Does XR delete the Fox shocks?

[jchrisbauer13]

Sorry if this has been answered clearly elsewhere but I have seen posts that have been confusion. Just wanting to clarify if the XR package deletes the Fox shocks? If so, what are thoughts on the performance of the substituted product.

Thanks
CB

 

[JEEPGEEK]

Sorry if this has been answered clearly elsewhere but I have seen posts that have been confusion. Just wanting to clarify if the XR package deletes the Fox shocks? If so, what are thoughts on the performance of the substituted product.

Thanks
CB

Yes, they are Mopar branded shocks like you get with the Mopar lift. I don't know how the Fox shocks perform but so far I am very impressed with the XR. It rides smooth on the highway, responsive and comfortable. I finally got it off road this past weekend and was even more impressed. I speed through a washboard road and it soaked it up. Same thing with the dried up river bed I was playing in. Anyone with a 392 want to meet up to compare vs the XR package so we can answer all of these questions?

 

[YukonCornelius]

Still really irks me that we gotta pay $4k more for "less" in some regards...
MOPAR shocks are not Fox. They're decent, but certainly not Fox.

 

[jchrisbauer13]

Yes, they are Mopar branded shocks like you get with the Mopar lift. I don't know how the Fox shocks perform but so far I am very impressed with the XR. It rides smooth on the highway, responsive and comfortable. I finally got it off road this past weekend and was even more impressed. I speed through a washboard road and it soaked it up. Same thing with the dried up river bed I was playing in. Anyone with a 392 want to meet up to compare vs the XR package so we can answer all of these questions?

thank you for info, but I'm in agreement with Yukon.....seems like a bit of a bait and switch as they should clarify that the XR package comes with delete on the Fox shocks. This seems to make the "value" of the XR package much less when they take away an upgrade already included in the vehicle.

 

[JEEPGEEK]

thank you for info, but I'm in agreement with Yukon.....seems like a bit of a bait and switch as they should clarify that the XR package comes with delete on the Fox shocks. This seems to make the "value" of the XR package much less when they take away an upgrade already included in the vehicle.

Oh, I totally agree with both of you guys. I, like you, scoured the internet to try and find out if they were Fox shocks before taking ownership. The idea of getting Fox shocks felt more "aftermarket" than getting the Mopar shocks. One of the first things I did at the dealership was slide underneath to check the shocks. Was I disappointed? Yes. Do I still think it rides amazing compared to all other Jeeps I've owned/rode in? YES!

Hopefully, one day we get an article explaining why they went with the Mopar shocks over the Fox shocks on the XR. I have hope it was due to the performance when testing the XR package and not simply to make more money off the mark-up.

 

[Uncommon Sense]

That's disappointing. The Fox shocks add to overall premium of the 392 and for them to not be on the XR package seems to be a slight even if performance may be on par with the mopar branded shocks.

 

[jchrisbauer13]

Anybody out here who has driven both the standard and XR stock versions have insight on this topic…. Is the Fox delete significant or more of a “status” that will be missed only in appearance? Just inquiring as one of many who I am sure plan to keep their rides stock for awhile. FYI my 392 on order is an XR.

 

[YukonCornelius]

If it were an apples-to-apples comparison, that is, same tube diameter, same shaft diameter and travel, same vehicle tune - I'd take Fox over MOPAR any day for performance, durability, longevity, and consistency. Fox does higher-end performance. Jeep, well, it's something that they have to put on to get the wheels and tires on to get it to roll out the door. Not that there is anything wrong with them as an entry level shock. They serve their purpose.

But has ANYONE thought, gee, I'm going to replace my Fox Specialty Tuned shocks today with MOPAR branded off-the-shelves?

As I said, with the XR, we are paying a premium for "less" in some regards on the 392. Not only do we pay the same price for the package that a Willys or standard Rubi does for a lot of features to be upgraded on those models but are already standard on the 392... but when they DOWNGRADE components, well, I get what people are pissed about.

 

[jchrisbauer13]

thanks for the insight Yukon! So I have to wonder, is there any difference in specs on the Fox shocks that make them not work with the XR package? Or is Jeep just doing this swap to make more money on this package - just as Yukon suggests, seems that we 392 purchasers are getting screwed compared to those buying the XR upgrade for other JL versions for the same price?!

 

[JEEPGEEK]

FWIW, this discussion is also happening in the 392 owners FaceBook group. Here is the response(s) from Scott Blum on the shocks for the XR. For those that don't know, Scott is a Manager or VP of product planning at Jeep.

Again, like you all I was disappointed but after driving the XR for two weeks I will say I am Xtreme-ly happy with the ride. I've never had Fox shocks on a Jeep but I had Falcon shocks on my JK and loved the way it rode with them. The XR is easily a better ride on and off road.

Perhaps Jeep did us a solid by going with a technologically superior shock for this package despite it not being a name brand. I don't find that hard to believe since the 392 and 392XR are specifically targeting the enthusiast and what we have been clamoring for in a factory Jeep for decades.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

I have tried a few times to find the 392 group on Facebook but I'm in the wrong one, with only 7 other people.

 

[jchrisbauer13]

FWIW, this discussion is also happening in the 392 owners FaceBook group. Here is the response(s) from Scott Blum on the shocks for the XR. For those that don't know, Scott is a Manager or VP of product planning at Jeep.

