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I think it's time to try and improve the ride quality a bit and wanted to ask if there is anyone that has installed Fox shocks and left their stock springs on their G55 car? i assume the g63 folks could offer their input as well since theyre probably in the same boat. not looking to lift or put different wheels on. not looking to run wheel spacers either. any input would be appreciated. if you can share part #s for the fox shocks, that would be great also.
I sent emails back and forth with Alvin @ Viking about this and from what I understand, you'll need spring spacers to use the G55k OE springs, or will have to change springs to G500/550, G63, or aftermarket. The size of the spring spacer is not exactly known, but from more research, I believe that 30mm spring spacers will be enough. I want to try to keep the driving dynamics of the G55k, so do not want to change to a softer spring (Thor, or G500)
The main reason I believe is because the OE rear springs on the G55k are shorter when uncompressed compared to other options, and the extended travel length of the Fox shocks (or probably most aftermarket shocks that can be used to lift the truck) when 'bottoming out' would cause the spring to be loose/fall out.
I got length information, compressed and uncompressed from Alvin and I'll take length data of the OE G55 shocks when I change mine out to Bilstein B6's. I anticipate switching over to Fox shocks to be happy with the suspension, but wanted to give the Bilsteins a shot first since I already have them. This won't happen before next month though.
PS. I finally am back with my truck so am working on that glove box solution.
I sent emails back and forth with Alvin @ Viking about this and from what I understand, you'll need spring spacers to use the G55k OE springs, or will have to change springs to G500/550, G63, or aftermarket. The size of the spring spacer is not exactly known, but from more research, I believe that 30mm spring spacers will be enough. I want to try to keep the driving dynamics of the G55k, so do not want to change to a softer spring (Thor, or G500)
The main reason I believe is because the OE rear springs on the G55k are shorter when uncompressed compared to other options, and the extended travel length of the Fox shocks (or probably most aftermarket shocks that can be used to lift the truck) when 'bottoming out' would cause the spring to be loose/fall out.
I got length information, compressed and uncompressed from Alvin and I'll take length data of the OE G55 shocks when I change mine out to Bilstein B6's. I anticipate switching over to Fox shocks to be happy with the suspension, but wanted to give the Bilsteins a shot first since I already have them. This won't happen before next month though.
PS. I finally am back with my truck so am working on that glove box solution.
thanks for the info. Glad you were able to get your car registered and everything - that sounded like a nightmare.
Interesting on the g63 springs ... that must mean those are taller than the g55 springs? I guess i could try to source a set of those if that will work. I was trying to avoid going the g500 or g550 route if possible but finding a set of those springs shouldn't be too difficult either. Probably a better way to go in lieu of adding spring spacers to the g55 springs.
Trying to preserve some handling but roads around here are falling apart and the ride quality is almost unbearable. I’d be curious to see what you think of the bilsteins once you get them on.
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with on the glovebox and I’ll keep you posted
thanks for the info. Glad you were able to get your car registered and everything - that sounded like a nightmare.
Interesting on the g63 springs ... that must mean those are taller than the g55 springs? I guess i could try to source a set of those if that will work. I was trying to avoid going the g500 or g550 route if possible but finding a set of those springs shouldn't be too difficult either. Probably a better way to go in lieu of adding spring spacers to the g55 springs.
Trying to preserve some handling but roads around here are falling apart and the ride quality is almost unbearable. I’d be curious to see what you think of the bilsteins once you get them on.
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with on the glovebox and I’ll keep you posted
I think the ideal way to do this for G55 owners would be to source G63 springs. I'm not 100% that they will fit without any modifications, but pretty sure since the W463 changed so little till 2018. I wanted to avoid the 500/550 softer springs to keep the stiffer driving dynamics of the truck if at all possible, so spring spacers seem the way to go. Plenty of folks here and over on clubwagen have been running spring spacers from Karl for lots and lots of miles without issue. I'm in the same boat as you with roads around NJ/NYC literally falling apart, or unkept cobble stone streets around Dumbo where I work.
