JesseRohr

Those of you on the fence about changing the shocks on your 63/65 don't be! Upgrading the shocks on this thing was single handedly the best money spent on this thing.

The Fox shocks are available in both adjustable (about $350 per corner) or non-adjustable (about $275 per corner). I wanted to fine tune this thing for my style of driving and off-road performance.

The installation isn't too bad for all of them except the driver's side front. You'll have to undo a bolt for the steering linkage and move it out of the way.





Factory Billstien (way too short IMO)


How much travel is restricted by factory shock


Rear installed:


Front installed (wheel liner removed):


Wheel liner put back:


Maiden voyage:


The vehicle handles better in EVERY single way. On the road it's compliant and much smoother. Off road the thing can actually articulate now!

Also peep my new MBRP exhaust.

mrtonyn

Can you give examples of the things that has improved?

They look very nice !

JesseRohr

Well for one they are longer than the factory units which increases wheel travel and allows a proper suspension cycle. They are adjustable so you can make your ride as plush or as firm as you like with the turn of a knob which is nice. I am currently running them as plush as possible for my terrible roads downtown here. Off road they really shine with the extra wheel travel and suspension articulation.

The W463 was never meant to be a canyon carver and the factory suspension is rather good when paired with the appropriate shocks for dampening and length.

Essentially you can say goodbye to all the jarring characteristics of the factory shocks and enjoy a nice supple ride that can shine on or off road.

Couple more pics because...well because:

Mercedesonly

Sounds like what I am looking for. Can you please provide a link to purchase?

JesseRohr

Here are the part numbers I bought. I purchased them from www.xdp.com but you can get them from any Fox Retailer.

985-26-137 qty 2

985-26-138 qty 2

Mercedesonly

Much appreciated. Can't wait to try it out, ride quality and rattles are my only complaints on the truck.

Ruben G

What size is your wheel and tire combo?

JesseRohr

285/55/20

Deutsch100

Looks great, but check your warranty booklet....99.9% sure you just voided your factory warranty

JesseRohr

For the factory shocks, yes. If I have a window motor go out or a defroster stop working I’m very much covered. My dealer is also great to work with. I’ve spent hundreds of thousands with them. They treat me excellent and love the G when it’s in.

C240-Merc

What setting do you have your shocks set to? I have the same set up and I’m trying to find a good setting for the road.

Jmoney87

I am getting the fox shocks but don’t know if their are specifics fox shocks on the 2.0 or all the same. Also why could you get?

Bob Z.

iTrader: (1)

Nice. Is this similar to what one would get with adaptive suspension on the newer ones?

Jmoney87

sorry I didn’t proofread lol. I want to get the 2.0 shock kit and springs. I saw Viking off road has a kit shocks and Thor springs for $2300 total for a set of four which is still pricey and obviously you will need wheel spacers that are another $360.
i found the 2.0 for a complete set for around $800 are there other springs or specific springs that need to be attached to the G? Basically I am asking are G shocks am springs specific? Or if you have a list of what you got that oils be helpful. Thank you

Texas E63

I agree 100% on the shocks - huge improvement and love the adjustablity ..... but I went with spacers for the lift to maintain the power handling charecteristics of the G63 springs.... the only 63 I rode win with the Thor's seemed a bit spongey at speed and wallowed in turns ..... I've accepted this isn't ever going to be about maximizing wheel travel.....got other rigs for that.

E

VaderOne

I couldn't agree more with the OP. Best money spent. I too went with Fox 2.0 but with Thor Springs setup from Viking Offroad. Raised the G55 about 3-4 inches, running 33's with no spacers, no issues. My rig is a daily driver so road comfort was main focus, tried other options (swapping G550 shocks) but wasn't happy until now. Plan to keep the rig for sometime, like the OP stated, if you are on the fence on this mod, don't! You won't regret it!

carlosamg50

Hi guys, newbie here thinking about a 2016 G63 UK vehicle, I saw Bilstein B6 shocks at very good prices are the Fox ones better, looking for better ride and reduced body roll so thought about a 30mm lowering spring from Lorinser but at almost £1,000 GBP its a lot if that wont be a good combo. Its for look and ride no offroad interest (sorry).

