When you’re modifying your truck for real use, daily driving, trail runs, camping trips, and those moments where you hit the throttle a little harder than you should, you want gear that’s built to last. After more than three years and over 30,000 miles with the FOX Factory Race Series 2.5 IFPs, I can confidently say they’ve earned their keep on my rig.
This review covers the full experience: from the day I bolted them on in my garage, through thousands of miles of New England roads, forest trails, job site runs, and dusty fire roads out west. Whether you’re suspension shopping or just want to know how these shocks really perform, I’m breaking it all down.
Table Of Contents
Why I Chose FOX Factory Race Series
The decision to go with FOX wasn’t impulsive. FOX has a well-earned reputation in the off-road world, and their shocks are proven in all kinds of harsh environments—desert races, rock crawling, you name it.
I looked into ICON, King, and ADS as well, but a few things tipped the scales for FOX…
- 2.5” diameter shock body: Better fluid capacity, more control over bumps, and improved heat dissipation.
- Internal Floating Piston (IFP) design: Helps keep damping performance consistent by separating nitrogen gas from shock oil.
- Aluminum construction: Lightweight and resists corrosion.
- Rebuildable: Means more life out of your investment.
- Lift capability: I wanted a noticeable but usable lift to clear 33s and give better clearance without overextending CVs or ball joints.
My goals were simple: improve off-road capability, enhance ride quality on-road, and have a suspension setup that could take a beating year-round. FOX checked those boxes—and offered the performance I needed without stepping into a higher price tier like remote reservoir setups.
My Suspension Setup
For context, here’s my current setup…
- Front: FOX Factory Race Series 2.5 IFP Coilovers
- Rear: Stock FOX TRD Pro shocks paired with a Deaver Add-A-Leaf
- Control Arms: Dirt King Ball Joint UCAs and Dirt King Performance LCAs
Note: You can opt for this kit with adjustable reservoirs for the rear shocks.
This combo has been on the truck for about three years now. I use the truck for everything: work commutes, weekend trail rides, overlanding trips, hauling building materials, and sometimes just getting a little rowdy pretending I’m in a prerunner. It’s a real-world build, not a showroom queen. Longevity, performance, and reliability were key when picking parts, especially for something as critical as suspension.
Review
Initial Impressions (0–5K Miles)
Right from the first drive, I could feel the difference. The on-road ride was significantly smoother compared to stock and even better than a budget spacer or basic shock setup I had before. Expansion joints, potholes, and road chatter were way less harsh, and the truck just felt more planted overall.
The stance improved, too. With the coilovers set close to max height, the front end sat level with the rear, giving a much cleaner and more aggressive look.
The install? Surprisingly easy. I had no prior suspension experience, but tackled it in my garage with standard tools. It was straightforward, just nuts and bolts. That speaks to the product design; everything fits like it should, with no weird surprises or missing hardware.
I took the truck on a couple of weekend trail runs early on, and the FOX coilovers soaked up washboards and dips without flinching. It was clear right away that these weren’t just built for show. They were built to perform.
Mid-Term Use (5–20K Miles)
This is where the shocks saw the most mixed use. I put them through just about every scenario you could throw at a suspension system…
- Long highway trips with gear loaded in the back.
- Daily commuting through pothole-ridden Massachusetts roads.
- Trail rides, from muddy forests to fire roads out west.
- Hauling heavy construction and landscaping materials.
- Camping and overlanding trips, sleeping out of a bed.
During this phase, I maxed out the front ride height, which made the ride a bit stiffer, but still way more comfortable and composed than stock. Even fully loaded with tools and supplies, the shocks stayed responsive.
There were no mechanical issues or changes in performance—just a little surface rust on exposed components, which is normal in New England winters. Importantly, there were no signs of fading, and responsiveness stayed consistent, even after long drives or trail abuse.
Long-Term Feedback (20–30K+ Miles)
Now, with over 30,000 miles on them, I can say the FOX 2.5 IFPs have held up incredibly well. I haven’t done a rebuild yet (though I plan to eventually), and the seals are still holding strong—no leaks, no loss in damping performance.
They’ve survived everything I’ve thrown at them: brutal New England winters and road salt, rocky trails and deep mud, coastal sand dunes with saltwater spray, and the full range of weather extremes from scorching summer road trips to freezing nights in the woods. Through it all, they’ve stayed solid and reliable.
I’ve had zero issues, no odd noises, no clunking, no bouncing, no weird handling quirks. My Dirt King upper and lower control arms continue to complement the setup perfectly, with no alignment issues or unusual tire wear either. I couldn’t ask for better long-term consistency.
Performance Highlights
Here’s what stands out the most after years of use…
- Off-Road Handling: I drive fast on dirt roads more than I crawl rocks, and the shocks handle speed incredibly well. They soak up ruts and whoops with confidence. That said, they’ve also handled mild rock crawling without flinching.
- On-Road Comfort: Even with the ride height maxed out, comfort and body control on the highway are excellent.
- Heat Resistance: Even during repeated hits and aggressive driving, I’ve never felt fade or sloppiness.
- Stability Under Load: Whether I’ve got a full bed of gear or a rooftop tent, the truck remains stable and predictable.
Accessories like the Dirt King UCAs/LCAs definitely enhance the ride feel and handling, but the shocks are the star of the show.
Downsides & Considerations
There’s not much to knock here, but it’s worth noting that these are still IFPs, not remote reservoir shocks. You lose some adjustability and fluid capacity compared to more expensive options, but in return, you get a more budget-friendly price without sacrificing the performance most users need.
If you’re building a race truck or bombing through Baja, sure—look elsewhere. But for someone who needs daily-driver comfort, trail capability, and long-term reliability, these offer excellent value.
Final Thoughts
Would I buy these again? Without a doubt. These shocks are ideal for anyone who…
- Drives their truck daily
- Wants to explore trails and backcountry routes
- Occasionally pushes the truck hard off-road
- Wants performance and reliability without blowing the budget
They’re a perfect match for that do-it-all type of build. After 3 years and over 30,000 miles, I’m beyond impressed with the FOX Factory Race Series 2.5 IFPs. They’ve been reliable, consistent, and confidence-inspiring in every condition I’ve thrown at them.
If you’re looking for a perfect all-around product, these shocks deliver. Would I run them on my truck again? Absolutely.
