Fox Rubicon Shocks

[skiyaltr]

I have a 2020 Gladiator with about 48k miles on it. I believe the shocks are done. I tow a boat during the summer and every time we go over a bridge and hit the expansion joints or rough road the trailer begins to bounce/sway. Even on the Highway I don’t go over 65 when towing. It has not done this previously and I don’t think anything has changed with the boat and trailer.
Any ideas? How long are the fox shocks supposed to last? If it is the shocks, what should I replace them with? Thanks

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[Rusty PW]

The Fox Rubi shocks are weak to begin with. The best bang for the buck right now are the Bilstein 5100. You can get all 4 for $440 at Northridge.

 

[Max-t]

The Mojave ones are du a rebuild nlt 50k. I dunno if the rubis are even rebuildable.

 

[Hootbro]

I dunno if the rubis are even rebuildable.

They are not.

 

[Dougstdig]

I have a 2020 Gladiator with about 48k miles on it. I believe the shocks are done. I tow a boat during the summer and every time we go over a bridge and hit the expansion joints or rough road the trailer begins to bounce/sway. Even on the Highway I don’t go over 65 when towing. It has not done this previously and I don’t think anything has changed with the boat and trailer.
Any ideas? How long are the fox shocks supposed to last? If it is the shocks, what should I replace them with? Thanks

Though the 20-22 Rubicon's came with Fox Shocks, they were spec'ed by Mopar and I think this is the problem. Fox shocks on other applications, in my mind, are revered exceptionally high. I have had the JTRD TSB done +/- a year ago with low miles and my front left is starting to go.

As I've discussed elsewhere on this forum, I replaced factory shocks on a 2wd Chevy 1/2-ton crew cab with stock replacement "Yellow with blue boot" Bilstein shocks. NIGHT AND DAY difference. Not harsh, but much more control and completely stopped the porpoising (sp?) while going over bridge expansion joints. The 5100 series, have the same technology just more travel in a stainless body.

I believe the 5160's are the same, but with higher oil capacity, which keep the shock cooler and prevent seal heat degradation...longer = Longer service life.

Now, the question is, did Mopar allow Bilstein engineers to speck the shock? Only time will tell.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

They are not.

But they are junk.

The best bang for the buck right now are the Bilstein 5100. You can get all 4 for $440 at Northridge.

They were 30 days out last I checked.....

I have a 2020 Gladiator with about 48k miles on it. I believe the shocks are done.

I put Rubicon Fox shocks on my 2020 Overland and wasn't impressed - and I've heard similar from others.
Gee, I wonder why Jeep changed the shocks on the Rubicon and changed the shocks in their lift kits? Probably all unrelated.

Bad shocks tend to make these trucks rock a bit. Tow vehicle unsteady, towed vehicle unsteady. If the back of the truck bounces what's being towed has little choice.
Are shocks it, the whole thing? Iffy, but I'd sure start with shocks.
Have you "jounced" the rear of the truck and watched what happens? Grab one end of the rear bumper and try hard to bounce it by hand then let go. It should go down, up, and settle. If it rocks side-to-side or keeps bouncing beyond one then settle, look for a set of shocks.

 

[Gizmo]

I have not heard one negative thing about Eibach's Pro truck shocks to this day on any Jeep or Ram forum . I have a set ordered (in stock) for the MOPAR lift kit I bought in pieces to avoid what ya pay to include fox shocks. I have had fox on other vehicles and liked them but I'm not impressed with what I have read about what they offer for the Gladiator especially for the money. I have read where some say the Eibachs are actually Bilsteins valved for a bit smoother ride. I can't say if they are infact Bilstein but I have had enough 5100's to know they are not what I want . They are ok at highway speed but when going slower they are a bit to firm. Both I think are 46mm and cheap enough to experiment with.

 

[skiyaltr]

Thanks to everyone for your comments I will look for a set of 5100s.

and yes, when I bounce on the back it doesn’t settle immediately

 

[SargeDiesel]

I have not heard one negative thing about Eibach's Pro truck shocks to this day on any Jeep or Ram forum . I have a set ordered (in stock) for the MOPAR lift kit I bought in pieces to avoid what ya pay to include fox shocks. I have had fox on other vehicles and liked them but I'm not impressed with what I have read about what they offer for the Gladiator especially for the money. I have read where some say the Eibachs are actually Bilsteins valved for a bit smoother ride. I can't say if they are infact Bilstein but I have had enough 5100's to know they are not what I want . They are ok at highway speed but when going slower they are a bit to firm. Both I think are 46mm and cheap enough to experiment with.

Over the years I have an excellent experience with Eibach suspension products... I wouldn't be scared.

 

[SargeDiesel]

Can someone give me the cliffs notes version of what the deference is between oem fox shocks and the Fox lift kit shocks ? And how they differ for the diesel vs the gas ? Thanks

 

[Gren71]

Another vote for the 5100s. I had the rubi foxs at one point and the 5100s are a VAST improvement for less $ . They’re ABSOLUTELY worth the wait if they are back ordered

 

[Mr._Bill]

Can someone give me the cliffs notes version of what the deference is between oem fox shocks and the Fox lift kit shocks ? And how they differ for the diesel vs the gas ? Thanks

The OEM Fox shocks are based off of the retail version, but custom manufactured for Jeep. There is no direct correlation to a retail Fox version for comparison, and the custom specs are not available to the public for any comparison.

The lift kits were supposed to contain a retail version of the shocks. The diesel version of the lift kit was designed to accommodate the extra weight of the engine.

Seeing the changes over time in the shocks being used, either Fox and Jeep had a falling out or Jeep went looking for a less expensive option.

 

[Dougstdig]

Can someone give me the cliffs notes version of what the deference is between oem fox shocks and the Fox lift kit shocks ? And how they differ for the diesel vs the gas ? Thanks

...guess it would help if I read the question first...

Other than color on the stock shocks, I believe the shock tube on the lift versions are 1/4 to 1/2 inches larger. This would obviously allow for more oil, but unsure of a valving difference.

 

[High Alextude]

Thanks to everyone for your comments I will look for a set of 5100s.

and yes, when I bounce on the back it doesn’t settle immediately

These say they are 2-5 day transit times. Not sure if that means they are in stock, but they are less than $400.

https://www.suspensionlifts.com/sho...D9Qg-F28QLDkAADAWM-VLbsMTwSEQpOBoCsKQQAvD_BwE

 

[kevman65]

You've already made up your mind.

But yes, Biltstein is a good budget replacement, Rancho 9000 is a good budget replacement.

If you want, you can even get the FOX 2.0 shocks for a JT, they are NOT the factory shocks but FOX's version of what they think should be on the JT. Night and day difference.

You can go with Falcon 2.0.

The farther you go down on my list, the more expensive they become.

Don't blame FOX for what came factory, that is all on factory engineeres.

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