Fox 2.5 Adjustment Question

For sure. Absolutely the best UCAs I've ever used. I considered the light racing this time around but the extra money is worth it.

 

Awesome! Plus...you know....they look cool.

 

Always important haha

 

How much do you have to loosen that Allen key on the collar before adjusting? Mine are mounted now, and I'm wanting to adjust the ride height. Looks like the Allen key is tucked in behind the upper Mount! looks like I'm pulling them out again haha

 

Yeah. They’re annoying as hell to adjust. I oval’d a bunch of the holes on the collar using the punch method. Good luck. You’re way better off removing them, compressing the spring, adjusting, putting them back.
Like I said, they’re annoying.

 

That's what I'm afraid of!
Ok, well might as well do it the right way.. im going to be an expert by the end of this
Thanks for the quick reply!

 

Can you come over and adjust mine while you’re at it?
I’m over them.

 

Haha if Texas wasn't so far I might have said yes! Good luck brother!

 

I got restless last night and decided to take a crack at adjusting the coil-overs. The 5/16" punch method worked quite well..

I jacked up the front end, getting the wheels up off the ground.
I was able to back off the Allen key set screw (could just barely get my Allen key in between the the upper mount), opening the split just under 1/8".

Using 2 punches really helps spread out the strain on the holes when adjusting the preload. My final thread count was 27 exposed threads on my driver and 24 exposed threads on my passenger. That difference accounts for the "taco lean"

** I used a ton of liquid wrench penetrating oil to lube the preload collar threads, and the top and bottom of the springs to release as much friction as possible.

 

Nice! I think you answered my question. I’m lifting my truck this weekend and was going to ask if I should get a couple 5/16” or 8mm punches. Did you damage any of the holes on the ring with the punch? For everyone else, which punch did you use and how effective was it? I’ve read the spanner wrench is worthless.

 

I sanded down the 5/16" punches I used on my belt sander to get an exact fit. Not sure if the holes are actually 5/16 or smaller.. Maybe it was the punches I used weren't exactly to spec.
I did damage one of the holes since I didn't fully insert the punch before I started turning. Otherwise, there's a lil bit of marking, but it's very minor.

 

Good to know and thanks for the info. Did you stick with the stock 600 springs or did you upgrade to 650 or 700? I'm trying to get the preload as close as i possibly can, even go a little higher, to get 2.75" up front. with 650 springs I have 1 1/2" of threads showing on the passenger and 1 5/8" on the driver. I have no idea what that will give me. My mechanic thinks it's going to give me close to a 3" lift. I'm all ears TW..

 

An update on my lift.
I've been driving on the 3 inch lift for about 3 days now. I'm really unhappy with the ride. It's crazy stiff now. I've come to realize that when running the 13" 600# coil that comes with the fox 2.5 extended coil-overs ( Front

$1,768 880-06-418 Rear Coilover Shock Absorbers Fits Toyota Tacoma

880-06-418 extended length front Coilovers with DSC ) requires way too much preload.. I've spoken to others running similar set ups and say I'll need to go up to a 14" coil to get a comfortable ride to achieve a 3" lift: The longer springs will reduce the amount of preload and relax the springs. Make sure you have the appopriate spring # ie 600 for stock weight, or 650, and 700# depending on the amount of armor your rig has.

 

I'm' putting the same coilovers on my truck this weekend and had 14" 650 springs put on them earlier this week. Out of curiosity, how much preload do you have on the driver and passenger side? I can't get a definitive answer from anyone, not even Fox on how much i should have for a 2.75" lift on my 3rd gen. I'm going with 1.75" on driver and 1 5/8" on the passenger but that is merely a guess. Good luck with your setup!

 

Everyone's truck will be different, dependant on their current setup. That explains why theres no one-size fits all preload adjustment; people run different weight rigs with add-ons such as bumpers, winches, and sliders.

On my second gen, with 13" 600# springs it's set at 27 exposed threads on the driver side and 24 passenger. I found out that's far from ideal for a comfortable ride.. I'll require a 14" coil.
My second gen also sits lower stock than a 3rd gen. You'll have to experiment to accuarately measure. Use your tape to measure between you fender and center hub.
Good luck to you too man!

 

You're absolutely right about everyone's truck being different. What I don't want to do is work against the springs vs. with them when we go to adjust them. That's why I'm even considering having the driver c/o set to 2" of preload and passenger to 1.75" knowing that most likely it will be too much and work my way down if I need to. My only concern is with 14" springs is my truck going to sit at a 4" lift after i drive it around the block and have to adjust the coils 3/4" to bring the lift down to 2.75. But like i said i would rather adjust working with the springs than against them, especially since those suckers most likely will be harder to turn since they are heavier springs.

 

That's a good theory! Hope it all works out for you. Remember to post your results!