I got the Fox 2.0 Coilovers installed on the Expedition and they are great just sitting just a touch high. Fox says they’ll settle slightly but I am guessing not enough.
I am up 1” over the Bilsteins they replaced and it had the perfect amount of rake. Now I am sitting pretty level.
The installation book that came with the Coilovers says preload can be adjusted after install which after talking to Fox is not the case. Whole thing has to be removed and the spring compressed.
The Foxes have very little space between the coils so the rentals claw type don’t work well plus I really don’t like that design.
I am going to set my Bilsteins back to factory height in case I ever decide to sell and I have a couple buddies who have asked me to help them lift their trucks so I figure buying a compressor will get some decent use here in the next few month then sell it.

Here is what I am working with


Kind of leaning towards the stand type. I think the top claws will fit my coils just fine.

BestEquip 2.5 Ton Strut Spring Compressor Hydraulic Tool Auto Valve Spring Compressor 14Inch Coil Spring Compressor Set (2.5 Ton) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081..._api_i_8dJAEbHNQYM26

Then there is the Power Built clamp style

Powerbuilt 641429 Tool/Strut https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O..._api_i_KfJAEb1E785TE

The Fork bar type

8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D..._api_i_4gJAEbVMYSNCN

Any thoughts or suggestions

The one I was going to recommend turned out to be $750, so that’s out...

The first one looks like it would do well, and having it on a stand would be convenient, until it’s not in use. The one that fits in a vice I would probably lean toward, as it packs away nicely and seems to be very accommodating to different size springs.

I’m shocked that you cannot change the height of the coils without compressing the springs. That totally sucks. That’s the reason to buy adjustable coilovers.

I’m sure you know, but once you change the ride height, you need to get an alignment done.

Yup. It’s actually at the shop getting an alignment as we speak since I replaced the Coilovers, UCAs, and sway bar endlinks.
I am going to drive it this way for awhile see how much they settle, take it off road a bit, and judge from there whether I am happy leveled off of if I drop it for a little bit of rake.

But figure I would go ahead and get it now as I have to drop the Bilsteins and do my buddies trucks.
And if I decide to drop the foxes I’ll have it.

Does the shop doing the alignment have one? Maybe get a better deal if you're doing your buddy's too.
The other issue, I don't understand why a quality spring would "settle" much if any.
I can't tell in the photos but a threaded spring perch should have a locking ring, like a jamb nut, that should be below the perch so you wouldn't have to remove them to adjust. That defeats the purpose.
Is there one we can''t see above the perch inside the spring?

When rebuilding my Raptor struts, I use, https://www.harborfreight.com/...ompressor-43753.html

It hasn't exploded or bent in the six times I've used it. (Surprising for a Harbor Fright tool)

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Does the shop doing the alignment have one? Maybe get a better deal if you're doing your buddy's too.
The other issue, I don't understand why a quality spring would "settle" much if any.
I can't tell in the photos but a threaded spring perch should have a locking ring, like a jamb nut, that should be below the perch so you wouldn't have to remove them to adjust. That defeats the purpose.
Is there one we can''t see above the perch inside the spring?

Likely so but they are always back logged and can't just drop in with the stuff.
Projects around here get done at a moments notice if time opens up.

Plus it's 25 minutes over and 25 minutes back.

All suspension stuff will generally settle slightly. They go from having zero weight on them to thousands of pounds then under constant flexing.

Not a huge amount of settling but up to a quarter inch is not out of the question.

As for adjusting it installed the instruction booklet clearly says you can but I talked to Fox directly and they said they must be removed. Because I asked if jacking up on the lower control arm provided enough compression and he said no it must be removed. So I am a touch frustrated about that.

phydough may have to give that one a shot since Fox makes yours.

How hard are these things to rebuild? I planned on just sending them out but if it is not silly hard and I have a compressor I figure I may give it a shot.

The stand one seems to be a pretty decent setup for a hobbyist



Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEWz30c3GPw

They aren't terribly hard to rebuild yourself. If you are capable of stripping a Sig P series bare and reassembling it without any leftover parts, you can rebuild those shocks. Add in a couple specialty tools to make or buy. There are some good write ups and videos on the Raptor sites.