The Leveling Kit Thread
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From: Maryland
I’m sure it probably does, but my stock wheel is 7.5 and the book says I need a minimum 8.0 for the 285/65/18. I called Tire Rack about it and they said the shorter sidewall isn’t as flexible as the 285/70 or even 295/70, both of which will fit the 7.5. Guess that makes sense. I looked at a lot of brands and they all say 8.0.
I’m sure it probably does, but my stock wheel is 7.5 and the book says I need a minimum 8.0 for the 285/65/18. I called Tire Rack about it and they said the shorter sidewall isn’t as flexible as the 285/70 or even 295/70, both of which will fit the 7.5. Guess that makes sense. I looked at a lot of brands and they all say 8.0.
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From: Maryland
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I recently modified my stock 2015 XLT FX4 SuperCrew, with a 2.5" MotoFab front leveling kit. I did not do anything else to the factory suspension or shocks etc. My original factory tires were 275/55/20 (31.9" diameter). My new Gladiator Xcomp M/T tires are 33" diameter, so it's a one inch taller tire than factory. I've got around 36 psi in the new tires.
I noticed that I am having a very annoying bounce, when driving down the freeway - around 50+ mph. It does not feel like a tire balance "vibration", but more of a suspension bounce.
Has anyone had this issue before, or have any thoughts on what it might be?
I noticed that I am having a very annoying bounce, when driving down the freeway - around 50+ mph. It does not feel like a tire balance "vibration", but more of a suspension bounce.
Has anyone had this issue before, or have any thoughts on what it might be?
5.0 DOHC V8 | 7.3 Gdzilla
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: California and Utah
Has anyone had this issue before, or have any thoughts on what it might be?
Your truck's shocks are worn out. They were worn out at 15,000 miles.
Seriously. If the original dampers are still on the truck and all that was done to lift the front ride height was a Motofab spacer/puck... you should now purchase and install some good dampers (shock absorbers).
For right around $400 (or slightly less), you can buy from Stage3Motorsports (a forum sponsor), four Bilstein 5100 series dampers for your truck.
I can guarantee you that if you do this, then drive down that same stretch of highway/freeway, you will be astonished, and you will be very happy at the dramatic difference in ride and handling. The ride will become slightly more firm but never! I repeat, never! harsh... and the nose-dive under braking, the body roll when cornering and the axle hop when accelerating over rougher road surface conditions will almost -almost- disappear.
The bouncing/cycling up-and-down that your truck is doing now is because your dampers no longer damp the truck's suspension springs' oscillations after dips, bumps, expansion joints, etc...
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Joined: Oct 2018
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Your truck's shocks are worn out. They were worn out at 15,000 miles.
Seriously. If the original dampers are still on the truck and all that was done to lift the front ride height was a Motofab spacer/puck... you should now purchase and install some good dampers (shock absorbers).
For right around $400 (or slightly less), you can buy from Stage3Motorsports (a forum sponsor), four Bilstein 5100 series dampers for your truck.
I can guarantee you that if you do this, then drive down that same stretch of highway/freeway, you will be astonished, and you will be very happy at the dramatic difference in ride and handling. The ride will become slightly more firm but never! I repeat, never! harsh... and the nose-dive under braking, the body roll when cornering and the axle hop when accelerating over rougher road surface conditions will almost -almost- disappear.
The bouncing/cycling up-and-down that your truck is doing now is because your dampers no longer damp the truck's suspension springs' oscillations after dips, bumps, expansion joints, etc...
Seriously. If the original dampers are still on the truck and all that was done to lift the front ride height was a Motofab spacer/puck... you should now purchase and install some good dampers (shock absorbers).
For right around $400 (or slightly less), you can buy from Stage3Motorsports (a forum sponsor), four Bilstein 5100 series dampers for your truck.
I can guarantee you that if you do this, then drive down that same stretch of highway/freeway, you will be astonished, and you will be very happy at the dramatic difference in ride and handling. The ride will become slightly more firm but never! I repeat, never! harsh... and the nose-dive under braking, the body roll when cornering and the axle hop when accelerating over rougher road surface conditions will almost -almost- disappear.
