Fox coilovers, what about it? (1 Viewer)

[Francesco_from_Italy]

Good morning everybody!

I've got an important question: I found out these coilovers (http://www.milneroffroad.com/FOXPRICE2.HTM) by FOX and I wanted to know from you something about them: are they a good product?
I saw that the have a lo0t of versions, wich is the best, considering also the price? Is there much difference between the ones with remote reservoir and the ones without it?

One more thing: what do you thing about the Air Shock? It works without the coil becouse it has an air spring, adjustable from 75 to 400 psi; It has a little bit less travel (4" less then the coilovers) but seems to be a good choice. Adding to that, the price is very low.

Is this preferable to the coilover or I should forget it...?

Francesco

P.S. talking about the coilovers, seems that the coil spring is NOT included, isn't it?

 

[Eskimo]

Trying to keep my build within some semblence of a budget, I got sway-a-way coilovers from "Slowandold" on the pirate board. He'd probably ship them across the pond. I paid right around $300 each including the dual rate slider kit. Coils are extra.

Make sure when you check pricing that it includes the dual-rate setup, that can add ~$60.

Most of my coils are going to be QA1 coils, as they are not that pricy, but are still good.

Because I'm only running ~4" of uptravel, I wanted the higher level of tuning available with coilovers.

FOX and swayaway are both fine companies.

Maybe some Radflo units would come in cheaper for you, since they're not a US-based company? (South Africa I believe?)

 

[Francesco_from_Italy]

Eskimo in effect you're right: Radflo coilovers, with the same characteristics of Fox's ones, are much cheaper (about 80 $ less for each piece), but do they have the same quality, or at least not much lower?

Anyway, it wouldn't be for me a big problem spend a little bit more money for a good product.

Another question: did anybody have an idea about the air shocks? They have a more reasonable price and they neither need the coils (that on the coilovers are always extra)?

Last thing: I'm not sure about what "dual-rate" is...(this is a problem of my english... )

Francesco

 

[Tapage]

Last thing: I'm not sure about what "dual-rate" is...(this is a problem of my english... )

I love air shocks .. but nere have the oportunity to try it by myself, all reading and videos ..

Anycase dual rate means, you have 2 coils ( in one coil over setup means one corner ) one are more stiff and the other one more soft .. it give you a progresive up and down travel with good flex ..

maybe you have 150 lb/in for your first rate and 250 lb/in for your second rate.

 

[Mace]

Radflow makes nice stuff.

You would not be dissapointed

Fox is good as well.

I like air shocks on a light weight buggy. Not a dual purpose rig..

 

[bustanutley]

Fox 2.5's would be your only viable option for air shocks for a full size/weight cruiser

 

[Francesco_from_Italy]

I searched on the web site but I didn't find the AirShocks of 2.5 series, there are only from 2.0. I sent an email to the dealer asking if they are suitable for my FJ, but seems to me that you are not so convinced aout AirShocks...

About coilovers instead, I was oriented on the wider ones (18" of travel) but maybe they are too much, and they are 26" to 44" of lenght, to fit them I should make an hole in the chassis.
So I thought that a middle way would be better: something like 14" in the front and 16" in the rear. I talk only about 2.0 serie becouse the 2.5 are too expansive.

Another question: wich is the difference between the coilovers with remote reservoir and the ones without it? The first are much more expansive, but is so better to have the separate reservoir...?

Francesco

 

[Eskimo]

16" coilovers get alot more expensive than the 14's.. springs are alot more..

2.0 coilovers are fine, and I was persuaded to get the remote res units because of inconsistent dampening with an emulsion unit.

King said they won't even build a 14" CO without a reservoir.

 

[Francesco_from_Italy]

Eskimo I'm pretty sure: 12", 14", 18" makes no price difference.

But I still don't understand a thing: the difference is that a model has the reservoir and the other doesn't have it or both have the reservoir and one has it remote and the other toghether with the shock?

What I wish to do is to buy a couple of 12" for the front and a couple of 14" for the rear, all of these without remote reservoir, with 7/8" body and from the 2.0 series...what do you think?

Francesco

 

[Mace]

I do not know a single preson that has regretted getting emulsion shocks.

Only people I have heard complain were individuals that have never had remote res shocks.

I love my emulsions..


