I already have the Bilstein 5100's on the back so I'm excited that they have preload adjustable ones for the front. Have you installed them yet? If so, do you need a spring compressor? The only thing I don't like about the 5100's on the rear is that the stock 4x4 Bilstein has light blue boots. It doesn't look so great with a red truck. Hopefully I can get some black boots for them.

 

The new ones have black boots:

 

Yeah I recently put a 2.5 Pro Comp spacer on my truck.. Now that I have been on here for a week and have learned a lot. I don't know that it will fail, but I do know that it was really, really hard to install... Taking the entire spring essembly apart sucked!!

Thanks for the info guys!!

 

I now have 45K on my 2.5" poly Daystar system and my driver side Upper control arm wil be replaced this weekend. I am going to try to split the lift and just use the top part. I cannot remember if they were the same size or if the top was thicker than the bottom.

Anyhow, for anyone who wants to know, mine is a 04' F150 2wd 5.4L SCab Lariet. Hardly any off road miles and probably 90% highway miles.

 

I'm contemplating getting the total chaos uca's so I won't have to worry about ball joints, and when I do decide to get a lift, I'll still have them.

 

I have a 2006 F150 XLT 4X2 Supercrew w/ 139" wheel base, and I want to improve the truck's stance and make it level. I don't want to raise the truck, not at this point, anyway. I want to still be able, at least in the short run, to use the factory 17" wheels and the P255/65R17 tires.

If I understand, it looks like you guys recommend the Bilstein 5100 Preload adjustable BE5-C298 shocks for the front, and the Bilstein 5100 BE5-C299 standard height shocks for the rear?

Is there anything else I should know about leveling the truck?

 

Dot Dot. You might want to look carefully at the Bilstein shocks are any other preload type leveling kit. It appears to me, in my humble opinion, that whether you go with the spacer type leveler or longer coil springs, or bilstein shocks, all three work on the same principal of lengthening or preloading the coil spring thereby increasing the distance between the upper coil mount and the lower control arm. Either way, you are forcing the upper and lower control arms and the cv joints to a lower than normal operating position. This changes the engineered geometry of the front suspension components and changes the forces exerted on the various parts. Some take the position if they only go 1-1/2 to 2 inches that they won't have a problem. Some think 2-1/2 inches is ok. Some do not believe that the leveling kits cause any problems and some others would not have a leveling kit on their vehicle under any circumstances for safety and cost to repair purposes.

It is true that the bilsteins may offer some advantages over the coil spring spacers in that the bilsteins may eliminate or reduce the contact between the spring and the Upper Control Arm. However, the bilsteins do not cure all the problems and they certainly, in my opinion, do not appear to relieve the stresses exerted by changing the geometry. That's just my opinion. Someone else may totally disagree and tell you that the bilsteins are the perfect answer for leveling. Myself, I too wish to level my truck. I am still investigating to determine the least damaging and a safe way to do it. I actually was hoping for some sort of front spindle lift to be brought onto the market that would fit a 4X4 but to date I have been unable to find one. Hope this helps.

 

Doug, it helps a lot, and thanks. My truck is brand new, I don't want to do anything to it that is going to cause problems.

Regarding the Bilsteins, their web page lists them as being for use on the F150 4wd, but not the 2wd. I wonder if this is due to what you were saying about the control arms...

Also, how does Ford make the 4x4 level? What is different about that suspension?

 

Dot Dot, the 4X4 is not level either. The front has the similar dropped rake look that the 2X4 has. The 4X4 is just a little taller in both the front and back, but still has the raked look. The 4x4 has bigger front coil springs and may have a taller block in the rear (I'm not sure about the rear, just guessing). I believe it is actually a little easier to lift the front of a 2X4 than a 4X4. There are some replacement spindle kits available for a 2X4 that are not yet available for a 2006, 4X4. You may want to look at a spindle kit. THe spindle kits lower the mounting point for the front spindle where the wheel mounts but allow the upper and lower control arms to remain at the stock or close to stock angle. The spindle kits are more expensive in the short run than just using a spacer, but if the spacer causes damage to your truck, in the long run the spindle kit may be cheaper. I really want to raise the front end of my 4x4 to eliminate the rake, but I am not thrilled with either the spacers or the preload type shocks because they both throw the angle of the upper and lower control arms out of whack. I can't locate a spindle kit for a 4X4 that is less than 4" or 6". You only need 2 or 3" to level out the truck. I'm am getting to the point that I might try a spacer because I have not found a reasonable alternative. I do not want a truck that is raised real high and I do not want to spend $2,500 to 3,500 just to raise the front of my truck. I know some of the ford dealerships and the Tuscany modified ford trucks use the spacers to level a few trucks. However, I do not think they are worried because the 36,000 mile warranty would likely expire before the front end needs repairs if only driven moderately. Even on the Tuscany modified fords, the upper control arm beats into the side of the coil, I looked at one at the dealer today and you could see where the uca was hitting the side of the spring. If I do go with a spacer, I am only going to use a 1-1/2" or 2" spacer to minimize the amount that I throw off the ange of the control arms. I'm still thinking about it. After all, these aren't the good old days where a truck costs half as much as a family sedan and if you screw something up it won't cost you an arm and a leg. Now, the trucks are selling for $40,000.00 and you kinda hate to tear it up.

 

I agree with everything you stated, Lakeport Loafer. I'm in the same predicament.

 

What if any is the difference in the spacers that go above the top of the tower assy and ones that go in between the spring and cap. I mean this in regards to the kind of stress on parts and geometry change, are either one less likely to cause damage to the truck.

 

What spindle kits are available for the 2WD's?

When I was looking at spacers and such I only found the lowering spindles. If you are looking to lift the front just 2"-2.5" this would be the best option as far as I can tell. Sorry, just curious. Thanks in advance.

 

I have been reading all types of info on leveling my new 06 KR 4x2, I am torn in my choice, looked at the day star and one other that was an aluminum piece that went above the assembly to raise the front 2 inches. Now I am thinkin a spindle would be the best bag for the buck and really want to do something asap but am new to the truck world so really need ya'lls advise on bringing the front of my truck up 2 inches everyone has ther own pinion, also the bilstein page doesn't list a 5100 for a 4x2

 

I have a 2wd with a 2" autospring spacer and an add a leaf out back and I am going to change them out for a 2" shackle in the rear spring instead soon. I have been reading alot about balljoint deterioration with the spacers. I don't want my truck to do that. I have no problems now, but I thibk it's a matter of time kind of deal.

 

auto springs!