Leaf-spring question
It is intriguing that the shocks inside the coil-over springs are designed to be “upside down”.
i would assume that if being inverted were a meaningful factor, they wouldn’t do that.
(shrug)
now to further stir the (debate): Boots or no-boots?
if I flip them around to be mounted “right-side up” then I’m also thinking of adding boots but “modifying” them by cutting open the bottom seal so that moisture and debris would fall out of the boot but the boot would still be there to protect it from FOD.
opinions?
i would assume that if being inverted were a meaningful factor, they wouldn’t do that.
(shrug)
now to further stir the (debate): Boots or no-boots?
if I flip them around to be mounted “right-side up” then I’m also thinking of adding boots but “modifying” them by cutting open the bottom seal so that moisture and debris would fall out of the boot but the boot would still be there to protect it from FOD.
opinions?
fox sells *rooster tails* to protect debris (like rocks) from hitting the piston…they will also say no boots needed and there are plenty that abuse the crap out of their truck and other vehicles and don’t run boots. But as you can see, plenty that don’t *trust* the word of the manufacturer.
Here is the answer to fox 2.0 shaft up or down:
a). Fox installation manual states that for MOST installations, the shock should be mounted body-up/shaft-down. They make no further comment.
b). I contacts Shock Surplus (the smarted shock-specialists that I know of…..you should check em out on YouTube). Their answer is:
”Thanks for reaching out.
They are a monotube design so we prefer to put the shaft side down and the body side up. The shaft can take a beating and still be fine, but even if it is knicked the shock will generally work as normal and often times the wiper seal will polish the imperfection out. If you take a dent to the aluminum body and it distorts the internal bore of the shock to any degree you have a paper weight on your hands. The Fox 2.0 wiper seal design also will be hampered by a boot so I would not recommend adding on, but a roost shield like the one linked below is not a bad idea. Those will protect the rear shocks from debris shot off the front tires, particularly in 4WD, but still allow the wiper seals to easily evacuate any gunk, dirt, or contaminants off the shaft and away from the shock.
https://www.shocksurplus.com/product...803-02-052-kit
Thank you
Sean Bowman
Product Specialist
Shock Surplus”
those two factors in mind, I’m flipping mine over to run “shaft-down”. Just my preference. To each and all, their own.
happy trails.
a). Fox installation manual states that for MOST installations, the shock should be mounted body-up/shaft-down. They make no further comment.
b). I contacts Shock Surplus (the smarted shock-specialists that I know of…..you should check em out on YouTube). Their answer is:
”Thanks for reaching out.
They are a monotube design so we prefer to put the shaft side down and the body side up. The shaft can take a beating and still be fine, but even if it is knicked the shock will generally work as normal and often times the wiper seal will polish the imperfection out. If you take a dent to the aluminum body and it distorts the internal bore of the shock to any degree you have a paper weight on your hands. The Fox 2.0 wiper seal design also will be hampered by a boot so I would not recommend adding on, but a roost shield like the one linked below is not a bad idea. Those will protect the rear shocks from debris shot off the front tires, particularly in 4WD, but still allow the wiper seals to easily evacuate any gunk, dirt, or contaminants off the shaft and away from the shock.
https://www.shocksurplus.com/product...803-02-052-kit
Thank you
Sean Bowman
Product Specialist
Shock Surplus”
those two factors in mind, I’m flipping mine over to run “shaft-down”. Just my preference. To each and all, their own.
happy trails.
It is intriguing that the shocks inside the coil-over springs are designed to be “upside down”.
i would assume that if being inverted were a meaningful factor, they wouldn’t do that.
(shrug)
now to further stir the (debate): Boots or no-boots?
if I flip them around to be mounted “right-side up” then I’m also thinking of adding boots but “modifying” them by cutting open the bottom seal so that moisture and debris would fall out of the boot but the boot would still be there to protect it from FOD.
opinions?
i would assume that if being inverted were a meaningful factor, they wouldn’t do that.
(shrug)
now to further stir the (debate): Boots or no-boots?
if I flip them around to be mounted “right-side up” then I’m also thinking of adding boots but “modifying” them by cutting open the bottom seal so that moisture and debris would fall out of the boot but the boot would still be there to protect it from FOD.
opinions?
Body up or down often depends on type of shocks, 2 tube use an end mounted valve. If mounted upside down will be valving air instead or shock oil. single tube gas filled IFP are tolerant of either mounting position.
Use of boots is users choice. I live in the snow-belt and want to wash off any/all road salt accumulated, and allow simple visual inspection, so no boots or shields. KM









