Bilstein 5100 Adjustable Leveling Shock Kit

[Ryanosaurus]

I'll jump in here and add that I just had Les Schwab install the 5100's, front and rear, and the difference is night and day. It drives now as you would expect - the "up-down-up" on almost every bump is gone. The ride is not harsh at all, and love the new look. Had them put it on the middle clip position.

Headlight aim was easy, too. Before the install, in the garage, I taped off where the lights were, and just matched them up after. The adjusters seemed to go forever. I just "knew" that they were going to unwind and end up in the engine bay, but they kept coming out.

The adaptive cruise works great. Pre-install, it actually was not level per the Fox install docs, and now it is actually closer to level now than before.

BTW - you can get that cover off the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) module w/o having to pull any of the trim panels. (I was looking at the Fox install PDF from Ford, and it is (supposedly) very convoluted to get the cover off the ACC module.)

rparge, I just saw your post from 2020. When you had Les Schwab put or Bilsteins on, did they adjust/check the ACC for you? Or did you just check it afterward yourself and find it was good? Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[rparge]

rparge, I just saw your post from 2020. When you had Les Schwab put or Bilsteins on, did they adjust/check the ACC for you? Or did you just check it afterward yourself and find it was good? Thanks!

I decided to do this myself, and used the directions from the Ford "Fox Off-road leveling kit."
On a related note, I have since installed one of those grill kits, and it has had no effect on the ACC as well.

Hope this helps.

 

[Veesy]

How hard is it to install these yourself, or would it be better off getting a shop to do it. And any idea on cost of shop?

 

[Todd Chapin]

If I could found bilstien in stock I would have considered them. Went with Eibach 2.0 coilovers adjusted to 2.5" , rear shocks and 1" blocks in rear. Happy with results. The ride is great improved over the stock fx4 dampeners. No more rolly polly and break dive.

 

[Todd Chapin]

How hard is it to install these yourself, or would it be better off getting a shop to do it. And any idea on cost of shop?

Rears are pretty easy , fronts more difficult but doable with right tools and you being carefully with cv bearing. It took my mechanic 4.5 hours to install front coilovers, rear shocks and 1" lift blocks.

 

[landiscarrier]

I decided to do this myself, and used the directions from the Ford "Fox Off-road leveling kit."
On a related note, I have since installed one of those grill kits, and it has had no effect on the ACC as well.

Hope this helps.

Yeah I just installed the ‘Merica lower grille guard and no effect on ACC and installed in about 4 minutes.

 

[Langwilliams]

How hard is it to install these yourself, or would it be better off getting a shop to do it. And any idea on cost of shop?

If your truck is 2 wd it's not too bad. There's plenty of videos around on it. The front drive shafts an the chance they pop out an the way they limit travel makes 4 wd much harder to do. If you tackle it yourself it might be a good ideal to take the old struts and the new ones to a shop an have them assemble the new ones since a good quality spring tool is needed.

 

[BettaRanga]

I went with 1.8"

Thanks @Langwilliams, as of today I did too! Just got back from the garage with new 5100s all around on (new to me) tremor wheels and 33s. Love this look, can't wait to drive it more.

Are you both still enjoying the 1.8 inch level for front? Would love an update on your experience.

Does anyone know if this affects ACC?

 

[Langwilliams]

Are you both still enjoying the 1.8 inch level for front? Would love an update on your experience.

Does anyone know if this affects ACC?

I don't have ACC. I don't know if it settled any or if it's still the same height as when I installed the kit. I'm still happy with the ride an look. It's probably better to go with a coil over setup but that's going to cost at lease $600 more.

 

[BettaRanga]

I don't have ACC. I don't know if it settled any or if it's still the same height as when I installed the kit. I'm still happy with the ride an look. It's probably better to go with a coil over setup but that's going to cost at lease $600 more.

what do you think is better about just doing coil over in your opinion?

 

[hogsrear]

Are you both still enjoying the 1.8 inch level for front? Would love an update on your experience.

Does anyone know if this affects ACC?

Same here, still loving the look. The ride is a bit stiff and it can be pretty jarring over bumps but for the price I am still much happier than with the stock shock setup.

 

[BettaRanga]

Same here, still loving the look. The ride is a bit stiff and it can be pretty jarring over bumps but for the price I am still much happier than with the stock shock setup.

If you could go back, would you do either 1.2 inch or leave stock height instead?

 

[BettaRanga]

I'll jump in here and add that I just had Les Schwab install the 5100's, front and rear, and the difference is night and day. It drives now as you would expect - the "up-down-up" on almost every bump is gone. The ride is not harsh at all, and love the new look. Had them put it on the middle clip position.

Headlight aim was easy, too. Before the install, in the garage, I taped off where the lights were, and just matched them up after. The adjusters seemed to go forever. I just "knew" that they were going to unwind and end up in the engine bay, but they kept coming out.

The adaptive cruise works great. Pre-install, it actually was not level per the Fox install docs, and now it is actually closer to level now than before.

BTW - you can get that cover off the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) module w/o having to pull any of the trim panels. (I was looking at the Fox install PDF from Ford, and it is (supposedly) very convoluted to get the cover off the ACC module.)

Are you still pleased with the ride at the 1.2 inch setting (middle) setting?

ACC still working without issues?

 

[Langwilliams]

what do you think is better about just doing coil over in your opinion?

The spring rates probably ride better an you lose a little wheel travel since the stock spring is partly compressed on the fixed height adjustable units. I'm assuming this is the case others may know more for sure but a purpose designed unit will usually out perform a modified factory part.

 

[jflogerzi]

will you get a bit more height adjustment on 2WD trucks. I am debating between the 1.2 and 1.8. I am installing 5100's in the rear and will be installing BSD Shackles as well for 1 inch lift in the rear

I am leaning towards 1.8 to get the OEM Tremor style height increase. Don't want to level as I plan tow quite often.

Sponsored