Has anyone run fox shocks on their bronco?

Burntoutaccountant · Jun 20, 2023

After having had my raptor for a while, I’ve been digging into this. My raptor has fox 2.5 shocks from the factory. Solo now sells fox 2.0 shocks as an option on their bronco stage 2 kits. It wasn’t available a few years ago when I purchased my kit. I currently have bilstein 5100 shocks and so far they’re decent. They have good street manners.

Anyway. I read almost all the threads on them and haven’t come across any active users who are running the fox shocks. My biggest drawback is they have the same lifespan as my raptors shocks - 30-50,000 miles pending use. They’re expensive to replace. I’ve never rebuilt them.

This isn’t something I’ve committed to, but just want some firsthand bronco input.

CrazyBRONCOguy · Jun 20, 2023

Real advantage here is the ability to tune them exactly to what is needed for your specific bronco. They will also work better in the rough stuff at speed then more normal shocks, from my experience. Though sometimes this also means maybe sacrifice some street manners.
Another option worth looking into is the Bilstein 7100's, which are rebuildable at home... assuming you have some inert gas and a regulator setup that can safely go to 200 psi out, few snap ring pliers, etc....

Have ran the 2.0 shocks on my 78 for a short time before going to 2.5" bypass shocks. They worked pretty good. I also am currently running ICON 2.5" coil overs and 2.0 Shocks on my tow rig f-150 too. These work great in this application. The larger the body, typically the longer they will go without getting over heated and fading, they also offer more control. Before getting FOX stuff look up the differences between progressive and digressive valving. The materials used to make the nicer shocks, from my experience, are easier to keep clean and nice too.

In essence, will you notice a huge difference? I think only when your really pushing the rig or if the 5100's you have are not a good match to what you are doing with the truck right now. If I was switching I'd also only really consider doing so with a Rezzi style shock. I don't think really worth it to just replace (without rezzi) unless your 5100's are on their way out.

Just adding additional thoughts... Really look at what your doing. You maybe not that far off of just going all in and doing a coil over setup up front, if your really looking for the ultimate solution.... Also Threat makes a coil bucket kit that lets you mount a 2.5" shock up front and keep the coil springs, (new coil buckets plus a WIY top mount) I am doing this on my '92 Bronco with some re-valved raptor Take off Shocks. I run similar setup on my '78 and like it a bunch.

Burntoutaccountant · Jun 20, 2023

CrazyBRONCOguy said:
Real advantage here is the ability to tune them exactly to what is needed for your specific bronco. They will also work better in the rough stuff at speed then more normal shocks, from my experience. Though sometimes this also means maybe sacrifice some street manners.
Another option worth looking into is the Bilstein 7100's, which are rebuildable at home... assuming you have some inert gas and a regulator setup that can safely go to 200 psi out, few snap ring pliers, etc....

Have ran the 2.0 shocks on my 78 for a short time before going to 2.5" bypass shocks. They worked pretty good. I also am currently running ICON 2.5" coil overs and 2.0 Shocks on my tow rig f-150 too. These work great in this application. The larger the body, typically the longer they will go without getting over heated and fading, they also offer more control. Before getting FOX stuff look up the differences between progressive and digressive valving. The materials used to make the nicer shocks, from my experience, are easier to keep clean and nice too.

In essence, will you notice a huge difference? I think only when your really pushing the rig or if the 5100's you have are not a good match to what you are doing with the truck right now. If I was switching I'd also only really consider doing so with a Rezzi style shock. I don't think really worth it to just replace (without rezzi) unless your 5100's are on their way out.

Just adding additional thoughts... Really look at what your doing. You maybe not that far off of just going all in and doing a coil over setup up front, if your really looking for the ultimate solution.... Also Threat makes a coil bucket kit that lets you mount a 2.5" shock up front and keep the coil springs, (new coil buckets plus a WIY top mount) I am doing this on my '92 Bronco with some re-valved raptor Take off Shocks. I run similar setup on my '78 and like it a bunch.

I’m contemplating eventually upgrading to the king shocks. I’m going to be using this big bastard so after discussing with solo I don’t think their coilover brace will fit because of the intake. They use the coilover hoop pictured below.

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My truck will be mostly overlanding. I won’t really see max articulation. I did find out there are dunes on the eastern side of the state where I can do high speed stuff in both trucks. I was leaning towards the fox shocks due to familiarity and their performance has already been proven on my raptor. They handle abuse amazing.

I contemplated upgrading to icon 3.0 on my raptor but decided for the 2.5 fox replacements. They’re plenty sufficient for what I’m doing.

