Bilstein Shocks Advice
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 5
From: Fox Island, WA
Bilstein Shocks Advice
New to the F-150 world and love my new (used) truck. I do wonder with my setup if I could get a better ride loaded and unloaded. Both are decent now, but I did hit a bump on the freeway last weekend on an overpass corner and kinda hopped, was little puckery. I have a 2” spacer up front I was told and 285x75x17’s running about 36 psi.
On my previous Super Duty’s I added both bilsteins and Rancho 9k’s. I would like to add Bilstein 5100’s like my last truck but am a little confused with online shopping. Are the fronts struts instead of shocks? I just thought I could slap on some shocks, what’s the difference. I have never had struts, just older Super Duty’s with shocks. I know I could just google and find out most info, but reading these boards daily I know I will get the best answer for what i’m looking for on this decision. Thanks
On my previous Super Duty’s I added both bilsteins and Rancho 9k’s. I would like to add Bilstein 5100’s like my last truck but am a little confused with online shopping. Are the fronts struts instead of shocks? I just thought I could slap on some shocks, what’s the difference. I have never had struts, just older Super Duty’s with shocks. I know I could just google and find out most info, but reading these boards daily I know I will get the best answer for what i’m looking for on this decision. Thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
New to the F-150 world and love my new (used) truck. I do wonder with my setup if I could get a better ride loaded and unloaded. Both are decent now, but I did hit a bump on the freeway last weekend on an overpass corner and kinda hopped, was little puckery. I have a 2” spacer up front I was told and 285x75x17’s running about 36 psi.
On my previous Super Duty’s I added both bilsteins and Rancho 9k’s. I would like to add Bilstein 5100’s like my last truck but am a little confused with online shopping. Are the fronts struts instead of shocks? I just thought I could slap on some shocks, what’s the difference. I have never had struts, just older Super Duty’s with shocks. I know I could just google and find out most info, but reading these boards daily I know I will get the best answer for what i’m looking for on this decision. Thanks
On my previous Super Duty’s I added both bilsteins and Rancho 9k’s. I would like to add Bilstein 5100’s like my last truck but am a little confused with online shopping. Are the fronts struts instead of shocks? I just thought I could slap on some shocks, what’s the difference. I have never had struts, just older Super Duty’s with shocks. I know I could just google and find out most info, but reading these boards daily I know I will get the best answer for what i’m looking for on this decision. Thanks
With that being said and you might know this already, the fronts are much more difficult to change than the rear because the actual coil spring goes around the front strut / shock like a coil over and one must use a spring compressor to change them.
I hope this info helps you out.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 5
From: Fox Island, WA
EXACTLY what I was looking for, thank you guys. I'm gonna get the rears first and see what how it goes. Just watched a youtube on the install, SUPER easy 1 beer job.The dude even said the 5100's even helps with rear tire hop 
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111,873
Likes: 153
From: Wharton, NJ
Yes, they are coil over struts in the front, you can buy a pre-loaded strut or just a strut and will require a spring compressor to remove the coil. This will also allow you to level the stance or leave it at the current setting.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
The wheel hop is coming 100% from the rear shocks. I used 4600 on the rear and it took all the hop away. Your front shocks are probably bad too but the fronts wearing out is very subtle and most people don’t notice or care what is going on with the front and any handling issues due to the front wearing are minor.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
