Foxes are on!

[spressomon]

Spressomon,
help me to understand what the main benefits was over the Bilstein set up? I belive it is travel and valving correct?
What did all this cost and and if I wanted to do it, what should I look out for?
Thanks for the pics!

I assume you are referring to the Bilstein 5100 or similar and not the 7100/9100 correct?

The Fox shocks are completely tunable and rebuildable. Having said that they are a mono tube design. From what I gathered from Christo a twin tube shock design (OME, Bilstein non-7100/9100) maybe better for street use. However my desire is to focus the performance for more off-road. The Fox shocks as I have them set right now work very very well off-road. However they need additional dampening for ideal street use. I am hoping the easy to adjust manual clicker compression valve adjuster will allow me to firm it up for on-road use and when I am pulling the trailer. The other benefit from this shock design with the remote can is no fade when blasting over washboard!

Not cheap...the shocks w/o the adjusters are $180-$200 each. Don't yet know how much the adjustable compression tops will add (will know within the next few days). Then custom upper front mounts (these are actually fairly easy to fab). And custom upper and lower rear mounts.

Additonally...it appears some shock warehouses actually order Fox shocks as sort of a custom stocked item that you can't normally obtain directly from Fox...or at least Fox doesn't provide much assistance unless you have their part numbers. For instance Fox apparently offers a 2" non-coilover, remote res shock for a Jeep model that features a beefy post type upper mount like the stock LC...I just haven't had time to do the research to see if they offer this set-up in a 6.5" front travel and 10" rear travel (my shocks feature the more traditional eye mount for upper and lower mounts).

As soon as the rear mounts are redone and I have the body lift installed I plan to provide all the details.

 

[FirstToy]

For instance Fox apparently offers a 2" non-coilover, remote res shock for a Jeep model that features a beefy post type upper mount like the stock LC...I just haven't had time to do the research to see if they offer this set-up in a 6.5" front travel and 10" rear travel (my shocks feature the more traditional eye mount for upper and lower mounts).

that would be the 2.0 Challenger series - maybe a good fit for the front of the 100.

fox, bil 7100 remote resv shocks are not emulsion shocks. That's worth it right there.
so, you are getting an internal design that is best suited for fade-resistant performance (washboard, high suspension travel roads-like whoopdee's, etc)

tuning the valving for your exact preferences and weight/terrain/handling.

rebuildable


The OME shocks are great for the price tho. I like the design and they are direct bolt-ons.

 

[spressomon]

that would be the 2.0 Challenger series - maybe a good fit for the front of the 100.

fox, bil 7100 remote resv shocks are not emulsion shocks. That's worth it right there.
so, you are getting an internal design that is best suited for fade-resistant performance (washboard, high suspension travel roads-like whoopdee's, etc)

tuning the valving for your exact preferences and weight/terrain/handling.

rebuildable


The OME shocks are great for the price tho. I like the design and they are direct bolt-ons.

Nope...not the Challenger shock...here's the link

http://www.offroadwarehouse.com/products/manufacturerID/17/sfID1/12/sfID2/24/sfID3/26/productID/95

 

[calamaridog]

The diameter of the top post on the 100 series is wider than other brands so I doubt that would help. I think you upgraded when you switched to the eye mount.

 

[spressomon]

The diameter of the top post on the 100 series is wider than other brands so I doubt that would help. I think you upgraded when you switched to the eye mount.

The Fox shocks Sam had with the stud upper mount looked pretty darn beefy but I don't know the actual diameter of the LC or these. However they're going on a Toyota Taco(?). Yep...I'm glad to be done with the post/stud type mount anyway.

 

[bulldog-yota]

The Fox shocks Sam had with the stud upper mount looked pretty darn beefy but I don't know the actual diameter of the LC or these. However they're going on a Toyota Taco(?). Yep...I'm glad to be done with the post/stud type mount anyway.

Actually it was me that was speaking to Sam, adn it is for my 4th Gen 4Runner. The shocks are made by Fox for Jeeps and thus have the stud top mount and the funky lower mount. Trying to get Sam to fit the correct bushing for the lower mount and then it should bolt right in place on the 4Runner. Guess time will tell as Sam still needs to get back to me and ship my shocks out.

Teh story behind this actually comes form well over a year back, when I was helping James (Firsttoy) looking for shocks for his 80 series. We found the non adjustable Jeep ones at that time, but their specs didn't seemto work well for his purposes at that time. He thus went the Billie 7100 route.

