I know that there just are not very many of us 2WD PSD's in here, but for those who have used a 2" front leveling kit with Bilstein shocks... I have a question.

A recent discussion on this issue got me investigating which Bilstein shocks would work best with my planned installation of a 2" leveling kit on my 2WD F250.

After emailing back and forth with Bilstein directly for the past two days, I am now informed by Bilstein that the HD series shocks (yellow and blue) will not work on ym front with a 2" leveling kit, and that I need to go with the 5100's.

HOWEVER, since I am running stock suspension in the rear, I cannot use the 5100's and have to stay with the HD's. In order to put 5100's in the rear, I would have to install a 3" lift.

Is this consistent with any of your experiences?

If what I;ve been told by Bilstein is correct, I need to send my front two HD's back to Shockwarehouse and get them replaced with two 5100's.

 

I don't know the answer Pete, but my opinion is that a leveling kit shouldn't be that big a deal. I know I have 4wd, but I'm using the standard HD shocks on mine with no problems. You're only talking what, 2"?

 

I know, I didn;t think it would be an issue, either, but needed to check it out before installing everything. They said very clearly that the HD shock length for the 2WD is not long enough for the 2" leveing kit. I can only suppose that the geometry might be different enough on the 4WD that it does NOT make a difference for that configuration.

 

Pete I am using the yellow/blue Bilsteins with my 2" leveling kit with no problems.. mine is a 2003 f-250 2wd also.

 

You see??? I thought I remembered that someone was doing that, Costa.

Have you ever felt like the shocks get fully extended or stretched when going over a bump and the tires drop down? That's really the only thing that could be a potential issue the way I see it.

I think I'm going to call a couple of other suspension shops, too, and see what they say. Being 2WD, I NEVER get off the pavement except on confirmed hard ground when having to turn around, go in an unpaved driveway or parking lot, etc.

 

Pete, who did you talk to?

When I did my research for upgrading the OEM 4x4 Excursion suspension to the OEM 4x4 F250 suspension a few years ago, I talked with Shane at the California division of Bilstein.

Back then, I was advised to use the OEM replacement Bilsteins for the 4x4 F250 on my upgraded Excursion, but the rears didn't need to be changed.

Do the shocks for the leaf spring 4x4 front end trucks mount differently than the 2-wheel drive, coil spring front end?

If they are direct bolt ins, and there is no difference, why not just use the Bilsteins for the 4x4 rigs?

Also, do the coil spring Bilsteins for our year trucks mount differently than the newer F250's with the coil spring front ends? Because if those mount the same too, using the shock meant for the 4-wheel drive, new style truck that has the coil sprung front end is another option.

Stewart

 

Good thoughts, Stewart. The guy I was talking to was Kevin Foote in their sales department.

As for fit, I haven't been able to find the kinds of dimensions to know how interchangeable they might be between teh 4x4 and 2x4, but I do know that they have different part numbers for even the 2WD F250 adn the 2WD Excursion. I have a set of each vehicle in boxes at the house, and will look at them tonight to compare.

I might get Ed working on this, too, from a part interchangeability standpoint.

Thanks.

 

I did not replace my shocks when i did the 2inch leveling kit. It has been over 35k miles and the shocks are still performing great. Although i plan on putting in a new set this fall when i replace my tires and switch to a 4inch block in the rear.

 

Not meaning to hijack, but when I got shocks I went with the 5100 over the HD, but now im thinking if I should have went with the HD, Pete do you haul lots of heavy stuff, or why did ya go with the HD?

 

Sheldon... if I'm not mistaken, the 5100's are actually a slight upgrade to the HD's and cost a few $$ more as well. They also are nicer looking, in my opinion.

But, no, I don't haul anything except for my own personal "wide load".

 

Oh ok my bad, I thought that anything brand HD would mean for serious use!

 

OK... I have my answers.

The stock-size Bilstein HD's will work with my 2" leveling kit, but I could also go with the 5100 series as well. (The Bilstein guy said no, but the Shockwarehouse guy said it depends on whether or not the levelingkit manufacturer says that longer shocks are required, which they do NOT say. Additionally, several of you have already experienced this with your own setups.)

There is no 5100 series Bilstein listed for the rear application of a 2002 2WD PSD, but they are listed for the 1999-2001 model years, and the ones listed for those years should fit the 2002 perfectly, but for stock suspension you have to choose hte model rated for 0-1" lift. (I worked through this with the Tech guy at Shockwarehouse, who was super nice and eager to really dig through the details with me.)

Again, according to the Tech guy at Shockwarehouse, the difference between the 5100's and the HD's are that the 5100's have a heavier valving system internally to handle the extra stresses fo either racing environments or oversize tires on lifted off-roaders. TRANSLATION... if I put them on my stock suspension truck, I'll have a stiffer ride in comparison to the HD's. Otherwise, the shocks are virtually identical with internal shaft diameters, gas pressures, etc.

Also, even though I'm past the 30-day window on my truck shock purchase, they will gladly accept the shocks back and replace them with the 5100's, EXCEPT... I got the truck shocks for "Buy 4 for the price of 3", and I would have to pony up for the fourth shock if I exchanged them because the 5100's were not part of that particular sale. Since the rear 5100's are about $9 more each, and the front 5100's are almost $20 more for each, I'm staying with the HD's I originally purchased.

I left the part numbers for the HD's and 5100's at the office, so I'll try to post those up for everyone just as a reference.

Thanks again for all the input, guys.

 

Pete I dont think i have ever fully extended them and I go over some pretty rough roads when I go to some of the remote camping places I like to go to.

 

RedBoat,

How do you like the 285s on ur truck? I have 265s now, but contemplating 285s or even maybe 305s when i buy new tires this fall. Any issues with rubbing? Thanks,

Chris

 

Thanks for the info Pete.

Reps when I can. I got the darn "spread it" message.

Stewart