Fox suspension?

[67GP]

I debated the basic bilstein setup with trd spring but after thinking about it and talking to folks I wanted to go one step higher. The 2.5 non-reservoir Radflo seemed like a nicely built option for how ill use my truck. I'm also doing cam burg UCAs so I'm getting the longer travel front shocks.

I just had my Radflo 2.5 non reservoir installed last week. Also running Camburg UCA's (waited 4 weeks for those). On my 2013 Trail w KDSS it is a vast improvement over stock. Truck now handles so much better. I came from 2003 Sport w/ xreas and the new ride was way too soft w/ corner roll and highly annoying brake dive. No more. Only took new suspension 4 wheeling once so far and didn't notice huge difference there but it was rough rock embedded mountain road at slow speeds. The suspension is supposed to shine in more high speed desert style driving but haven't had opportunity for that yet. I am so happy w/ on road improvement that it is already worth the expense. Still on factory tires 255/80/17 Cooper ST/Maxx will be delivered tomorrow. Radflo is also progressive valving and off road racing heritage.--Dave

 

[sandcrawler]

i've got ICON all around on my KDSS Trail and can say it is a big improvement over stock: much more controlled; zero wallowing after a hit—near instant recovery; less jarring on road bumps. overall i'd best describe it as "confidently controlled but not at all harsh". i felt the hits much, much more with the OEM suspension. the body now feels much better isolated from what's going on below.

i've never driven a 4Runner with a progressive-valved suspension like Fox or King, but i can appreciate how it may feel more "plush" as opposed to the "sporty" feel (for lack of a better term) of the digressive ICON gear. i'd like to drive one, but i wouldn't go so far as to say that one is "better" than the other; better for you, maybe. to say that one "should avoid a digressive setup on a KDSS model" seems like a bridge way too far to me. plenty of happy campers to the contrary on this forum.

i hesitate to chime in on this kind of thing b/c its so subjective, but i'll just toss out there for the (few) hardcore digressive haters that the Bilstein suspension on the new TRD Pro is digressive valved. not saying it's better. just noting that's what it is; "softer" springs, digressive shocks.

 

[Silvr Bullet]

i've got ICON all around on my KDSS Trail and can say it is a big improvement over stock: much more controlled; zero wallowing after a hit—near instant recovery; less jarring on road bumps. overall i'd best describe it as "confidently controlled but not at all harsh". i felt the hits much, much more with the OEM suspension. the body now feels much better isolated from what's going on below.

i've never driven a 4Runner with a progressive-valved suspension like Fox or King, but i can appreciate how it may feel more "plush" as opposed to the "sporty" feel (for lack of a better term) of the digressive ICON gear. i'd like to drive one, but i wouldn't go so far as to say that one is "better" than the other; better for you, maybe. to say that one "should avoid a digressive setup on a KDSS model" seems like a bridge way too far to me. plenty of happy campers to the contrary on this forum.

i hesitate to chime in on this kind of thing b/c its so subjective, but i'll just toss out there for the (few) hardcore digressive haters that the Bilstein suspension on the new TRD Pro is digressive valved. not saying it's better. just noting that's what it is; "softer" springs, digressive shocks.

All feedback is great feedback in my opinion, thanks for sharing and giving more in site on the subject. So are all Bilsteins digressive? I have the toytec ultimate 3, and feel that it's soft which is why I'm looking for a switch.

 

[Silvr Bullet]

I should add, I did look at and study all of the alternatives for literally 4 months. I was first set on Icons simply because of all the great things I had heard about them, studied more, was keen a set of Radflo, read some more and it evolved to Kings, read more hmm Fox.

I called Toytec with the intention to buy a set of adjustable dampening Kings, he gave me the price of the Fox w/ dsc. They were nearly the same price so I opted to go with more adjustable Fox setup.

How does your set up ride off and on road?

 

[sandcrawler]

All feedback is great feedback in my opinion, thanks for sharing and giving more in site on the subject. So are all Bilsteins digressive? I have the toytec ultimate 3, and feel that it's soft which is why I'm looking for a switch.

i'm not certain that ALL Bilsteins are digressive, but i believe the 51XX series for Toyota applications is digressive valved. someone please correct me if i'm mistaken.

 

[jrandom]

How does your set up ride off and on road?

For what it is worth, on road fantastic. In fact I was just out driving the Alpine Loop today, it has quite a few banked switchbacks. Where my stock suspension the traction control would kick in on in pavement when I just started to get that nice little bit of traction slide when your tires are grabbing the best they will before letting loose, it did not with the upgraded suspension. Offroad I haven't had the chance to go very fast, so I can't speak to how they handle aggressive compression. What little I have done with them they track really well ride as well as on road. Regardless of what brand/style you choose do I think you will come out ahead.

