1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Fox 2.5 Extended Coilover Preload Lift

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Matthewn7, Aug 26, 2017.

  1. Aug 26, 2017 at 9:10 PM
    #1
    Matthewn7

    Matthewn7 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2016
    Member:
    #187805
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matthew
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma TRD OR DCLB MGM
    Fox 2.5 C/O w/DSC, Fox 2.5 Rear w/DSC, TC UCA, Icon AAL, TRD Pro Skid, TRD Pro Grille, BFG K02 265/70R17, BakFlip F1 Tonneau, TRD Pro 4Runner Rims, TRD Pro Fog Lights, TRD Pro Shift Knob, TRD Exhaust, NFAB Tube Steps, OPT7 LED Headlights, Clazzio Seat Covers, LED Interior Lights
    I just finished installing my Fox 2.5 extended travel coilovers with total chaos UCAs. While installing them, I just went ahead and adjusted the preload collar. The stock preload is 16 threads showing. I adjusted the collar such that 24 threads were showing (22 on passenger side). The Fox coilover is supposed to come set to for about 1" lift (2016+). From what I've read, 8 additional threads about stock should give you about an additional 1" of lift. So I was surprised to find that I am only getting about 1" lift for the 24 threads showing. One thing I will note is that before driving around, the 24 threads was netting me about 3" of lift. I went and drove around to allow the suspension to settle and re-measured only to find I only have 1" of lift above stock. I did notice that the wheel camber is quite a bit off because I haven't gotten it aligned yet. I'm hesitant to adjust the preload further. Anybody had a similar experience? The one thing I didn't do was drive around before adjusting the preload. I had adjusted right after installing because it was easier. It don't think it should make much of a difference but could it? I wonder if I need to drive around more, maybe freeway?

    Any help is greatly appreciated!

    IMG_4918.jpg
     
  2. Aug 26, 2017 at 10:06 PM
    #2
    65skyturbo

    65skyturbo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2016
    Member:
    #195944
    Messages:
    737
    Gender:
    Male
    Mesa, AZ
    Vehicle:
    06 Speedway Blue DCSB TRD Off Road
    If your camber is way off, it can change the lift height. There are several posts that explain how to do a DIY alignment. I would do this to get it in the ballpark. Then drive it a few miles and check your lift height. If necessary, make adjustments to height and once you are satisfied, go get a professional alignment.
     
  3. Aug 28, 2017 at 7:00 PM
    #3
    Matthewn7

    Matthewn7 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2016
    Member:
    #187805
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matthew
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma TRD OR DCLB MGM
    Fox 2.5 C/O w/DSC, Fox 2.5 Rear w/DSC, TC UCA, Icon AAL, TRD Pro Skid, TRD Pro Grille, BFG K02 265/70R17, BakFlip F1 Tonneau, TRD Pro 4Runner Rims, TRD Pro Fog Lights, TRD Pro Shift Knob, TRD Exhaust, NFAB Tube Steps, OPT7 LED Headlights, Clazzio Seat Covers, LED Interior Lights
    So just in case anyone is interested, the reason I was only seeing 1" of lift in the front was due to the bad alignment caused from installing the lift. As soon as I got the truck aligned, I was seeing the expected 2" of lift. So in case anyone runs into a similar issue as me, you may want to set the preload to roughly the amount of lift you're looking for and then get an alignment, if you're not seeing the expected lift. One of the things that really made me think it was the alignment was when I looked at the wheels from the front of the truck, I could see that they looked like they had a lot of negative camber. Also, when I was driving around and would take turns, the wheel sounded like they were skipping or skidding.

    The "8 thread = 1 inch lift" is a good metric to follow. Keep in mind that this applies to preload added beyond the stock setting of 16 threads. Also, this metric applies more for the drivers side. The passengers side is more like 6 threads for 1 inch of lift. I have 25 threads on the drivers side and 22 on the passengers side which equates to about 2" of lift over stock. I also have a DCLB so it may be a little different for other models but from what I've seen with people who have DCSB, its similar. Hope this helps somebody.
     
