Fox 2.0 Install

[Dante's Taco]

EDIT: The install write up is post #32 on page 4

Hi! well, it soon begins. This came today:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2047.jpg

I might be missing a few things (hose clamps, 1 spanner, a few washers) but I'll check with AllPro if they are deal-breakers or not.

I have a buddy who is a mechanic; has his own shop now out by Rimby. Nice big Quonset, with a full lift & he bought out a garage, so lots of tools. But before I go there, I thought I'd ask a few detail-type questions, so I can sort of pretend like I know what I am doing.

The document on the All-Pro site (although it says it's for 2005+ Tacoma - looks like an FJ instruction manual)is 10 pages long and I'm not finding it very useful. The Fox shock they show looks completely different, and on that doc, they are mounting the reservoir above ?? the upper shock mount. seems like a bad idea - like the UCA would swing up & hit it. I looked on other sites, and saw guys trucks with the reservoir off to the front of the wheel well.

So, first question: for anyone who has the FOX Coilovers on their front: Where did you exactly mount the reservoir bracket?

I think it goes here, under the sway-bar bushing, cause the holes in the bracket are exactly the same width apart:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2048.jpg

So, if it was mounted there, the reservoir would be safe from the UCA coming up & smashing it. This is not what the document on the AllPro site shows though. This is what it would look like, and then you'd mount the reservoir to it with the stainless hose clamps, right?

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2049.jpg

So one to Question # two: the lower shock mount has these steel or aluminium tubes (eyelets?) that came zip tied to the lower shock. One side is longer than the other. you can see it here:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2051.jpg

This is kinda messing me up. I don't know why they aren't even lengths in the first place, so if it's important they be specifically on one side of the lower mount, That would be good to know. But the thing is - when I lay then out side by side, the longer protrusion is on the same side. This seems wrong - since they go on opposite side of the rig, shouldn't they be mirror images of each other?

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2050.jpg

So when just hand-held roughly in place, the longer piece on each lower shock is facing the opposite way on each side of the truck. Is that normal?

Finally: Did you guys reuse the three Toyota OEM upper shock mount bolts, to attach your new FOX's?

If anyone can take a look on their rig / chime in / send a pic, I'd love it, as the more info I have going into the install, the better.

Thanks

Geoff

[kigi]

I have no idea but there is a pic in this post

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/20135-fox-racing-suspension.html

[Dante's Taco]

Thanks, that confirms where to mount the shock reservoir.

Now just 2 questions left

[freeze]

Hey Geoff. I had a look at my set up an it uses the sway bar bolt (which I don't run anymore) for the resi mount. As for the shocks the resivoir points forward and thenfox logo on the top play faces out. Perhaps your able to rotate the alignment spacer? I believe I used the old Toyota hardware for the top plate.

Also send Sarah and email or phone call to get her input as I'm not sure if there are differences with the 2.0's and what I'm running.

[Dante's Taco]

Thanks for confirming that. It's looking like I can probably just go ahead with install with it as shipped. I was worried about missing the three upper shock bolts, but if I'm just using the original hardware, then that's great.

G

[Krazie Sj]

Near Rimbey? Where exactly. I work in Rimbey. :D

[Spooky08]

I don't know if you know already but the spacers on the bottom eyelet can be switched around, hence the ziptie !

[Dante's Taco]

Thanks Will - didn't know that yet. Can I ask then, so the longer length of the spacer - when installed properly, which way is it facing relative to the truck - front or back?

G

[Spooky08]

its hard to say as i have a different setup then yours, but i would assume that when you mount the shocks the spacers are meant to offset something otherwise they would be equal length, i guess what you could do is install them and see if you have any clearance issues, like the cv shafts or upper control arms and switch the spacers front to back or back to front? sorry im not much help but that's what i would do !

[Dante's Taco]

Near Rimbey? Where exactly. I work in Rimbey. :D

Sorry for the delay, Krazie Sj - was AFKB while took the kids to Telus World of Science today.

