Great info for me. The thing that I dislike is the side to side rocking. I don't want anymore height but could live with 1/2" and if I did this I would also do the fronts and adjust to eliminate some/most of the rake. Don't go off road, don't care about bigger tires or off set, but probably wouldn't install myself.I know there are other posts that have some of this information but I wanted to share my thoughts/opinion.
If anyone is thinking about upgrading your rear shocks but on the fence about if it’s worth it - DO IT!
I installed Bilstein 5100’s on my XLT FX4 this morning. First of all, the install is EASY. Only needed a rachet, short extension, and a 15mm socket. Total time to do this was less than 40 minutes and that included set up and putting everything away. I did not have issues installing the new shocks - no floor or bottle jack - yes, they are a bit stiff but I guess this 60 year old still has it! Upper’s in first then muscled the lower end in.
I took it for a short drive and immediately noticed much less side to side rocking backing out of the drive into the street. Where before it kinda threw me from one side to the other, the truck ‘bounced/rocked- maybe a bad choice of a wording - once, recovered and it was much smoother with no subsequent 3-4 bounces/rocks back and forth.
Driving impressions - can feel the bumps just a bit more but in a good way. The bouncing is definitely gone and the truck has the feeling of being more stabile. Doesnt seem to feel like I’m floating on the road. Making turns, for sure the swaying is also pretty much gone. I’m anxious to feel the difference on the highway (where I’ve always thought the truck had a way too floaty feel).
The one interesting thing is that I’ve gained a little more than 1/8 inch of height in the rear - even measuring after driving for a bit. Hmmmm. I know these are much stiffer than the FX4 shocks but wouldn’t think they would impact vehicle height. We’ll see how it measures after a couple hundred miles.
As I said at the beginning of this post - Just Do It!
The perfect post I was looking for. I just ordered my rear Bilsteins and I'm going to have them installed for $55 . I'm 62 with a bad back otherwise I'd surely do it myself. Yep, and don't call me Shirley!I know there are other posts that have some of this information but I wanted to share my thoughts/opinion.
If anyone is thinking about upgrading your rear shocks but on the fence about if it’s worth it - DO IT!
I installed Bilstein 5100’s on my XLT FX4 this morning. First of all, the install is EASY. Only needed a rachet, short extension, and a 15mm socket. Total time to do this was less than 40 minutes and that included set up and putting everything away. I did not have issues installing the new shocks - no floor or bottle jack - yes, they are a bit stiff but I guess this 60 year old still has it! Upper’s in first then muscled the lower end in.
I took it for a short drive and immediately noticed much less side to side rocking backing out of the drive into the street. Where before it kinda threw me from one side to the other, the truck ‘bounced/rocked- maybe a bad choice of a wording - once, recovered and it was much smoother with no subsequent 3-4 bounces/rocks back and forth.
Driving impressions - can feel the bumps just a bit more but in a good way. The bouncing is definitely gone and the truck has the feeling of being more stabile. Doesnt seem to feel like I’m floating on the road. Making turns, for sure the swaying is also pretty much gone. I’m anxious to feel the difference on the highway (where I’ve always thought the truck had a way too floaty feel).
The one interesting thing is that I’ve gained a little more than 1/8 inch of height in the rear - even measuring after driving for a bit. Hmmmm. I know these are much stiffer than the FX4 shocks but wouldn’t think they would impact vehicle height. We’ll see how it measures after a couple hundred miles.
As I said at the beginning of this post - Just Do It!
I got mine through Stage3Motorsports...ordered complete set and rear arrived in a couple days...fronts still in the mail but still within a week for full delivery. Installing rears today...might have the fronts done professionally due to spring compressor fears...they can be tricky.
Interesting, did you have to adjust the adaptive cruise control radar, and Fusion 360 transponders?
Apparently the most common rear shock being replaced here is the FX. How about us standard 4x4? Do you feel the same way about the before and after ride?Just did the rears on my truck this morning. Easy install and like everyone agrees, really stops the side to side swaying the truck had with the stock FX4 shocks. This is going to be one of those upgrades that’ll I’ll easily forget about but in a good way. It really has sorted out the handling so it handles and drives normal.
That's great info.. I am wondering why I even bothered with the FX4 option. Seems to me a basic truck and put the aftermarket stuff in later might be the way to go. I am planning to install the Firestone air bags tomorrow to allow me to carry heavy loads with out pushing the rear of the truck too low. I did this on my old Tacoma and it made an incredible difference. 1/2 yard of wet sand barely budged the height of bed. I had B 5100's front and back on my Taco too. I have noticed the sway on the Ranger.I know there are other posts that have some of this information but I wanted to share my thoughts/opinion.
If anyone is thinking about upgrading your rear shocks but on the fence about if it’s worth it - DO IT!
I installed Bilstein 5100’s on my XLT FX4 this morning. First of all, the install is EASY. Only needed a rachet, short extension, and a 15mm socket. Total time to do this was less than 40 minutes and that included set up and putting everything away. I did not have issues installing the new shocks - no floor or bottle jack - yes, they are a bit stiff but I guess this 60 year old still has it! Upper’s in first then muscled the lower end in.
I took it for a short drive and immediately noticed much less side to side rocking backing out of the drive into the street. Where before it kinda threw me from one side to the other, the truck ‘bounced/rocked- maybe a bad choice of a wording - once, recovered and it was much smoother with no subsequent 3-4 bounces/rocks back and forth.
Driving impressions - can feel the bumps just a bit more but in a good way. The bouncing is definitely gone and the truck has the feeling of being more stabile. Doesnt seem to feel like I’m floating on the road. Making turns, for sure the swaying is also pretty much gone. I’m anxious to feel the difference on the highway (where I’ve always thought the truck had a way too floaty feel).
The one interesting thing is that I’ve gained a little more than 1/8 inch of height in the rear - even measuring after driving for a bit. Hmmmm. I know these are much stiffer than the FX4 shocks but wouldn’t think they would impact vehicle height. We’ll see how it measures after a couple hundred miles.
As I said at the beginning of this post - Just Do It!
It does seem more of the complaints are from the FX4 equipped trucks. I had test drove a non FX4 truck before I bought mine but really can’t recall if it handled the same as the truck I bought.