  4. Aug 28, 2017 at 8:32 PM
    #4
    Jamma

    Jamma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2017
    Member:
    #219510
    Messages:
    127
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM TRD Off Road
    Thanks for sharing! Just ordered the same coilovers
     
  5. Aug 28, 2017 at 8:45 PM
    #5
    Matthewn7

    Matthewn7 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2016
    Member:
    #187805
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matthew
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma TRD OR DCLB MGM
    Fox 2.5 C/O w/DSC, Fox 2.5 Rear w/DSC, TC UCA, Icon AAL, TRD Pro Skid, TRD Pro Grille, BFG K02 265/70R17, BakFlip F1 Tonneau, TRD Pro 4Runner Rims, TRD Pro Fog Lights, TRD Pro Shift Knob, TRD Exhaust, NFAB Tube Steps, OPT7 LED Headlights, Clazzio Seat Covers, LED Interior Lights
    No problem. If you have any questions about install or anything, let me know. I just went through the whole process this weekend.
     
    Jamma[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Sep 19, 2017 at 2:16 PM
    #6
    javieer10

    javieer10 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Member:
    #214589
    Messages:
    127
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Javier
    El Paso, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2017 Inferno Tacoma TRD OR
    Why is the drivers 8=1in nad passengers 6=1in?
     
  7. Sep 19, 2017 at 4:03 PM
    #7
    Matthewn7

    Matthewn7 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2016
    Member:
    #187805
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matthew
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma TRD OR DCLB MGM
    Fox 2.5 C/O w/DSC, Fox 2.5 Rear w/DSC, TC UCA, Icon AAL, TRD Pro Skid, TRD Pro Grille, BFG K02 265/70R17, BakFlip F1 Tonneau, TRD Pro 4Runner Rims, TRD Pro Fog Lights, TRD Pro Shift Knob, TRD Exhaust, NFAB Tube Steps, OPT7 LED Headlights, Clazzio Seat Covers, LED Interior Lights
    Because the driver's side is heavier than the passengers side, it requires more preload. You'll read on here that alot of people use a 1/4" spacer on the drivers side to compensate for the lean when you install non-adjustable coilovers. I'm basically putting less preload on the passengers side to accomplish the same thing.
     
    javieer10[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Sep 19, 2017 at 7:23 PM
    #8
    cmbondo

    cmbondo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2014
    Member:
    #122060
    Messages:
    558
    Gender:
    Male
    San Diego CA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Cement DCSB TRD Offroad
    FOX 2.5 DSC and some other stuff too.
    I wonder the same.... so the Fox 2.5s come with 16 threads showing which equals 2 inches (per Fox). If you calculate 8 threads driver side that is 2 inches of lift. So on passenger side for 16 threads you get slightly more than 2.5 inches lift?

    I don't dispute the fact you need more preload on the driver side but not sure about the 6 threads per inch on the passenger side. I'll know more in a couple weeks when I install mine.
     
  9. Sep 19, 2017 at 9:06 PM
    #9
    Matthewn7

    Matthewn7 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2016
    Member:
    #187805
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matthew
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma TRD OR DCLB MGM
    Fox 2.5 C/O w/DSC, Fox 2.5 Rear w/DSC, TC UCA, Icon AAL, TRD Pro Skid, TRD Pro Grille, BFG K02 265/70R17, BakFlip F1 Tonneau, TRD Pro 4Runner Rims, TRD Pro Fog Lights, TRD Pro Shift Knob, TRD Exhaust, NFAB Tube Steps, OPT7 LED Headlights, Clazzio Seat Covers, LED Interior Lights
    The 8 threads = 1" of lift is true for when you are adding additional lift to the stock setting. I do not know if its true on the stock thread count because for 3rd gens, the stock setting (16 threads) only nets you about 1" of lift.

    For my truck, I added 6 threads on the passenger side and 9 on the drivers side which nets me about 2" of lift over the stock height on both sides. It could be the since the passengers side is lighter, the stock setting gave me a little over 1" of lift so i only needed to add 6 threads to get to 2" (don't know for a fact because I didn't do a measurement for the stock setting). So maybe it is that 8 threads = 1" for both sides but since I only wanted to get 2" of lift, I didn't need to go beyond that.
     
  10. Sep 20, 2017 at 7:33 PM
    #10
    BlackTacosMatter92

    BlackTacosMatter92 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2016
    Member:
    #205518
    Messages:
    611
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jay
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCLB Tacoma
    King Suspension SPC UCA's Dakar Medium Leaf Packs Nitto Ridge Grapplers 255/75/16 VTX Vipers 16x8 (-12) Mobtown CMC plates Mobtown Sliders Smittybilt X20 10k Synthetic Factor 55 Fairlead & Flatlink MBRP Off Camber Fabrications Front Bumper MBRP Black PowderCoat Exhaust RX350 Projectors TRD Pro tail lights Truxedo Lo Pro QT Tonneau RCI Bed Rack Total Chaos Bed Stiffeners ARB CKMA12 CustomCarGrills Grille Line-X'd Grille 20% Window Tint (Front/Back) 75% Windshield 5% Visor Debadged
    @Matthewn7 more pictures of your truck after the lift? That's the exact lift I'm going for
     