These Fox shocks are 2.0" shocks and only have the 5/8" shaft in the shock, the HD racing 2.0" shocks have 7/8" shafts. This is still plenty for our purposes, and the strength will still exceed that of the Billie 7100 (which also is plenty for non racing purposes).

The nice feature is the adjustable valving, but I shall see how much diffference it really makes. First problem is to get them in and then test them to see if any valving changes need to be made.

BTW: James phoned Fox and the rep on the other end was clueless to the fact that they even sold post mount shocks

 

[spressomon]

Actually it was me that was speaking to Sam, adn it is for my 4th Gen 4Runner. The shocks are made by Fox for Jeeps and thus have the stud top mount and the funky lower mount. Trying to get Sam to fit the correct bushing for the lower mount and then it should bolt right in place on the 4Runner. Guess time will tell as Sam still needs to get back to me and ship my shocks out.

Teh story behind this actually comes form well over a year back, when I was helping James (Firsttoy) looking for shocks for his 80 series. We found the non adjustable Jeep ones at that time, but their specs didn't seemto work well for his purposes at that time. He thus went the Billie 7100 route.

These Fox shocks are 2.0" shocks and only have the 5/8" shaft in the shock, the HD racing 2.0" shocks have 7/8" shafts. This is still plenty for our purposes, and the strength will still exceed that of the Billie 7100 (which also is plenty for non racing purposes).

The nice feature is the adjustable valving, but I shall see how much diffference it really makes. First problem is to get them in and then test them to see if any valving changes need to be made.

BTW: James phoned Fox and the rep on the other end was clueless to the fact that they even sold post mount shocks

I'm glad you found this thread!!! I measured the post atop your new Foxes when I stopped by Sam's...they are 1/2" diameter. I don't recall what the OEM LC is but worth checking out if someone wants this type of upper mount.

FYI: Sam was able to order just the adjuster "tops" for each cannister. So hopefully towards the middle to end of next week I'll get to test them out. And he did relay the Fox rep story...how lame. It's not like they are a distributor: THEY'RE THE MANUFACTURER!! Pathetic.

 

[bulldog-yota]

I'm glad you found this thread!!! I measured the post atop your new Foxes when I stopped by Sam's...they are 1/2" diameter. I don't recall what the OEM LC is but worth checking out if someone wants this type of upper mount.

FYI: Sam was able to order just the adjuster "tops" for each cannister. So hopefully towards the middle to end of next week I'll get to test them out. And he did relay the Fox rep story...how lame. It's not like they are a distributor: THEY'RE THE MANUFACTURER!! Pathetic.

1/2" for the top post is pretty much spot on, will work with the LC as well. Still experimental, so will see how it works out.

I do like the fact that it might work out without any special adpters to be made, not sure what compand ext lengths would be ideal for the 100 though (14" compressed and 24" extended??) the post mount ones seem to be just over 15" compressed and about 25 1/4" ext (with some variance pendign on model number). This might wotk for the 100 if you want to drop the bumpstop by 1" or so on the 100. Really need to mount and test them. They will fit fine on my 4Runner as I had to drop the bumpstops to prevent the tires from entering the cabin

The valving numbers Fox assign makes it a bit difficult to understand as it is just a designated number rather than an actual metric like Bilstein. SO you can't so make rebound 10% firmer and soften compression by 5%. You just have to play with the number and go one or 2 steps up or down.

Hopefully the adjuster will help to dial it in just right, and might be useful when the truck is loaded or when you want a softer or firmer ride.

I think with some work their might be a real good bolt in solution for the rear and frotn with foxes on the 100. Experiment with valving for different loads and springs on the 100 and folks can then order them for their specific need, and have some great shocks fitted.

 

[rockclmbr]

spressomon,

This is a great thread! I've been holding out for a while on upgrading my fatigued stock shocks on the 100. I am still waiting for you to put them to the true washboard and 4x4 road test.

I am concerned about how low the shock mounts hang down on the front A-arms. Is this lower than the stock set-up?

I like your idea on covering the SS rod with a rubber boot of some sort. For the price of these puppies, you wanna protect them.

 

[spressomon]

spressomon,

This is a great thread! I've been holding out for a while on upgrading my fatigued stock shocks on the 100. I am still waiting for you to put them to the true washboard and 4x4 road test.

I am concerned about how low the shock mounts hang down on the front A-arms. Is this lower than the stock set-up?

I like your idea on covering the SS rod with a rubber boot of some sort. For the price of these puppies, you wanna protect them.

The front mounts = stock location: No worries up front. The rears are going to be redone so that the upper shock mount mounts atop the spring/shock perch and thus bringing the bottom up approximately 3-4". That's going to get fixed in a few days.

