I'm so frustrated with my new Fox 2.5s.

We take pride in our work and are always happy to help customers and those who havnt even bought product from us. I responded to your PM and happy to continue working through some options and solutions. When it comes to lift height and measuring preload it can become confusing.

Some common things:
-Threads showing does not equal preload.
-I understand that it looks odd, but lots of threads showing is not necessarily a bad thing.
-Fox labels their shocks as 0-3", although you can certainly crank down the preload nut to get 3" of lift, you may have the shock extended too far at ride height creating a harsh ride over bumps.

 

what length springs did the Bilsteins have? The Fox come with a 13” spring which will creat issues with your method of measurement.

Also, did you have equal amount of weight between the setups or did you start adding weight and not compensate appropriately with spring?

 

They use a 14 inch spring. That might be it. No weight difference.

 

So you’re frustrated with the product, the service, or your lack of knowledge?

There are plenty of articles (Accutune) that explain what preload is and the proper way to measure it. Id start there.

 

Is your truck sitting like that, off jacks and on its own weight? How is the uni-ball on the UCA so upright with that many threads showing? Not sure I can say offer advice but I switched to 14" 650lbs springs before they went on, not even sure how much lift i have, I just know it can be kinda stiff. The threads showing is annoying to go by, since i have about 10-15 threads showing (I think) and the UCAs look like they are maxed out while thinking I don't have much lift compared to stock really.
The only thing I remember was when someone had incorrect shocks sent to them thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/please-help-2-5-fox-shocks.658997/page-4

 

Frustrated that a product says 0-3 inches of lift but when im maxed out at 21 inches on the passenger im only getting 1.25-1.5 inches of lift when I gave the tuning company the specs of my truck. How you plan I not go over 21 inches of shock length and get more height smart one?

 

I wouldn’t try to get 3” of lift out of a truck that only has 5” of wheel travel for starters…

 

Thats what im saying. The vehicle is 100% on its own weight on flat ground with that much preload. I only have on aluminum skids and rock sliders on. The guy from accutune said sliders arent that important because its more distributed.

 

This is a bit off topic, but what are you running in the rear? Why are you set on 2.5" of lift?

 

Would 2.2 inches be acceptable to ask for because im not even getting that. Plus I never expected or wanted 3 inches of lift.

 

Deaver stage 2. Im getting 3 inches off that right now. With 2.5 inches it looked normal bilsteins it looked somewhat normal.

 

For the best performance you want the shocks to be sitting at 60/40% up/down travel. So for a 6” shock, you should have 3.6” of shock shaft showing at ride height. That way you have droop to allow the wheels to fall into holes, and uptravel to soak up the bumps. Wherever that puts you for “lift” I don’t know. If you want more ride height then get bigger tires or ignore the 60/40 and add more preload at the sacrifice of performance

 

Interesting. I have Deaver stage I U402's right now, but due to a error on Deaver's part, I had a set of stage II's for a little over a week. Like you, I achieved 3" of lift with the stage II. Not because they're designed to give that much lift, but rather because I didn't have the properly designed weight in the back to compress them 0.5". They rode like a dump truck and I had bad vibes due to the improper pinion angles. I even added 300 lbs of sand to try and smoosh them down.

Ultimately, I worked with Deaver to rectify the error and got the stage I's installed. The result was 2.5" of lift and no more vibes. They also rode MUCH smoother.

I bring it up, because I'd personally recommend you maintain some rake. If you're lifted 2.5" in the rear, shoot for less in the front. That way, when you load down the bed or add additional armor, you don't end up with a squatted truck. Don't put too much stock in the "numbers", but aim for function and overall aesthetic. You may also look into going to stage I Deaver leafs, as it sounds like you're not carrying enough weight for stage II's.

Good luck!

 

Even if I wanted to I couldnt add more preload on the passenger. My question wasnt how to get the most optimal performance. It was to get slightly over 2 inches on the lift that said it was up to 3 inches.

 

Amazing.. the most intelligent reply yet

Once that’s set , the real fun of shock tuning beings. I assume fox slaps some 0.012” - 0.015” shims in there . This will not due. Slap some 0.018” shims in their on compression . I’d even do a 0.020” shim or two , on the smaller diameter shims at the bottom of that stack. Some say this will ride like a cement truck. Possibly. But it will turn into corners more like a bmw and ur not going to constantly slam your frame against the bump stops every time you want to have fun in the dirt .

 

Then 650 or 700lb coils and add preload until you’re happy. Just be careful with coil bind

 

I love my stage 2s. I have about 350lbs in the back right now but my adjustable shocks in the back make it ride like a dream. Seems perfectly balanced with a spare tire, rooftop tent, and a heavy heavy bedrack.

 

Would have been good for accutune to say that when I told them exactly what I had on the vehicle. They even said they should have said something. Theres a reason why people buy the 0-3 extended travel shocks instead of the 0-2 ones. There is also a reason on why someone gives them their specs for tuning. I dont even have my bumper yet and its not even close.

 

OP: you need to measure center of hub to bottom of fender with the truck on the ground. And as someone else stated, your UCA nut is so vertical it’s like there’s no lift at all. You most likely need 650lb springs but even with 600lb, 7-9 threads should give 3” of lift and measure 23” hub to fender. Let us know what your numbers are and post a pic of the serial number on your springs.

 

Im getting 21 5/8ths on the driver and 22 on the passenger. Both are at 25 threads showing. I got full aluminum skids, steel sliders. Accutune says that shouldnt make a difference.