mechehog

In early July, I purchased a brand new 2013 FX4 Super Crew. It is an Ecoboost with the appearance package in Ingot Silver. Like many, I wasn't crazy about the factory rake, so I wanted to lift the front up a bit. I also wanted a tire that looked a little more aggressive than the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza tires that came from the factory. I didn't, however, want a heavy LT tire. I didn't need them for any reason and didn't want the cons of the heavier tires. Having read many good things about them, the Toyo Open Country A/T II in P275/60-20 was an easy choice for me. Slightly taller+more aggressive look+only 2 lbs heavier than stock+quiet/smooth+better traction = HOMERUN. Easy decision on the tires. The level method, however, wasn't that simple for me. After some research, I eliminated the spacers as a potential due to the impacts on wheel travel. I looked at several of the various ride height adjustable shocks, and coilover assemblies. I'm sure the Fox 2.0, and other higher end coilover systems are great, but they are likely more than I needed and certainly more than I wanted to spend. So, I narrowed it down to the Bilstein 5100 and the Rancho Quick Lift options, with the plan to get matching rear shocks. The engineer in me felt like the Bilstein was the better choice so I placed my order for them, and waited anxiously. In a couple of short days, I received notice they were on back order. I looked for other sources, but had no luck. Not only did no one have them, they didn't know they would receive them from Bilstein again. Not knowing how long it might be, and knowing Rancho offered their 90 day risk free ride guarantee, I decided to go with the Rancho Quick Lift/9000XL (front & rear) setup on my truck, instead of waiting for the Bilstein.

Now for what matters..... I had the Toyos and the Ranchos installed on all 4 corners at the same time at my local tire/front end shop. The 'lift' of the Quick Lift worked fine for me. I hoped to retain .5" - .75" of rake, and after the Rancho system was installed there was some rake. It was very minimal though. I'd guess .25" - .5". After 3+ weeks and 1200+ miles with the Rancho's, I never warmed up to the ride quality. When driving across semi-rough bumps, such as the joint between a concrete surfaced bridge and pavement, the initial impact feels much more severe than OEM setup. When I adjusted the valve settings on the shocks, there was a noticeable difference in dampening of the bounce/oscillation resulting from these bumps. Although it was more severe at the stiffer/higher settings, that increased harshness never went away even at the lowest setting. Had the harshness been eliminated at the lowest setting, I wouldn't have been happy due to the soft rebound quality at the low setting. I found the Ranchos pretty squishy when below 4 in the front and 3 in the rear. The inability to adjust out the harshness didn't surprise me too much, because even though the shock contributes to the total spring rate, it is only a small percentage. The stiffness of the spring is the key contributor, which explains the persistent harshness, even at the lowest setting. This leads me to believe the Rancho Quick Lift Loaded spring is stiffer than the OEM spring. This is obviously my guess/opinon because I don't know the spring rate of the Rancho. As for the shocks themselves, the Ranchos seemed to work OK. The various settings definitely change the ride/dampening characteristics, most notably after the initial impact. Overall, the ride quality wasn't terrible, but it wasn't what I wanted and left me disappointed.

On 7/23, things changed. I was browsing through this forum and TAP Auto posted that they had received 20 sets of the Bilstein 5100's for the 2009-2013 F150. I didn't pass go or collect $200. I went straight to there website and placed my order. They shipped on Thursday 7/24 and I received them on Monday 7/28. Speedy delivery, great price and a hassle free transaction. I decided to install the front Bilstein shocks into the OEM coilover assemblies myself. Knowing I wanted just a little more rake than I had with the Ranchos, I settled on the 1.5" height setting. I had the Bilsteins installed on all four corners of my truck by the same tire shop Thursday morning, 8/7. After only 2.5 days of driving on them, I couldn't be happier I made the switch. The harshness from semi-rough bumps noted above, is all but gone. It isn't quite as plush as the OEM setup was. Recall though the OEM setup included the aforementioned Bridgestones, where the Ranchos and Bilsteins were only driven with the Toyos. The tires could play a role in this bump harshness as well, but not sure how much. Additionally, the truck always feels like it is glued to the ground with the Bilsteins. Particularly when compared to the feel of the Ranchos when set at my favorite setting for daily driving around town comfort, which was 5 in the front and 4 in the rear. I may have lost the ability to stiffen up the rear on the few occasions a year I tow something, but I'll gladly trade that for ride and stance that I have with the Bilsteins.

My conclusion: Bilstein 5100s on all four corners, combined with the OE spring and set at 1.5" ride height was a much better option for ride quality and leveling than the Rancho Quick Lift Loaded in the front with the Rancho 9000XL in the rear.

Two additional notes:
1. Rancho customer service has been great so far in getting my claim moving utilizing their 90 day risk free ride guarantee. Hopefully that continues to go well.
2. Regardless of which system you use, I HIGHLY recommend that the center nut that screws on to the shaft of the shock on the top front mount be torqued AFTER the weight of the vehicle is back on the front suspension. While I'm sure there is an appropriate torque method/spec to get it right at initial assembly of the coilover, if it isn't right, the potential exists that it won't be snug once the vehicle weight is back on the suspension. This happened to me on the front right of the Rancho. It was making a clacking sound over most bumps. Took some investigation to figure it out, and was a simple fix. Still frustrating.

Hopefully this is helpful info for someone.

Total Automotive Performance

iTrader: (3)

Great review! Thanks for taking the time to put this together. Now I have somewhere to direct people when the ask the difference in ride.

Wannafbody

Has anyone tried the Rancho 7000MT's on a F150?

Nikkin86

Awesome review. That answered all the questions I've had and I think the Bilstein will be a nice match with my Grabber AT2's.

jjferrante

Would there be any issue installing fronts only to level the truck? Not sure I want to drop the rear.

mechehog

No issue doing front only to level. The rear was just for ride difference, not height change.

Total Automotive Performance

iTrader: (3)

Not an issue at all, most people buy the set but I personally am rolling on just the front pair.

2009-2013 FORD F150 4WD
4 height settings
Stock, .75", 1.5", 2.25"
Complete Set 4WD
Includes 2 front & 2 rear Bilstein 5100 Shocks
Front Pair 4WD
Includes 2 front Bilstein 5100 Shocks

2009-2013 FORD F150 2WD
5 Height Settings
Stock, .65", 1.3", 1.95", 2.6"
Front Pair 2WD
Includes 2 front Bilstein 5100 Shocks

hubbard316

I've had my Bilsteins on now for a week now. I just went with the front only set at the 1.95" (level) setting. Let me say, I couldn't be happier with the ride. I think I am going to go ahead and go for the back now as well. I am so impressed with the ride quality and look of the truck now. I am still rolling on the factoy Pirelli 20's so I know once I change tires the ride will be just that much better. All in all I give the Bilsteins a 5 out of 5.

Does anyone know if changing the back shocks lowers the truck? I dont want to do anything to drop the rear at this point. I love the way it sits now.

Total Automotive Performance

iTrader: (3)

Upgrading to the Bilstein 5100's rears will NOT drop the rear. Shocks are designed for ride control and they do that job correctly, Just like the fronts. The leaf springs keep the ride height and installing the rear shocks is a very easy task.

BTW, what year is your truck? I'll be sure and post up the correct part number for your application.

Thanks!!

Total Automotive Performance

iTrader: (3)

Here's our link for the Bilstein Rears:

http://shop.tapautoparts.com/store/p...8571&make=FORD