The original 2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 combined a 100-horsepower engine and recreational suspension with a practical dumping cargo box. We were impressed from the first time we drove it at the Polaris GENERAL media introduction, but it did not take long for us to find the limits of its factory shocks.
After driving the GENERAL in the dunes, desert and rough Arizona terrain, we wanted more suspension capacity and better bottom-out resistance. Our solution was a set of larger FOX 2.5 Podium RC2 shocks originally intended for the Polaris RZR S 900 and RZR S 1000, combined with springs and custom valving developed by Shock Therapy.
Fitment note: This project was completed on the original two-seat 2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 platform. Do not assume these shocks fit later GENERAL, GENERAL 4 or GENERAL XP models. Verify shock lengths, mounting dimensions, clearances and current product availability with the suspension supplier before ordering parts.
Why We Wanted a Polaris GENERAL Shock Upgrade
The factory suspension worked surprisingly well during ordinary trail driving. The limits became more obvious when we started pushing the GENERAL harder.
During our Polaris GENERAL dune test, the combination of high-speed g-outs, aggressive driving and the wider stance created by our sand-tire setup caused the suspension to bottom. We tend to drive our project vehicles like we are racing, so increased damping capacity became a priority.
The original GENERAL offered 12.25 inches of front suspension travel and 13.2 inches at the rear. Its suspension geometry and shock dimensions were closely related to the 60-inch Polaris RZR S 900 and RZR S 1000 platforms.
Factory GENERAL 1000 Shock Options
The standard 2016 GENERAL 1000 used 2-inch shocks with dual-rate springs and preload adjustment. Those shocks did not have external reservoirs, but they delivered a respectable ride for an original-equipment setup.
The GENERAL 1000 Deluxe stepped up to FOX Podium X 2.0 QS3 shocks. The three-position compression adjusters made it easy to change the suspension setting, and the adjustments produced noticeable differences in ride quality and control.
Although the QS3 shocks were a useful factory upgrade, their 2-inch bodies still had limited oil and damping capacity compared with a larger racing-oriented shock. We wanted a package better suited to repeated g-outs, whoops and sustained aggressive driving.
Adapting FOX 2.5 Podium RC2 Shocks
At the time, FOX did not offer a dedicated 2.5-inch shock package for the GENERAL. Because the original GENERAL shared important suspension dimensions with the RZR S 900 and RZR S 1000, we sourced FOX 2.5 Podium RC2 shocks and sent them to Shock Therapy for vehicle-specific spring and valving work.
The larger shock body offered more than a visual upgrade. A 2.5-inch piston has approximately 56 percent more area than a 2-inch piston. The larger body and greater oil volume allow the shock to generate substantial damping force at lower internal pressures while managing heat more effectively.
That additional capacity is especially valuable during sustained hard driving. Repeated impacts generate heat in the shock oil, and excessive heat can change damping performance and contribute to shock fade.
FOX 2.5 Podium RC2 Adjustments
- Low-speed compression: Influences chassis movement such as cornering, braking and rolling terrain.
- High-speed compression: Controls fast shock-shaft movements caused by square edges, g-outs, jump landings and other sharp impacts.
- Rebound: Controls how quickly the suspension extends after being compressed.
- Spring preload: Establishes spring tension and helps set the vehicle’s ride height.
- Spring crossover: Determines when the dual-rate spring package transitions from the softer initial rate to the firmer combined rate.
For more background on the roles played by the springs and internal damping system, see our guide to UTV springs versus shock valving.
FOX 2.5 Podium RC2 Features
- 2.5-inch aluminum shock body
- External reservoir
- Dual-speed compression adjustment
- Wide-range rebound adjustment
- Adjustable spring preload and crossover
- Internal bottom-out control
- Kashima-coated aluminum body and reservoir
- Teflon-lined spherical bearings
- Fully rebuildable and revalveable construction
- 3-inch-ID dual-rate racing springs
- 7/8-inch hard-chromed shaft
Shock Therapy Spring and Valving Setup
Shock Therapy obtained a loaner GENERAL from RideNow Surprise so the team could evaluate the stock suspension before installing the FOX RC2 shocks. We had our shocks shipped directly to the company for spring selection, valving and initial setup.
Its location near Arizona State Trust land and the Boulders OHV Area gave the team access to rough terrain close to the shop. That made it possible to test the GENERAL, return to the shop and revise the valving, springs or ride height without losing an entire day to transportation.
Although Shock Therapy was still a relatively young company when this project was completed, its team already had extensive off-road suspension experience. The shop specialized in rebuilding, revalving and upgrading UTV shocks for different vehicle weights, driving styles and terrain.
We had previously used Shock Therapy to upgrade the factory FOX internal-bypass shocks on our Polaris RZR XP Turbo build and had been impressed with the results.
FOX RC2 Installation on the GENERAL
The larger shock bodies, external reservoirs and Kashima coating looked right at home on the GENERAL. More importantly, the springs and valving were developed around the heavier sport-utility chassis rather than simply using the original RZR calibration.
Testing Bottom-Out Resistance in G-Outs
Our first test area included several washes with abrupt g-outs. Bottoming a UTV’s suspension is one of my biggest complaints, particularly when the alternative is slowing dramatically for every depression in the trail.
Justin and I both weighed more than 200 pounds, and neither of us was interested in taking it easy. We attacked several rough transitions at a good pace without feeling the suspension crash through the end of its travel.
The RC2’s internal bottom-out system added substantial damping near the end of the stroke. This allowed Shock Therapy to use a more compliant initial setup for small bumps while retaining the control needed for larger impacts.
Polaris GENERAL Whoop Test
After testing the suspension in g-outs, we headed to the Boulders OHV Area to evaluate the GENERAL through repeated whoops. The area offered whoops in corners, along straight sections and even on the faces of jumps.
We found a curving section with holes approximately a foot deep. Justin first drove through slowly to show the size of the whoops and then made several faster passes.
Testing the Polaris GENERAL through the whoops.
The results were impressive. This was still a GENERAL with approximately 12 to 13 inches of suspension travel—not a RZR XP 1000 with 17 to 18 inches—but it maintained composure through foot-deep whoops at roughly 40 mph.
The increased oil volume also helped the shocks maintain more consistent damping during repeated impacts. A larger shock does not automatically guarantee a better ride, but the combination of increased capacity, correct spring rates and vehicle-specific valving made a substantial difference here.
Polaris GENERAL FOX 2.5 RC2 Review Verdict
The FOX 2.5 Podium RC2 conversion transformed our original Polaris GENERAL 1000 into a much more capable machine for aggressive desert driving. The most meaningful improvements were better bottom-out resistance, greater control through whoops and more consistent performance during sustained hard use.
This was more suspension than most GENERAL owners needed for casual trail riding, and the factory shocks remained a good match for the vehicle’s intended sport-utility role. For drivers who regularly encountered fast desert terrain, g-outs or repeated whoops, however, the additional damping capacity and adjustability were valuable.
The project also reinforced an important lesson: large shocks alone do not create a properly sorted suspension. Spring rates, ride height, crossover settings and internal valving must all match the vehicle’s weight, accessories, occupants, terrain and driving style.
Owners considering a current suspension upgrade should contact Shock Therapy or another qualified suspension tuner to confirm the appropriate options for their specific GENERAL model. The exact FOX RC2 package tested here was developed for our original 2016 GENERAL and may no longer be offered in the same configuration.
