Bilstein 5100s installed - WOW!
08-07-2017, 01:56 PM
#52
Senior Member
I would not have believed they made as big of a difference if I hadn't experienced it myself. Just installed the fronts this past weekend and have had the rears on for a couple weeks.
My truck has 1300 miles, so no wore out shocks to blame. I definitely recommend doing the fronts along with the rears.
My truck has 1300 miles, so no wore out shocks to blame. I definitely recommend doing the fronts along with the rears.
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truckininco (08-08-2017)
08-07-2017, 02:07 PM
#53
Junior Member
I would not have believed they made as big of a difference if I hadn't experienced it myself. Just installed the fronts this past weekend and have had the rears on for a couple weeks.
My truck has 1300 miles, so no wore out shocks to blame. I definitely recommend doing the fronts along with the rears.
My truck has 1300 miles, so no wore out shocks to blame. I definitely recommend doing the fronts along with the rears.
08-08-2017, 10:23 AM
#56
Senior Member
Ordered Bilsteins for all four corners from Stage 3 last Saturday, received the rears on Wednesday and the fronts on Thursday. Installed the rears after work last night and while things definitely seem a little stiffer I would say the difference is marginal given the small sample size. Maybe once I've driven with them a little longer I'll be able to see more improvement. As soon as I can find time to get the truck into a shop I'll get the fronts installed, plan on going with the 1.26" setting. So far I'm pleased.
08-09-2017, 04:19 PM
#58
Senior Member
I can respect your opinion, you drove the truck, lost control after hitting a man hole, and drove into onconing traffic. I drive for a living, several types of vehicles (f150, f350, explorer, Tahoe, and crown vics.) I drive these vehicles and often am required to drive fast, aggressive, unconventional, and well outside of how normal operators drive daily. I have yet to push one of our 2015 F150's or our 2015 F350 to the point of out of out of control into on coming traffic or anything like that while driving normal or not.
I'm not discounting your experience on that day, you experienced what happened, I didn't. It's just my opinion that the stock suspension, though not the absolute best, is not as bad as some on here describe. I think there are driver errors at times that need to be considered. I will say one more thing about driving trucks also........ giving thev truck gas over some terrain can cause kick out or losseness, as can braking over such terrain. Also driving a turbo diesel requires a different type of pedal moderation then a regular gas pick up. One thing I've noticed about the 3.5L Ecoboost is power is very consistent when accelerating. The diesel has such a sudden burst once the turbo kick, it takes a little more pedal work when driving more aggressive.
Okay sorry for the long post and nobody take this as insulting to anyone, it's not. Just some things to consider when driving pick ups.
I'm not discounting your experience on that day, you experienced what happened, I didn't. It's just my opinion that the stock suspension, though not the absolute best, is not as bad as some on here describe. I think there are driver errors at times that need to be considered. I will say one more thing about driving trucks also........ giving thev truck gas over some terrain can cause kick out or losseness, as can braking over such terrain. Also driving a turbo diesel requires a different type of pedal moderation then a regular gas pick up. One thing I've noticed about the 3.5L Ecoboost is power is very consistent when accelerating. The diesel has such a sudden burst once the turbo kick, it takes a little more pedal work when driving more aggressive.
Okay sorry for the long post and nobody take this as insulting to anyone, it's not. Just some things to consider when driving pick ups.
I just got my 2017 xlt, traded in my 2013 xlt. Same everything except I went from 5.0 to ecoboost. I live in Michigan and we have a lot of rough roads and potholes. We are used to it. Same road I take home every day for years there are spots where there is some rough road where potholes have been filled in. Never paid them any attention this is a 4 lane road 50 mph. Coming home from dealer it was instantly noticeable a rougher ride but I chalked it up to being new. As I was driving home down the same road, constant speed, I hit some of these rough spots and the rear actually kicks enough to cross into the lane beside me. I was at first like WTF. Never has any vehicle I have driven ever done that from bumps. Sure my 71 cuda wwhen I drop the pedal to the floor, but not a regular driving car or truck. My old F150 I really never even noticed these bumps. My 80 year old mother always thought my old f150 was one of the most comfortable riding vehicles ever. I am not gunning it or anything just driving along and you hit a rough patch and the rear kicks to the left. I talked to the dealer about it and they pretty much said that's how they drive they let me take another truck down the same road from the lot. It did the same thing. I then took an explorer from the lot down the road and nothing, you didn't notice the bumps. This is why I am paying very close attention to this thread. The Pre 2015 models did ride and handle a lot better. One thing though I wonder as my initial test drive of trucks was a limited. I just wanted a feel for the engine and 10 speed. I do not remember the Limited kicking out. So I wonder if the higher end like platinum and limited do not have this issue.