B6 Bilsteins will be my first step and I'll see where to go from there. I think the majority of other members who have gone with Fox 2.0's have all made the switch to Thor springs also. I'm keen to avoid lifting for a few years as the kid is hard enough to get into the car seat on the tall rear bench as it is.
Hey Lawrence, so I got the go-ahead from the wife to get the Fox's and "do the swap once and be done". =D. I'm going have to do some more research and send a few more back-and-forth emails with Alvin and determine how to make them work properly on G55's.
Hey Lawrence, so I got the go-ahead from the wife to get the Fox's and "do the swap once and be done". =D. I'm going have to do some more research and send a few more back-and-forth emails with Alvin and determine how to make them work properly on G55's.
awesome! I've been reading some more around the forums on this and couldn't find anyone running the fox shocks without different springs, or the 30mm spacers you mentioned. The G63 or G550 springs are probably the best bet to keep the factory angles/geometry almost intact. I assume the spacers would achieve the same. I'd be curious to see which way you end up going.
awesome! I've been reading some more around the forums on this and couldn't find anyone running the fox shocks without different springs, or the 30mm spacers you mentioned. The G63 or G550 springs are probably the best bet to keep the factory angles/geometry almost intact. I assume the spacers would achieve the same. I'd be curious to see which way you end up going.
I think the ideal way for an AMG car to go with Fox 2.0's and not lift would be to source G63 springs. I've found several members on here, clubwagen, pointedthree, and expedition portal that have run them without a lift and didn't have an issue. I think 30mm spacers should be fine but am waiting to confirm with G55 spring and shock lengths. I'm having a convo with Alvin over at Viking Offroad now about this but will order in the coming few weeks when I'm more certain than I am now.
looks great! what size tires are those and how is the ride with this setup? thanks
The G is on 285/55/20 ridge grapplers, I like it better than the OEM shocks. I’m still adjusting the fox to my liking. Currently the front is set to 2 & the rears are 3. Still squishy for me so I’m gonna bring +1 front & rear soon. 40mm spring spacers installed on the bottom of OEM shocks w Fox 2.0
The G is on 285/55/20 ridge grapplers, I like it better than the OEM shocks. I’m still adjusting the fox to my liking. Currently the front is set to 2 & the rears are 3. Still squishy for me so I’m gonna bring +1 front & rear soon. 40mm spring spacers installed on the bottom of OEM shocks w Fox 2.0
Yours is a 63 tho ya? not a 55, tryna figure out if the spring spacers will be enough with the fox shocks ,
I have a 55 with pending install of 40mm spring spacers and Fox non-adj shocks. Was going to do when had car in shop for 63 front end change but may do it now and then put in body shop due a small fire that broke out there.
I have a 55 with pending install of 40mm spring spacers and Fox non-adj shocks. Was going to do when had car in shop for 63 front end change but may do it now and then put in body shop due a small fire that broke out there.
Thanks for bringing this thread back to life.
Just to follow up with the above conversation, I did end up sourcing G63 springs with my Fox 2.0 shocks and the install went fine overall. (just be prepared to do some cutting for the front shock reservoirs to fit)
Some points to note:
The G55 front springs are 1" shorter than the G63 front springs when uncompressed. The logic would follow then that a 30mm spring spacer in the front would be enough to make the Fox 2.0's happy (Or any other shock that had issues with the shorter G55 front springs)
The G55 rear springs are EXACTLY the same as the G63 rear springs, same length, same, coil thickness, same number of coils, same color marking.
I've had the G63 springs + Fox 2.0 shocks now for almost 10k miles in 5 or so months and looking back, I would have went for G500/550 springs instead. (I do not want a lift at this time) I feel the AMG springs are too stiff for the Fox 2.0 shocks when running them near full soft. I normally run 0-2 clicks off full soft and find the spring+shock combo underdamped causing the ride to be too 'bouncy', but not too bouncy at the same time because the AMG springs are pretty stiff. The result is a ride that feels too soft when taking turns and dynamic transitions (too much body lean from the shocks being adjusted too soft), but still not soft enough to be comfortable. (springs still a little bit jarring) If you ride with the Fox 2.0's in the 4+ clicks from soft, the AMG springs feel very good, similar to how the OE shocks feel during dynamic transitions, but still much softer and less jarring during the normal driving.
