I run icon 2.5’s with cdvc resi on my truck and my truck rides great on road, I also have them cranked up a bit.

 

thanks everyone for your response. The three i was looking at where Fox 2.5 DSC , dirt logic 2.5 w/reservoir no CO and Rough Country Vertex which normaly would not compare to the other two but for on road RC might work for my application. More between Fox and RC.

 

Nobody has yet, and while they come really close, nobody probably ever will. That would mean they're perfect.
Suspension as I'm sure you know is always a compromise. You want plush as possible, but to resist bottoming. The speed at which it 'resists' can create rough compression if too slow, or harsh compression if too fast and allowed to blow through its stroke.
As far as spring rate is concerned, running the correct spring rate for your vehicle is key to have the right set up. If you have too stiff springs(or too soft obviously), you need to change 'em. The spring's job is to hold the vehicle up and allow the shock to ride in the proper place in its stroke. That's it
Too soft and the shock will ride lower in its' stroke, and also possibly blow through the stroke, causing a harsh ride. Too stiff, and the shock will ride too high, and not compress into the mid and bottom of its stroke when it should. This can cause a stiff ride
The shock's valving can only do its job correctly, and the only way for you to experience the shock working as it was designed and engineered to do, is if you have the correct spring rate for your vehicle

 

Absolutely agree. Spring rate and valving also depends on what conditions you will be riding in. Obviously on road you can have a softer spring because you want to be able to run through the stroke of the shock. It is unlikely that you would achieve 2600 lbs of force per wheel to compress a 650lb/inch spring through the roughly 4” of travel our f150s have. But you can do that off road.
With a 400 lb/inch spring you only need 1600 lbs of pressure to compress it through its stroke. Hence why the factory uses that spring rate. Great for getting the shock to be able to use its full stroke on road, not so great off road as it bottoms out to easy. Ideally, like you said, the springs main job is really to keep your vehicle body at the same height the entire time while the wheel moves up and down.

None of those numbers are even figuring in how much force you need to apply to compress the piston and move the oil through the valves. Which I also agree, the valving is definitely more important here if your spring is of proper strength.

But ultimately, both springs and valving need to help each other achieve the full stroke of the shock for the conditions you will be riding in. The fox 2.5” are a great compromise shock that is more off road biased from factory. The 2.0 is a great compromise shock that is more on road biased from factory. You can change the valving/spring fairly cheaply and make either one do whatever you want and do it well.

 

I'm running the Fox 2.5's with DSC up front on my truck. I would say they are pretty darn good and I've had them on some rough roads. But, I haven't tried the others to provide a comparison.

I think they are all pretty darn good and you can't go wrong with Icon.

 

* Note that I am not sufficiently knowledgeable to recommend - I'm just sharing info:

RC has temporarily removed their lifted strut kits from sale because - tomorrow or Saturday - they are going to re-release them with SPRINGS installed.

Search p/n 55723

 

Probably new springs as they have springs now but were having trouble With 2wd spring rate and height adjustment.

 

Greetings -
I just wanted to chime in as I am in search for the similar things. I am SERIOUSLY considering he RC Vertex. They are not rebuildable but do offer 3 year warranty. (I did not read fine print yet) for any gotchas. I do not do any off roading and it would be rare. I have a 6" ProComp lift on my 15 4x4 SCREW. However I have the OEM shocks with spacers (grrrrr).

I want something that will make the truck ride better on the roads and commutes and the adjustable dampening will make that happen. Additionally, the piggy back reservoirs for the rear are also adjustable. With that said I can spend the $ on the front and rear Vertex setup and I think i would be just fine and obtain the results I am looking for.

Fox - yes very nice! Very expensive and that would be something I would want and not necessarily "need".

I hit up rough country on the live chat and asked if any sales / promo codes etc are available and they of course said no. The answered any and every question I had at the time so I am getting a taste of the customer service might be good.


Anyhow my research continues before I pull the trigger I am not in a huge rush but want to make an informed decision of what my "needs" are. I would like to hear from someone that has the Vertex for a year or two to report back on how they feel with their choice.

 

The vertex are kind of new so I dougbt you will find someone that is able to give you a 2 year report. if you do find
Someone most likely they will only have 6 months to a year report. If you do a search hear on this forum of Vertex RC shocks you will find several who will be able to give you some reports. I pulled the trigger on the fox DSC however they are a 2 month wait and have yet to recieve any shipping info 2 weeks in. Contemplating cancelling to get the vertex.

 

Yes, I am aware they are too new. But as I mentioned I am not in a rush... I can probably get the rears with out delay.

Or just take a chance myself on front AND rear.

If I was in the dunes or constantly off road I would lean towards fox even more. But for day to day commute and maybe light off road or the beach then vertex may meet my needs. The price point makes it attractive but to your point they are "too new"

If I were serious about off road then I am sure a new front drive shaft may be in order. As lift kits only provide a spacer to extend the front drive shaft. (Some do).

Which to me means "no serious off roading" if a spacer is in the drive shaft.

Anyhow I digressed..
😁