Fox 2.0 Shocks Review on the 2021+ Ford F-150
Posted by Sean Law-Bowman on
Introduction
In This Article
Fox 2.0 coilovers and shocks have long been a go-to upgrade for F-150 owners looking for a plush ride, level stance, and more off-road confidence. But with so many strong competitors at similar or even lower prices, we had to find out: do these shocks still hold up for the current generation F-150?
We bolted up a set on Steve's 2021 F-150 to see if Fox's entry-level package still lives up to its reputation.
Real-World Testing, Shock Surplus Style
For those new to Shock Surplus, we don't just sell suspension, we test nearly everything we carry on our own vehicles.
From stock takeoffs and spacer kits to high-end coilovers, we log thousands of miles on-road and off to give you real-world feedback, not marketing fluff.
This F-150 has seen its fair share of setups already:
- Bilstein 6112 / 5160 combo
- Eibach Pro-Truck Stage 2R
- And now, the Fox 2.0 coilovers and shocks
While both Bilstein and Eibach impressed us with their comfort, control, and overall value, the Fox 2.0s… not so much.
The Fox 2.0 Setup
On paper, this kit checks a lot of boxes.
As the name implies, these are 2-inch body coilovers and rear shocks, squarely in the entry-level performance tier. Fox builds them with 6061-T6 aluminum bodies, which means excellent corrosion resistance and improved heat dissipation over steel shocks; one of the few highlights from our testing.
Each set comes pre-set for about 2 inches of lift, though preload is adjustable to compensate for load or bring the truck back to stock height. Since Fox uses flat-ground universal springs, swapping to different rates is easy; just pick your preferred spring from Eibach's catalog.
The included spring rate? A soft 450 lb/in; which may explain the confusing ride we experienced. The shocks feel undersprung yet overdamped, leading to a ride that's firm in the wrong places and sloppy in others.
On-Road and Off-Road Performance
Here's where things went downhill.
The Fox 2.0s felt like Fox aimed for an OEM+ ride, but they seemed to use the stock FX4 suspension as their benchmark; not exactly high praise.
Here's what we noticed:
- Floaty highway ride, similar to stock
- Harsh impacts on square-edged bumps
- Improved body control — less roll and dive
- Inconsistent damping, with poor small-bump compliance
Somehow, these shocks felt both harsh and underdamped. Small chatter rattled the truck, and larger hits were downright punishing.
We checked everything: the 35" F-load tires, max payload leafs, even nitrogen pressure. No change. Everything pointed to a valving mismatch for this specific F-150 platform.
Compared to Bilstein and Eibach
It's rare that we call out Fox this directly, but in this case, we have to.
| Brand | Ride Feel | Control | Comfort | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilstein 6112 / 5160 | Firm | Excellent | Good | ★★★★☆ |
| Eibach Stage 2R | Balanced | Great | Excellent | ★★★★★ |
| Fox 2.0 | Harsh / Floaty | Inconsistent | Poor | ★★☆☆☆ |
The Fox 2.0s were harsher than the Bilsteins, less controlled than the Eibachs, and didn't justify their higher price.
In isolation, they'd be "fine." But with competition this strong, "fine" doesn't cut it.
Verdict: Not for 2021+ F-150 Owners
For older trucks, the Fox 2.0s still earn their reputation as plush, capable, and reliable. But on the 2021 and newer F-150s, they simply don't deliver.
They lack the ride quality, balance, and refinement we expect from Fox, and both Bilstein and Eibach outperform them in nearly every category; all while costing less.
If you're shopping for your late-model F-150, make sure to check out:
- Bilstein 6112 / 5160 Review →
- Eibach Stage 2R Review →
What's Next for Our F-150?
We're not stopping here. Next up is a pre-production 2.5" shock package you guys have been asking about nonstop… and yes, we already have it installed.
Stay tuned for our next deep-dive on that setup, because it's one you won't want to miss.
