Bilstein vs. Leveling kit
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 277
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Bilstein vs. Leveling kit
I have a '05 Scab 4x4 5.4L and am looking at leveling the front end 2". Anybody have a comparison point of view on these 2 options? Good or Bad. I have 16,000 mi and don't really need new shocks yet but don't want to do this twice. May have it done by mechanic and have the alignment all taken care of at once. Thoughts?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Louisiana
I'd go with the bilstein.
If I was aware of them when I wanted to level my truck that is what I would have gotten.
The stock shocks won't last more than 30k miles, so to keep from going back and basically doing the same job twice in 14K miles, you might as well kill two birds with one stone.
If I was aware of them when I wanted to level my truck that is what I would have gotten.
The stock shocks won't last more than 30k miles, so to keep from going back and basically doing the same job twice in 14K miles, you might as well kill two birds with one stone.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
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I got mine from topguncustoms through ebay for $360 including shipping. The ride is really stiff now compared to stock. I had Bilsteins on my Camaro and will always pick them over any other shock. Lifetime warranty.
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New guy here. Just bought an 06 FX4 RegCab and it is completly stock. Does anyone know if the Bilsteins void the warranty if you use the extension? They are just a shock after all. Truck only has 8700 miles. Bought it off CarMax. Best experience I have ever had buy a vehicle and no I do not work for them. Thanks for input.
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From: CO
If something were to fail in the front suspension or the front half shafts, I don't doubt some dealers would say the modified geometry was the culprit and try to void the warranty on those items. That doesn't seem very likely though given how many people have the leveling kits and how few have reported problems.
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I'd agree with killin 2 birds w/ 1 stone. I have heard stories of spacers gone bad through wear and tear, deformations over time, and what not. I priced some Bilsteins on TireRack for $154.00 not including shipping, which is $17. Total $171.00! I think a better price is out there. I'll try Shock Warehouse like Joe says.
Are the Bilsteins pretty easy to put on yourself? The Spacer type Leveling kits advertise ease with the instructions they offer, but the leveling kits need a Spring Compressor in order to finish. Do the Bilsteins require this too?
Are the Bilsteins pretty easy to put on yourself? The Spacer type Leveling kits advertise ease with the instructions they offer, but the leveling kits need a Spring Compressor in order to finish. Do the Bilsteins require this too?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
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From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by Mudburg
I'd agree with killin 2 birds w/ 1 stone. I have heard stories of spacers gone bad through wear and tear, deformations over time, and what not. I priced some Bilsteins on TireRack for $154.00 not including shipping, which is $17. Total $171.00! I think a better price is out there. I'll try Shock Warehouse like Joe says.
Are the Bilsteins pretty easy to put on yourself? The Spacer type Leveling kits advertise ease with the instructions they offer, but the leveling kits need a Spring Compressor in order to finish. Do the Bilsteins require this too?
Are the Bilsteins pretty easy to put on yourself? The Spacer type Leveling kits advertise ease with the instructions they offer, but the leveling kits need a Spring Compressor in order to finish. Do the Bilsteins require this too?
The popular autospring leveling kits are quality metal spacers that go above the shock and don't require a spring compressor.
For installing new shock, you will need a spring compressor to take the old shock out, and put the new shock into the coil over and reinstal.
The stock shocks suck, and do NOT last more than 50k miles, and I's say they are shot at about 30K.
So killing two birds with one stone would be the thing to do if you could find the billstiens at a good price.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Originally Posted by MBBFord
The leveling kits you are talking about are the poly spacers that go on top or bottom of the spring and require a spring compressor to install, and don't last forever.
The popular autospring leveling kits are quality metal spacers that go above the shock and don't require a spring compressor.
For installing new shock, you will need a spring compressor to take the old shock out, and put the new shock into the coil over and reinstal.
The stock shocks suck, and do NOT last more than 50k miles, and I's say they are shot at about 30K.
So killing two birds with one stone would be the thing to do if you could find the billstiens at a good price.
The popular autospring leveling kits are quality metal spacers that go above the shock and don't require a spring compressor.
For installing new shock, you will need a spring compressor to take the old shock out, and put the new shock into the coil over and reinstal.
The stock shocks suck, and do NOT last more than 50k miles, and I's say they are shot at about 30K.
So killing two birds with one stone would be the thing to do if you could find the billstiens at a good price.