Fox 2.0 Coilovers - Answer from Fox!!

Travis Whitmore · January 21, 2016

Even my Kings didn't give a full 2". I got about 1 1/2"

Don't know why I thought you said they gave you 2" of lift. I could've lived with even 1.5" out of the box. At least the Kings are easier to adjust. While the Fox 2.0's are "adjustable" I don't think it's something the average home mechanic can do easily. They're really a low end coil over in that regard. Their 2.5's are more like the Kings for adjustment I believe.

Interestingly most of the guys that installed the 2.0's on steel arm trucks came away with over 2" of lift out of the box. Just seems Fox has some serious inconsistencies with these trucks.

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nando87 · January 21, 2016

I don't think its Fox that has the inconsistencies with these trucks, its GM that does. They developed multiple different front suspension components for no apparent reason, why not make them all steel or alum?

However, King is correct, there is no geometry difference between the two as they were both developed to worked within stock parameters and the same geometry. The issue comes into play when you try to push the suspension outside of the stock parameters and gain lift/travel with aftermarket coilovers.

The alum. don't have the full range of motion that the steel arms do, this doesn't effect anything in stock form as the travel is limted by many other factors and the arms never come into play.

When I spoke with Fox they acknowledged the fact that King and everyone else has a single shock, he stated that they built a happy medium shock to work with both arms however you'll get different amounts of lift depending on what truck you put them on. Prime example of the previous post, only 1.5" of lift.

When Fox first developed their shock, the were close to first to market and had only tested it on the steel armed trucks (not knowing GM made multiple options at the time). It wasn't until after customers started to complain about the issues with Alum. did they develop a modified shock to work with them. They also mentioned that if you have a Z71 truck that the amount of lift from stock will be even less than putting them on a 2wd or base 4x4. The reason being, the z71 actually sits slightly higher than the other trucks so their for it wont get an additional 2" it will just get the difference.

They are currently having internal discussions to decide if they are going to keep their 2 shock strategy or switch to a single happy medium just like everyone else. They feel that their current 2 shock strategy maximizes each set up best however it's confusing and frustrating to customers that don't understand all the true differences between each suspension.

I tend to agree with Fox, most of the "forum experts" have never taken off their tire and unbolted their suspension to take measurements between each set up like they have but because they read on the forum that each one is the same they want to bash companies that have put in the time and work.

oscyjack · January 21, 2016

But they are different overall.

Had to look back to find the specs but here they are:

Technical Details

FOX983-02-086

Fox 2.0 Performance Series Smooth Body IFP Shock

Aluminum

Extended 21.95 inch

Collapsed 13.85 inch

Stroke 8.1 inch

Technical Details

FOX985-02-018

Fox 2.0 Performance Series Coil-Over IFP Shock

Aluminum

Extended 18.960 in.

Collapsed 14.890 in.

Stroke 4.070 in.

Where did you get these measurements? I find it very difficult to believe there is a stroke difference of 4" between the two, not to mention in order to get 8" of stroke one would likely need new LCA's and longer axles. I think when I last looked the difference was more like .5" difference. 4.0 ish for the alum, and 4.5ish for the steel model.

I called fabtech today to get measurements on their DL 2.5, I also plan to call fox when they open to see their measurements.

These were posted earlier in a different thread, and seem more likely to be the numbers.

Manufacturer Fox Racing Shox

Part Number 985-02-018

UPC N/A

Compressed Length 14.890"

Extended Length 18.960

Shock Travel 4.070

Shock Boot Included No

Vehicle Make Chevrolet, GMC

Vehicle Model Sierra 1500, Silverado 1500, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Yukon, Yukon XL

Vehicle Year 2015, 2014

Current Rebates No

Drive Type 2-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Made In the USA Yes

Manufacturer Fox Racing Shox

Part Number 983-02-086

UPC N/A

Compressed Length 14.880"

Extended Length 19.510"

Shock Travel 4.630"

Shock Boot Included No

Vehicle Make Chevrolet, GMC

Vehicle Model Sierra 1500, Silverado 1500, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Yukon, Yukon XL

Vehicle Year 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007

Current Rebates No

Drive Type 2-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Made In the USA Yes

Your situation is definitely a shitty one, Sucks you had to be the guinea pig but it will help others looking to do the same modifications.

Did you mention somewhere that cognito revalves their 5100 line for use with their UCA's? I'd like to hear more on that if you have any info

oscyjack · January 21, 2016

Not true, but ok. Just ordered Cognito UCA's and 5100's today. To repeat, for what feels like the 100th time, Cognito insists there is absolutely no geometry difference, both aluminum and steel arms are functionally identical. The only difference is the size of the ball joint taper is larger on the aluminum spindle/arm trucks.

Also, I'm not a fool and you also have no idea of the back and forth conversations I've had with Fox trying to figure this all out. Sent them photos, measurements and they were baffled as to why I didn't get the advertised 2" of lift out of the box. I'd mentioned there were others here that had the same issue. After a couple of weeks they even told another member here they were "aware of the issue and working on a fix".

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Fox, BDS, RC, Readylift, Rancho, fabtech and i'm sure more all have different kits for different arms. I have never looked into the kits differences as I know I have steel arms, and will order accordingly.

I wasn't trying to imply you were a fool, just someone dealing with what turned into a very complex issue, made all the worse for your expenditure of $1,000. Sometimes these things happen and we see red and just pass the blame. The end all be all, Fox should have known, and it should be made clear somewhere the limitations with the aluminum arms in regard to the 2.0. It is my understanding that the 2.5"s don't have the issue because they require the use of aftermarket UCA's. It seems as if UCA's are the solution to the fox issue, even though they state they are not required for use of the 2.0 coilovers.

Travis Whitmore · January 21, 2016

That does sound more in line for measurements. The numbers I quoted were posted by another member that also bought the 2.0's but for steel arms.

Apparently after talking to Off-road Warehouse they were on the phone with Cognito while I was on hold. They have 5100's built just for them but stroke and valving are the same. Theirs are built slightly longer to give a full 2" of lift. Not only do they charge a pretty good premium for them they're out of stock with no in stock eta. Cognito said they've waited as long as 8 months for them to be built. They said the other option is to run a small spacer in addition to the 5100's to attain more lift and take advantage of the UCA's added travel. This is the route I'm taking. 1/4" spacer for an additional 1/2" of lift.

Jon A · January 21, 2016

That'll work fine. You won't regret getting the upper arms as they obviously allow more lift with a better ride with the 5100's but they also open the door to much better shocks when you want to upgrade in the future. For example, if you decide to go with FOX 2.5's, their version that works with the aluminum arms has only 3.88" stroke, the ones that require upper arms have 5.35". That's nearly 3" of suspension travel increase for the same price with otherwise identical coilovers.

MRTMotorsports · January 25, 2017

But they are different overall.

Had to look back to find the specs but here they are:

Technical Details

FOX983-02-086

Fox 2.0 Performance Series Smooth Body IFP Shock

Aluminum

Extended 21.95 inch

Collapsed 13.85 inch

Stroke 8.1 inch

Technical Details

FOX985-02-018

Fox 2.0 Performance Series Coil-Over IFP Shock

Aluminum

Extended 18.960 in.

Collapsed 14.890 in.

Stroke 4.070 in.