Which 2.5" Coilovers Would You Pick?

LongrangeLauber · May 14, 2022

Curious what everyone's opinion is on the different brands of 2.5" coilovers for the K2 trucks. Truck is currently setting on a BDS 6" lift with the rear leafs and Fox 2.0 rear shocks. The front shock/ strut is the standard one from BDS. I've never loved the way it has rode and I'm looking at possibly upgrading by the end of the year.

I've been eyeing the RC Vertex coilovers and the Fox 2.5 Factory Series coilovers. Naturally the Fox coilovers are what are offered through BDS as an upgrade when you purchase the lift.

Between those two (or if there are other options available such as King, Icon, etc.) which would you pick and why?

The price point on the RC Vertex coilovers is a huge plus, so is it worth the extra coin to go with the Fox coilovers? They would match the rear shocks I have, but I'm not terribly worried about that.

Truck is mainly a pavement princess. Only time she sees dirt roads is when I go shooting over at the farm, and gravel roads are also not very common for me. Just looking to improve the on road ride of this thing.

LongrangeLauber · May 14, 2022

It looks like the Vertex coilovers come with a 3 year warranty and the Fox only come with a 1 year warranty. Seems like another win for the Vertex, although I don't see either of them failing within 5 years of install.

Really leaning towards the Vertex at $1300 compared to the Fox at $2200 (cheapest I've found them so far.)

Hopefully someone here has some insight into both of them and pro/ cons of each.

Really looking for the best on road ride and street manners (without reaching too far into the pocketbook lol)

ftwhite · May 15, 2022

I have no experience with Vertex. I have had fox 2.0 on front and back of my 1500 3" lift for 60k+ miles. I like the on road manners a lot. Soft enough to be smooth ride, firm enough to provide control (1000x better than factory). Offroad, I have no complaints. They maybe bottomed out once hitting a dip at speed, but no big deal, and handle everything else I need.

My son put Fox 2.5 on his jeep XJ (unibody and very light). He loves them, but too rough on pavement for me. Long highway trips are jolting, but bearable.

Looks wise, the Fox 2.5s are much better, and his has reservoirs which are even more flex looking.

LongrangeLauber · May 15, 2022

Also seems like the Vertex are not rebuildable. Definitely a huge con. May just be worth it to go with the Fox coilovers so I can rebuild them in the future when they wear out. Truck already has 172k on it but I plan on keeping it for a while still. Decisions, decisions...

ejpAZ · November 27, 2022

I just installed fox 2.5 dsc front and rears on 2018 silverado. Still working on the review/ dialing in phase but I might be able to assist with insight?? this is an older thread so im assuming you already updated suspension??

LongrangeLauber · November 27, 2022

5 hours ago, ejpAZ said:

I just installed fox 2.5 dsc front and rears on 2018 silverado. Still working on the review/ dialing in phase but I might be able to assist with insight?? this is an older thread so im assuming you already updated suspension??

I have not. Ended up having to replace the catalytic converter in the truck and now I’m waiting on a replacement rack and pinion to show up so I can install that. So, upgraded struts have been on the back burner for now. I still do like to look at them though, just to get an idea on price.

I’ve definitely been leaning towards the Fox 2.5 DSC’s. Let me know your review on them once you get them dialed in for your truck. At this point, it’ll be either a next year or following year project.

ejpAZ · November 27, 2022

Hello, just signed up with these forums to be able to get in on this good convo. never been in a forum nor ever used social media so take er easy, ha. just finished my truck and am in the dialing in/finding my preferences/review phase. First truck ever and first time spending some hard earned cash to try and do things right the first time (in moderation, cuz the money tree wasn't flourishing, ha). Cuz I'm good at breaking things. I wanted to get some feedback from you folks as now would be the time to make any adjustments. here's the trucks stats:

2018 silverado, 5.3, 3.43 gearing (bought new)

put 20 in wheels with leveling kit initially, but now that Ive learned more about off roading I wanted to go with more of a legit setup. I realize that the fox 2.0's are more practical for my application - light off roading but like i said Im good at getting in over my head when playing and without having multiple trucks to actually go out and drive and feel, I figured like my 16 yr old says, YOLO - you only live once. I blew too much money and went with the DSC's. I figured I would be happier down the road with an adjustable shock and a rebuildable one also.

1) 285/70r 17 - c load ( wanted to g with c load for a more forgiving side wall

2) black bear tune (stock acceleration was depressing, and was shocked when I learned about the price to lift a truck the right way- basically I didn't want to spend money to re gear this truck for bigger tires) (i do enjoy the tune, by the way. expensive but brings a smile to my face every time i accelerate, and got rid of AFM (V4 option), and the clunking when dow shifting)

3) fox 2.5 dsc front and rears from Accutune (waited 1 yr for these products)

4) deaver mini pack - progessive payload spring replacement, (lifts the rear approx 2 in) can remove bottom "stackers" for hight adj if needed. I wanted a rake for towing and or payload

5) UCA replacement - went with icon delta joint _they had sent the wrong part, so had to go with kryptonite during install but am second guessing krytponite at the point - will discuss in pics below

other minor mods you can see in pics (ceramic coating, SDHQ skid plate)

truck with wheels and tires with stock suspension

still stock. Wanted to keep a rake on the truck with new setup so front tires aren't "floating" when pulling or hauling my dirtbike with loaded bed.

truck after new suspension is installed, sits 2 in taller in rear and taller in front with rake (not sure lift height diff in front)

but i wanted max function with front coilovers so they are set as such according to accutune and fox which is 18.66 in from top hat to bottom bolt of coilover. These coilovers have a 0-3 in adjustability, I beleive fox says max height for function is approx 2.25in.

Rear DSC adjusters are not easy to get to. You have to lie on the ground under truck. Reac up to top of resi and adjust

still have to go back to install shop for re torque after 1k miles.

went out and tried her out 3 passes (wide open (soft), medium, and max firm setting) , low and high speed each pass. pretty pot holed up dried mud farm road.

after second pass, I noticed 90 degree angle on control arm was starting to eat into resi hose

had to put a temp fix on it

icon delta joint was ordered to be used but they sent the wrong part so for a quick fix and me being impatient after waiting a year for suspension, i went with the install shops quick fix of the kryptonite UCA. but looks like a tubular UCA would glide against the hose as opposed to eat into it. fox says with the resi hose being where its at, it limits control arm movement. hmmmm.... me no likey.

So thats where im at

overall, the verdict on the review of the suspension feel and drivability is not out yet. I wont comment too much as I haven't used mine much. definitely not long arm travel like a side by side. And it seems that faster = smoother over the rougher stuff.

some of the guys I work with have similar setups. So once mine is dialed in. I will let them drive my truck as I will drive theirs for comparison. But it will not be an apple to apples comparison. 4 runners, diesel setups, 2.0's, etc.......

I'm curious of your input and feedback. Please and thanks