08-09-2017, 05:16 PM
#59
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I fully respect your opinion and thoughts. I do agree with them. However, there is something off in the suspension. The kick out to the left is something that I am experiencing as well. Which is why I went through this whole thread.
I just got my 2017 xlt, traded in my 2013 xlt. Same everything except I went from 5.0 to ecoboost. I live in Michigan and we have a lot of rough roads and potholes. We are used to it. Same road I take home every day for years there are spots where there is some rough road where potholes have been filled in. Never paid them any attention this is a 4 lane road 50 mph. Coming home from dealer it was instantly noticeable a rougher ride but I chalked it up to being new. As I was driving home down the same road, constant speed, I hit some of these rough spots and the rear actually kicks enough to cross into the lane beside me. I was at first like WTF. Never has any vehicle I have driven ever done that from bumps. Sure my 71 cuda wwhen I drop the pedal to the floor, but not a regular driving car or truck. My old F150 I really never even noticed these bumps. My 80 year old mother always thought my old f150 was one of the most comfortable riding vehicles ever. I am not gunning it or anything just driving along and you hit a rough patch and the rear kicks to the left. I talked to the dealer about it and they pretty much said that's how they drive they let me take another truck down the same road from the lot. It did the same thing. I then took an explorer from the lot down the road and nothing, you didn't notice the bumps. This is why I am paying very close attention to this thread. The Pre 2015 models did ride and handle a lot better. One thing though I wonder as my initial test drive of trucks was a limited. I just wanted a feel for the engine and 10 speed. I do not remember the Limited kicking out. So I wonder if the higher end like platinum and limited do not have this issue.
I just got my 2017 xlt, traded in my 2013 xlt. Same everything except I went from 5.0 to ecoboost. I live in Michigan and we have a lot of rough roads and potholes. We are used to it. Same road I take home every day for years there are spots where there is some rough road where potholes have been filled in. Never paid them any attention this is a 4 lane road 50 mph. Coming home from dealer it was instantly noticeable a rougher ride but I chalked it up to being new. As I was driving home down the same road, constant speed, I hit some of these rough spots and the rear actually kicks enough to cross into the lane beside me. I was at first like WTF. Never has any vehicle I have driven ever done that from bumps. Sure my 71 cuda wwhen I drop the pedal to the floor, but not a regular driving car or truck. My old F150 I really never even noticed these bumps. My 80 year old mother always thought my old f150 was one of the most comfortable riding vehicles ever. I am not gunning it or anything just driving along and you hit a rough patch and the rear kicks to the left. I talked to the dealer about it and they pretty much said that's how they drive they let me take another truck down the same road from the lot. It did the same thing. I then took an explorer from the lot down the road and nothing, you didn't notice the bumps. This is why I am paying very close attention to this thread. The Pre 2015 models did ride and handle a lot better. One thing though I wonder as my initial test drive of trucks was a limited. I just wanted a feel for the engine and 10 speed. I do not remember the Limited kicking out. So I wonder if the higher end like platinum and limited do not have this issue.
08-09-2017, 06:01 PM
#60
Senior Member
Yep... that pretty much sums it up. The stock shocks are garbage. I've never had a truck kick out the rear like this one. With the new shocks, it's like I'm driving a different truck now. It's that noticeable. And like I said earlier, I'm not new to driving trucks at all. Whoever spec'd the shocks for these trucks made a big mistake IMO.