He runs a shop called "Cody's Country Service"; it's out by Rimbey, it's on family land, and I'll need him to give me his coords again, since my last GPS is Gone gone gone. If we have a date for the install set up, you want to tag along?

Geoff

[Dante's Taco]

Well, I got a reply from All Pro today - man are they fast!

Here it is:


Geoff,


The install for both 05+ Tacomas and FJ Cruisers you will find is about identical. Please refer to the tech info. on the website for installation. This install should be a breeze for a competent mechanic. From the photo it looks as if you are missing mounting hardware for the upper mount (factory bolt is retained for bottom of shock) and the poly bushings/hose clamps for the reservoir. The spanner is shown in the photo? I will get these parts in transit a.s.a.p. at your request or you can source locally to save time and I can possibly use the amount towards store credit or a refund. Which ever you decide.



Jack Hughes

All-Pro Sales Rep.

So, I asked him to ship out the missing stuff. I know I can get the hose clamp, etc. locally, but what the heck is exactly required in terms of missing mounting hardware for upper shock?? eeek. That doesn't sound good. Better to just let the boys at All Pro do their thing. Sucks that there is a delay, but for this price, better do it right the first time, eh?

Geoff

[the_kernel114]

the spacers on the lower mount are there to provide clearence for the front cv axle.

[City_Rider]

the spacers on the lower mount are there to provide clearence for the front cv axle.

Spacing it which way? out towards the front of the vehicle away from the CV I imagine?

The issue I am having now is the clearance of the shock hose hardware coming out of shock and hitting the UCA... any suggestions? Can I rotate the hose around for clearance?

[874runnersr5]

Spacing it which way? out towards the front of the vehicle away from the CV I imagine?

The issue I am having now is the clearance of the shock hose hardware coming out of shock and hitting the UCA... any suggestions? Can I rotate the hose around for clearance?

you mean "we" are ;)

[City_Rider]

you mean "we" are ;)

Ya well, I think we fixed our clearance issue, now my concern is the oil that seeped out while I had to move the fracking fitting.

This lift is not playing nice...

[874runnersr5]

Ya well, I think we fixed our clearance issue, now my concern is the oil that seeped out while I had to move the fracking fitting.

This lift is not playing nice...



You should donate them to me buddy

[City_Rider]

You should donate them to me buddy

Yea, Yea, I'll get right on it... :P

Looks like I need a fluid change on one of my shocks, I love this s###...

AND - I need a second spanner wrench too, only received one. Will be contacting all-pro soon...

They really need to upgrade their instructions, the s### Fox sends is useless (relating to warranty info pretty much)

[874runnersr5]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs086.ash2/37645_10150249054515377_754085376_13723188_7415546 _n.jpg

:D

[Spooky08]

Yeah I only got one spanner wrench as well weird, hey I noticed you have your shocks mounted on the wrong side ... Maybe that's why you had trouble with the connection interference with your upper control arm, i believe the resi connection on the shock bodies should be towards the front of the truck ... Any trouble mounting the resis to the resi brackets ?

[the_kernel114]

why do you need 2 spanner wrench's?

[Dante's Taco]

Re: spanners - There's 2 sizes of large adjuster nuts on the coil body, for adjusting pre-load.

The spanner I got is definitely for the large nut, based on the inner radius of the wrench matched up to the large nut. It does not fit well on the upper (smaller) nut. As well, the pic on the website shows 2 diff size spanners. But I'm thinking the harder nut to turn is the big one - the little is for locking in position once adjustment is complete.

re: mounting - from the All-Pro instructions:
"On reservoir models the angled hose fitting needs to be pointing to the same direction as the offset on the top mount. This
offset will pull the shock back and away form the sway bar and avoid the need for sway bar relocation brackets."



G

[City_Rider]

Re: spanners - There's 2 sizes of large adjuster nuts on the coil body, for adjusting pre-load.

The spanner I got looks like it is for the large nut. I'm not sure if it will work for the smaller nut. The pic on the website shows 2 diff size spanners.

re: mounting - from the All-Pro instructions:
"On reservoir models the angled hose fitting needs to be pointing to the same direction as the offset on the top mount. This
offset will pull the shock back and away form the sway bar and avoid the need for sway bar relocation brackets."

