I have a set of 14" 2.0's on the front of my SAS'd Explorer. While doing the SAS, they sat for about six months, only used for mock-up. First trip out, they got super soft and started to bottom out. Pulled them apart and found that gas had gotten past the IFP and into the oil. Called FOA, they told me to purchase a seal kit because there were a "lot of variables" that could have caused that. Seal kit arrived, and they had sent me complete rebuild kits instead. Called Chris, he said to use it on FOA.
While resealing the shocks, I noticed it had been valved completely wrong and there appeared to be scoring within the reservoirs that went from end to end. Could not have been caused by the IFP movement, but most likely, by the fabrication process. Also noticed they had machining shavings and debris inside the shock bodies. Got the right shims, flushed them out, and put them back together. After charging, the reservoirs started immediately leaking out the valve end seals. Both of them.
Sent FOA (Chris) a long email about my problems, including a picture of the inside of one of the reservoirs. Chris sent me two new complete reservoirs and all new seals. Upon receipt, I took them apart, and noticed they had polished the inside of the replacement reservoirs. Now, they have worked without any issues for about a year. Before I purchased them, I knew nothing about coil over shocks, now I can rebuild one in my sleep. I also ended up with a bunch of extra shock parts.
Their quality control needs to be increased. I suggested to them they charge a few bucks more a shock and hire a QC person, and someone who loves their products and will be there just to answer the phone and help customers. When calling, its hit or miss on what you get because they all seem in a hurry to get off the phone, except Chris. He is very helpful. I was near the point of throwing them in the trash and getting another brand when they redeemed themselves by sending me basically everything but the shafts and shock bodies. I think they could be a great company if they only increased there QC.
Oh, and don't get the helper springs from Viper. Maybe they would work for a buggy, but with the round springs they overlapped when compressed, popped and did not stay level. I ended up getting flat springs from Eibach. Thanks to Dave's Off Road Supply, who I originally purchased the shocks through. He offered to pay for the seal kits to keep my business, but I declined. If wasn't his fault, why should he have to pay?