Bilstein Coilovers
04-09-2014, 08:53 PM
#11
RES4CUE, I've seen you support the Bilsteins in several threads and you obviously have experience with them. What made you decide to go over to the f150lifts coilovers rather than stay with the 5100s?? What do you gain in changing to those over the 5100s? I've been debating between the two and I'm not real sure what one offers over the other?
04-09-2014, 10:23 PM
#12
Senior Member
OP- not trying to hijack your thread, but maybe this is helpful to you as well?? RES4CUE, I've seen you support the Bilsteins in several threads and you obviously have experience with them. What made you decide to go over to the f150lifts coilovers rather than stay with the 5100s?? What do you gain in changing to those over the 5100s? I've been debating between the two and I'm not real sure what one offers over the other?
I've had the 5100's on for about a year now and love them but I'm really excited to try the coil overs.
The nice thing about the F150 coils is that they are eibachs spring which are great aftermarket springs and they are adjustable on the truck. With the 5100's if you're not satisfied with level you have to take them completely back apart and redo it whereas you just need to lift front end and use special wrench to dial in level with F150 coils.
All parts are machined aluminum and are rebuildable, you can switch out the 5100's and rebuild with new ones. I also believe the springs are longer and will give a little nicer ride compared to stock springs with 5100's on highest level.
I will do a write up once I get them on, they are due to arrive this Friday.
Also, there is the fact that the springs will be powder coated red! Lol
04-09-2014, 10:32 PM
#13
To be honest, I am a lucky recipient of a free pair from F150lifts.com and Alex. I've had the 5100's on for about a year now and love them but I'm really excited to try the coil overs. The nice thing about the F150 coils is that they are eibachs spring which are great aftermarket springs and they are adjustable on the truck. With the 5100's if you're not satisfied with level you have to take them completely back apart and redo it whereas you just need to lift front end and use special wrench to dial in level with F150 coils. All parts are machined aluminum and are rebuildable, you can switch out the 5100's and rebuild with new ones. I also believe the springs are longer and will give a little nicer ride compared to stock springs with 5100's on highest level. I will do a write up once I get them on, they are due to arrive this Friday. Also, there is the fact that the springs will be powder coated red! Lol
04-09-2014, 10:37 PM
#14
RES4CUE, thanks for the info. I look forward to your write up!
Allinkdupp, thanks for your review as well.
I think like everyone, I want level with nice ride quality and am looking for the best alternative.
Allinkdupp, thanks for your review as well.
I think like everyone, I want level with nice ride quality and am looking for the best alternative.
04-09-2014, 10:48 PM
#15
Senior Member
It depends, for a shade over $300 for parts and $300 for install the 5100's are great but for a couple hundred more you get really nice springs and CNC billet aluminum equipment and probably one of the best examples of customer service I've seen.
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HaloLifts (04-11-2014)
04-09-2014, 10:53 PM
#16
Junior Member
If I were going to have to pick between a spacer kit and the bilsteins would the Bilsteins still be a better option for offroading? I don't want to spend more than $500 and want to level my truck.
04-09-2014, 10:57 PM
#17
Senior Member
I love the Bilsteins but they aren't meant for true offroading. Mine handle fire roads and beaches no problems but if you plan on pushing it you might want to stay with spacer especially if you want to stay around the $500 mark.
04-10-2014, 09:30 AM
#18
F150lift coilovers still use the same ****ty 5100 shock that so many people are having issues with on the 09+.... as seen in the thread. F150lifts seesm to have resolved the issue for the guy using that setup also, but personally i wouldnt even chance it.
04-10-2014, 10:10 AM
#19
The problem with spacers if you offroad is it puts the wheels too far down and then you get the CV boot rubbing on the lower control arm. This is with 2.5" spacer on stock struts. I don't think the bilsteins do this but then you have a weak mount at the bottom of the spring cause I'm guessing that's where the failure is.
04-10-2014, 12:35 PM
#20
Senior Member
As an informed consumer, I am fully aware that the coil overs from F150lifts.com use the 5100's. I did extensive research and I've come to the conclusion that people that are having problems with the 5100's seem to have pushed them past their design limits offroading.
Just for the record, there aren't "so many people having issues" with them, there has been a handful of the thousands sold and in use. Like I said, everyone I've seen has been on a truck that has the undercarriage beat and filthy and most has failed offroad.
Know what you want to do, Iwant a level and have it look nice. I don't plan on beating my $30,000 truck offroad as I have a Jeep for that.
If you want to play offroad then pony up for the big dollar suspension and do it right.