G

Ya, I removed the swaybar and so that's not a problem, just the hose orientation coming out of the shock body. Fittings are too large (in my opinion) and interfere with the UCA if it's pointed straight down.

[City_Rider]

Yeah I only got one spanner wrench as well weird, hey I noticed you have your shocks mounted on the wrong side ... Maybe that's why you had trouble with the connection interference with your upper control arm, i believe the resi connection on the shock bodies should be towards the front of the truck ... Any trouble mounting the resis to the resi brackets ?

If the resi connection is on the front of the truck it interferes with the shock hoop, I would have to take a good section out to get it to fit... (once again fittings seem to big).

It would appear the only way for it to sit back into the upper shock mount properly is for the resi connection to be on the back (where there is apparently more room in the upper shock mount).

[Dante's Taco]

Re: putting the resi fitting facing the back:
Wow that is weird, as that is completely not what the instructions imply.

Will - is that what you meant by you thought he had the shocks in on the wrong side? I wasn't quite sure what you meant.

I guess I'm going to have to wait & see what all install hardware gets shipped out, and then when we do the install, hope my resi hose bracket clears the UCA

If not, how adjustable is it before oil seeps out?

Edit: maybe some of the clearance issues are the difference between the 2.5 & 2.0, and the 05+ Taco, and the 3rd gen 4-Runner parts??

[oriontaco]

Re: putting the resi fitting facing the back:
Wow that is weird, as that is completely not what the instructions imply.

Will - is that what you meant by you thought he had the shocks in on the wrong side? I wasn't quite sure what you meant.

I guess I'm going to have to wait & see what all install hardware gets shipped out, and then when we do the install, hope my resi hose bracket clears the UCA

If not, how adjustable is it before oil seeps out?

Edit: maybe some of the clearance issues are the difference between the 2.5 & 2.0, and the 05+ Taco, and the 3rd gen 4-Runner parts??


The fit for the 2.0 on our trucks is perfect as the kit was built around the 05+. The 2.5 in to Davids 4Runner, i would say mods may be needed as the 2.5 is maybe a year old and the Runner is older then that.

Also I have the 2 spanner wrenches for the 2.0 so if you need one let me know.

[874runnersr5]

If not, how adjustable is it before oil seeps out?



Maybe 3/4 of a turn i think when it started leaking

[City_Rider]

Maybe 3/4 of a turn i think when it started leaking

if that... it's kinda tricky but a mallet got it move around, not just to figure out if I put the coilover on the wrong side...

I don't think so but ya never know!

[City_Rider]

Re: putting the resi fitting facing the back:
Wow that is weird, as that is completely not what the instructions imply.

Will - is that what you meant by you thought he had the shocks in on the wrong side? I wasn't quite sure what you meant.

I guess I'm going to have to wait & see what all install hardware gets shipped out, and then when we do the install, hope my resi hose bracket clears the UCA

If not, how adjustable is it before oil seeps out?

Edit: maybe some of the clearance issues are the difference between the 2.5 & 2.0, and the 05+ Taco, and the 3rd gen 4-Runner parts??

Bingo - I think your install will be much easier as the clearance issues are quite small and the Taco is larger in ever facet. Check what size coil you have (mine is 1400L / 300D/ 600#) as I believe it's just the inner shock body size that is changed from 2.0 to the 2.5.

Sorry to threadjack on you Geoff, I was excited about my fox stuff and just rolled it into your thread... =S

[874runnersr5]

psssssssssst. david


http://www.toyotaholics.com/support/files/Scotty/20100725153806_012.JPG

[91Runner]

Pssst Antonio.. Thats a TG front axle ;)

[Dante's Taco]

Bingo - I think your install will be much easier as the clearance issues are quite small and the Taco is larger in ever facet. Check what size coil you have (mine is 1400L / 300D/ 600#) as I believe it's just the inner shock body size that is changed from 2.0 to the 2.5.

