Alright, dug into it on Father’s Day as my gift from the boys was I could do whatever I want. Plan was to slap this together by lunch and go for a bike ride. Well…things didn’t quite go that way.
Let’s back up here; I’ve done a lot of research and had settled on the Carli Suspension Commuter kit sans rear springs. I was going to get their UCA, but West Coast off road suggested I go for the JBA UCA. So that’s what I did. Well, Carli is a year behind on getting these kits together for my year. So the shop suggested I go for the Fox performance 2.0’s. I had told them that I would like them turned up to compensate for my bumper. It seemed like that message was being ignored. I let it go and thought; I’ll just borrow a spring compressor and zip, zap, zoop.
It was at this point where I thought; ok this might work. I wasn’t super stoked on how the 3/4 readyrod was flexing.
Now comes the part I wasn’t expecting. The collar on the nut sheared off which caused the hex head to lock into the cast. I should’ve just cut them off at that point…but of course I didn’t do that! I fucked with it, swore at it, threw some tools, beat the shit out of one of the compressors and got it off. Then thought, well geeze maybe I can use this one to get the other one off. Nope. I finally cut off the spring compressor with a zip cut after only getting a 1/2” of pre-load adjustment which looks to have given about 1/2” over stock height.
So this is the stock ram coil over with a 2” level block. So essentially the heavier spring causes less sag with the stock shock length. I dig that because it makes installing and uninstalling them a cinch.
Why is that important you ask? Well, if you ‘actually’ want to adjust these adjustable shocks this is what you have to do. But don’t use the over the counter spring compressor. Fox recommends a wall mount unit or similar. So you adjust your pre-load, put it back together, drive it around and let it settle. Measure it and if it’s not where you want it (like in my case where I’m back to stock rake) you pull it all apart and repeat the process until your desired ride height and feel is achieved.
So I was only able to adjust the drivers side since I had to cut my spring compressor. No big deal though. This gives me an opportunity to check the difference in ride height. Always gotta look at the positive side of the experience, despite the swearing and tool throwing. If you look closely in this picture you can see where the spring compressor marred the shit out of the coil. So up here in central BC that will be a rusty looking unit by Feb.
Pretty happy with the look and feel of the UCA’s. I will definitely need an alignment.
So with 1/2” adjustment in pre load I measured 5.5, stock with level was 6 with a bagged out strut.
The passenger side came out at 5” which as mentioned before is the stock height if I recall correct.
So this has been a very educational experience. What did I learn about this? That even after years of reading about these shocks. Until I got my hands on a pair I really didn’t understand what the intended use of this shock is. Which is unfortunate as it doesn’t meet my needs. What worked well? Settling into the fact that I’m going to have to disassemble and reassemble this a few times if I’m going to get these where I want them. And that in the end I may have to go with a different spring.
Those Vevor spring compressors on amazon and looking better and better each day!
I’ve let it settle, and now I need to find a time to pull it apart and bring the shocks into a shop. Have them make a 1.5 and 2” adjustment. I’m math-ing that this will bring me to 6.5 which is what I believe I had with my Levelling kit.
I want to see how it rides like that before I decide to go any higher if I can. I still think that I will end up going for this spring in the long run.
I have the heavy’s on the back and they’re awesome!
Oh, that makes me think of the 2.0’s on the rear. After driving an empty 2023 ram 1500 today at work; my rear end is definitely more plush on bumps. I haven’t had a chance to rally these yet up to some of my favorite paddling spots. That will be the true test.
Cheers W
