Need Eyelet Extenders for Fox Front Coilovers for RCD 4-5" Lift Setup

[WillW]

The old Bilstein coilover shocks are completely shot on my 2008 Ford Ranger FX4. A previous owner had put a RCD 4" Lift Kit in it. Looks cool but sure makes it challenging finding non-stock parts for the front end. The Bilstein coilovers 20-52498-25 (or F4-BE5-A091-T5) have not been available for a long time from what I can tell, at least in Canada.

Thanks to several previous posts on this site including, https://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2017/ford_ranger_coilover_conversion_overview.shtml , I've sourced the Fox 2.0 Pro Series Emulsion Shock # 980-02-001-A and some 12 inch 800 lb Eibach coil springs.

But dammit I can't seem to find the Fox bottom eyelet extenders part # FOX-213-01-238-A that I need to give the springs clearance from the axles. Has anyone in Canada found a source for them? Or has anyone done a workaround so the extenders are unneeded? Anyone have a couple of them sitting around that you'd sell me hah?

I was wondering about fabricating reinforced higher bottom mount flanges to get the clearance I need without using the extenders. I'm thinking the flanges might need to be an 1 1/2 to 2" higher than the existing flanges, but I wouldn't know exactly until I have those new shocks in hand. Has anyone done that before or have some thoughts on it? Photos attached showing the existing mounting point and showing what the bottom of the old Bilstein shocks looked like.

Anyhow, sure would like to get my truck back on the road soon. The front CV driveshaft is also bad but that's for another day. ~ Bill

 

[MaicoDoug]

WillW

Fox Eyelets
7 are in stock, yes you need them. Sure you could fab something, however of all the areas that I might install some of my work, the front suspension, needs to be of a proven design. These are light & made for the job. Fox & I go way back. Bob Fox knew how to do it right.

Looking at your pictures, looks like the same kit I am using. The shock mounts are the exact ones. They need paint.

 

[WillW]

WillW

Fox Eyelets
7 are in stock, yes you need them. Sure you could fab something, however of all the areas that I might install some of my work, the front suspension, needs to be of a proven design. These are light & made for the job. Fox & I go way back. Bob Fox knew how to do it right.

Hi Bob, yep, I see the part available at Kartek, unfortunately the cost to get them to me in Canada makes them unviable. At $137 US each, by the time I convert to Cdn currency and add $60 US shipping cost and provincial taxes when they enter Nova Scotia the total cost is $575 so more than a shock. I'm going to have to find a Canadian source or find an alternative.

 

[MaicoDoug]

I paid cheap, no where near that price. I wish I could remember where. One of the small Wisconson of SoCal suppliers, perhaps McKenzies. Everyone wants $130 exactly as you said. Well, some 2" OD 7071-T6 and a lathe & mill will get you there. Sorry for $$. I think I found the pair for $125, the shocks have doubled in price as well. Crazy. Good luck & please post on your progress. - Doug

 

[Blmpkn]

Hi Bob, yep, I see the part available at Kartek, unfortunately the cost to get them to me in Canada makes them unviable. At $137 US each, by the time I convert to Cdn currency and add $60 US shipping cost and provincial taxes when they enter Nova Scotia the total cost is $575 so more than a shock. I'm going to have to find a Canadian source or find an alternative.

Idk how shipping stuff across borders works but.. would you be able to at least avoid paying 'the kings share' if one of our US members were to purchase them & ship them to you personally?

 

[WillW]

Idk how shipping stuff across borders works but.. would you be able to at least avoid paying 'the kings share' if one of our US members were to purchase them & ship them to you personally?

That is a really kind thought thanks. Those Canadian customs dudes seem to have a way of catching things and it's going to get a bit haywire if/when auto part tariffs hit on May 3. I'm going to get on the phone to Canadian parts shops again on Monday to see if I can luck out and find the parts here first.

 

[WillW]

I paid cheap, no where near that price. I wish I could remember where. One of the small Wisconson of SoCal suppliers, perhaps McKenzies. Everyone wants $130 exactly as you said. Well, some 2" OD 7071-T6 and a lathe & mill will get you there. Sorry for $$. I think I found the pair for $125, the shocks have doubled in price as well. Crazy. Good luck & please post on your progress. - Doug

Hi Doug and sorry for calling you Bob. In the event I am unsuccessful getting the Fox eyelet extensions I'm going to try and find equivalent coilovers from other manufacturers...King, Eibach, others. I had a look online over the weekend and found it difficult to figure out comparable setups. Fox made it relatively easy with their 2.0 x 6.5 coilovers #980-02-001 with eyelet mounts top and bottom (except for me lacking access to the bottom extensions) . If you or anyone on the forum has suggestions/part #s for other shock options, I welcome them.

 

[MaicoDoug]

I understand. It was some work to get it right the first time and not be caught experimenting. But this "reality" really does need to breathe. The stroke length once known derived from the differential lengths which have already been posted. I've never ever heard of the china "QA-1" so it being a hobbyist grade part at best with no factory rebuilding or tuning service because they simply just showed up out of nowhere. I just refuse to trust them. King, Eibach & Fox will be my recommendations. Contact Kartek. They seem to be willing to help from their Truck Tech desk. Daily driver quality is the thing.

WillW, When discussing a coilover assembly be sure to mention that your application involves lower temperatures and thus a lower oil viscosity. They know the drill. There are also these guys....Ohlins. Scroll down. This links goes to a front coilover for a 2011 Ranger. Ohlins makes quality stuff too.

You can call me "UftaBob"

 

[WillW]

Thanks for taking time to offer these suggestions. I may give Kartek a call today and see if they insights for me. There also seem to be several small offroad specialists on west coast Canada that I'll check.

The Ohlins look like some serious offroad shocks. The 1 inch lift version show up as available for me from Britain and Europe at around 2000 Euros for a pair, without springs, That's around $3000 Cdn for me so way out of my budget for my daily driver/work truck/occasional offroader.

I'll continue to search for Fox, Eibach or King and let you know what I end up with.

 

[WillW]

Well I ordered some Fox 2.0 Coilovers 980-02-001 ,
Eibach 800 lb x 12" springs 1200-250-0800s (couldn't get 750 lb) and
Eibach bump stops ERS EMC 770060

Unfortunately, I still haven't tracked down 3.75" eyelet extenders 213-01-238-A . One Canadian distributor says he can get them but it would take up to two months and $450 yikes.

If by some fluke, anyone on the forum has these eyelet extenders and willing to sell em or has a lead on where to find them in Canada I'd sure be happy to hear from you.

 

[SenorNoob]