Do it yourself if you have the tools and comfortable with them. It's not that difficult of a job. Plenty of us can walk you right thru it.
Bilsteins do require disassembly of the shock by removing the spring, a PITA, but many shops will do that for a cost, then you just stick the whole thing back on.

 

I have resisted saying this for the last three days but I can no longer resist:

To those F150 owners thinking of a level "kit" using a spacer/puck on top of the worthless factory shocks, PLEASE! consider investing a few hundred dollars for a set of Bilstein 5100 dampers. You will thank us later. They are a superb upgrade to any and all F150s, and you can choose how much lift (from "stock" to 2.1 inches) you want for the front suspension.

Your truck will ride a little more firm but not harsh, drive and handle infinately better. Nose dive under braking, body roll when cornering and axle hop when accelerating over uneven road surfaces will mostly disappear. Ask anyone who has installed them.

Don't use a spacer or a puck when you can dramatically improve your truck's driving dynamics with the install of an excellent set of dampers. Too, you will have a truck that is safer to drive in bad weather conditions.

(I have no financial interest in pimping Bilstein. They are simply the best mass-produced shock absorbers made and for many different vehicles).

 

I appreciate the support and know that I could handle the task myself. The issue is more with the HOA. I did a brake job on my last truck and got a warning as I violated the rules. They defined it as "being on blocks". I defined it as safety for myself with the jack stands.

 

^^^This. Apples is 100% right on, I've done the same, as well as many others. They really do make a great difference.

Gaahhh!!! I hate nosy people like that. Why can't a guy be a guy? Geez.

 

I paid to have mine done, too. Could I have done it myself? Yes. But I'm not a mechanic and I don't like having to warranty my own work, it's not good for business.

 

Warranting your own work sux!!

 

i paid to have mine done last week. Bought my fox shocks slightly used from someone off the forum that lives local to me. Cost me 180$ to have fronts installed. I did the rears myself. That did not include an alignment, but I've driven the truck about 800 miles since the install and my truck is still tracking straight as an arrow.

 

I appreciate the support of the group and feedback! I think the 5100 is the path to take.

 

It really really does. I hate owning my mistakes lol - or even worse, defective parts. Doing a job twice that I didn't want to do once is the worst.

 

those HOAs !

I would drive them insane !



Cleaning the dust off, waiting on the body to come back from paint.

2 buddy's cars, the week prior to Woodward Dream Cruise


My 92 23k original mile Vette, and my Buddy's 05 CRC Vette. ( he came up from Az. and stayed for the summer)

Another friends duster, did some electrical work on it.
That little duster sounded mean ! 4spd too !



And bikes.... I love em .....but most HOAs hate em.... lol



That was one of my priority's when house shopping. Just say no to the HOA ! lol