P1000 Your experience with 1000-5 Fox shocks: Fox fronts/retain factory rears

[JiminAZ]

So I'm convinced a new set of Fox front shocks is in my future. Want to keep the factory rears because of the self leveling feature. My loads range from 2 adults and a lunch cooler to 3 hunters with gear and a dead elk in the back.

I read up on people's experiences. Lots of guys got the fronts, bought the rears after the first ride. I really don't want to have to jack with spring preload in the rear based on anticipated loads.

If you have put the Fox fronts in but retained the stock rears, or if you have insights about what I'm contemplating, please share your experience.

Most of my riding is under 25 mph. Not trying to turn my Pioneer into a Razor. Lots of scrabble and rock here in AZ. Some sand in creek bottoms, but not "dunes" or whoops like a lot of you guys ride at speed. We do get a few "moguls" on some of the trails but mostly its smooth sand and a lotta rocks on our climbs. Tend to bottom up front, or bounce too much when negotiating rock scrabble, or encountering the unanticipated rock head poking up out of soft sand in a creek bottom.

Considered Elka and Walker Evans, but frankly I think the Fox will be my best bang for the buck and will do everything I need them to do, especially if I'm not going for new shocks on all 4 corners.

 

[AZRocks]

Go with the fronts first, then decide later on the rears. I, too, contemplated the value of keeping the stock load leveling rears, but am glad I upgraded to Fox all around. The ride is so much better at all speeds. My original impetus for the upgrade was because the front bottomed out too easily with the stockers. The Fox's fronts with some pre-load cured that.

I've had 4 grown men and gear in this thing and the Fox rears handled it okay--just switch to medium or firm compression adjustment. I did recently change the rear springs to 14" at 325# linear rate, tho, to handle constant extra weight in the back: tool box and spare tire strapped to the bed extender. I had concerns over increasing the rear Fox springs pre-load to a point where the springs could bind with a heavy hit. Pretty satisfied with this setup now. To each, their own . . .

 

[Adam490]

So I'm convinced a new set of Fox front shocks is in my future. Want to keep the factory rears because of the self leveling feature. My loads range from 2 adults and a lunch cooler to 3 hunters with gear and a dead elk in the back.

I read up on people's experiences. Lots of guys got the fronts, bought the rears after the first ride. I really don't want to have to jack with spring preload in the rear based on anticipated loads.

If you have put the Fox fronts in but retained the stock rears, or if you have insights about what I'm contemplating, please share your experience.

Most of my riding is under 25 mph. Not trying to turn my Pioneer into a Razor. Lots of scrabble and rock here in AZ. Some sand in creek bottoms, but not "dunes" or whoops like a lot of you guys ride at speed. We do get a few "moguls" on some of the trails but mostly its smooth sand and a lotta rocks on our climbs. Tend to bottom up front, or bounce too much when negotiating rock scrabble, or encountering the unanticipated rock head poking up out of soft sand in a creek bottom.

Considered Elka and Walker Evans, but frankly I think the Fox will be my best bang for the buck and will do everything I need them to do, especially if I'm not going for new shocks on all 4 corners.

I did exactly what you're contemplating, and I bought the rears two days after riding with the fronts installed. I figured I didn't want to lose the self-leveling rears, but the difference in ride quality with the fronts just makes you realize how stiff the self levelers are. I just turn them to firm if I've got a load in the back like @AZRocks mentioned. I also swapped to a non-progressive rate rear spring (14" 300#).

 

[jfreak]

I just logged on to search/post this exact same question.
I don't carry much in the rear, just a 7yo and a gas can and air compressor.
But we do trails at 40mph+ but it is just too rough in the back for our 7yo. Had to put pillows under her just so she would get back in for another ride.

Budget only allows for one set right now, curious which we would benefit from most.

 

[Adam490]

I just logged on to search/post this exact same question.
I don't carry much in the rear, just a 7yo and a gas can and air compressor.
But we do trails at 40mph+ but it is just too rough in the back for our 7yo. Had to put pillows under her just so she would get back in for another ride.

Budget only allows for one set right now, curious which we would benefit from most.

Fronts are more noticeable than stock sprung QS3 rears. My wife commented on how much better it rode and she HATES to ride. The rears are a nice improvement since you can run them with the softer dampening, but they are noticeably better with an aftermarket non-progressive spring. I'd go with the fronts and pick up the rears when your budget allows.

 

[tjoreo]

I've kind of been on the fence about upgrading my shocks as well. Everyone says they are night and day difference, but I will be the first to say I know squat about adjusting or tuning them. Just curious if the fox upgrades are pretty straight forward and for the most part the only adjustment I would have to mess with is the 3 position valve? I use mine basically like @JiminAZ does, mostly slower speeds, but I want the ability to through a elk or load of wood in the back. I'm sure anything is better then stock but was just curious.

