easy smeasy

very helpful, thanks

jgpvf150

Great thread thanks for taking the time!

lsutiger89

great thread! answered quite a few of my questions, but I do have another one. I currently have a 2 inch leveling spacer on my truck, and its time to replace the shocks, and I am wanting to go with the bilsteins, and I'm trying to figure out which ones I need, I asked someone and they told me I need the adjusting 5100's but I dont want to raise the front end anymore, I just want to replace the shocks, so would the stock length heavy duty's work? Thanks for any help!

CodeCrusher

@lsutiger89, If you go with the adjutable 5100 Bilstein's you would be able to remove the spacer and just have the shock. The HD are not as good as the 5100s. The 5100s have special valving which gives it a better ride. I have had both and have to say the 5100 are by far the best shock on the market for the F150.

lsutiger89

Code Crusher, thanks for getting back to me, I think thats what I'll do, is there a 5100 shock for the rear?

CodeCrusher

@lsutiger89, Your welcome. Yes they have the rears with the same valving and sit at stock height. I purchased mine through allshocks.com, they have fast delivery and awesome customer support!

countryford54

I am new to the site and arm getting ready to ask some questions about leveling kits, needless to say I am glad I found this thread, thanks for taking the time to post this info

superccs

I got Fabtech leveling coils and shocks for my 1997 2wd Ranger to increase ride height AND increase front suspension travel - this worked very nicely allowing much more offroading goodness.

I now have a 2011 FX2 and would like to do a similar mod...

Do the Bilstein or Rancho shock/struts offer this same increase in ride height AND travel?

Thanks

ProZach

I want to say that you will at least maintain stock travel with the 5100s (you'll lose some if you just level with a spacer) so you're better off in that respect but as far as gained travel I'm not as sure. I know that a member on this site went with a pair of fabtech shocks a deaver springs and increased his travel a few inches. so if you want to go that route then I would suggest that. You'll also get a lift with them as well (2.5 inches). just seach "fabtech coilovers" and you should find the thread.

as code crusher said it would be a better ride for you to remove the spacer and then install the 5100s. the 5100s are backed for the life of the vehicle. Plus, when you replace the front shocks you have to remove the entire shock tower again so removing the spacer will be easy. but if you DIY then make sure you get a good spring compressor. As far as the rears go they make them but they will maintain stock ride in the rear. The 5100 rear shock are only made to accommodate rear lift (up to one inch).

IAFF FFMCROSS

This was a great thread and answered alot of my questions but I am looking for opinions and suggestions now.

I just ordered a 2011 FX4 and would like to at the least level it. I have read threads about the daystar spacer and about the 5100's. I dont know which one to do. I want to make sure the truck is level and I would eventually like to put some 33 inch tires on it. I am not looking to go serious off roading, I just like the look and want to be able to play in the dirt a little. I dont want to have a worse ride or wear out my components. So which way should I go and why? Thanks for the advice...