Kings or Fox

V

Virgilus11

New member
I have a 16 GX 460 with BP51. I am not willing to put up with the noise another winter and I decided to swap them before cold comes. Spoke with the guys at Wheelers and they have the Fox and the Kings in stock, both with reservoir and compression adjustment.
Reliable and comfort is the key to me. Truck sees 90% highway and 10% gravel roads. Cold and salt is another element that they will be exposed and preferably would like the seals to last three years at list.
My question is to guys that have experience with both or any of the above. What would yo choose and why ??
Thank you, thank yo very much.
 
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They are almost the same performance and longevity. Whichever color and brand you prefer. I think you can customize the valving to your liking with Kings though. Just try to get a deal on whatever you can and prevent them from rusting if possible.
 
KING and Fox are rivals for the number one spot in the offroad world. King is a small company and Fox is a big defense contractor. I'd rather support Brett King and his family.
 
3-years in salt and snow? I'm not sure any coilover can promise to last that long. If you want low/no maintenance perhaps consider a shielded twin tube like Dobinsons or Old Man Emu.
 
I know here in CO we have issues with both. The mag-chloride and overall dusty conditions lead to both having issues (noise and leakage) over time. I grew up in WI and remember what 6 months of salt can do to components. Personally I would be worried about what salt, mag-chloride or other road treatments may do to either.

I know very little about either offering, but I would look at:
How long is the service interval?
How long will it take to rebuild the shocks?
How much is the average rebuild?
 
JSparky said:
3-years in salt and snow? I'm not sure any coilover can promise to last that long. If you want low/no maintenance perhaps consider a shielded twin tube like Dobinsons or Old Man Emu.
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If I was putting my money down, I would go with one of these or another non-rebuildable shock.

Again .. thats just me.
 
Fox's tend to be setup a tad bit softer from the factory, but their lead time is considered horrendous by just about everyone with a pulse.

That said they're both neck and neck for the best shocks out there. And while competitors are pretty friendly about it.

The fox guys gave me a lot of shit about running Kings during Trail of Missions, but that's because the Fox guys were one of the big sponsors. But they still were helpful in helping us tune some of the shocks during the trips despite being a competing brand.
 
I guess common sense has to prevail here. Nitro chargers EMU maybe a better choice reliability wise. I will have to give up some of the gizmos, go for a max 600 lbs spring in the front and hope for the best.
I really appreciate all the help Gents.
 
Have you called ARB? If not - do it. They are replacing a lot of the first manufacturing run of the BP51's with an updated version.
 
LawnDart said:
Fox's tend to be setup a tad bit softer from the factory, but their lead time is considered horrendous by just about everyone with a pulse.
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That was one thing that really pissed me off. Maybe I should have known better, but after all my research I finally pulled the trigger through 4WheelPart (yes, yes everyone hates them, but it was the best deal and I didn't have them install anything). When I ordered them online in mid-June, the website said nothing about a 8 week lead time and led one to believe that they're in stock and ready to ship. I come to find out that they're essentially made to order by FOX and then drop shipped to the customer. I didn't get them until late August ~8 weeks later. They met my expectations and performed well once I got everything installed, but if you're ordering them in advance of a trip you have planned in the near future, be forewarned that unless the dealer states otherwise, you will probably be waiting a while.
 
Jetboy said:
Have you called ARB? If not - do it. They are replacing a lot of the first manufacturing run of the BP51's with an updated version.
Click to expand...

I did and they told me that they don't have a fix. The guy from Seattle told me that they can send me a new set (this would be the fourth shock) but there is no guarantee that the noise is gone. So far I know only one single guy (with similar issues )in NYC that after multiple sets replaced got lucky and he claim no noise. We are still in the middle of the summer and is left to be confirmed when cold is coming. Guys down south don't have this cold related problem. Please don't take this a rant. Maybe I was not lucky. ARB is a great Co and have other fantastic products. These shocks may be some , rush into production mistakes ?.
Thanks to guys like you that are willing to share theirs experience, hopefully I wont repeat my mistake. Maybe I should give up on the fancy shocks (reservoir, multiple adjustments, etc) and stick with a simpler shock for reliability ??
Thank you again for all answers.
 
Virgilus11 said:
I did and they told me that they don't have a fix. The guy from Seattle told me that they can send me a new set (this would be the fourth shock) but there is no guarantee that the noise is gone. So far I know only one single guy (with similar issues )in NYC that after multiple sets replaced got lucky and he claim no noise. We are still in the middle of the summer and is left to be confirmed when cold is coming. Guys down south don't have this cold related problem. Please don't take this a rant. Maybe I was not lucky. ARB is a great Co and have other fantastic products. These shocks may be some , rush into production mistakes ?.
Thanks to guys like you that are willing to share theirs experience, hopefully I wont repeat my mistake. Maybe I should give up on the fancy shocks (reservoir, multiple adjustments, etc) and stick with a simpler shock for reliability ??
Thank you again for all answers.
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Haven't had any issues with my BP-51s but salted winter roads are a different animal to any component on a vehicle.

I lived thru 2 winters in central NY hell for 2 years..saw the damage first hand on my 4th Gen; my solution, I found another job and hauled azz.

Your logic with the nitro chargers sounds solid though...Good luck
 
What about bilstein 6112/5160? They are somewhat fancy but not high end coilovers. I'm currently looking at suspension options and initially thought Kings or Fox, but I really just want a set it and forget it solution as I got sick of my coilovers on my previous vehicles.

I keep going back to the Dobinson options and they seem to be a good choice, or maybe even 5100/Dobinson.
 
arehman11 said:
What about bilstein 6112/5160? They are somewhat fancy but not high end coilovers. I'm currently looking at suspension options and initially thought Kings or Fox, but I really just want a set it and forget it solution as I got sick of my coilovers on my previous vehicles.

I keep going back to the Dobinson options and they seem to be a good choice, or maybe even 5100/Dobinson.
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they are not fancy
 
jron4 said:
I have been reading up on suspension options to better my ride and my head is spinning. :wacko:
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ride handling is subjective. Some people like a firm ride, but other people feel firm=harsh, whereas others like it plush, but then people think plush is floaty/like a boat. Icon/Bilstein run Digressive valving, everyone else runs progressive.


Good luck:hello:

after a week or two of whatever you pick you won't notice it anymore anyways lol.
 
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