Did the 12mm body lift today...can't wait to try it out .

 

[rusty_tlc]

The front mounts = stock location: No worries up front. The rears are going to be redone so that the upper shock mount mounts atop the spring/shock perch and thus bringing the bottom up approximately 3-4". That's going to get fixed in a few days.

Did the 12mm body lift today...can't wait to try it out .

So you finished it up in one day????


I may be interested in those old shocks, there are a set of 865 in the sale section for $140.

 

[spressomon]

So you finished it up in one day????


I may be interested in those old shocks, there are a set of 865 in the sale section for $140.

Yeah...I got a couple hours in last night and finished up about mid-afternoon today. I had to remove the sliders which added some time...but now that they're off I think I'll dive into the new slider project this week

 

[rusty_tlc]

Yeah...I got a couple hours in last night and finished up about mid-afternoon today. I had to remove the sliders which added some time...but now that they're off I think I'll dive into the new slider project this week

Any plans for the old sliders?

 

[Campfire]

Wait a minute, I had dibs on those sliders. I said I'd drive up and get them when you were ready.
And that was last year, you're slower than me.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Wait a minute, I had dibs on those sliders. I said I'd drive up and get them when you were ready.
And that was last year, you're slower than me.

I'm closer.

 

[spressomon]

Picked the rig up today from Sam from redoing the rear skock mounts and adding the adjustable external compression valves. Vast improvement! Pulled the Horizon to Winnemucca this afternoon with the adjusters dialed to #8...highest compression...what a difference! Tomorrow I'll park the trailer in camp & dial down to #1 for trails. I'll post pics next week when I get home...but feels good.

 

[ats4x4dotcom]

this page is just text without pics........

rear mounts pics?

We make our own ends to replace the round bush ends on the shafts to convert them to pins for front of 80/105, and we use 12mm pin ends on top, eye and bush bottoms for cruiser mounts bottom on the 100's.

 

[hoser]

Yeah, don't even post if you aren't going to include pics.

 

[bulldog-yota]

Picked the rig up today from Sam from redoing the rear skock mounts and adding the adjustable external compression valves. Vast improvement! Pulled the Horizon to Winnemucca this afternoon with the adjusters dialed to #8...highest compression...what a difference! Tomorrow I'll park the trailer in camp & dial down to #1 for trails. I'll post pics next week when I get home...but feels good.

Hehehehe, I'm going to test my rear out at Pismo this weekend. See if it how they perform and how well the valving works with my setup. Also see if they can keep up with the front Donahoes

I'm using mine on 1 or 2 on the street for a comfy ride (I have the 40/60 valving). I will probably dial mine up a bit on the dunes to help keep things under control. Hope the rebound is OK, but it feels like the compression adjuster has more than enough range between soft and firm not to need a revalve for compression. Only problem is off road the shock does most of its work on the rebound.

The nice feature is that you can now dial in a nice soft or more sporty feel on the road.

I wonder if Sam can get Foxes with the top stem and lower bushign that will bolt straight onto the 100? The ones I have is about 1" taller on both compression and extension that the OME 71s (80 series rears), there might be Foxes that are slightly shorter with 9.5 to 10" of travel???? Not sure how much room the 100 has to play with, maybe a small bumpstop drop will be needed.

Not spressos rig, but here are the Foxes I use on a differetn app though for the back. SHould be able to get one that will fit on the 100 with a bit of effort.

Fox vs N71E OMEs

Adjsuter canister, that basically just blcok fluid flow to the resi in increments

Lower bushing, will see how well that holds up with some abuse

 

[spressomon]

Just back from 5-days of beating the X#*@ out of the rig! Ran the Fox shocks at the highest compression setting (#8) on the adjuster dial (I'm going to call Fox tomorrow to try to determine what this would equate to for internal compression valving) and it was phenomenal. This is exactly the control I was searching for (with and without pulling the AT Horizon trailer)! If you have a heavily laden rig such as mine you will not believe the difference off and on-road vs. OME!!! I got in a couple hundred miles of off-road on this break in trip and never even came close to bottoming out and that was with a rig full of hunting gear, food, dog, etc...and zero fade. For those that think they need 2.5"...don't bother! And the control and comfort are there too! And the 12mm body lift as Darren (ATS4x4.com) has advised (actually he advised 10mm) solved my tire rubbing front and rear with limiting travel...THANKS DARREN!!!

I'm stoked!!! Pics forthcoming tomorrow of the rear mounts.