Sorry to threadjack on you Geoff, I was excited about my fox stuff and just rolled it into your thread... =S

Hey no worries, David - I never thought of you threadjacking at all. The more Fox Talk the better.

My Eibachs say 1400.250.0650.0S. So, IIRC, that means:

1400 = 14" spring length
250 = 2.5 inch internal diameter
650 = weight rating: 650 lb.inch

So it looks like they do in fact use a smaller 2.5" ID spring on the 2.0, than your 3" ID springs on the 2.5 shocks

I'm sure this will be one of the reasons why Chris noted that the Fox 2.0 apparently fit clean in the 05+ Tacos.

Cheers

Geoff

[Dante's Taco]

I actually have been running them since last Tuesday; just was a little slow getting the pics up.

First, a big thanks to Jack @ All Pro for getting parts out & answering questions via email so fast.
Here's what I was missing in the order. I still don't have the small spanner, but I just used a chisel & tap hammer to loosen & tighten the top retaining ring on the shock body once it's loose it turns by hand anyway.:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2063.jpg

This is the last time the front will look like this. We pulled off the AlPro IFS & Tranny Skid plate before starting, so be able to see everything better (& to fix my screw-up where I snapped off a 12 mm mounting bolt in the frame this spring) Start by spraying some penetrating oil on the three OEM CO mounting nuts - on my rig they were NOT fun to get loose - especially the back one:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2080.jpg

Remove the sway bar once the sway bar link is also removed:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2085.jpg

Removing sway bar linkage:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2084.jpg

Off comes the tie rod (A good whack with a hammer & it comes out once the castle nut is off:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2086.jpg

Then it should look like this:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2082.jpg

Leftovers:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2088.jpg

Sway bar off-set spacers give clearance so CO don't rub; and the reservoir bracket mounts here as well:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2089.jpg

The new CO go in. As dialled in from the factory, I got about 1.25" of front lift, which almost levelled the truck) - so we didn't have to turn the adjustment rings much at all. Off-set spacer was positioned so the shock is closer to the front axle, and farther away from sway bar.
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2090.jpg

Top of CO gets bolted in from top; uses factory holes but NOT the factory mounting bolts which are stuck in the OEM shock mount. We had to dig up our own bolts. I used lock-washers & flat washer; hand tighten. Notice I routed the reservoir braided hose under the UCA; hope that is OK - I don't think it has enough travel to actually come down tight against the coil & sever the hose - does it?
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2091.jpg

After you wrestle the bottom mount into the channel (you'll need to tap it with a hammer a bit to get the off-set spacers in the channel); re-install sway-bar & tie rod Here's a couple of views:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2093.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2095.jpg

Installing the Front Timbren bump-stops:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2094.jpg

Another view:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2097.jpg

This is how the truck sits now:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/Fox%2020%20coilovers/IMG_2099.jpg

I'm letting it all level / shake out, then I'll re-adjust to final (for now) height. After I replace rear susp, obviously will have to re-adjust again.

cheers!

[Tacorossa]

Great writeup. Your truck looks good leveled out. So how's the ride compared to stock?

[Dante's Taco]

Thanks

I'm running the adjustable resi at setting #1, which Jack at All Pro tells me is the softest. It seems to have a lot more ability to absorb & dampen out impacts from things like speed bumps :D & curbs. I haven't gone wheeling yet, but the on-road handling is great. NO vibes or weird sounds at highway speeds (I won't say just how fast, but trust me, fast)

I forgot to mention - we used my friends old Bear 4WD alignment machine after the install - very little changed with the install in terms of values - I'm still within specified range. The printer was jammed, so I didn't get a print out of values to share with you though.

This is pretty much a "stealth" lift, as it doesn't really stand out as lifted currently - but the nice thing is being adjustable, these CO can grow with me as I continue to mod the truck.

D

[Doc McCoy]

Nice writeup!

[freeze]

wow.... Geoff you have some amazing write ups! Hope to have you out on the trails soon and get those coils broken in a bit :D