View attachment 2004

Again, like you all I was disappointed but after driving the XR for two weeks I will say I am Xtreme-ly happy with the ride. I've never had Fox shocks on a Jeep but I had Falcon shocks on my JK and loved the way it rode with them. The XR is easily a better ride on and off road.

Perhaps Jeep did us a solid by going with a technologically superior shock for this package despite it not being a name brand. I don't find that hard to believe since the 392 and 392XR are specifically targeting the enthusiast and what we have been clamoring for in a factory Jeep for decades.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[cgrosen324]

If it were an apples-to-apples comparison, that is, same tube diameter, same shaft diameter and travel, same vehicle tune - I'd take Fox over MOPAR any day for performance, durability, longevity, and consistency. Fox does higher-end performance. Jeep, well, it's something that they have to put on to get the wheels and tires on to get it to roll out the door. Not that there is anything wrong with them as an entry level shock. They serve their purpose.

But has ANYONE thought, gee, I'm going to replace my Fox Specialty Tuned shocks today with MOPAR branded off-the-shelves?

As I said, with the XR, we are paying a premium for "less" in some regards on the 392. Not only do we pay the same price for the package that a Willys or standard Rubi does for a lot of features to be upgraded on those models but are already standard on the 392... but when they DOWNGRADE components, well, I get what people are pissed about.

I could not have said it better! I guess I’ll have to take Jeep’s word that the XR shocks are better than the Fox shocks on the regular 392, but 392XR buyers should NOT be paying the same $4K upgrade as with other models. There are several upgrades already included on the 392 that are included upgrades on the XR package. It’s kinda BS. I bought one though

 

[Maxx]

Can this S. Blum guy or anyone else say exactly what the XR shocks are? I haven’t been able to find out. I agree that “a sticker on a shock doesn’t define how good it is,” but what are the specs?

 

[byhumba]

Can this S. Blum guy or anyone else say exactly what the XR shocks are? I haven’t been able to find out. I agree that “a sticker on a shock doesn’t define how good it is,” but what are the specs?

I agree. Exactly which components and specs make the OEM better than the Fox shocks? Are they better in all environments, when oofroading, when on-road?

 

[YukonCornelius]

Things we 392 buyers are paying for that we don't really get (included already, or, replaced with equal or lesser component)

- Beadlock capable wheels (just getting 1/2" wider - but Willys and Rubi are full upgrades)
- Larger brakes (included in 392)
- 1.5" Lift (392 is already 2")
- Thicker Dana 44 tube walls (included in 392)
- And of course, the Fox versus MOPAR shock controversy

So we still pay the same $4k for:
Different (not in addition to) shock tuning
315x70x17 BFG KO2's
4.56 gearing
Hinge reinforcement
1/2" wider wheel

Am I missing anything?

 

[Maxx]

I just don’t understand why information about the XR shocks is not available. The vehicles are already being built and delivered to customers.

 

[jchrisbauer13]

Things we 392 buyers are paying for that we don't really get (included already, or, replaced with equal or lesser component)

- Beadlock capable wheels (just getting 1/2" wider - but Willys and Rubi are full upgrades)
- Larger brakes (included in 392)
- 1.5" Lift (392 is already 2")
- Thicker Dana 44 tube walls (included in 392)
- And of course, the Fox versus MOPAR shock controversy

So we still pay the same $4k for:
Different (not in addition to) shock tuning
315x70x17 BFG KO2's
4.56 gearing
Hinge reinforcement
1/2" wider wheel

Am I missing anything?

I think you nailed it and the more I think about it, I'm not certain getting the XR for the 392 was the best option for me. Unless one is planning on rock crawling/doing very serious off road stuff, is the 4.56 gearing really needed for the 392 to move the bigger tires without a struggle....I think not? Also, it looks like the bronze wheels as advertised for the 392 XR really are not bronze at all (another false advertisement and I really liked the look of the bronze wheels in the build configurator). It seems like may be most cost effective to skip the XR package and just get aftermarket wheel/tire upgrade. I am considering changing my order the more I think about this.

 

[RobC2]

Things we 392 buyers are paying for that we don't really get (included already, or, replaced with equal or lesser component)

- Beadlock capable wheels (just getting 1/2" wider - but Willys and Rubi are full upgrades)
- Larger brakes (included in 392)
- 1.5" Lift (392 is already 2")
- Thicker Dana 44 tube walls (included in 392)
- And of course, the Fox versus MOPAR shock controversy

So we still pay the same $4k for:
Different (not in addition to) shock tuning
315x70x17 BFG KO2's
4.56 gearing
Hinge reinforcement
1/2" wider wheel

Am I missing anything?

I have been looking into this too and I agree. I think you are missing the larger wheel arches on both.

 

[cgrosen324]

Things we 392 buyers are paying for that we don't really get (included already, or, replaced with equal or lesser component)

- Beadlock capable wheels (just getting 1/2" wider - but Willys and Rubi are full upgrades)
- Larger brakes (included in 392)
- 1.5" Lift (392 is already 2")
- Thicker Dana 44 tube walls (included in 392)
- And of course, the Fox versus MOPAR shock controversy

So we still pay the same $4k for:
Different (not in addition to) shock tuning
315x70x17 BFG KO2's
4.56 gearing
Hinge reinforcement
1/2" wider wheel

Am I missing anything?

Good write-up. I sort of feel like a moron for ordering a 392XR. Then again it may never show up.