Anyone running the Fox 3.0’s?

[piroman683]

Just read through this whole thread. For those of you running the 3.0 IBP is there any reason you chose that shock over an external bypass or a coilover? I could see why some wouldn't want a coilover in the rear if they change weight often but you could do a c/o in front and a 3.0 three tube in the rear.

I'm running the IBP in the front for a multitude of reasons. the 3.0 has the same piston diameter as a 2.5DSC or 2.5 coilover - but it is valved much stiffer so outside the bypass zones it performs much better. Coilover requires a lot more money and fab on the vehicle which I am trying to avoid where possible. a 3.0 external bypass for the front needs a custom tube layout, and because of how it is designed your travel length is less since the piston cannot compress past the upper shock body cap. Fox's 2.5DSC and 3.0 IBP's don't suffer from this design constraint so you end up with more piston travel in a similar sized shock body housing. This has advantages because you can have great wheel travel without needing a crazy amount of lift. There's a lot of details I have not mentioned, but hope to provide later. (comparing ext./compressed/travel lengths of each style for example)

I'm running 3.0 external bypasses on the rear, these have larger pistons than the 2.5 DSC, 3.0IBP, and 2.5in coilover, and it has the cooling circuit. All this allows for faster desert speeds which is what I do. (not a big rock crawling guy).

Sponsored

 

[Chief_jeep]

I'm running the IBP in the front for a multitude of reasons. the 3.0 has the same piston diameter as a 2.5DSC or 2.5 coilover - but it is valved much stiffer so outside the bypass zones it performs much better. Coilover requires a lot more money and fab on the vehicle which I am trying to avoid where possible. a 3.0 external bypass for the front needs a custom tube layout, and because of how it is designed your travel length is less since the piston cannot compress past the upper shock body cap. Fox's 2.5DSC and 3.0 IBP's don't suffer from this design constraint so you end up with more piston travel in a similar sized shock body housing. This has advantages because you can have great wheel travel without needing a crazy amount of lift. There's a lot of details I have not mentioned, but hope to provide later. (comparing ext./compressed/travel lengths of each style for example)

I'm running 3.0 external bypasses on the rear, these have larger pistons than the 2.5 DSC, 3.0IBP, and 2.5in coilover, and it has the cooling circuit. All this allows for faster desert speeds which is what I do. (not a big rock crawling guy).

I understand the complications (cost) of going to a coilover but you're not that far off with the 3.0IBP. It sounds like you've done your research and know what you're talking about so correct my if I'm wrong but the 3.0IBP has very short travel and you could run a much longer travel stroke on an external bypass, albeit, it might take awhile to get it.

 

[CrazyCooter]

I understand the complications (cost) of going to a coilover but you're not that far off with the 3.0IBP. It sounds like you've done your research and know what you're talking about so correct my if I'm wrong but the 3.0IBP has very short travel and you could run a much longer travel stroke on an external bypass, albeit, it might take awhile to get it.

Moneywise it might be pretty close with some combinations, but also factor in the time involved to R&R/disassemble a coilover IBP in between tuning. It also makes it a LOT more difficult to do in the field! I can R&R and tune a pair of piggyback resi shocks in about 40 mins per pair in the shop and probably not much more in the field. Try that with a coilover?

On the plus side of coilover is the ease of making almost infinite spring combination changes. Then add in the slider wear/noise and the extra maintanance of the hiems on either end.

There are SO many levels of coilover, BP and IBP that you would also have to compair apple to apples.

 

[piroman683]

I understand the complications (cost) of going to a coilover but you're not that far off with the 3.0IBP. It sounds like you've done your research and know what you're talking about so correct my if I'm wrong but the 3.0IBP has very short travel and you could run a much longer travel stroke on an external bypass, albeit, it might take awhile to get it.

good points, i should mention the front IBP have 10.72in travel which is about .5 less than the 2.5DCS's I had before. The rear I have 12.2in of shock travel which results in a usable wheel travel of 17in but am limited by the swaybar. The shocks I am using are actually for the Raptor, and are about .75in shorter in travel than the longest 2.5DSC's fox makes which I had on before.

