Fox Factory 2.5 Shocks Review - First Impressions Compared To Stock

I finally bit the bullet and upgraded the wheels, tires, and suspension on my 2019 Tacoma OR LB. I want to share my experiences and impressions of going from stock to this setup with you.

UPGRADES:

FOX Factory Series 2.5 w/dsc + Resi’s all around
JBA Upper Control Arms
ICON Multi Rate WXT Leaf Spring Kit
OEM TRD Pro 17” wheels
Tires - Falken Wildpeak 275/70/r17’s

IMPRESSIONS: TIRES + Wheels

I first had the new wheels and tires installed and got to drive around on them with the stock suspension for a few weeks. This alone definitely improved the ride quality and added about a couple inches of lift. This tire size will rub on occasion though with the stock suspension.

REVIEW - Fox Factory 2.5’s w/DSC + Resi’s

1) Road Handling

My very first impression after driving home from the shop is that the ride quality on the road was massively improved. There was almost zero body roll and the ability to corner at both high and low speeds increased dramatically. I was surprised at how much body roll was reduced even though the truck was lifted 3 inches. The handling is amazing and I am able to take turns on highways I would have had to slow down for easily without breaking. The truck also sails down the highway, eats up little highway whoops, and laughs at rough spots and potholes. The truck now drives like a dream on paved roads.

2) Off-Road Handling

DAY 1 - Schnebly Hill Road Sedona Az

I can say that I definitely put this truck through its paces as I took an old nasty rock covered dirt road from the I-17 in Arizona down into Sedona called Schnebly Hill Road. It’s about 12 miles of very rough road and a popular route for Jeep Tours in the area. I aired down and was nervously excited to see how all these new components might enhance off-road performance. The first thing I noticed is that compared to the stock setup, every thing feels so much more rounded. The hits are no longer jagged and everything is much much smoother. Rocks or holes that would have had me slamming my breaks previously feel like soft inputs in a way that is extremely noticeable. Having the extra clearance is also HUGE! I was able to pass tricked out Jeep’s and move at a much faster pace than when I did this road in the stock Tacoma. Another thing I noticed was that the truck feels as planted in 2WD as stock Taco felt in 4WD. The rear tires never felt ‘slippy and slidy’ like they did in 2WD on dirt trails in the stock Taco and were always very firmly planted and in contact with the road. It was a pretty amazing improvement.

DAY 2 Broken Arrow Trail Sedona Az

Broken Arrow is one of the best off road trails in Arizona…maybe in the Southwest imho. I’d run it many times in my stock Tacoma and frankly it is the kind of trail that makes you realize how bad a$$ a stock Tacoma OR is! That said, with the new tire + wheel + suspension upgrades - the performance improvements were massive. Broken Arrow features some big rock features with steep approach angles both up and down rocky hills. Having the extra clearance was HUGE on this trail and the suspension made it feel like butter. Again…what used to be sharp edges are now far rounder. Even my lovely girlfriend was blown away by the difference as a passenger.

TAKEAWAY:

Listen…stock Tacomas are incredibly capable and are amazing machines that likely get you through all but the gnarliest trails. I have had so many adventures in my stock Tacoma and really put her into some crazy off the grid environments. It is because I do these types of adventures often, that I decided to bite the bullet and drop a bunch of hard earned treasure on my beloved Tacoma. I’ve had the new suspension for about a week and have put about 600 miles…much of that on dirt and rocky trails…on her. The big question I had going into this was will the difference justify the expense? This is such an important thing for each of us to consider, and we will all be able to draw our own conclusions along the way. As for my answer to that question, my answer is a resounding YES. The difference I have experienced thus far has me smiling from ear to ear and it was worth every penny!

I am posting this in hopes that it helps some who might be facing the same conundrums that I was.

Don’t hesitate if you have any questions for me!

✌️
Steve

 

Wow, the truck looks great with the mods. I am getting a new set of 285/70/17 Falken Wildpeak A/T3W for free. I know its a popular size tire with a lift. I would like to keep the suspension stock for now and may sell the set and get the 275/70/17 to keep from excessive rubbing. I was wondering how the transmission is reacting with the larger tires. I have an auto but with the stock tire the RPMs are very low in 5th and 6th. I get a slight vibration at low RPMs just before a downshift at the 40-50mph. Kinda like when you leave a manual transmission in top gear at slow speeds. I don't want to make that worse. It takes away from the driving experience.

 

Longbed for the win.Nice looking Tacoma. Love the trails in Sedona. Great review on the Fox 2.5s.

 

I've done Broken arrow - had a great time. Even ran with another Taco - he was lifted. I am stock. (I had much less drama with my manual gearbox and 2lo mod engaged - it is wonderful in tight quarters in high traction environments as in driving over sedona rock.

I wonder how your set up compares to the pro fox trd product. - I am quite impressed by it. I can make the same comments you state above relative to the other taco trim suspension set-up... - it would be interesting to compare side by side.

The time will come when a call to refurbish or replace. It will be decision time...

I guess that the direct offering of anything would be better than the oem version.

I would go with fox - would need to test drive.

Do you mund sharing the cost of the fox gear you installed?

 

Thank you Steve, that review is just what I needed. I am at that point on whether to pull the trigger on upgrading to the Fox 2.5 w/ adjustable res all around and the ICON RXT Leaf pack plus ICON upper control arms. I just got back from elk hunting and am tired of how hard the ride is in the response the stock suspension is when added weight is part of the trip. I also pull an Off-Road camper (changed to 5.29 gears which helped a ton) and now I will get the new suspension. The stock suspension is as you stated adequate but not exceptional for what some of us do with these rigs. Thank you again for the review, you made my decision a ton easier.

 

I have a 2018 TRD PRO I replaced the fox suspension with this setup. Fox 2.5 Elite resi, Accutune UCA, Icon RXT full leaf and rear u bolt flip kit. Price was $5200, install was $400. Total $5600.

 

Nice! time to get more trails under your belt

 

I know its been a year since you posted this, but hopefully you're still out there. I noticed you had said that you were lifted 3 inches. I was wondering how you were able to get 3 inches out of the Fox 2.5s. I'm at 3 inches on Dobinsons and I love the height, but man they're rough here in AZ.