have been great for my needs, but I didn't know how much cash it would have taken to fix it, particularly because some people changed out everything and theirs was still broken. My system was also 16+ years old so I'm just happy to pass on the headache.

Bottom Line: I recommend the Fox 2.0 shocks for someone with stock to mild weight and lift who wants a comfort oriented ride at a fair price.

Cheers

Phat-
Click to expand...
Did you use a washer or spacer on the bottom? How about the top did you use the factory set up or the new that was supplied? I have the Fox 2.0 but there's a space at the bottom
 
Phat1842Many said:
Fox 2.0 rear side

Fox 2.0 rear side

Wazzup people. I picked up the Fox 2.0's a few months ago to replace a busted AHC system. I'm using them with OME t-bars and 865 springs. Here's what I think:

-They're a good option for someone who isn't going to put weight on the truck. A nice "Lexus-y" comfort shock. I can't honestly compare their ride to AHC as mine was broken with an extremely harsh ride from shortly after I bought the truck a few years ago. With the Slee front/mid/belly skids and Metal-Tech sliders I'm in good shape using the truck like a bus (8 people) or filling it with people and stuff. If I had heavy bumpers in addition that would put me over the edge and I would spend the money something with more dampening.

-As has been mentioned before, the rebound on the rear shocks is under-damped. It's not a big negative for me but I notice the butt pops off deflections a little too eagerly.

-I haven't been off-road with them yet. This truck needs to pass import here in France before that as I can't technically insure it as of now. My understanding is that they are modest in the flex department, but not as bad as Bilstein. They're not for you if you're looking for a lot of extension. Here are a couple pix I took comparing them at full extention vs the AHC tubes. Going by where the hat would hit the mount, it looks like I lost around a half-an-inch of extention on the front (pictured). Not a lot, but annoying. Doing the same for the rear I lost not more than a quarter-inch.
Fox and AHC side by side

Fox and AHC side by side

Fox and AHC comparo

Fox and AHC comparo

-I installed the slee diff-drop at the same time as the shocks and I am noticing that the CVs are throwing grease. The CVs look good with no tears or wear that I can see so I'm a little bummed about it. With my spring combo I'm running about a 1.5" lift from stock so just keep that in mind regardless of what shock you get.

-Installation was super easy for everything. The pita was removing all the AHC stuff since I had to get every pipe and connection. I'm one of those.
Fox 2.0 rear

Fox 2.0 rear

AHC would have been great for my needs, but I didn't know how much cash it would have taken to fix it, particularly because some people changed out everything and theirs was still broken. My system was also 16+ years old so I'm just happy to pass on the headache.

Bottom Line: I recommend the Fox 2.0 shocks for someone with stock to mild weight and lift who wants a comfort oriented ride at a fair price.

Cheers

Phat-
Click to expand...
Hello,
I tried to instal the same shock but didn't manage to get the right fitment. How on earth were you able to get the rear struts on?. And is just the rubber bushing on the metal mount the way it's supposed to be?
 
comill124 said:
Hello,
I tried to instal the same shock but didn't manage to get the right fitment. How on earth were you able to get the rear struts on?. And is just the rubber bushing on the metal mount the way it's supposed to be?
Click to expand...
What type of issues are you having?
I was able to just pin the bottom of the shock, compress by hand and position it with ease. My spare tire isn't under there so that gave me more space.

As for hardware, it will depend on your shock. I am onto Dobinsons now but I think the FOX should have something there to line it up and dampen.
 
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