Hillbilly Heaven · Jun 20, 2023

Buying Fos shock off the shelf is better than waiting 1-2 years for a set of Kings. You might luck up and find a set of Kings on the shelf at Solo or Desolate but that is doubtful.

Burntoutaccountant · Jun 20, 2023

Hillbilly Heaven said:
Buying Fos shock off the shelf is better than waiting 1-2 years for a set of Kings. You might luck up and find a set of Kings on the shelf at Solo or Desolate but that is doubtful.

I believe they do have them in stock. I believe. But the coilover hoop probably won’t clear that massive intake manifold. So I’m leaning towards the fox shocks.

BigBlue 94 · Jun 20, 2023

Just run the 5100s you have until they go. Or at least try them for a few thousand miles. How many miles have you put on it since we did the lift? Save your wallet some grief!

Im running the el cheapo pro comp es3000 on mine for now. They work fine and soak up the pot holes and washboards on my dirt roads just fine.

Remember that jump we cruised over? I used to hit that at 70-80 mph with an off the shelf skyjacker kit and their nitro shocks. Upon landing i would get a compression, extension, and then they would settle. No excessive rebound or oscillations of the springs.

Burntoutaccountant · Jun 20, 2023

BigBlue 94 said:
Just run the 5100s you have until they go. Or at least try them for a few thousand miles. How many miles have you put on it since we did the lift? Save your wallet some grief!

Im running the el cheapo pro comp es3000 on mine for now. They work fine and soak up the pot holes and washboards on my dirt roads just fine.

Remember that jump we cruised over? I used to hit that at 70-80 mph with an off the shelf skyjacker kit and their nitro shocks. Upon landing i would get a compression, extension, and then they would settle. No excessive rebound or oscillations of the springs.

Yeah it’s not a right now thing. I just found out my interior is going to be…expensive. But it’s an eventually thing. They used pro comp springs and now use deaver springs. So I want to upgrade those at the same time. My truck still won’t be done until October at the earliest. Then we might be moving to anchorage. But I’m a year or so it’s on. Bronco in the Alaskan frontier would be super legit.

BigBlue 94 · Jun 20, 2023

Burntoutaccountant said:
Yeah it’s not a right now thing. I just found out my interior is going to be…expensive. But it’s an eventually thing. They used pro comp springs and now use deaver springs. So I want to upgrade those at the same time. My truck still won’t be done until October at the earliest. Then we might be moving to anchorage. But I’m a year or so it’s on. Bronco in the Alaskan frontier would be super legit.

Lol expensive is an understatement im sure.

You saying you have pro comp coils on it now? Imho they are the best coil spring on the market for these. Though i havent seen deavers specs.

Alaska eh? Land of the midnight sun. Used to dream of being a mountain man up there after reading some Jack London. Do you have any use for some heavy duty tire chains? They fit 35-37" tires. Came with my bronco and i have no use for em. Could drop em off when i pick up the heads.

Burntoutaccountant · Jun 20, 2023

BigBlue 94 said:
Lol expensive is an understatement im sure.

You saying you have pro comp coils on it now? Imho they are the best coil spring on the market for these. Though i havent seen deavers specs.

Alaska eh? Land of the midnight sun. Used to dream of being a mountain man up there after reading some Jack London. Do you have any use for some heavy duty tire chains? They fit 35-37" tires. Came with my bronco and i have no use for em. Could drop em off when i pick up the heads.

Yeah it has pro comp springs now. Well I’m 99% sure because they came in a pro comp box.

yeah my fiancés client is trying to get her to work in anchorage. We’re strongly considering it. I told her I need out of Washington state. I don’t agree with what’s going on here and the absurd laws they’ve passed recently. If we do move my truck will only be driven 4/12 months. No snow or salt for it lol. So I think I’m good on chains.

Desertdawg · Jun 20, 2023

It's never ending if you let it, which ain't all bad. Seems your current set up only recently touched the ground so I'd run it for a good while to assess it's strengths and weaknesses. I generally have to break something before I replace something (which I'm currently doing).

For future reference there's other ways to cross brace if you really want more travel. My setup doesn't have any vertical bars. I like my Kings, but Fox is good as well and has a lot of support as you know. Note for max travel, the inner fender wells are long gone. I think a stock width, mid travel build is more versatile than what I've got going on. I hate mud, not even a big fan or rain. I hope to make it down to Baja after some more work but no Alaska for me, at least not in this thing.

