Just wondering what you guys prefer and why? Also do the Bilstein 5100's work for 4WD trucks or only 2wd? I have a 2005 F-150 FX4 Reg Cab.

 

I am also curious about this, is the Bilstein route worth the extra cash?

 

After much thought, I am going with the Bilstein shocks as if I went with the leveling kit. I would be maxing out the shock and having to get new ones anyways. Plus I dont like the look of a huge spacer in the front. That and it will ride better as well. Spend the extra money and get the Bilstein your front end will thank you for that.

 

I have a leveling kit. On my next truck, I'm getting the shocks. A lot of the members here favor the AutoSpring leveling kit. But none of them have offered any specific articulable facts as to why that particular product is in any way superior to others, and the best argument I've heard is that it is priced right. To me, that's not a good enough reason. It is not of superior design. It is not composed of a superior metal. It does not enhance the ride or operation of the vehicle. All it is, is a cheap way to add a few inches. My leveling kit choice was a leading manufacturer's 2 piece polyurethane kit. It is a lot more difficult to install since it requires you to take apart the coil springs and have a spring compressor. Professional installation is recommended, which makes it more expensive to buy and place into service. However, with the polyurethane, you don't have the fatigue of metal on metal rubbing which occurs by stacking a metal spacer onto your suspension. With 20/20 hindsight, I feel that you gain a more efficient suspension modification and a better than factory ride with the adjustable shocks. At this point, consider what a few hundred dollars difference is worth on your $40,000 truck.

 

The bilsteins I believe are only made for 4wd trucks.

 

I'm curious to know what you meant by this statement?

 

Yeah, what are you referring too?
As for the orginal topic, in my opinion it comes down to this. Bilstiens are better and leveling kits are cheaper.

 

Looked into it more tonight. The 5100's are available for both 2wd and 4wd model F-150's and TopGunCustomz has them on ebay for 379.00 shipped anywhere for both the front and rears. I'll soon be acquiring some of these I can tell

 

what were to happen if you were to use a leveling kit and the bilstein shocks, would you have 5" of lift? or would that just completely destroy the front end....

 

By mid summer im getting Bilstein 5100s. The stock shocks are just pure garbage. The Autosprings are nothing more then a steel block with 3 studs, and they do serve there purpose but the Bilsteins kill 2 birds with one stone.

 

You could do the leveling kit with the bilsteins ONLY if the bilsteins were at stock height.....If you used the 2" adjustment on the Bilsteins and the spacer you would have too much angle on your suspension parts.....

I would recommend the Bilsteins to anyone......I've had them for about 2 months now. I considered the spacers, I felt they were just a cheaper way to get the lift, but you would probably have to replace the stock shocks at some point, so why not do it all at once..........plus the ride is such an improvement.

Got mine at topguncustomz.com also........Great company to deal with!!!!

 

Thanks for info... so you're saying that if i went with a 2-3" leveling kit and the bilstein shocks not cranked at all just the way they come out of the box, that would be an optimal setup for those of us who want that 2-3" lift and a better ride?

 

about the Bilstein shocks.

1) MeekinIt said $379 for fronts + rears..... So could I get just the fronts for now ? (rears later, if I were so impressed by the fronts) Only about $200 ?

2) Would these be as easy to install, as "any" normal shock absorber ? And easy to adjust height ?

3) Are they a totally variable height adjustment design ? Or, like +1/2", +1", +1 1/2", etc.....

If these could actually improve my ride, plus give me just the right amount of lift I need, for a nice leveling, and were better for my truck, I'd probably pay $200, instead of $100 for a spacer kit......

Anybody ?

Thanks,
Fish

 

I agree. Like I said, the advantage of the leveling kit is price only.
As for combining the two, that would make no sense at all. You can't run a leveling kit and the Bilstien's with the preload cranked up because it would destroy the front end, if you could even get everything bolted back together. And, running a leveling kit with the Bilstien's preload at stock height would just be a waste of money, even if the leveling kit is only $80.

 

I did not know they made them for the rear also. A 2" lioft all around for $400 is not a bad deal and would allow you to run 35"s if you have a 4x4 model. I never did like the leveling kit idea because it just seemed like a cheap "solution" that could cause issues later down the road. The Bilsteins are about the only option I would consider