 

[Adam490]

I've kind of been on the fence about upgrading my shocks as well. Everyone says they are night and day difference, but I will be the first to say I know squat about adjusting or tuning them. Just curious if the fox upgrades are pretty straight forward and for the most part the only adjustment I would have to mess with is the 3 position valve? I use mine basically like @JiminAZ does, mostly slower speeds, but I want the ability to through a elk or load of wood in the back. I'm sure anything is better then stock but was just curious.

Yep, the QS3's for the Pioneers are already setup for the 1k3 and 1k5 as far as the guts go. Super easy to adjust firmness with the 3 position selector.

 

[tjoreo]

Yep, the QS3's for the Pioneers are already setup for the 1k3 and 1k5 as far as the guts go. Super easy to adjust firmness with the 3 position selector.

That's what I was hoping. I know a little about alot of stuff but I know nothing about shocks. One of the guys we ride with bought a used LE model that came with upgraded shocks, but I haven't go a chance to see the difference between my machine. I'm sure they would be nice and old uncle sam added a little tax refund to my account today, so I have a little riggo upgrade money burning a hole in my pocket.

 

[Russ989]

I’ve been pondering this same question. Wish I had money for shocks, they are expensive!

 

[Adam490]

😝

I’ve been pondering this same question. Wish I had money for shocks, they are expensive!

It's just money don't be cheap

 

[Russ989]

😝

It's just money don't be cheap

I knew all of the grief I’ve given you would come back to haunt me! Lol

 

[ToddACimer]

I rode 1 time with the Fox fronts and stock rears. The rears are just so stiff. I think you'll be happier with all 4 but the fox shocks leave room for improvement. I really think that if you lean towards 25mph riding you'd be happier with a 300lb spring in the rear and Fox shocks

 

[JTW]

Buy all four... just the fronts will show you how bad the back ones are. My first trip with the shocks and I went home and ordered rears!

 

[Hondoman]

I've ran only the foxes on the front for five months now, ordered the rears yesterday. Hunting season postponed the upgrade. You can definitely tell the rear oem shocks are lacking with foxes on the front.

 

[BBLASER]

I live in Az as well and use my 1000-5 primarily for hunting. I purchased the Fox fronts first and it took me about 2 weeks to go and purchase the rears as well. Such a better ride and it still handles the extra weight no problem. I rode with about 800lbs of bodies in mine a couple weeks ago. I did not bottom out once and it did not look like I was dragging ass either.

 

[JiminAZ]

Thanks to all of you for the detailed input.

My journey just began, I ordered a set of fronts from Procaliber.com

I'm getting more comfortable with replacing the rears. Assuming I want to change the rear springs to a 300 or 325 lb/in non progressive spring, what is the best way to procure? Hate to pay for the standard Fox product only to replace the springs. Can I call Fox and have them build me a set with the different spring? Or do I just have to bite the bullet.

Also, any further advice on optimum spring rate for the rears?

 

[Hondoman]

Thanks to all of you for the detailed input.

My journey just began, I ordered a set of fronts from Procaliber.com

I'm getting more comfortable with replacing the rears. Assuming I want to change the rear springs to a 300 or 325 lb/in non progressive spring, what is the best way to procure? Hate to pay for the standard Fox product only to replace the springs. Can I call Fox and have them build me a set with the different spring? Or do I just have to bite the bullet.

Also, any further advice on optimum spring rate for the rears?

I would run them as is for a while, you may not feel the need to upgrade the springs. That's my plan anyway.

 

[JTW]

Thanks to all of you for the detailed input.

My journey just began, I ordered a set of fronts from Procaliber.com

I'm getting more comfortable with replacing the rears. Assuming I want to change the rear springs to a 300 or 325 lb/in non progressive spring, what is the best way to procure? Hate to pay for the standard Fox product only to replace the springs. Can I call Fox and have them build me a set with the different spring? Or do I just have to bite the bullet.

Also, any further advice on optimum spring rate for the rears?

I’m not aware of that option.. and likely it would cost you more than buying the standard shocks and just adding aftermarket springs.

 

[JiminAZ]

Who are the preferred aftermarket spring suppliers (for the rears) ?

 

[Bradley-Thornton]

I've ran only the foxes on the front for five months now, ordered the rears yesterday. Hunting season postponed the upgrade. You can definitely tell the rear oem shocks are lacking with foxes on the front.

Being you rode just the front for so long I think I would be cool if you would chime back in after a few rides on the rear.