If you’ve ever seen an off-road racer barreling through rugged terrain at ferocious speeds, there’s a good chance the vehicle they’re driving is outfitted with Fox suspension. They’re one of the largest brands in off-road racing, and regarded by many around the world as the best. The problem, if you could call it one, is that their shocks have traditionally been a bit of overkill for what most 4X4 tourers do. With the launch of the new 2.0 IFP shocks, Fox is finally available for those of us who spend more time on corrugations in the outback than we do airborne in the Dakar Rally.
After six months and 15,000km of testing at Unsealed 4X4’s American ‘office’ (which varies between Moab’s slick rock, Colorado’s alpine tracks, and California’s desert) I’ll say that I’ve been quite happy with Fox’s offering. The heavy-duty aluminium body isn’t just great for heat dissapation, it’s also great for those who drive in rust-prone beach environments as it won’t turn to Swiss cheese after a few outings. You also get Fox’s legendary valving technology and experience, along with a race-derived internal floatation piston monotube design.
The hard chrome-plated, heat-treated alloy steel shock shaft has proven tough enough for the environments I’ve tested it in, which aren’t easy; but I’d be happier if the shock came with some kind of protection as standard for the shaft (Fox sells an optional Roost Shield Kit.)
Starting at $140 per shock. Available in Australia from Double Black Offroad.
doubleblackoffroad.com
