Bilstein Leveling Kit?
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Bilstein Leveling Kit?
I have a 2003 F-150 Supercrew Lariat, 2WD 5.4L.
I've been wanting to level the supension (bring the front up) and had been exploring all the options and recently saw a Bilstein coil-over set-up that would give the front end 2" of lift. I saw it at Express Performance Center in San Diego, but I cannot find any info about it anywhere on the web.
Is anyone running this set-up? Anyone know where I might be able to find more info/purchase on the web? Any alternative suggestions (other than spacers)?
My F-150 is in need of new shocks and I figured it might be a good time to level it out. I'm not looking for more lift than just the leveling the truck as I'm loading and unloading motorcycles often.
Thanks!
I've been wanting to level the supension (bring the front up) and had been exploring all the options and recently saw a Bilstein coil-over set-up that would give the front end 2" of lift. I saw it at Express Performance Center in San Diego, but I cannot find any info about it anywhere on the web.
Is anyone running this set-up? Anyone know where I might be able to find more info/purchase on the web? Any alternative suggestions (other than spacers)?
My F-150 is in need of new shocks and I figured it might be a good time to level it out. I'm not looking for more lift than just the leveling the truck as I'm loading and unloading motorcycles often.
Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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I an unaware of a coilover kit for your ride, without changing the control arms and lifting it way up. To my knowledge, the 5100 series shock is the only one capable of this type of lift, and only available for Tundras. The other coilover is a 9100 series, and that is way huge, and would not fit the truck anyway. If I am wrong, i would like more info on this.
Consider using some 2" spindles so your ride is still good, and the steering is right. Then you can add the bilstein shocks if you like.
Something like a 6100, or 7100 would ride great.
Consider using some 2" spindles so your ride is still good, and the steering is right. Then you can add the bilstein shocks if you like.
Something like a 6100, or 7100 would ride great.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: central TX
They have a fairly new one for the 04-up trucks. The previous trucks aren't really set up to accept a coilover from what i can tell.
I'm no expert, but I don't believe they will work without some serious reworking of the suspension. On the new trucks the spring sits on a plate on the shock. On ours the shock and spring are together, but attach independently to the control arm. In other words, the newer trucks have a coilover from the factory.
You cannot take the shock off without the spring coming with it. With ours the shocks come out and the springs stay in.
If you did/could put them on, it would mean the shock bolts taking the full load instead of it being distributed around the control arm as it should be.
Anyone? Is this correct?
I'm no expert, but I don't believe they will work without some serious reworking of the suspension. On the new trucks the spring sits on a plate on the shock. On ours the shock and spring are together, but attach independently to the control arm. In other words, the newer trucks have a coilover from the factory.
You cannot take the shock off without the spring coming with it. With ours the shocks come out and the springs stay in.
If you did/could put them on, it would mean the shock bolts taking the full load instead of it being distributed around the control arm as it should be.
Anyone? Is this correct?
Last edited by tdister; Feb 5, 2007 at 05:27 PM.
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I just spoke with a representative at Bilstein. The coilover/leveling shocks do exist for the F-150, but it is for the 2004- trucks.
Looks like I'm back to the drawing board for my setup. It's between coil spacers, longer springs or spindles (if I can find a set that are 2" lift). Probably going to go with Bilstein HD shocks (truck does need new ones).
Thanks again for the help.
Looks like I'm back to the drawing board for my setup. It's between coil spacers, longer springs or spindles (if I can find a set that are 2" lift). Probably going to go with Bilstein HD shocks (truck does need new ones).
Thanks again for the help.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: central TX
I can definitely recommend the Bilstein HD, that's what I have on mine and several other vehicles. Getting close to 70K miles on them and still working excellently. I sometimes wonder if I just haven't noticed them getting worn, then I drive someone else's F150. No question that they are still working great afterward.
No advice on the lift stuff, sorry. Good luck.
No advice on the lift stuff, sorry. Good luck.