Will run stock 20” rims but may add a 15mm spacer all round to widen the track slightly

Thanks

Carl

Texas E63

The advantage of the Fox's IMHO are the adjustment options..... around town I tend to leave the rears in a softer setting - but on longer road trips I adjust them firmer, takes about 2 minutes.... for Moab and Telluride offroad duty the soft setting made it very slinky.... although the lack of travel was surprising - guess that's why the lockers.....
as for spacers - I think for the 15mm you just need longer lugs as I don't think they're bolt on, but rather hubcentric w/ the correct length lugs included .... assuming you're thinking H & R
E

carlosamg50

Ah ok yes never thought of the adjustability side, I drive a Range Rover SVR now so feeling bumps in the road is no big deal, flatter handling is LOL.

What do you think about a lowering spring, would that flatten it out or am i best with shock upgrades first?

Yes probably H&R for spacers nothing too big just to fill the arches a bit better, may go 21” or 22” wheels if i gel with the beast but time will tell.

Steering is a worry, seems suspension can be tuned but Ive not seen anything to improve the steering feel or lack of should I say

Texas E63

Similar - I generally like a firm ride, but the G63 IMHO is wiggly..... the springs are perfect for the power over the 550 but the shocks aren't up to the task.... that would be my big concern with any aftermarket spring.... the power of the 5.5tt is alot more then the 550 / 500 most of the aftermarket is tested and designed for as it's the larger audience..... and if like me you're thinking of a tune and DP's for the G63 I'd bet almost no springs are designed to deal with 750 hp via coils......

for handling - I found the 305's and widening the stance made a HUGE difference..... I'm about 3 1/2" wider track then stock with a 13" footprint at each corner.... the 305 Toyo AT2's are super wide spec for their size.... they're just a 1/2" narrower treadwidth then the 345's on my C63..... if you're into performance as it sounds you might be - consider custom rims to get the right offset and weight saving.... from my OME 20's w/ 31mm spacer to the Forgestar 20X10.4 Et 25 I saved over 12lbs a corner...... just the 31mm spacers and extra lugs is about 18lbs.... and all the OEM rims are heavy.

Cheers

E

carlosamg50

Initially Im thinking leave her stock power maybe stick my BMC filters in from my GL63 I sold last year but suspension and steering sound like the key things to focus on, Im assuming stock 20” rims wont take that wide a tyre so will just do a spacer install, did that help the ride, may go a bit bigger spacer if it does? Ive found a UK stockist for the shocks and happy to leave the springs as it cuts the cost of the upgrade in half.

reading up on steering dampers, do they improve steering feel?

Would love to see pics of your G, sounds like you know these beasts well

Thanks for the advice so far

Carl

Texas E63

305's fit fine on the OEM rims - I ran them for 5k on the stock rims while the Forgestars were getting built.... you will need spacers however to clear. 31mm is needed - H & R would be the only one I'd use...

I've got BMC's in the G and my C - worth doing I'd agree..... I may pass on the DP's given the testing /cat missing light (CEL or visible via scan) but still the tune alone gets it well into 650 hp....
I test fit the King steering stab. - not worth it IMHo as there isn't a real increase in impact or flex with just the wider stance.... offroad might be a different story but I have an 80 series Landcruiser on 35's that covers that need...

happy to shoot pics of the rig over so you can see stance and such .... what's the best email ?

Erich

carlosamg50

What about a front strut brace like the new shape has or is that only because of the independent front suspension?

Texas E63

yup - think that's only useful for something that doesn't have solid axles and coils that are frame mounted vs. sheet metal like on my C63..... I have the full kit of Ultra Racing stuff on it and it makes a huge difference on track days.....

MikeHoncho

Ive seen you make this statement a few times, here. Have you driven a G with aftermarket springs?