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Burntoutaccountant · Jun 20, 2023

Desertdawg said:
It's never ending if you let it, which ain't all bad. Seems your current set up only recently touched the ground so I'd run it for a good while to assess it's strengths and weaknesses. I generally have to break something before I replace something (which I'm currently doing).

For future reference there's other ways to cross brace if you really want more travel. My setup doesn't have any vertical bars. I like my Kings, but Fox is good as well and has a lot of support as you know. Note for max travel, the inner fender wells are long gone. I think a stock width, mid travel build is more versatile than what I've got going on. I hate mud, not even a big fan or rain. I hope to make it down to Baja after some more work but no Alaska for me, at least not in this thing.

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Well its been on the ground. It has a few thousand on the suspension before the 8 lug conversion. It drove fine but it was all city/highway driving aside from one jump and backroad with @BigBlue 94. It seemed to be fine. I just plan on using the truck more and using it to some of its capabilities.

I talked with Bobby at Solo. He said he'd be happy to sell me the fox shocks. Said he doesn't think it's totally necessary. So I'll beat on it for a while and reassess. I have some life stuff happening so I have time. I just wanted the fox shocks because they're so proven in the Raptor.

CrazyBRONCOguy · Jun 20, 2023

I agree on the above with @Desertdawg that the cross brace does not have to go over the intake, it can be made to go around. Just order it as a kit from Solo not welded, I am sure they would do that if you explain what you are up to. Or just plan on re-doing the cross piece, should not be that big of a deal. About anyone with a tubing notcher should be able to make the piece you need, once engine in truck to verify fitment of everything.

Tho from what you describe a shorter 2.5" shock with the coils you have seems like may fit the primary use of the Bronco. Just don't expect to send it off big jumps, constantly (my opinion). A set of real bumps would help a bit too. You could potentially do a shorter coil over with a smaller/shorter coil bucket fab'd from flat plate. If done correctly I think you could get away without the cross brace.
Link to the Threat parts I mentioned Earlier 80-96 Ford Bronco Coil Buckets | Threat Motorsports

Hillbilly Heaven said:
Buying Fos shock off the shelf is better than waiting 1-2 years for a set of Kings. You might luck up and find a set of Kings on the shelf at Solo or Desolate but that is doubtful.

Not sure where you got the 1-2 years from but the last 6 shocks I have ordered from King my wait time was only in the 1-2 month range, which I thought acceptable. (these all gotten in the last 6-8 months)

Guns & Horsepower · Jun 20, 2023

I went with Fox because I use their stuff on my other off-road toys and they perform well and have been reliable. The aesthetics obviously play a part as well. I'm not a huge fan of the blue/yellow scheme of Bilstein's, even though they are a very good shock. You also have the benefit of being able to tune and rebuild the Fox's as well. As for performance, unless you're going 10+ inches of travel, you likely wouldn't notice much of a difference if you drove an identical truck back to back with Bilstein's and Fox, unless you dropped the coin to have the Fox's fully tuned, which can cost more than the Fox Performance shock itself. In my opinion, there isn't enough travel for the shocks to make a substantial difference under 10-11" of travel all things being equal. Starting at 14+, yes, the shock and tuning makes a substantial difference. Having a shock with HSC and LSC would be a huge plus as well. You have to get the valving just right on the Performance series, and even then it is set for the terrain that you drive in 90% of the time, no external adjustability. Would be nice to have an option where you could crank the compression up or down depending on what you're doing. This is available in the higher series shocks, but the cost skyrockets quick and I'm not sure if Fox makes a shock for our Broncos in the Factory or Race versions for stock - 2" lift sizes. Until I get the urge to start launching jumps, I'll stick with the Performance series, and a pedestrian 11" of front-end travel.

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RustProof · Jun 20, 2023

I've heard a lot of good things about the 5100. They are rebuildable and seem like they're quite well priced too. I plan on using them with my SAS whenever I get around to it.

Kings are great! I have their coil overs on my cobra roadster and love them- adjustable compression, rebound, and preload. Plus they look cool. Really cool. 😂

BigBlue 94 · Jun 21, 2023

Was looking at some better shocks for my 85 last night. Im gonna be doing something with the rear leafs soon. Not sure what yet, maybe J40s, with some sort of shackle modifications.

I did some measuring last night and can fit 25" of shock under the back right now, sitting under its own weight. Looks like i can fit a 32" shock back there with a custom mount much like solo sells. Which led me to some rear fox 2.0s for a newer f150. Any reason those wouldnt work valving wise for a bronco? Its more of a slow crawler than a go fast rig.

