Difficulty with Fox install

I figured I'd share my install experience to see if this was typical or if I should contact the vendor to ask what went wrong. I ordered a Fox Factory Series 2.5" Coilover Kit, with 2.0 rear shock and Dakar leafs.

The front coilovers came shipped with one wrong spacer. After I had the truck in the air with the suspension off, the lower coilover bolt wouldn't fit on one side. It was 1mm smaller than the other side. The bolt for the lower coilover mount is the same on both sides and simply wouldn't fit through the 13mm, so I think I was shipped the wrong spacer. Here's a pic with the two spacers measured, and a close side-by-side. Is this normal?



My truck was already apart in the driveway, so I bored out the 13mm with a 14mm drill bit, which luckily Home Depot had for $30.



I have a steady hand and was able to hone the hole, so it installed fine -- after an extra ~2 hours of labor and cost I didn't expect.

The Dakar rear leafs and Sumosprings went on easy. No issue, but those things are HEFTY!

The rear shock had the wrong bushing pressed in. There was no inner collar for the rubber bushing that was included, and the correct bushing and collar were shipped in another box.



Luckily I had a press. I shouldn't have needed to get out the press for a lift kit.


The rear was easy after that.


But... Wow, look at that Taco lean:


1.25" of Taco Lean! That's INSANE! I swapped the coils from one side to the other -- same deal.

Of course the adjustment tool wasn't included. So I had to then go to Harbor Freight and buy a punch (I think the 5/16ths was the one that fit) and cranked the driver side coil WAY down to get it level again. Another unanticipated delay and cost.

I picked it up from the alignment shop and DAMN, this suspension rides nice. It was worth it, but I didn't expect that much trouble. I feel like install should have been 3-4 hours max, but it ended up being a 12 hour ordeal involving multiple trips to multiple stores, purchasing hardware and using fairly specialized tools. I feel a bit jaded after spending $2k on a lift kit and still needing to do a shitload of work to even get it functional. Is this normal for Tacos or should I be pissed at the vendor and ask wtf happened?

 

Not normal. Had zero issues with a (cheaper) Bilstein 6112/5160 + AAL kit. Definitely contact vendor and express displeasure. It may have come that way from Fox though, but still never should have happened. If the adjuster should have been included they owe you that at least.

 

I just did the same install today. Fox Factory Series 2.5" ext. coilover with RR etc... on the fronts. 2.0 RR in the rear.

1. I did not have the smaller diameter lower spacer problem that you had. Both of mine took the 14mm bolt and threaded fine. Someone screwed the pooch at Fox, etc.

2. For the Fox2.0 rears, I also had the wrong bushings and had to press them out and install the correct ones which were included. Pressing the bushings in/out wasn't too bad even with a bench vise and some sockets. I believe the incorrect bushings are meant for a Tundra.

3. I've only put a few miles on the truck so far and haven't brought it in for another alignment. But I'm not experiencing much taco lean with the coilover pre-load that it came with.

These have replaced a set of 5100 set at .85 with stock springs and lean spacers.

 

I had the same issue with Fox with my Tundra. Screwed us up big time! Sent the whole kit back and got my money back. It was a huge hassle. Luckily we noticed it on the first side so we didn't have to waste more time. I completely forgot about this and I was going to call Fox on this and express my extreme displeasure. Looks like they have been making some pretty serious mistakes lately.

 

did you guys order directly from fox or did you order it from a vendor?

 

This was from a very well-reputed vendor.

I haven't reached out to them. I placed the suspension order before my son was born and it sat in my garage for a year, so I don't feel as though I have any recourse.

It's 3 weeks later since the original post, and I still think the suspension was worth it. It's a lot better ride over stock, especially with how much weight is on my Taco.

 

The spacer size issue is very strange, haven't seen that one yet! It also makes me wonder if they were the correct width.

The Taco lean is very common, and usually requires final adjustment after install.

The Fox 2.5 Tundra and 2.0 Remote Reservoir rear shocks come with the wrong spacers installed for a Tacoma, some vendors will install the correct ones for you.

 

The width was right, identical on both. It was just the inner diameter on one of the 4 spacers.

I have never heard of over an inch of Taco lean!


FWIW, I see you're a vendor. I didn't order from y'all. Thanks for input though -- it's good to know at least the rear shocks were normal.

 

That'd definitely on the upper end of what we see, but it happens. :/