Getting ready to level a 2026 hope someone here can shed some light on a few questions? I did a 2016 f150 years ago with Bilstiens 5100s. Looked great but seemed a bit rougher ride than I preferred. When I did the 5100s I don't recall replacing the front coils? What I'm wanting now is to level the new truck and get the best daily ride. I go offroad less than 5% of the truck life and even them I try to avoid rough terrain. I'm leaning toward Eibachs or maybe Fox?

1. Do you have to but kits with coilovers?
2 If so when adding new coil overs how does it effect the ride as compared to using factory coils?
3. I noticed some kits come with coils some don't?
4. At Stage 3 they have Eibach kits some show with coils on the front struts and another kit with the coil in the kit but not on the struts about a $300 difference? Looks like same parts except for the assembled kit has black mounts at top of strut? What am I looking at ?

thanks

 

1. Don't think so. Just easier to install since no swapping factory coils over needed.
2. Depends on the coilover.
3. Correct some reuse the factory coil springs
4. Its cheaper because you have swap/install the coils yourself.
5. Welcome.

 

Thank you for your straight forward information. Seem like folks these days will talk all around the question never actually answering it... I will have more question as time nears I'm sure.. thanks again

 

Someone can correct me if I’m mistaken but I thought some of the OE coils are slightly progressive in their rate. So if additional preload is applied to them like an adjustable Bilstein might, then it’s possible they will be loaded and ride firmer just from the leveling.

 

You may very well be correct? Just got off phone with Stage3 and never really got a clear cut answer as to why some have coils in the kits and some don't? They said that the ones with coils already on the stocks are more of a plug and play. The ones that come with coils but not on the shocks require more labor to install = ($300) less. But then said the kits with coils "might" preform better?? "Preform" better? Better ride, better handling, stiffer ride, better off road, better tire wear, better when riding over small cars, better at emptying your wallet?? Could ya narrow it down just a bit! lol........

 

Well certainly kits that come with their own springs have the benefit of potentially matching the dampening curves with their own spring rates and spring lengths/preloads. Of course other benefits would be that if the customer wants to optimize their own setups having aftermarket spring dimensions means it’s easier to switch out springs when adding weight or changing ride height etc.

 

Research progressive/ digressive shocks.
Bilstien is digressive and they ride firm.
progressives like Fox ride smoother
after that factor in money. $3k in struts will get you better ride than 1k. $5k better than 3

 

Will look at this. Have Bilstiens on current ride but want a soft ride on the next one. As far as $$ it like everything else in life. I’ll have to balance desire with budget. Hoping to get the level I need with a ride improvement over the Bilstiens and maybe reduce negative impact on OEM geometry as much as possible.

 

coilovers are always more expensive.

 

I would say Eibach, Fox or Belstien…do not waste your money on a cheaper versions.
Also keep in mind the factory drivetrain angles if considering doing a lift.