I had the Bilstein 5100’s put on the rear of my FX4 last week and it’s a big improvement as widely reported. However, after a few days of driving, it’s obvious how soft the FX fronts are too. Not sure if I’ll put the 5100’s on the front yet, since replacing only on the rears is good compromise, but I’m pretty confident that putting the 5100’s on the front would be better.
Most complaints are about them being soft. They function great. I only consider changing mine out because I want to level the front. I think it rides just fine.
I have my truck leveled, with tires one size up, and never felt like the stock shocks are too soft. I drive the hell out of my truck too, both on and off road. It doesn't handle like a BMW M3 or anything but at the end of the day it is a truck. I donno, haha.
I read a Fox article that said street use should get you 50,000 miles before a rebuild be necessary. Could go longer if nothing is leaking and they’re holding their charge.
Guys, I put the Ford/Fox kit on, which vastly improved the street ride, but now I am wondering if I could make it even better by adding a pair of Bilstein shocks to the rear. Here is the shock I am looking at (from the American Trucks website). I would want to leave the foxes in the front but replace those in the back with these without significantly lifting the rear. Has anybody done this? Would it make a noticeable difference in the ride? Would it wreak havoc with vehicle dynamics, void my warranty, or something equally awful that I have not thought of yet?
This is the 3rd or 4th time I've read the FX4 suspension as soft... What does that mean and how it translate to a "bad" ride??? I understand daily driver mode and off-road (other than when I drive on my lawn) have different shock/strut performance requirements... just not sure what desired performance for real off-road (not hard core) shocks/struts is generally.
OK, makes sense... but as shock options go, is the consensus the follow:
There is a thread with an unscientific comparison for various shocks, softest to firmest. It should be easy enough to find in the suspension forum.
Yes, unfortunately, mostly based on the F150 experience by Stage3. quangdog's experience was more telling but again, all in a off-road context. As a DD on paved roads (pot holes not withstanding) I would still like a modicum of comfort vs teeth rattling go kart stiffness. I fear the Belstein 5100s I am installing may be going in the wrong direction for me.... just may have to keep the FX4s.
I can only speak for my experience with road driving. The FX4s were a bit floaty. Not bad, but I felt it was a bit bouncy. I installed the Eibach pro trucks on the rear only, and the ride is now pretty good. Not teeth rattling. I can tell that the front is still sort of bouncy, but not as bad as what the rears were with the FX4. I would have gotten the bilsteins but they were out of stock at the time. I think you might be surprised.