The remote res has a separate res that actually has a piston in it which seperates the gas from the oil charge.
The emulsion shocks use the shock body as the gas/oil res..

When rallying or driving fast over very rough terrain for extended periods of time the emulsion shocks will foam up and "fade"

But it takes a while for that to happen..

 

[Tapage]

IMOP the only reason ( to me and in my off road enviroment ) to buy a remote res shocks are if they haven't enought space to get all in the orig cilinder .. or the leng that I want are only offered in remote res ..

 

[Francesco_from_Italy]

If I understood right you think that AirShocks are better than coilovers without remote res?

The AirShocks would be a great solution, plus they are much cheaper than the coilovers. The only thing that still not convince me is that, at least here in Italy, nobody has any experience with them.

But I say that if you tell me that this is the right thing, I'll buy them right now!

Francesco

 

[Eskimo]

Eskimo I'm pretty sure: 12", 14", 18" makes no price difference.

I am 100% sure that anything over 14" will cost you more in the end. The springs are significantly more expensive in the 16" lengths, and the primary spring must be as long as the amount of shock travel you have.. (i.e. 14" for a 14, 16" for a 16)

As it was explained to me by the sway-away tech (who may have been blowing smoke, but the guy at King told me the same thing), having the n2 and oil mixed together can cause inconsistent damping at high piston speeds, be it a blast across the whoops, or even something like a drop off a ledge where there will be a quick, fast stroke of the shock.

I'm not saying this is the truth, nor have I experienced it, just relaying what 2 manufacturer's tech guys have told me.

 

[Francesco_from_Italy]

having the n2 and oil mixed together can cause inconsistent damping at high piston speeds, be it a blast across the whoops, or even something like a drop off a ledge where there will be a quick, fast stroke of the shock.

Well, it's strange that a product sent all over the world, by a brand like Fox, have so serious problems...
Maybe this could be caused by an intensive use in speed driving, and this would not be my case.

So you're advising me against AirShocks?

I sent an email to the dealer asking some more tech informations about Air'Shock's working but they didn't answer me.

Considering that I have to buy a good product spending, if it's possible, not too much money..I'm pretty confused right now!

Francesco

 

[Mace]

Airshocks and emulsion coilovers are not the same ainmal..

Air shocks do not use coil springs.

Emulsion (non remote res) coilovers do


Yes the remote res design is superior. It seperates the oil and gas charge. And is really not that much more expensive.

BUT, I have driven my rig fast across the whoops all over the place. hammered it in the sand and on rocks. I have never had one of my emulsions fail.

the whole concept of an emulsion failing when you hit one rock is crap..

The Coilover guys are used to prolonged desert racing. That is where they are an absolute necessity..

 

[Francesco_from_Italy]

So, all things considered, what do you suggest me? Remote res coilovers, regular coilovers or AirShocks???

Considering that the price is a veeery important parameter, I would favour the AirShocks...certanly, if you say that they are awful stuff I would open my mind and my wallet and chose the coilovers.

So, AirShock...is this the definitive answer???

Francesco

 

[denis]

Air is great for super smooth comfort on short-travel systems but on a longtravel offroader I'd rather take a linear or even better dual-linear spring rate like a coilover.
IMO the hyperbolic spring rate has inherent limitations when you try to balance between up and down travel. Some rockcrawlers swear by them but its seems like those are mostly downtravel, slow speed applications.

 

[Tapage]

IMOP regular coilovers ..

Why .. I would suggest airshocks .. but I still thinking in your Cruiser wight, and much when you gona do your trail with spares , tools, coolers and stuff inside.

 

[Eskimo]

the whole concept of an emulsion failing when you hit one rock is crap..

Define "failing"? I think of it as a total blowout, with no dampening at all.. He just said "inconsistent", and granted, I didn't ask him to quantify that with either a 1% or 50% "inconsistency factor", it may or may not be noticeable, but I'd be willing to bet it's happening.

It has nothing to do with heat in THIS scenario. I was very specific that my primary usage was low-speed.

 

[Mace]

Okay, the concept of a emulsion shock losing dampening or "fading" after hitting one rock is crap.

I cannot tell a difference. If it is a 1% difference, it may be there. Donno, can you tell if you lose 1% of your power??

Again, they are salesmen.. And want you to purchase their flagship parts..