Overall, I would do the modification again 10 times out of 10 as it has made the G livable day to day now without rattling my teeth out. I've taken a long roadtrip from NJ down to Florida during the holidays (driving down straight through) and never felt driving fatigue or discomfort from the suspension.
If anything the overall consensus is that the G55 springs gotta go lol.
After I bought my truck and put some miles on the highway and back roads of LA I thought I'd made a mistake. The springs are just too rigid, great for a straight line on the autobahn, but for normal life use they are just too harsh.
I went w Thor springs w my Fox 2.0 setup and would never look back. These trucks should have some level of comfort, while still maintaining their all terrane capabilities.
I've done desert to extreme snow/mud off roading and my setup has been amazing. I've also started to run my tires at a lower PSI which has been amazing.
I have the fox 2.0 set up and love em. I’d switched out of 55 springs 6 or 7 yrs ago to 63 springs. At the time, I bought 63 springs and 550 shocks new from the dealer, in a futile effort to soften the ride.... but search eBay, with 63s being totaled and dismantled these days, there always seems to be a set or two of the 63 springs on there. Back to the Fox 2.0, note that they’re super stiff for the first 1000 miles, to the point that I even called Fox to troubleshoot, but right after about a thousand miles, like a light switch, they softened up. Eventually had to dial up the stiffness adjustment to #3 in the front and #4 in the rear. I Definitely recommend them as the next option seems to be the Brabus Ride Control shocks which run damn near $10k for the set up!
I have the fox 2.0 set up and love em. I’d switched out of 55 springs 6 or 7 yrs ago to 63 springs. At the time, I bought 63 springs and 550 shocks new from the dealer, in a futile effort to soften the ride.... but search eBay, with 63s being totaled and dismantled these days, there always seems to be a set or two of the 63 springs on there. Back to the Fox 2.0, note that they’re super stiff for the first 1000 miles, to the point that I even called Fox to troubleshoot, but right after about a thousand miles, like a light switch, they softened up. Eventually had to dial up the stiffness adjustment to #3 in the front and #4 in the rear. I Definitely recommend them as the next option seems to be the Brabus Ride Control shocks which run damn near $10k for the set up!
So for a 55 best to go with which setup if you want a life?
1. Stock springs with 40mm spacers and Fox shocks
2. 63 springs front with 40mm spacers and Fox shocks
3. Older model 550 (2008-2011) springs front with 40mm spacers and Fox shocks
4. Older model 550 springs front/rear with 40mm spacers and Fox shocks
I as planning and have the parts for option 1 the stock 55 springs with 40mm spacers and Fox shocks. Mine are the non-adj version since the adjustable are M.I.A. for now.
I am running Fox 2.0, Thor Springs, H&R 30mm wheel spacers (goes flush with the G55 wheel arches), I am running 305/65 R18 BF Goodrich KO2's.
I love the ride, I have a roof rack, which I now have my full spare on as well and run the fronts at a setting of 2, and the rears at a setting of 4. Truck feels amazing. I've gone from LA to Seattle and through mountains and off roading (desert, mud, snow) with this setup and would highly recommend it.
So for a 55 best to go with which setup if you want a life?
1. Stock springs with 40mm spacers and Fox shocks
2. 63 springs front with 40mm spacers and Fox shocks
3. Older model 550 (2008-2011) springs front with 40mm spacers and Fox shocks
4. Older model 550 springs front/rear with 40mm spacers and Fox shocks
I as planning and have the parts for option 1 the stock 55 springs with 40mm spacers and Fox shocks. Mine are the non-adj version since the adjustable are M.I.A. for now.
Any details would be great.
