Foutz Rear Shock Gaurds for FRS 3.2 Installed

[kirkb]

Just installed the new Foutz Rear Shock Guards for Fox Race Series 3.2.

Good thing too, because the stock rubber boots were holding water and there is already pitting on some hard parts from a few rips through the desert.

 

[OCGen3]

That's a really good heads up. Did you pull the boots, how did you find out they were holding water?

 

[Relentles0ne]

Just installed the new Foutz Rear Shock Guards for Fox Race Series 3.2.

Good thing too, because the stock rubber boots were holding water and there is already pitting on some hard parts from a few rips through the desert.

View attachment 488750

How do you like the 3.2 setup? You running anything else like top hats or bumps ?

 

[kirkb]

How do you like the 3.2 setup? You running anything else like top hats or bumps ?

They are really nice, especially noticeable at high speed in the desert. Very smooth ride and eats up the larger hits and g outs very well.

I had SDI top hats with the stock shocks, but the FRS does not use them, has its own mounting system built in. I did have SVC bumps installed at the same time as the FRS.

 

[Relentles0ne]

They are really nice, especially noticeable at high speed in the desert. Very smooth ride and eats up the larger hits and g outs very well.

I had SDI top hats with the stock shocks, but the FRS does not use them, has its own mounting system built in. I did have SVC bumps installed at the same time as the FRS.

Im glad you mentioned that, I had heard that you can use SDI top hats with the 3.2 shocks, what version Raptor are you running? 35” or 37”s ?

I have a ‘24 801a on 35s so I bought sdi top hats and 1” rpg spacers for the rear to get it leveled and high enough to fit 37s on. But I’m worried if I switch to the 3.2s will I have enough clearance for 37s? I heard the 3.2s only lift about 1/2” all around.

 

[taquitos]

Im glad you mentioned that, I had heard that you can use SDI top hats with the 3.2 shocks, what version Raptor are you running? 35” or 37”s ?

I have a ‘24 801a on 35s so I bought sdi top hats and 1” rpg spacers for the rear to get it leveled and high enough to fit 37s on. But I’m worried if I switch to the 3.2s will I have enough clearance for 37s? I heard the 3.2s only lift about 1/2” all around.

Whoever said you can run top hats with 3.2s is crazy. Top hats are essentially part of the shock and you are replacing the whole shock. Think about it, top hats constrain the spring on the stock shocks. The springs are already constrained on aftermarket shocks so no way for them to fit on.

Clearing larger tires is not about lifting the truck. Let’s say you’ve got it lifted an inch. As soon as you compress it an inch your wheel clearance is the exact same as it would be without the lift. So a lift only clears larger tires going to Starbucks. What clearing larger tires is really about is increasing wheel clearance at full compression. That’s what bump stop spacers do. The 3.2 front shocks are really 37 shocks. They have the same travel as a 37 shock so you get the same wheel clearance at full compression. The rears do no do that on their own. Anyway, if you’re tires clear now they will clear with 3.2s.

 

[Relentles0ne]

Whoever said you can run top hats with 3.2s is crazy. Top hats are essentially part of the shock and you are replacing the whole shock. Think about it, top hats constrain the spring on the stock shocks. The springs are already constrained on aftermarket shocks so no way for them to fit on.

Clearing larger tires is not about lifting the truck. Let’s say you’ve got it lifted an inch. As soon as you compress it an inch your wheel clearance is the exact same as it would be without the lift. So a lift only clears larger tires going to Starbucks. What clearing larger tires is really about is increasing wheel clearance at full compression. That’s what bump stop spacers do. The 3.2 front shocks are really 37 shocks. They have the same travel as a 37 shock so you get the same wheel clearance at full compression. The rears do no do that on their own. Anyway, if you’re tires clear now they will clear with 3.2s.

