Replacing a worn stock suspension

When are stock suspension systems worn out?

I have a 2021 Pro that is 18.5 months old with 31,500 miles and I really like the stock Pro Fox suspension. It's my daily driver with mostly tame four wheeling adventures thus far. I googled the question and the response was 50K to 100K for the 4R. I have no intention of lifting the vehicle in the near future and was wondering when the stock suspension would need to be replaced? By then the warranties should have elapsed and I might be more inclined to lift it, but this vehicle in it's current state is plenty adequate for most of my off road adventures.

When are 4R owner's replacing a stock suspension because it is worn out? Thanks!

 

I would be surprised if the stock suspension is worn out at 100k miles unless it is driven like the Dukes of Hazzard. If you are happy with the Pro suspension, then why not stick with it when it’s time for a refresh?

 

Your suspension should not be worn out. Unless your desert racing and constantly bottoming out, there is no reason it should have already failed.

My 97 still has it's original suspension at 189k and it's shocks haven't blown out or leaked.

 

It's not worn out at all! I was just wondering what the normal life cycle of the stock suspension is.

 

I probably will stick with the stock Pro Fox suspension if and when I have to replace it. Just a curiosity question! Reading the pros and cons of a suspension lift and 33"s, unless a hardcore 4wheeler the stock 4R is probably plenty adequate in my opinion. Easy to become enamored with the appearance and increased capabilities of a beefed up 4R, but the negatives are strongly considered as well. The costs, the decrease in MPG's, the added wear and tear of parts. If you do this, than you have to that, and if you do that, then you have to do this. It almost seems like a rabbit hole of never ending adjustments.

 

The suspension you have will most likely outlive your ownership of the 4R. And if not, and you need a replacement, there'll be some new whiz-bang suspension setup available that you won't be able to live without, so no worries!

 

Thanks! Not worried at all - just curious & bored! Of the hundreds or thousand of topics on this website I haven't seen anyone pose this question before.

This year we just replaced the shocks for the first time on our 2002 Suburban with 238,000 miles.

 

This ^

When I purchased my 18’ new, it came with a cheap spacer lift and 285’s. I loved the look and additional ground clearance but I eventually discovered that it was causing the rear shocks to top out and had the potential to damage the front strut assemblies.

It was my own ignorance that led to the purchasing decision. A lot of forum members here have had positive experiences doing lifts by carefully doing their homework. Installing a lift can have a domino effect, even when done right. It just wasn’t worth the effort or $$ in my case to gain a couple of inches of ground clearance. I’m running stock now with 265’s and couldn’t be happier. Fretting over suspension upgrades was stealing my peace.

 

I have previously read your sage advice which reinforces what I know in my head to be the correct answer. It's good to hear someone else actually admit it. Few are willing to concede that it was a mistake after putting forth the time, money and effort to achieve their desired look and supposed increased capabilities. I, like everyone else for the most part love the look of a modestly lifted 4WD with bigger tires. I have previously done that with two old Broncos and a Jeep. But at the age of 60, I realize this stock 4R will get me to the trailhead, ski resort, hunting grounds or jeep trail just fine. I recently slept inside the 4R for 17 days of a 20 day mountain bike trip out west and it exceeded my expectations as a highly capable multifunctional vehicle. After 18 months of ownership, my only mod was a de-mod - I removed the Predator Tube Steps.

 

Since the 21 Pro comes with Fox Racing suspension, can't those just be rebuilt?

 

I don't know! But, if and when that time comes I would probably be inclined to just replace them with the latest and greatest replacement available. Hopefully after 100,000 miles.

 

OEM 2016 Pro suspension here with a 2" top hat and bottom spring perch spacer lift. 95,000 miles and suspension still feels new.

 

Good to know! Thanks!
I like the ride quality of the Pro Fox suspension!

 

Bet a quick call to Fox customer service would answer that. Fox makes really good stuff so a $50 per (guessing) rebuild to feel like new would be more cost friendly and you still have better than most suspension.

 

That will definitely be worth pursuing when the time comes. But, I have no mechanical skills and no tools, and that would also involve taking them off, shipping them, waiting for them to service them, shipping them back and re-installing. I will probably have new ones installed!

 

My front factory struts have been leaking for some time at 155k - ordered rough country kit for all 4 corners. I'll post the diff once installed....

 

I know offroad shops can do it. Call around and see. But I doubt you'll see a noticeable difference in performance from the Fox shocks at 100k. There is a reason why they are so expensive.

 

Just an fyi, it really is any suspension. I have Kings on my 2017 SR-5 with less than 30,000 miles on the clock, i have been hearing clunks, and rattling when going over rough roads, and could not locate the problem. After getting my shop that does all my work involved it turns out both rear shocks had to have new pistons & seals. The ride home was much nicer & no noise, i do not beat on my truck, but the pistons were pitted pretty good. I am lifted 3”- 2” with Falken 285/70/17 MT’s.

 

Is that a simple repair? Expensive? Delays to order parts? Thanks!

 

I was at the shop about 4 hrs. They had ordered the parts a couple of weeks ago, $600.00. I had these powder coated and they installed them while it was apart. Maybe it will cut down on some of pitting.

 

Thanks for the good intel! I think it will be quite some time before I will need to worry about replacing a worn out stock Pro suspension system on a 2021. I was just curious about the normal life expectancy and options. I did not think about having the shocks serviced / repaired. I have had my shocks and forks serviced with my mountain bikes, so this makes perfect sense as an option. Thanks again!