About to kick the hornet's nest: FOX 2.0 or Bilstein suspension?

[crwalkerasla]

I am planning on an almost complete overhaul of my H3 and looking for any tips and advice along the way. I've been comparing these 2 setups and am looking for a little input from the H3 family.

Who's used which? Pro's/Cons of each. The costs are basically equal so looking strictly at ride and performance.

What can y'all tell me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[720H]

I dont think the cost is equal Fox are about 30% more. Crawling or up to 25mph trail riding wont be one bit of difference. Would need to be speed running over woops big and small to see the valving. Fox are more rebuildable you could say. Theirs places that sell them that give one free revalve soon after you buy them if you dont like stock would be pro for Fox. Pro for Bilstein when you think its worn out could buy the front or rear for original cost of the Fox

 

[Jeepwalker]

Are you planning a lift?
If not, how about the Delco OEM replacements? They're cheaper and the OEM's were mono-tube shocks, at least for the adventure pkg. The Adventure shocks are stiffer, probably along the lines of the Bilsteins. Heck, maybe Bilstein OEM'd them for GM?? At 188K miles I just had one of mine fail in the rear. Really it was my fault b/c the rear bolts on top came loose and the shock was hammering away over a boulder field. That probably killed it. But the opposite rear 2007 shock feels just as stiff as the new Delco I just put on.

Otherwise, I don't have any experience with Fox so I can't compare them. Bilsteins are good.

 

[crwalkerasla]

The packages I'm looking at include the rear shackles for a 3" lift. I am currently on my 2nd set of Skyjackers with a torsion bar lift. I put the first set on at ~140,000. They lasted 90K before I broke the front passenger. They came with a lifetime warranty, so I had them all replaced at that time.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3325415417...451120&hash=item4d6d053d4e:g:42kAAOSwi91hLnZR

The FOX Kit was basically the same setup, but didn't see it in a quick search.

In regards to the torsion bar lift, I have had an issue with the front pass CV joint knocking if I get the body level. Does anyone know if the new 'Torsion keys' (that many say are snake oil) would prevent this from happening? That is one of the main reasons I am looking at these kits.

 

[fowlken8]

I have bilsteins. This is my 3rd H3. I've had a SAS beast, which didn't feel very nice lol I had fox 2.0 on my last H3 and it felt a little rough.

My current H3 with bilstein suspension rides smoother than any H3 or FJ Cruiser I've had. I don't offroad though.

 

[Happy Hummer]

I've done a bunch of research in the past on shocks for H3. Went with a wide variety to test on two different H3's and found bilstien shocks pretty good.

 

[720H]

In regards to the torsion bar lift, I have had an issue with the front pass CV joint knocking if I get the body level. Does anyone know if the new 'Torsion keys' (that many say are snake oil) would prevent this from happening? That is one of the main reasons I am looking at these kits.

Rule of thumb is dont go any higher than 24.5 inch from center hub to bottom of the fender with a torsion lift or you run into the CV troubles if at that measurement have something else going on. Torsion key justs reclocks the key from stock on the end of the bar. If you can get enough stock not needed. Will have the same twist/lift on the bar but the key will be at a lower angle at the adjuster bolt. Do a body lift for 1 - 1 1/4 inch lift that wont mess with the CV joints if you want higher

 

[amrg]

One guy on fb posted recently 2 pics comparing stock keys wheel travel vs aftermarket. Says the aftermarket allows for a softer ride and results in more wheel travel.
Not sure how that is though
If you want to go above 23.5", adjustable control arms, a diff drop and possibly heim tie rods will be needed.
Mmw does the adjustable arms and when I last contacted them the guy said he is open to doing a heim tie rod for more angles, a diff drop will be custom (I did it and it helped the cv angles)

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[crwalkerasla]

Interesting, I was watching a YouTube article of a couple guys, touting how good the H3 was with just minimal upgrades. The torsion keys & 35's. In that he said that he had owned 2 different H3's. The first was just cranked & the second had the keys & he felt it rode better with the keys as well.

 

[H3Hummer]

Bilsteins 5100 extended series all around and still happy with them since years. My T bars are also cranked to 2.5" max and at rear put 1.5" longer shackels since years. The ride with my 315/75R16 Coopers (35") is fine , would never change again.

 

[JPaul]

I've had both the Bilstien 5100's and the Fox 2.0's. I personally think the Fox shocks run a bit better. I also like the Fox is a inverted shock for the front, slightly less unsprung weight. But that's marginal at best with how heavy the front suspension is in the first place.

To be honest you really can't go wrong either way, they're both well made shocks and are a good budget upgrade.

 

[650Hawk]

Torsion keys do nothing, and anyone who claims added "travel" from keys or torsion cranks has absolutely no idea what they're talking about. Cranking the torsions (or using keys) does nothing to alter the physical travel from full droop to full compression; it only changes where the truck sits at rest within that travel.

As for shocks, I recently went from the stock off-road (adventure) to Fox. While they are a bit stiffer at lower speeds, I really like them so far while off-roading. Downside is that they're not cheap. No experience with the Bilstiens.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Are those rebuildables?

 

[JPaul]

The Fox 2.0 are rebuildable/tuneable to my understanding. The Bilstien 5100's are not.

 

[Nikal]

Regarding the Bilstein shocks. Do you prefer the silver 5100 series or the Yellow 4600 HD series shocks.

 

[Exodus]

there"s always that one guy
I'm partial to KYB's

 

[Bigunit]

there"s always that one guy
I'm partial to KYB's

Could you please post up KYB part #s and specs for the H3/H3T shocks.

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[Exodus]

Could you please post up KYB part #s and specs for the H3/H3T shocks.

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i do not have those,if you know somebody at a parts store that can cross-reference you're good