Paxford

I was all ready to buy the adjustable Bilstein 5100's and lift 2 inches in the front when the vendor says that "some" 2010 F150's have the spring perch welded to the stock shock body. Per the vendor, the spring perch needs to be removed and reused for the new Bilsteins, and if it's welded that's a no go. I call the dealer parts dept. and they say "all" 09-10 f150's have the spring perch welded, they don't know why the vendor says "some". The dealer parts says that the perch isn't sold seperately, I have to buy the whole assembly. I am calling Bilstein tomorrow to see if I can get the final word, but has anyone run in to this? It doesn't make sense that Bilstein would manufacture and sell a product without the necessary spring perch if there is no way to easily reuse the spring perch that came with the truck. Thanks in advance for any info.

Moody Blue

If thats the case why don't you just order a 2" level kit and replace the shocks?

Paxford

I have seen other forums discussing problems with RSC and traction control while towing with a 2 inch leveling kit and larger tires (which I will be putting on after I get the clearance). The bilsteins might induce the same, but I would like to think that a change in shocks is less drastic on the suspension and related RSC/TC technology than the leveling kit. I will try to recalibrate these systems with the dealer if problems arise, but there does not appear to be a fix with the dealer for the leveling kits at this time. This may be wishful thinking that the shocks will work without RSC/TC issues. I also want the rear shocks replaced to stiffen up the suspension some for towing, and putting new matched shocks on all 4 makes more sense than just the rear. New truck, want it to work perfect if possible.

Paxford

Talked with Bilstein, they hadn't heard of the issue. They guided me to where the spring seat might be welded and it looks like it isn't. I took the plunge and bought the bilstein 5100 set to be installed tomorrow. If it doesn't work the rancho quicklift supposedly comes with the spring seat now so I can return the Bilsteis and go with those. I would really prefer the Bilsteins, both 4 wheel parts and tech support at Bilstein are saying that they will raise the front 2.5 inches, not 2.0 like the literature is saying. Even better.

Paxford

I had no problems with the stock spring seat being welded to the shock. I took it to a shop who could deal with it better than I if they were welded. The bilsteins are on and ride great, and I did get a full 2.5 inches in the front. I measure both front and back from the lowest point of the fender from the back of the wheel near where the plastic covers the fender sheet metal.

Before-

14.5" front 18" back

After-

17' front 17.5 back

The back went down due to the seesaw effect of raising the front I suppose. Despite the front being 1/2 inch lower still, you see in the pics it doesn't appear that way. It still looks just a little nose up. I am in CA so its hard to find level ground, the truck is sitting on the crest of a very gradual hill in the pics so that may have some impact on how its resting. I am putting on 33" tires and going to try towing with my travel trailer before I mess with the rear any. I am going for as level as I can get it.

ProZach

beautiful man. I'm doing the same to my truck further down the road but man your came out pretty darn good. What did you end up paying for the shocks alone? with the install? which shop?

Paxford

380 parts, 300 labor w/alignment at 4 wheel parts. It feels expensive, and I probably could have done it cheaper by buying the parts for 340 at shox.com and taking it to the dealer's quick lube operation, 270 labor, but the guys at 4 wheel alleviated my concerns about the spring seat. They said that if it was welded they had a seat from another they had removed sitting around somewhere in the shop. Otherwise it would have been a junkyard hunt for the part. Also they do this stuff every day so if they ran in to problems we would work through it, I wouldn't be taking it off the rack and going somewhere else, paying for labor with no end result. Less hassle overall. I probably could have pulled it off myself and saved $300, but it was getting to be too much for my limited skills when the weld issue was brought to my attention.

Bottom Dollah

Stupid question, but why do people lift their trucks anyhow? For the added clearance with bigger tires? Cuz it looks cool? How come?

Tampawright

just to annoy you

Tampawright

what are your measurements from the center of the wheel to the wheel well?