Yo Paul,
Here is a compendium of these shocks on 78-96 Broncos;
1989 Ford Bronco - fox 2.5 Coilovers And 2.5 Smooth Body ...
" Shocks up front include Fox 2.5 coilovers and 2.5 smooth body shocks and Fox 4-inch 2.0 air bumps. John did not want to run bypass shocks on his Bronco to save himself of the typical bypass clicking sound that often resonates throughout the cabin. This truck is more than just an off-road toy; John spends plenty of time daily driving it as well. Front travel measures in at 18 inches, even in 4WD..."
ONE PIC FOR EXAMPLE;
From:
http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/0910or-1989-ford-bronco/photo-07.html#ixzz3DmYYZtA0
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"The fox's have more valveing options then the bilstiens. Have you checked out FOA? Id give them a call they should be able to help you out with the right shock and valving needed for your setup. Could prob stepup to a 2.5" for the price of other companys 2". Also would be a good idea to get f250 shock mounts so you can get a taller shock that is eye to eye and ditch the stud. They run under $20 at ford"
BY jb
"...they unload just under acceleration, or deceleration, the shocks are not at fault, it is a **** poor suspension design. They do tend to unload when you drop a tire over a ledge or something, but it is not scary in any way shape or form. I am running Fox 2.0 16" air shocks on all 4 corners of my BB powered buggy. I have never jumped on the gas or brake and had my suspension unload one way or another. It's all about anti-squat and anti-dive, and that is all based on the suspension, not the shocks. I find the air shocks to be incredibly capable off road, and one of the most stable, sticky feeling suspensions I have ever run.
Now, all that said, they are not recommended for street driving, not because of the higher amount of chassis/body roll (this can be mostly solved with a sway bar as mentioned above), but because they are not designed for high speed constant cycling like your typical gas charged or emulsion shock. At high speeds these shocks can get hot fast, some say the heat can cause pressure fluctuations and actually change ride height, not to mention, the hotter a shock gets, the less dampening it will do. Anyhow, air shocks are intended for low speed light weight applications. In time, I am sure this will change. The 2.0's can handle about 750 lbs per corner sprung weight at a reasonable ride height (the amout of weight they can support increases exponetialy as the shock is compressed, ride height has a huge bearing on what pressure N2 you run, and how much weight they can support). The 2.5's are easily capable of over 1000 pounds per corner. I have heard up to 1500 pounds per shock.
There is more information there than you will know what to do with. I am extremely happy with the 2.0's, however my buggy is not street driven. Coil overs would probably be the best choice since they are far more tunable and via both the coil spring rate(s) and N2 pressure in the shock.
by Jason
http://www.ridefox.com/dl/offroad/fox-or-appguide.pdf
