Fox, Bilstein or Boss?

[NicksT4R]

Bought my 2015 limited and immediately sold the factory 20's and bought some TRD matte black wheels and stock size Toyo Open Country's... 265/70/17. My limited is Blizzard Pearl and with the black wheels, the rig looks fantastic, but for the front rake... So I called ToyTec and talked to Tanner, who was a really nice guy and patiently answered my questions, but I'd like to get some real world feedback from the forum members here.

There are 3 front adjustable coilovers that are about the same price, Fox, Bilstein and BOSS. All three seem like they will do the job of raising my front end and providing a good ride. Since I have XREAS, I need to repalce the rear shocks too, and Fox sells their 2.0 shock for 0-1inch lift in the rear, so my rear shock will be Fox.

Anyone have opinions or real world advise on which of the 3 front set ups might work best? The runner is basically used as a daily driver, but it will see some time in snow or groomed fire trails etc...no rocks... I guess the big question I have is... are the front Fox coilovers a good set up, or better to go with the Bilstein or BOSS fronts?

Thank you, Nick

 

[Saker]

Bought my 2015 limited and immediately sold the factory 20's and bought some TRD matte black wheels and stock size Toyo Open Country's... 265/70/17. My limited is Blizzard Pearl and with the black wheels, the rig looks fantastic, but for the front rake... So I called ToyTec and talked to Tanner, who was a really nice guy and patiently answered my questions, but I'd like to get some real world feedback from the forum members here.

There are 3 front adjustable coilovers that are about the same price, Fox, Bilstein and BOSS. All three seem like they will do the job of raising my front end and providing a good ride. Since I have XREAS, I need to repalce the rear shocks too, and Fox sells their 2.0 shock for 0-1inch lift in the rear, so my rear shock will be Fox.

Anyone have opinions or real world advise on which of the 3 front set ups might work best? The runner is basically used as a daily driver, but it will see some time in snow or groomed fire trails etc...no rocks... I guess the big question I have is... are the front Fox coilovers a good set up, or better to go with the Bilstein or BOSS fronts?

Thank you, Nick

This won't answer your questions directly, and I may draw some negative comments on this, but....
Why would you even think about installing 2 different brands of shocks front/rear?
If you decided on Fox rears, why not go with Fox fronts.... this way if paired correctly, the valving should be similar.....

Not suggesting any shock, that's personal preference according to how you want you suspension to perform.

 

[NicksT4R]

Tanner said the Fox rears are valved the same or very similar to the Bilstein fronts.... but I had the same concern... that is essentially why I am asking if there are any negatives to running the Fox front 2.0 set up.

 

[jrandom]

I would heed [MENTION=103267]Saker[/MENTION] 's advice. I am still saving to do my trucks rear suspension so it is still stock, I have Fox CO's on the front and you can "feel" a difference between the two. I would consider sticking with the same line from the same manufacturer.

The only negative would be sending the fox in to get rebuilt as opposed to just buying new shocks

 

[iowanative2001]

Bought my 2015 limited and immediately sold the factory 20's and bought some TRD matte black wheels and stock size Toyo Open Country's... 265/70/17. My limited is Blizzard Pearl and with the black wheels, the rig looks fantastic, but for the front rake... So I called ToyTec and talked to Tanner, who was a really nice guy and patiently answered my questions, but I'd like to get some real world feedback from the forum members here.

There are 3 front adjustable coilovers that are about the same price, Fox, Bilstein and BOSS. All three seem like they will do the job of raising my front end and providing a good ride. Since I have XREAS, I need to repalce the rear shocks too, and Fox sells their 2.0 shock for 0-1inch lift in the rear, so my rear shock will be Fox.

Anyone have opinions or real world advise on which of the 3 front set ups might work best? The runner is basically used as a daily driver, but it will see some time in snow or groomed fire trails etc...no rocks... I guess the big question I have is... are the front Fox coilovers a good set up, or better to go with the Bilstein or BOSS fronts?

Thank you, Nick

The fox setup you are referring to is what I went with. I have approx 2k on the setup and have no complaints. The ride quality is just what I was looking for. Other setups may work better but I would have to suggest getting the same brand/type for sake of when it comes time to rebuild them you are dealing with similar parts and assembly.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[1engineer]

Tanner said the Fox rears are valved the same or very similar to the Bilstein fronts.... but I had the same concern... that is essentially why I am asking if there are any negatives to running the Fox front 2.0 set up.

Personally? Since you do absolutely no off roading I would put some spacers on the front to level it, leave the XREAS suspension and call it a day. You don't "need" to do anything other than spend around $140 for front spacers to level it.

If you listen to the "Tanners" of the world you will have $10K in suspension so you can go to the mall in the rain.

If you really just want to take off a $2K suspension and add a different $2K suspension then that's all good. In reality you really just need to spend a few bucks for spacers.
Just my opinion.

 

[bpwwer]

Nick, I'm with [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] on this. The stock suspension should be just fine for the fire roads around here. I' never had a problem with my 2006 with stock suspension on any of them. Even in Moab, the stock suspension was OK for the mild trails.

For my new 2015 limited, I've been thinking of spacers, at least for a while. Once the XRES has a few 10k's of miles on it, maybe then I'll think of lifting it a bit.

Maybe I'll see you around. If you see a blue limited, it's probably me.

 

[RESQLAB]

the only neg. of the fox 2.0 is the pre-load ring is at the bottom of the coil-over and you must remove the entire coil-over to adjust it (the pre-load ring is also made of plastic if i remember correctly?). really enjoyed the ride of the 2.0 Fox the brief period i had them on my 2015 SR5.. i went to the 2.5 because i wanted to easily adjust pre-load.

sorry, but i disagree with the spacer idea. i'd leave the truck bone stock & live with the rake before i stuck a leveling spacer on it. however, you easily can try it out and see if you like it... most say the ride kind of deteriorates when using them and trucks ive personally ridden in, that seemed to ring true.

however, after remembering you have the xreas system... i think id just do the spacer route before ripping all the xreas out just to lift it... so just ignore have this post! LOL

 

[Jhalko]

I agree with [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] on the spacer, but you would get more level and a better fireroad ride with bilstein's all around (use factory springs) plus the warranty. Im not sure why spend the extra money for fox rears? Also arent they valved differently? Fox is progressive and toytec and bilstein digressive?

In my case i ripped out the "$2k" suspension as i knew i wanted to lift AND offroad more. It was worth every penny as i have been offroad more in the last year than the previous 5 years combined. I love what i have but if you arent doing more than gravel roads its overkill.