@taquitos I appreciate the response, and apologize for a typo in my initial comment. I meant to say ‘I had heard you “can’t” use top hats with 3.2’s…’

Im aware of how suspension works from a basic standpoint but my question remains around the best approach for 801a owners who are on 35s to have enough clearing to not have rubbing. For instance, myself (I have 17” Vossen HF6-4s 0 offset) my plans are to put on 37” Mickey Thompsons after I wear through my 35s. While I don’t have immediate plans for off-roading hence why I first went with sdi top hats and rear spacers.
Down the road I want to have more Offroad capability and would love to upgrade to Fox 3.2s. I’m concerned that those alone wouldn’t be enough to prevent rubbing on 37s. maybe they are I just haven’t had anyone confirm.

Hope this helps clarify and also helps some others who may be wanting to do the same with their 801a’s down the road.

Should I/we look at spacers? Like Index’s bump stop spacers or something more Significant to help safely maneuver the larger tire?
Welcome the thoughts and ideas!

 

[taquitos]

@taquitos I appreciate the response, and apologize for a typo in my initial comment. I meant to say ‘I had heard you “can’t” use top hats with 3.2’s…’

Im aware of how suspension works from a basic standpoint but my question remains around the best approach for 801a owners who are on 35s to have enough clearing to not have rubbing. For instance, myself (I have 17” Vossen HF6-4s 0 offset) my plans are to put on 37” Mickey Thompsons after I wear through my 35s. While I don’t have immediate plans for off-roading hence why I first went with sdi top hats and rear spacers.
Down the road I want to have more Offroad capability and would love to upgrade to Fox 3.2s. I’m concerned that those alone wouldn’t be enough to prevent rubbing on 37s. maybe they are I just haven’t had anyone confirm.

Hope this helps clarify and also helps some others who may be wanting to do the same with their 801a’s down the road.

Should I/we look at spacers? Like Index’s bump stop spacers or something more Significant to help safely maneuver the larger tire?
Welcome the thoughts and ideas!

That makes more sense haha. I would hope no one is out there recommending using top hats with 3.2s.

Wheel wells are identical between 35 and 37 trucks. The only difference in clearance is due to 37 trucks having an inch less travel. The 3.2 front shocks will do that for you on their own so there’d be nothing else to worry about if you slapped those on. Honestly without off roading the truck it’s really hard to use the last inch or travel anyway so if I was you I wouldn’t be too concerned. The rear has the least clearance when articulated and fully compressed on one side which is also rare on the street. When you do get around to off roading the truck, bump stop spacers are a good safety net. With those and a 0.5” lift spacer you’d be pretty much identical to a 37 truck.

 

[Relentles0ne]

That makes more sense haha. I would hope no one is out there recommending using top hats with 3.2s.

Wheel wells are identical between 35 and 37 trucks. The only difference in clearance is due to 37 trucks having an inch less travel. The 3.2 front shocks will do that for you on their own so there’d be nothing else to worry about if you slapped those on. Honestly without off roading the truck it’s really hard to use the last inch or travel anyway so if I was you I wouldn’t be too concerned. The rear has the least clearance when articulated and fully compressed on one side which is also rare on the street. When you do get around to off roading the truck, bump stop spacers are a good safety net. With those and a 0.5” lift spacer you’d be pretty much identical to a 37 truck.

@taquitos Perfect! Exactly what I was hoping to hear and makes complete sense man. Thank you for taking the time to break all this down and hopefully this will help some others considering options with the Fox 3.2s.
This is why I love these forums vs calling tuner shops who just want to sell and push as many parts as they can.

 

[kirkb]

Im glad you mentioned that, I had heard that you can use SDI top hats with the 3.2 shocks, what version Raptor are you running? 35” or 37”s ?

I have a ‘24 801a on 35s so I bought sdi top hats and 1” rpg spacers for the rear to get it leveled and high enough to fit 37s on. But I’m worried if I switch to the 3.2s will I have enough clearance for 37s? I heard the 3.2s only lift about 1/2” all around.

I have a 35 truck, with stock 35s, but do have 0 offset wheels. I do off road mine pretty often and haven’t had any rubbing issues at all (yet). I did install SVC bump stops in the rear at the same time as the FRS 3.2.

In all honesty, I would not bother with FRS 3.2 if you are not doing much off road. The stock live valves are pretty darn good and I doubt you would see any benefits of installing them unless running it hard.