  11. Sep 20, 2017 at 8:37 PM
    #11
    Matthewn7

    Matthewn7 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2016
    Member:
    #187805
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matthew
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma TRD OR DCLB MGM
    Fox 2.5 C/O w/DSC, Fox 2.5 Rear w/DSC, TC UCA, Icon AAL, TRD Pro Skid, TRD Pro Grille, BFG K02 265/70R17, BakFlip F1 Tonneau, TRD Pro 4Runner Rims, TRD Pro Fog Lights, TRD Pro Shift Knob, TRD Exhaust, NFAB Tube Steps, OPT7 LED Headlights, Clazzio Seat Covers, LED Interior Lights
    Before lift:
    IMG_4909.jpg

    After Lift:
    IMG_4957.jpg
     
    DavesTaco68 likes this.
  12. Sep 20, 2017 at 8:49 PM
    #12
    BlackTacosMatter92

    BlackTacosMatter92 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2016
    Member:
    #205518
    Messages:
    611
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jay
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCLB Tacoma
    King Suspension SPC UCA's Dakar Medium Leaf Packs Nitto Ridge Grapplers 255/75/16 VTX Vipers 16x8 (-12) Mobtown CMC plates Mobtown Sliders Smittybilt X20 10k Synthetic Factor 55 Fairlead & Flatlink MBRP Off Camber Fabrications Front Bumper MBRP Black PowderCoat Exhaust RX350 Projectors TRD Pro tail lights Truxedo Lo Pro QT Tonneau RCI Bed Rack Total Chaos Bed Stiffeners ARB CKMA12 CustomCarGrills Grille Line-X'd Grille 20% Window Tint (Front/Back) 75% Windshield 5% Visor Debadged
    Thanks! Looks great! What did you do for lift in the rear?
     
  13. Sep 20, 2017 at 8:56 PM
    #13
    Matthewn7

    Matthewn7 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2016
    Member:
    #187805
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matthew
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma TRD OR DCLB MGM
    Fox 2.5 C/O w/DSC, Fox 2.5 Rear w/DSC, TC UCA, Icon AAL, TRD Pro Skid, TRD Pro Grille, BFG K02 265/70R17, BakFlip F1 Tonneau, TRD Pro 4Runner Rims, TRD Pro Fog Lights, TRD Pro Shift Knob, TRD Exhaust, NFAB Tube Steps, OPT7 LED Headlights, Clazzio Seat Covers, LED Interior Lights
    Thanks.

    For the rear, I did the Icon 3-leaf AAL without the overload. Should get me about 1.5" of lift but it's currently about 2". It should settle over time. I also installed Fox 2.5 shocks in the rear.
     
    DavesTaco68 likes this.
  14. Sep 20, 2017 at 9:02 PM
    #14
    BlackTacosMatter92

    BlackTacosMatter92 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2016
    Member:
    #205518
    Messages:
    611
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jay
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCLB Tacoma
    King Suspension SPC UCA's Dakar Medium Leaf Packs Nitto Ridge Grapplers 255/75/16 VTX Vipers 16x8 (-12) Mobtown CMC plates Mobtown Sliders Smittybilt X20 10k Synthetic Factor 55 Fairlead & Flatlink MBRP Off Camber Fabrications Front Bumper MBRP Black PowderCoat Exhaust RX350 Projectors TRD Pro tail lights Truxedo Lo Pro QT Tonneau RCI Bed Rack Total Chaos Bed Stiffeners ARB CKMA12 CustomCarGrills Grille Line-X'd Grille 20% Window Tint (Front/Back) 75% Windshield 5% Visor Debadged
    Is it safe to go a little higher in the front? Mine doesn't see anything too serious. I'm trying to get as much lift as possible out of these
     
  15. Sep 20, 2017 at 9:03 PM
    #15
    Tacomamike mike

    Tacomamike mike Just that, nothing more.

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2016
    Member:
    #196650
    Messages:
    3,960
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Michael
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCLB TRD OFFROAD 4x4
    Working on it, dissent offroad racks, shift sense pro, pedal commander , ARB twin, rigid SS dually's , dual batteries, ARB fridge , 2.5 Fox coil overs wResi , 2.5 Fox rears w resi Total chaos UCA , deaver packs , Nitto trail grappler's 33" .
    Those look great ! I have mine on the way. 2.5" front and rear with compression. Total chaos UCA's and deaver packs . Have a long bed also. Hope it turns it like yours .
     
