Gen 1 to Gen 2 suspension conversion methods, buckets vs retrofit

[TomDirt]

So, it's all together, (enough to measure travel), with the coil spring, dust shield & bumpstop removed, but the rubber spring insulator fell off so I ignored it. I measured roughly 21.5" from the floor at full droop, and 34" stuffed to where the shock body was almost against the top hat. So not accounting for coil bind, and without the axle in, it looks like 12.5" travel with a 2017 Gen 2 Fox 3.0 & the SVC coil buckets.

 

[TomDirt]

Fully compressed & not binding anywhere. Don't need to measure it to know the stock tire/wheel would contact the fender & liner big time.

it's never easy, or cheap, is it?

 

[TomDirt]

A Gen 1 guy recorded his conversion to the Gen 2 Fox 3.0/ KHC shock bucket. He says he likes the new ride.

 

[FishFreak]

So, it's all together, (enough to measure travel), with the coil spring, dust shield & bumpstop removed, but the rubber spring insulator fell off so I ignored it. I measured roughly 21.5" from the floor at full droop, and 34" stuffed to where the shock body was almost against the top hat. So not accounting for coil bind, and without the axle in, it looks like 12.5" travel with a 2017 Gen 2 Fox 3.0 & the SVC coil buckets.

Thanks for doing all this Tom, this is a big help! I had no idea there was a slip-over threaded body kit for the Gen 2 shocks! Wonder if this C.A.S. is still available? I couldn't find them on the SVC site, but BahaHQ has them on their site. I'm sitting on a set of Gen 2 fox shocks too and have been wanting to find some other options (then KHC) for using them on my Gen Juan. Can you tell me if the C.A.S. kit allows you to run the spring LOWER than Gen 2 OEM or is it only higher? Their site doesn't specify. I'm just kinda wondering if this C.A.S. kit could make the KHC bucket kit unnecessary?

 

[TomDirt]

Can you tell me if the C.A.S. kit allows you to run the spring LOWER than Gen 2 OEM or is it only higher? Their site doesn't specify. I'm just kinda wondering if this C.A.S. kit could make the KHC bucket kit unnecessary?

This is where they sit on the shock body. Compare it to this random Gen 2 shock photos. When you add the height of both the collar & the spring perch, its pretty close.

 

[FishFreak]

Thanks Tom. Looks like with C.A.S., if you need negative movement to lower the truck, it's not a whole lot, right? Less than half an inch? Tell me where you are with your project? Are you finding any benefit with those CAS adjustment system? I'm in the brainstorming stage, I've picked up a set of 4 Gen 2 Fox shocks with 65k miles, so they'll need rebuilt, but before I take that step I'd like a real plan. I'd be using the OEM Gen 1 Springs and top hat ass'y, sounded like a good way to go with the heavy 6.2 L,

I'm just trying to get around the massive surgery installing the KHC top buckets. I know with the longer G2 shock I'd lose some upward travel, and could poss overextend downward causing half-shaft issues. I don't desert race, just light off-road, some crawl work, no jumping or thrashing. So my thought was I don't think I'll bottom my truck hard. For the latter issue, wouldn't the front limit strap kit be a good idea? I don't understand why limit straps aren't mandatory for EVERY enthusiast's setup, since our front shocks are what eventually limit the downward travel of our suspension am I right? They say topping-out on your shock piston it's a bad thing, but isn't that what our trucks do, to an extent?

 

[TomDirt]

I'm working on the P-side KHC bucket right now, I'll be sure and get before & after photos ,including the clearance from the motor.

 

[TomDirt]

Unfortunately, I can't find the 2nd set of SVC adjusters & coil spring seat. I'll work around that issue for now but if they don't appear, they are no longer available from SVC.

 

[FishFreak]

Unfortunately, I can't find the 2nd set of SVC adjusters & coil spring seat. I'll work around that issue for now but if they don't appear, they are no longer available from SVC.

Are those OEM half shafts Tom or better?

Why does one SVC threaded seat look like it's so much higher than the other? Is it just loose, and moved away from it's circlip? Dang I was hoping I could adjust the Gen 2 shocks downward to make up a fraction of the increase in height over Gen 1....

 

[TomDirt]

I found the 2nd set of SVC adjusters. Both of those in that picture were loose, so that's why they looked different.
Here's what the D-side KHC buckets look like installed, viewed from the front (with the radiator out of the way). Plenty of room from the motor, the ABS module, and everything else.