CrazyBRONCOguy · Jun 21, 2023

@BigBlue 94 The reason they "might" not work is due to the angle at which an under the bed upper mount puts the shocks. (all broncos have the shocks laid over considerably) So this reduces there effective valving, which means you need more to control the rear of a bronco effectively. Combine this with the weights and such and you will start to understand.

That said Likely work just fine for what you are doing too, From my own experiences you will notice what I am getting at in situations like up at the dunes when you try to go a bit quicker.

I would also check out ICON for some 2.0's, not sure of how new a f-150 (I have a 2017 that has had both Fox and Icon out back) you were cross shopping but they run a different style valving then the FOX, which I think would be a better fit for the bronco. What this feels like is they are slightly harsher initially then loosen up as they are cycled (in essence, look up digressive vs progressive) The FOX shocks are the other way. IE from accutune offroad "Icon Vehicle Dynamics improves the ride and control of their Digressive shocks by using linear compression, and marginally digressive rebound. By reducing the digressive nature of the shocks they are able to mitigate a lot of the downsides to digressive damping. The result is improved comfort on washboard and more control on big bumps (than a very digressive shock). " For my mostly street toy hauler f-150 the icon is better.

Burntoutaccountant · Jun 21, 2023

BigBlue 94 said:
Was looking at some better shocks for my 85 last night. Im gonna be doing something with the rear leafs soon. Not sure what yet, maybe J40s, with some sort of shackle modifications.

I did some measuring last night and can fit 25" of shock under the back right now, sitting under its own weight. Looks like i can fit a 32" shock back there with a custom mount much like solo sells. Which led me to some rear fox 2.0s for a newer f150. Any reason those wouldnt work valving wise for a bronco? Its more of a slow crawler than a go fast rig.

I’m a big fan of those Q80 leads on my truck. They’re pretty soft. I’d reach out to Bobby at solo. Tell him what you have and you should be good. I don’t remember your lift size but the q80 should be 4” of lift. I personally will run the fox shocks eventually. I just have to find the budget lol. It’ll be after the wedding that’s for sure.

BigBlue 94 · Jun 21, 2023

Burntoutaccountant said:
I’m a big fan of those Q80 leads on my truck. They’re pretty soft. I’d reach out to Bobby at solo. Tell him what you have and you should be good. I don’t remember your lift size but the q80 should be 4” of lift. I personally will run the fox shocks eventually. I just have to find the budget lol. It’ll be after the wedding that’s for sure.

I have 6" lift. Q80 are only 3" lift. J40 is 4". If that is a true 4" lift, and not for a 4" front lift, they should be good. My 1985 leaves with 2002 AAL are getting tired. 200 lbs on the bumper squats the rear about an inch.

I do like how your rear shackles are set up. Tons of travel.

Mine surprises me in its suspension travel as is.

AlaskanBronco · Jun 23, 2023

Burntoutaccountant said:
Yeah it has pro comp springs now. Well I’m 99% sure because they came in a pro comp box.

yeah my fiancés client is trying to get her to work in anchorage. We’re strongly considering it. I told her I need out of Washington state. I don’t agree with what’s going on here and the absurd laws they’ve passed recently. If we do move my truck will only be driven 4/12 months. No snow or salt for it lol. So I think I’m good on chains.

It's Alaska lol, we don't use no salt! Fred Meyer recently started salting their parking lot though, so I avoid them in the winter. Otherwise you're good to go to conquer the snow like she was built for

CrazyBRONCOguy · Jun 23, 2023

BigBlue 94 said:
I have 6" lift. Q80 are only 3" lift. J40 is 4". If that is a true 4" lift, and not for a 4" front lift, they should be good. My 1985 leaves with 2002 AAL are getting tired. 200 lbs on the bumper squats the rear about an inch.
I do like how your rear shackles are set up. Tons of travel.

Threat also sells a shackle setup like that ( I am sure solo does too, as does desolate) They gain travel in 2 ways, they lower the pivot point which allows a longer shackle, and they also are a different shape, which lets the shackle swing further down. I have Threat Brackets and Camburg Shackles on my 78. The stock brackets will limit the shackle going fully down as they hit the raised section.
If you leaf shopping check out Desolates V562 springs as they are also made for a heavier bronco. I have a pair waiting to go on my '92.

You can see what I mean in this pic if you look close, they actually swing past 90 deg.

also you can see my King bypass's mounted in same pic. I strongly recommend if you spend good money on shocks to also setup limit straps too, will help in the long run keeping the shocks with-in normal range

Has anyone run fox shocks on their bronco?

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