Gen 1 Vs Gen 2 Shocks Facts Only

[Jhollowell]

Theres a ton of threads out there on gen 1 vs gen 2 shocks and I've always been skeptical about running gen 2s on a gen 1 but after opening up a gen 2 shock i might be changing my mind. Here is a comparison between the 2 shocks with numbers. I'll let you decide which is better.


REAR SHOCKS 2017-2018 OEM

IFP - Gen 2 (left) Gen 1 (right)
Gen 2 OD - 2.225"
Gen 1 OD - 2.300"

Gen 2 Height - 1.075"
Gen 1 Height - 1.200


Gen 2 (left) has no threaded hole to pull it out. After pouring out all the oil, reinstall the shaft and cap and thread it on. Then remove one bleed screw and ball and pressurize the body. The IFP will pop out.


Valving Gen 2 (left) Gen 1 (right)
Gen 2 Valve OD - 2.225"
Gen 1 Valve OD - 1.800"


Internal Bypass Gen 2 (left) Gen 1 (right)
Gen 2 OD - 2.500"
Gen 1 OD - 2.090"

Gen 2 ID - 2.250"
Gen 1 ID - 1.835"


Free Flow Ports
Gen 2 - 8
Gen 1 - 4

Side stacks
Gen 2 - 3
Gen 1 - 1

 

[Jhollowell]

Front Shocks

IFP - Gen 2 (left) Gen 1 (right)
Gen 2 OD - 2.225"
Gen 1 OD - 1.800"



Valving Gen 2 (left) Gen 1 (right)
Gen 2 Valve OD - 2.225"
Gen 1 Valve OD - 1.800"



Internal Bypass Gen 2 (left) Gen 1 (right)
Gen 2 OD - 2.500"
Gen 1 OD - 2.080"

Gen 2 ID - 2.250"
Gen 1 ID - 1.835"


Free Flow Ports
Gen 2 - 8
Gen 1 - 5

Side stacks
Gen 2 - 3
Gen 1 - 1

 

[myersroofer614]

I've been considering. I really am blown away at the difference in the fronts

 

[bigredaggie]

Is there a visual distinction between the two generations? Are they both in the same polished aluminum casing with anodized blue caps? Same stickers? Was live valve offered as an option for Gen2 and a different set of shocks altogether?

 

[Jhollowell]

Gen 1 shocks are 2.5" diameter and the Gen 2 are 3" diameter so they will look bigger. 2017-2018 have same color scheme with blue and polished and the live valve (2020+) are red. The Gen 1 bodies are also steel so you'll see a lot more corrosion on those shocks

 

[2012SCSVT]

What's the best way to set the piston hight in the 2g shocks with the resivor shims?

 

[Jhollowell]

you don't need to set it to a specific height. The shock take approx 40oz of fluid, so fill it up with 20-30oz, then cycle the IFP a few times to bleed out any air. Then pull the IFP up a few inches (doesn't really matter) and add the remaining fluid. Install the upper cap and shaft and charge with nitro. This will push the IFP down and bleed out the remaining air in the main body through the bleed ports in the cap. As long as you have enough fluid the IFP won't bottom out. In my experience, trying to bleed out all the air by cycling the IFP is extremely difficult since there is no threaded hole like the Gen 1 so you have to use reverse opening pliers to "pinch" the ID of the IFP and try to pull it up without smacking yourself in the face when they slip off. Even when i think i have all the air out (no bubbles coming out) and i charge the shock, i can still compress the shaft all the way meaning i didn't get all the air out. These were a nightmare and took me several tries to get them bled correctly so i gave up on rebuilding Gen 2 shocks. I'd just send them out. Let us know if you have better luck.

 

[bigredaggie]

I just installed a set of Gen 1 rear shocks on my 2022 F150 Tremor. Turns out the extended and compressed lengths are right on for the Tremor and it’s a heck of an upgrade over the swishy OEM tube. The Gen 2 shocks were just a little too long compressed. Anyways, now that I’ve got them I’d like to better understand how these shocks actually work. The ride zone(s), free flow ports and side stacks referenced here, etc. just trying to understand the physical construction of the shock and how the bypass works, etc. if there’s a schematic or white paper readily available I’d take a link.

 

[2012SCSVT]

I just installed a set of Gen 1 rear shocks on my 2022 F150 Tremor. Turns out the extended and compressed lengths are right on for the Tremor and it’s a heck of an upgrade over the swishy OEM tube. The Gen 2 shocks were just a little too long compressed. Anyways, now that I’ve got them I’d like to better understand how these shocks actually work. The ride zone(s), free flow ports and side stacks referenced here, etc. just trying to understand the physical construction of the shock and how the bypass works, etc. if there’s a schematic or white paper readily available I’d take a link.

This video explains the FOX IBP system well: