Yeah fox isn't cheap. I know when they went on my jeep, it was a stunning difference! I guess my question regarding it would be, or rather argument, might be that having a big heavy truck ride like a cadi is a tall order. Now, granted my truck rides smoother than my dad's brand new 3500.... I have 1500's on my truck and they're ok for long slow suspension travel movements, but not the short quick jolts, like what you are also having trouble with. I would be willing to bet though that the external adjusters, though helpeful, are not fully what is needed? Do you know if the actual valves have been built accordingly or is it just the external res? I think the adjustments on the res is different than the actual valves, or so that's how fox explained it to me with my jeep. I have the 2.0's with external adjustable res.
I would think that having longer travel wouldn't help with the harshness, since thats only a inch or two worht of travel considering the roads your talking about. And yes, those expansion joints suck bad!!!! You need the valves to be super fast to respond at the short end of quick movements, but slow to respond once movement extends past, oh.... 0.75' of travel (well...maybe 1.5' considering how bad I5 and 405 is getting....). I know they can valve them any way you choose within reason. maybe they just valved them for overall weight, and didn't customize them considering use and speed of response?
Also, is your res a single or dual adjuster? They have ones that adjust the high speed, and slow speed movements - or so they used to anyway.
One thing to also note, is that when I did my trucks suspension, I specifically got springs that are lighter weight than the truck itself. So 250 springs for a 350. The fronts are now only 2 leafs instead of 3, and the rears, not exactly sure off the top of my head. anyway, point is that the spring rate is slightly lower than the truck is speced for. So it allows for more, smoother, and quicker movement of the springs, although it also causes the truck to sit lower than it would with the right weight. but, it's the only way I have found around that problem. I personally want to get fox shocks soon as well, with custom weighted springs once final weights are known. But in the end, though it might be better, its still going to be rough to some extent.
I would think that in your case, you will be looking for springs that have a slightly lower compression rate, higher rebound rate, valving with a quick high speed response, and somewhat slower low speed response will do the trick. Now, with bags on, thats a whole different ball game. Also, consider active bump stops. that could help a ton as well, but pricy. Hope that all makes sense as I try to eat dinner haha.
