Again with my quest for information about new shocks. I did quite a bit of searching on this forum and it seems to be the consensus that Bilstein shocks should be mounted with the boot down. However, I can't find any "official" confirmation of this, and the closest thing I found is this:

FAQ

Just thought I would pass it along...

 

I don't know if it applies to all years/configurations, but with mine, I had no choice. The top and bottom mounts were different, so the shocks would only go one way. This was true with the front and the rear.

I don't remember right off which way the boots went, though.

 

Yea, the only reason I was checking is because the OEM shocks on our Superdutys (mine at least) are installed with the shock rods (& boots) up. Also, it's clear that these style boots are designed to be installed on the top only:

Amazon.com: Bilstein BE5C296H0 Rear Shock Absorber for Ford F250/350: Automotive

 

Huh?

My 5125's are boot down.

 

Different style of boot.

 

Grumpy--it depends on the year of your truck whether you can have boot up or down. I had a 2004 and it was different than my 2005--I think it has to do with clearance for the leaf springs vs. coils. Bilstein customer service say install so you can read the sticker right-side up. Anyway, the 2005 has the boot/rod up in the front...I think down in back--it's too late to go check.

What year is your truck? (edit: 2001--saw it in your profile)

 

My 2000 has the boot down. Interesting that it doesn't matter. The answer given by Bilstein resembles an answer a politician would give.. heh.

 

That's the point I'm trying to make though. Yes, the shocks supplied with the expanding-bellows type boots, the ones that are sealed to the shock body with a zip-tie, can be mounted in either orientation. The other style boot though, the open ended one is a different story. If thosew are mounted down, they will simply behave like a cup and fill up with water, rocks, dirt whatever. Even if the shock body can be mountied either way, mounting that type of boot wrong could do more harm than good.

 

I'd be very surprised if you didn't find 'weep' holes on the rod-end of those boots to allow expanding air and water to escape.
I've never seen a sealed boot as they would just blow off the first time the shock compressed.
I've been racing and running Bilsteins since 1978.

 

When I put them on my 97 Super Duty, I mounted them so I could read Bilstein on the shocks without having to stand on my head. On this truck, the front shocks have the boots up, the rear have the boots down.

 

I'm sorry--it was late and I forgot to state the holes are also on the bottom to let water out. I think you might be confused--the boots are not sealed...they are ziptied on. Also, Bilstein designed the shocks--put them on how every you want, but, don't complain if you put them on upside down and they don't work the way you think they should.

 

When I installed mine I read the same thing as the OP posted on Bilstein's web site so I took their advice and mounted them boot down on all four corners.

 

Just FYI, I have a 2009 F250 4X4 CC LB V10, I have the off road package which comes with the Rancho shocks. They are mounted boot up front and rear.

 

Seeing as the OP didn't mention which year, they are year specific as mentioned.
All front coil 05 and up trucks can only be installed in one manner. Rod/Boot up as these shocks have the threaded stud at the top and single eye bolt at the bottom and obviously can only be mounted in this manner.

The rears are also mounted rod/boot up (per Bilstein instruction) although these have eye bolts at both ends.