Fox 2.0 shocks for budget off road racing build?

This is my 3rd gen build. I’m 21, in college, working construction part time. I’m broke as shit, but I’m saving for a suspension upgrade. I like the OEM/stock look of the 3rd gen, and want to keep my build kinda sleeper and lightweight. Not trying to cut any panels, or do a crazy lift. I overland once in a while, but I mainly like “racing” off road trails, and was planning on hitting some desert trails this summer with some buddies. Stock suspension does ok I guess, but the ride is pretty rough when hitting more rocky terrain. So I was thinking about getting some fox 2.0 coil overs and rear shocks. I heard the progressive operation of the fox shocks is better for more “racing” oriented off road stuff compared to bilstein 6112’s which im told are better for slower crawling/overlanding stuff. What Yall think? The fox with reservoirs for the back will be like 1400, the bilsteins will be like 1200-1300

 

“Broke as shit” college students don’t drive late model gas guzzeling pickup trucks.

But anyway, speaking from the viewpoint of someone that bought “racing” shock absorbers for their truck (kings) and is judging your described use case, I will say you would be wasting your money.

If you really want a go fast, buy a sxs or dirt bike.

 

Save your money towards 2.5 shocks, Fox, King and so on
Also what is Racing when you 2 speak of shocks?

 

im “broke as shit” because I bought a 2017 gas guzzling pickup truck, while working part time and paying for school, but that’s beside the point. I definitely want a suspension upgrade when I can afford it in a couple months, because the stock suspension rattles the crap outta my truck when I off-road in a way that I find fun.

 

Aight. I could probably get 2.5’s for the price of 2.0’s on marketplace. Idk how much of a deal used suspension would be tho.

 

OEm replacement shocks are rebuildable...

 

Watch shock value season 2. Then go buy 5100's run it till you start breaking stuff then regret life and go full long travel for 15+g

 

Season one actually, foxes reply was...ya....youll see.

You dont need "racing" shocks unless youre going Long Travel $$$$$ ( I know)

https://youtu.be/sJEkSmewcQE?si=NLItPJNKYMhcBoSg

 

lol

 

At the risk of sounding like a dad, I will say you could use more perspective. Broke as shit college students do not own any sort of automobile.

Regardless, I still think you should just get out and enjoy your truck. It will never be capable of “racing” without an enormous investment. The effect of 2.0 and 2.5 shocks is minimal. If I did it again I would skip the shocks and spend my time and money on fitting 35s. On the other hand, sxs are crazy fast; almost as fast as dirt bikes if compared to trucks.

 

This. I've been a part of an offroad racing org for a few years now, and a relatively affordable turbo razer off the showroom competes with "trophy truck" level built rigs on a mixed terrain course.

 

OP- there’s many available options:Icon/King/ADS/FOX/Locked all build 2.5 shocks w/ external reservoirs. Those are pricy though($4k for just the shocks), but they perform very well. Any shock that does not have external reservoirs will be a waste in your usage, as the ext res allows the shock oil to cool faster/more effectively. If you’re “desert running” id suggest spindle gussets, frame braces and be ready for that core support to crack/spiderweb(driverside under battery).
The Bilsteins 5100s are a good Entry level shock, they wont perform well with the usage you’re looking for though.Id suggest you find a used set of kings/icons/fox FB marketplace(i would rebuild before install), the rebuild kits are available online too.

 

At risk of sounding like a hard ass, you’re out of touch. Every student I know owns a car, most of them on a loan, they all work part time, I don’t live in a big city, maybe all those guys commute on buses or something, idk. But in the world I live in, not owning a car means living in you’re parents basement off their dime. I specified that I’m broke, to make it clear that I can’t afford a 10k+ “racing” setup. I just need a relatively cheap suspension upgrade that will ride smoother, and not rattle the bolts off my truck. Idk why you’re so concerned lol

 

Don’t know how you define “racing”off road in your case. I assume just driving like a bat out of hell on rough roads and trails (which would be a huge danger to anyone else driving on those roads). Anyway for your suspension to survive anything like that you’re talking about replacing and modifying everything under your truck. New shocks are barely a beginning. You are looking at major $$$$. Your truck is too pretty for high speed severe off road use. But I guess you got to start somewhere so get yourself some Fox coil overs. (Is today Friday?)

 

Bilsteins and call it done ( for now)

 

Appreciate the advice, I look into that other stuff when I can afford it. Just gonna go for the coilovers and shocks for now and call it a day.

(reply was intended for dorf)

 

Definitely recommend season 2 since ya know the 2.5 resis come back modified still to get crushed by the 5100.....

 

You said it best; you're broke.. so buy what you can afford. Then, when it doesn't meet your standards, buy the next best thing. Rinse and repeat until you've spent more than you ever wished you would have instead of buying once and crying once. Cheap/budget and performance are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Good luck. Take it from the hard asses around here who sound like dads - you're making a mistake. Save your money.

 

Anyone have any thoughts on Old Man Emu?

 

I made the mistake on fox 2.0 because I didn't do my homework. I should have gone 2.5. The notion that 2.0s are adjustable should have a huge f'ing asterisk. They are only adjustable if you remove them and compress the spring. You can't adjust them on the truck which makes them nearly pointless. You are better off with bils. Cheaper and better ride otherwise save your money and get 2.5s