The bouncing/cycling up-and-down that your truck is doing now is because your dampers no longer damp the truck's suspension springs' oscillations after dips, bumps, expansion joints, etc...
I had read on some other brand truck forums (Jeep & Tundra, if it matters), that some folks had to install longer front shocks after the leveling kit went on. Others posters on the forums claimed that it was a tire PSI problem.
I'm going to try re-installing my old factory wheels one more time, to rule out the new wheel/tire combo. If I still have the issue, then I will just replace the shocks I guess.
Member
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 42
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From: Maryland
Your truck's shocks are worn out. They were worn out at 15,000 miles.
Seriously. If the original dampers are still on the truck and all that was done to lift the front ride height was a Motofab spacer/puck... you should now purchase and install some good dampers (shock absorbers).
For right around $400 (or slightly less), you can buy from Stage3Motorsports (a forum sponsor), four Bilstein 5100 series dampers for your truck.
I can guarantee you that if you do this, then drive down that same stretch of highway/freeway, you will be astonished, and you will be very happy at the dramatic difference in ride and handling. The ride will become slightly more firm but never! I repeat, never! harsh... and the nose-dive under braking, the body roll when cornering and the axle hop when accelerating over rougher road surface conditions will almost -almost- disappear.
The bouncing/cycling up-and-down that your truck is doing now is because your dampers no longer damp the truck's suspension springs' oscillations after dips, bumps, expansion joints, etc...
Seriously. If the original dampers are still on the truck and all that was done to lift the front ride height was a Motofab spacer/puck... you should now purchase and install some good dampers (shock absorbers).
For right around $400 (or slightly less), you can buy from Stage3Motorsports (a forum sponsor), four Bilstein 5100 series dampers for your truck.
I can guarantee you that if you do this, then drive down that same stretch of highway/freeway, you will be astonished, and you will be very happy at the dramatic difference in ride and handling. The ride will become slightly more firm but never! I repeat, never! harsh... and the nose-dive under braking, the body roll when cornering and the axle hop when accelerating over rougher road surface conditions will almost -almost- disappear.
The bouncing/cycling up-and-down that your truck is doing now is because your dampers no longer damp the truck's suspension springs' oscillations after dips, bumps, expansion joints, etc...
5.0 DOHC V8 | 7.3 Gdzilla
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: California and Utah
What Phil said.
The Bilstein 5100 may increase the tactile feel of the road in general but I ASSURE YOU they will NEVER feel harsh. Ever.
You have to step up in price to get even firmer shock valving w/ the Bilstein Series 6112 (front) and 5160 (rear)... even then while the ride quality becomes more firm it is never harsh. That's the magic of Bilstein for their pricepoint.
If you want good dampers (shocks) but want to retain a super-soft ride quality, then look to FOX shocks and how they spec the shocks for the Ford F150 Raptors. You will pay more.
I think that dollar-for-dollar, the Bilstien 5100 is the perfect shock for a street-driven F150. You will not regret their installation, and, as you've noted, you may get your front level accomplished at the same time by installing the spring saddle in any one of the four higher circlip locations beyond the bottom groove (that's for the stock ride height).
I stand by that description.
The Bilstein 5100 may increase the tactile feel of the road in general but I ASSURE YOU they will NEVER feel harsh. Ever.
You have to step up in price to get even firmer shock valving w/ the Bilstein Series 6112 (front) and 5160 (rear)... even then while the ride quality becomes more firm it is never harsh. That's the magic of Bilstein for their pricepoint.
If you want good dampers (shocks) but want to retain a super-soft ride quality, then look to FOX shocks and how they spec the shocks for the Ford F150 Raptors. You will pay more.
I think that dollar-for-dollar, the Bilstien 5100 is the perfect shock for a street-driven F150. You will not regret their installation, and, as you've noted, you may get your front level accomplished at the same time by installing the spring saddle in any one of the four higher circlip locations beyond the bottom groove (that's for the stock ride height).
... the nose-dive under braking, the body roll when cornering and the axle hop when accelerating over rougher road surface conditions will almost -almost- disappear.
I stand by that description.
Last edited by Apples; Feb 6, 2024 at 03:48 PM.
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From: Maryland