The stock suspension I think is a decent setup (apart from the horrendous nose dive) for what it is and for what most people do and that is drive on the road, which I believe is why it was designed as such. As soon as you start adding weight here and there the dynamics of stock are going to change far more drastically, hence upgrade, and well of course application specific is also a major factor.

i hesitate to chime in on this kind of thing b/c its so subjective, but i'll just toss out there for the (few) hardcore digressive haters that the Bilstein suspension on the new TRD Pro is digressive valved. not saying it's better. just noting that's what it is; "softer" springs, digressive shocks.

My feelings too, I do think with enough input you can draw out some decent conclusions.

 

[ChrisKimmelshue]

I'm installing my Fox setup later today. I'll report back on my findings.

 

[sandcrawler]

awww yissss! :naughty:

 

[kpd1999]

I'm installing my Fox setup later today. I'll report back on my findings.

Well.....? Update please!

 

[ChrisKimmelshue]

Well.....? Update please!

Installed. Install was straightforward. I'm level now, frame to ground.

I haven't had a ton of time to test drive it, but initial impressions from a quick trip are:

-firmer than stock, but not harsh.
-better damping than stock (obviously)
-steering feels improved with more caster
-spring rate is spot on (600#) for my needs

 

[joneseyyy]

As someone who has a ton of money into an Icon setup, if I were starting over I'd take a much harder look at Fox. For the very high end of performance I think progressive ends up better for controlling travel on our limited stock travel/mid travel. I control for that by running bypasses. That being said you can run superior Fox Triples for the same $$$ as Icon doubles. I've also had some crappy experiences lately with Icon service; I'm pretty easygoing, but they we're flat out rude about fixing their own mistakes.

This hasn't always been my stance obviously, but over time you wheel more, learn more, and experience more, so that's the place I'm coming from.

 

[Silvr Bullet]

Installed. Install was straightforward. I'm level now, frame to ground.

I haven't had a ton of time to test drive it, but initial impressions from a quick trip are:

-firmer than stock, but not harsh.
-better damping than stock (obviously)
-steering feels improved with more caster
-spring rate is spot on (600#) for my needs

That's one hell of a setup!! Very nice!!!

 

[Silvr Bullet]

As someone who has a ton of money into an Icon setup, if I were starting over I'd take a much harder look at Fox. For the very high end of performance I think progressive ends up better for controlling travel on our limited stock travel/mid travel. I control for that by running bypasses. That being said you can run superior Fox Triples for the same $$$ as Icon doubles. I've also had some crappy experiences lately with Icon service; I'm pretty easygoing, but they we're flat out rude about fixing their own mistakes.

This hasn't always been my stance obviously, but over time you wheel more, learn more, and experience more, so that's the place I'm coming from.

I was wondering if you would put your opinion out there, we met at overland east, I work with outbreak. I've seen your setup in person and it doesn't get much better. What don't you like about your setup?

 

[ChrisKimmelshue]

Further impressions:

-brake dive is significantly reduced
-squat (under acceleration, for example) is also reduced
-it feels sportier in every way - handling is improved
-the leveled stance is how they should come from the factory
-Fox's customer service is great, I spent a while on the phone before ordering to ask detailed questions

 

[JSparky]

I'm installing my Fox setup later today. I'll report back on my findings.

I like your style.. what rear springs did you go with? I went radflo, estimating the 20% increase in spring rate will work well for my application. My experience driving it today is similar to yours, most noticeable thing to me is the increase in brake feel via reduced nose-dive.. Still need to properly put it through its paces.

 

[ChrisKimmelshue]

I like your style.. what rear springs did you go with? I went radflo, estimating the 20% increase in spring rate will work well for my application. My experience driving it today is similar to yours, most noticeable thing to me is the increase in brake feel via reduced nose-dive.. Still need to properly put it through its paces.

I stayed with the stock rear springs, and stock sized (265/70) tires. I have no intentions of taller tires, yet.

 

[JSparky]

I stayed with the stock rear springs, and stock sized (265/70) tires. I have no intentions of taller tires, yet.

Cool, makes sense.

 

[ChrisKimmelshue]

Cool, makes sense.

I went with 2.5" rear Fox dampers, so it did stiffen up a bit out back.

 

[sn_85]

I'm installing my Fox setup later today. I'll report back on my findings.

Nice. Did you go with 2.0'" or 2.5" for the rear shock diameter?

 

[JSparky]

I went with 2.5" rear Fox dampers, so it did stiffen up a bit out back.

I saw that, they look substantially bigger than my 2.0's. I figure I'll start with these and then move up if I find them fading.. we'll see. Yours look mean though.