  16. Sep 20, 2017 at 9:53 PM
    #16
    Matthewn7

    Matthewn7 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2016
    Member:
    #187805
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matthew
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma TRD OR DCLB MGM
    Fox 2.5 C/O w/DSC, Fox 2.5 Rear w/DSC, TC UCA, Icon AAL, TRD Pro Skid, TRD Pro Grille, BFG K02 265/70R17, BakFlip F1 Tonneau, TRD Pro 4Runner Rims, TRD Pro Fog Lights, TRD Pro Shift Knob, TRD Exhaust, NFAB Tube Steps, OPT7 LED Headlights, Clazzio Seat Covers, LED Interior Lights
    I got the extended travel coilovers which allow for up to 3" of lift, as long as you use aftermarket UCAs. You can adjust the preload on the shock to get the 3" of lift. Some people don't like to add that much preload on the shocks but from what I've heard from Fox, it's safe to go to 3" of lift. The shocks can handle it. The could probably handle even more. The reason why Fox says 3" is the limit is because at 3", you have the same amount of up-travel as you do down-travel. Any higher and you start losing down-travel. Just be aware that the ride may be more stiff if you add a lot of preload. Although, I have read of some people on here who have a lot of preload and still like the ride quality. It's just preference I guess.

    How much lift are you looking to get?
     
  17. Sep 20, 2017 at 10:00 PM
    #17
    Matthewn7

    Matthewn7 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2016
    Member:
    #187805
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matthew
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma TRD OR DCLB MGM
    Fox 2.5 C/O w/DSC, Fox 2.5 Rear w/DSC, TC UCA, Icon AAL, TRD Pro Skid, TRD Pro Grille, BFG K02 265/70R17, BakFlip F1 Tonneau, TRD Pro 4Runner Rims, TRD Pro Fog Lights, TRD Pro Shift Knob, TRD Exhaust, NFAB Tube Steps, OPT7 LED Headlights, Clazzio Seat Covers, LED Interior Lights
    Nice! It should come out good! I'm still stoked on mine. Only issue I've had is that the rears started squeaking a few days after install. The squeak was coming from the shock shaft wiper seal. I tried using dry lube and tri flow but it only helped for like a day. I ended up calling Fox and they said that they shouldn't be squeaking and I should send them in to look at under warranty. I went ahead and sent them in. Finally heard back from them today and they said they didn't find any issues but are going to replace the wiper seal and a few other things as a precaution. Hopefully it fixes the issue. They're still awesome shocks though. This is another reason to hold on to your old shocks. Had I sold mine, I would've been kinda screwed. This way i just put the old bilsteins rears back on.

    Are you going to do the install yourself?
     
  18. Sep 20, 2017 at 10:06 PM
    #18
    Tacomamike mike

    Tacomamike mike Just that, nothing more.

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2016
    Member:
    #196650
    Messages:
    3,960
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Michael
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCLB TRD OFFROAD 4x4
    Working on it, dissent offroad racks, shift sense pro, pedal commander , ARB twin, rigid SS dually's , dual batteries, ARB fridge , 2.5 Fox coil overs wResi , 2.5 Fox rears w resi Total chaos UCA , deaver packs , Nitto trail grappler's 33" .
    I'm not, generally I would but just bought the wife a home in Carmel and busy getting decorators and crap done.
    So I'm just going to have it done.
     
  19. Sep 20, 2017 at 10:31 PM
    #19
    javieer10

    javieer10 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Member:
    #214589
    Messages:
    127
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Javier
    El Paso, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2017 Inferno Tacoma TRD OR
    Thanks OP, I will be installing the same set up as you except I’ll be doing headstrong 3 leaf, and dirt king ucas. Trying to get as much info as I’m new to all this, will be getting help from some friends but I hope everything turns out good. Did you get extended brake lines?
     
  20. Sep 20, 2017 at 11:20 PM
    #20
    Tacomamike mike

    Tacomamike mike Just that, nothing more.

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2016
    Member:
    #196650
    Messages:
    3,960
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Michael
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCLB TRD OFFROAD 4x4
    Working on it, dissent offroad racks, shift sense pro, pedal commander , ARB twin, rigid SS dually's , dual batteries, ARB fridge , 2.5 Fox coil overs wResi , 2.5 Fox rears w resi Total chaos UCA , deaver packs , Nitto trail grappler's 33" .
    You need extended brake lines
     

Products Discussed in

To Top