 

[Mtpisgah]

I put Fox 2.5 adjustables on the back of my Mojave when I had an AluCab canopy camper on it and they helped smooth the ride some. I bought a set of them for the front thinking Fox was making the adapter that has been posted on the forum, but it is not in production yet. How are people putting different shocks on the front with the 14mm bolt?

 

[piroman683]

My truck is a Sport, non-s (manual verything) so I didn't have issues with the front bolts.

I thought Fox had a kit to go with their 3.0 fronts if you have a Mojave because their install instructions make reference to pressing out the old bushings/sleeve and pressing the new ones in.

My rear 3.0 external bypasses are actually for the raptor so I had to purchase separate offset spacers since the Raptor uses a smaller bolt than the gladiator.

 

[Mtpisgah]

Fox Kit 803-02-124 that has been posted on this forum is not currently available, and apparently not applicable to the Performance Elite Series at all. If there is another kit you know of, please let me know.

 

[Boatsnjeep]

I've also looked around for that kit but same as you I've had no luck. Since the instruction sheet has the individual parts numbers I took a look at sourcing each individual part and it looks doable. Might take time though to piece the kit together.

 

[Mtpisgah]

I've also looked around for that kit but same as you I've had no luck. Since the instruction sheet has the individual parts numbers I took a look at sourcing each individual part and it looks doable. Might take time though to piece the kit together.

Let us know if you have any luck sourcing the individual parts. You would be my hero.

 

[Boatsnjeep]

It going to be a while before I attempt to do this but here's the parts. The bushing has an ID of 0.75in and the spacers have an OD of 1in. That tracks with having to press them in. The spacers have and ID of 0.56in which is 14.2mm. Hardware you can try to get the Fox parts or just get decent hardware yourself. All in all or the parts you're looking at $52 plus shipping.

Bushing
Spacer 1
Spacer 2

If this actually work I might go with the 3.0s instead of extensions when I eventually do the Metalcloak game changer.

 

[Boatsnjeep]

Let us know if you have any luck sourcing the individual parts. You would be my hero.

Crap, I just realized that you are talking about the 2.5s so idk if those parts will work 100% for those shocks. They should definitely work if you're using 3.0s, part numbers are taken straight off the parts kit manual.

Also for being an engineer I apparently suck at math, it 54 not 52, and at least to me shipping would be 12, so 66 total not including the hardware.

 

[piroman683]

I'd just send an email to Fox, they are very responsive. That's how I got the info on the external bypasses I installed.

Also, for the front IBP's I did not use the shock spacer they give you with the kit. So far things seem to clear and full flex, and I'll continue to keep an eye on it.

 

[Mtpisgah]

Crap, I just realized that you are talking about the 2.5s so idk if those parts will work 100% for those shocks. They should definitely work if you're using 3.0s, part numbers are taken straight off the parts kit manual.

Also for being an engineer I apparently suck at math, it 54 not 52, and at least to me shipping would be 12, so 66 total not including the hardware.

I would think they would have the same eyelets. I may order the parts and give it a try. For $66 shipped vs $1500 shocks sitting in my garage, why not.

 

[Mtpisgah]

I'd just send an email to Fox, they are very responsive. That's how I got the info on the external bypasses I installed.

Also, for the front IBP's I did not use the shock spacer they give you with the kit. So far things seem to clear and full flex, and I'll continue to keep an eye on it.

I had a nice exchange with Accutune yesterday and they had talked to Fox recently. My local shop talked to Fox last week. Nothing in the works.

 

[mx5red]

I'm not up on the specs of the shocks discussed here, but would some simple metal sleeves work like what people have used to swap in Mojave shocks?

Sponsored