I think it all depends how you drive. If you expect the truck to corner like the 55 does with OE suspension, your best bet will be to stick with the 55 or 63 springs with spring spacers. If you're more laid back and accelerate moderately and take turns slow, then the 500/550 springs with spring spacers would work well. There are plenty of aftermarket springs that provide a lift that will also work like the Thor springs (but they provide a 60-70mm lift. If I wanted a lift right out the gate, I would have went with the Thor springs.
I went with the 63 springs because I thought switching to a softer spring would affect the handling dynamics of the G55k. It does do exactly that, but I found after putting more miles on the truck, that I don't need it to take onramps quickly. It's plenty fast on the highway and comfortable cruising at 75 all day long. For the tradeoff of a even more comfortable ride, I would go with 500/550 springs as I didn't want a lift for now (I'll probably switch in the spring some time), but do plan on it in the future (the lift).
For information, the 55 and 63 springs are basically the same front spring rate, but the 63 springs are 1" longer. So you can save some $ and time if you want to keep the AMG springs and just add the appropriate spring spacers. The rear AMG springs on the 55 and 63 are exactly the same, so unless yours are rusty or damaged, I would just keep the 55 set.
I think it all depends how you drive. If you expect the truck to corner like the 55 does with OE suspension, your best bet will be to stick with the 55 or 63 springs with spring spacers. If you're more laid back and accelerate moderately and take turns slow, then the 500/550 springs with spring spacers would work well. There are plenty of aftermarket springs that provide a lift that will also work like the Thor springs (but they provide a 60-70mm lift. If I wanted a lift right out the gate, I would have went with the Thor springs.
I went with the 63 springs because I thought switching to a softer spring would affect the handling dynamics of the G55k. It does do exactly that, but I found after putting more miles on the truck, that I don't need it to take onramps quickly. It's plenty fast on the highway and comfortable cruising at 75 all day long. For the tradeoff of a even more comfortable ride, I would go with 500/550 springs as I didn't want a lift for now (I'll probably switch in the spring some time), but do plan on it in the future (the lift).
For information, the 55 and 63 springs are basically the same front spring rate, but the 63 springs are 1" longer. So you can save some $ and time if you want to keep the AMG springs and just add the appropriate spring spacers. The rear AMG springs on the 55 and 63 are exactly the same, so unless yours are rusty or damaged, I would just keep the 55 set.
Hey, what would be your recommendation for someone who has a 2003 G55 on stock suspension that doesn't want a lift? We have 6' 8" clearance parking garages here as the norm and my G55 on 20" wheels just barely squeezes in with about an inch to spare. This suspension is honestly brutal - I hear my pre-supercharged version had even worse suspension than the 2005+ G55K's that came afterwards and I can certainly attest to it. Searching for a better solution... Thanks again!!
Hey, what would be your recommendation for someone who has a 2003 G55 on stock suspension that doesn't want a lift? We have 6' 8" clearance parking garages here as the norm and my G55 on 20" wheels just barely squeezes in with about an inch to spare. This suspension is honestly brutal - I hear my pre-supercharged version had even worse suspension than the 2005+ G55K's that came afterwards and I can certainly attest to it. Searching for a better solution... Thanks again!!
Yes, The pre-supercharged G55's did have the most harsh suspension.
If you drive more aggressively with the G, I would go with G63 springs (front) or you can add a 30mm spacer to the front springs only. The rear springs are exactly the same on the G55 and G63. This will level out the 'raked' stance of the G55's OE suspension, and should only be a nominal front lift (back to OE height of the other G models). If you are more laid back when driving, the switch to G500/550 springs.
For the shocks, you have several options from non-adjustable to adjustable. I went with the Fox 2.0 Adjustables, but there are also the Kings Adjustables, and Ohlins. For non-adjustables, I haven't done my research to which brands/models actually provide a better ride. For the Fox 2.0's, there will be inner fender cutting. I do not know if this is the case for the Kings or Ohlins.
07-27-2020, 04:03 PM
