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Hi. This is my first post. I have a 2020 XLT, 3.5 EB, Supercrew, short bed, max tow package. My reason for finding this site was to read up on leveling options. I love my truck, but it rides in stock form like an 80’s Lincoln. Plush maybe, but much too soft and rolling. Certainly too soft off road. And it doesn’t look like a 4x4. The only giveaway it's a 4x4 is the stickers on the bed.
I settled on Bilstein 5100’s out back and 6112 coil overs up front. I worried about reports of the 6112’s riding too high on the highest setting so I went one setting down. I also thought this might help with too much preload on the coils.
I put the 5100’s in about two weeks ago and the 6112’s yesterday. I can report that on the second highest setting it raised my front end exactly 1.5”. That leaves me with 1” of rake. I wanted a little bit of rake for when I put a load in the bed, although I wouldn’t mind a skosh less rake.
The ride is astounding. I repeat, astounding. Where the truck wallowed over bumps, it is now simply planted and stable. I live out west in the Great Basin, at about 6500’. I’ve got high desert and mountains. I took it out on a BLM road with plenty of bumps, drops, etc. I took it slow for a while, and then opened it up a bit once I gained a little confidence in the suspension. It handled the terrain so well I chuckled more than once. Where the truck previously took a few moments to settle down, and rolled like a buoy in a harbor, it immediately settled down after a big bump or drop. I even tried this on a couple of down hill stretches with big bumps, which shifts the weight forward. The Bilsteins just took it all in stride.
My only previous 4 wheelers were a YJ Jeep, and a 2004 TRD Tacoma, which both climbed like mountain goats and rode like covered wagons. I initially avoided much off roading in the Ford because it wallowed so much. Not any more.
On-road is, as most say, more planted, less roll, and firmer. Yes, the smaller bumps are felt a bit more, but outweighed, at least for me, by the overall stability. I am transformed. Well, my truck is.
If time and or inclination permits, could you post pictures of the front drive axle angles? Thanks.
That angle does not look bad at all. Seen some pictures that showed a really excessive angle there. Thanks for posting.
Looking into swapping out shocks, my truck also kind of handles like a boat on the highway if I have to do a high-speed evasive maneuver have to be careful due to suspension sloppiness. I noticed on last oil change that the passenger side front shock was leaking oil onto the axle shaft so I do need to do something about it anyway.
Last edited by llm_flyfisher; Sep 11, 2021 at 11:52 PM.
Looking into swapping out shocks, my truck also kind of handles like a boat on the highway if I have to do a high-speed evasive maneuver have to be careful due to suspension sloppiness. I noticed on last oil change that the passenger side front shock was leaking oil onto the axle shaft so I do need to do something about it anyway.
That's a good point. I should have mentioned the steering is much improved/responsive as well since body roll is significantly reduced. I purposefully tested it out both in town and on the highway. That's a shame your year old truck already has a leaking shock.
Last edited by Wilderland; Sep 12, 2021 at 01:38 AM.
@Wilderland (and I would appreciate your input too, @Apples ) I just ordered the Bilstein 6112/5160 combo. I'm pumped to hear that your ride quality is so good. Right now, my plan is to set the 6112's at the highest setting, but add a 2" block to the rear to keep a little bit of rake. I tow a light boat once in a while, and load it down maybe once a month--I want to avoid being nose high then. Do you plan on sticking with the 1.5" setting? I'm hoping my proposed setup will avoid the "almost too much rake" issue you ran into.
I think you will be happy with your Bilsteins. I think I will keep mine just as is, at 1.5” up front. Even though I’d like to get just a tad more height up front, for my purposes it doesn’t make sense to bring the front all the way up, then have to raise the back to keep a little rake for trailers and loads. That’s why I stopped at 1.5”. At some point I’d just be chasing levels. The ride will be a tad softer since the coils aren’t preloaded as far as they’ll go, and the CV angles won’t be as stressed. If, in the future, the front settles a bit lower, I might go to the top setting then. But until then I’ll keep them where they are.
edit: I just read your post again. I started with 2.5” of rake and the second highest setting took out 1.5”, for a net of 1”. If you start with the same 2.5” and you put the 6112’s all the way up, and then add a 2” block to the rear, wouldn't you end up right where you started?
With 1 inch of rake. Wheels and tires should be on in a week:
Alan
Last edited by Wilderland; Sep 17, 2021 at 10:03 PM.
Thanks, @Wilderland . When I bought my truck, it came with leveling pucks, so I don't know what it's natural rake is. It sits completely level now, but I'm hoping to get a little back to avoid the Cali lean when I'm towing a boat. I also like the idea of the extra height with the 6112's at 2.5", which prompted the block idea.
2016 SCSB 2.7, leveled bilstein 6112's in front 5160's in rear. Kenda kelvar 35x10.5 mounted stock rims. No rubbing, lots of clearance. Great ride on and off road, tires are quite on the highway.
