I have a 2004 F-150 4x4 Supercab with 50,000 miles on it. I am looking into buying a leveling kit but I have no idea what to get. I am looking for something that will either maintain or improve my factory ride. Also, I have made up my mind that I do not want to get a 3'' leveling kit because the front sits too high for me.

I have been reading up on Bilstein 5100 shocks and they sound good to me, but are they worth the extra cash? And as for the ready lift kit, it says it will maintain the factory ride, will the Autospring kit do this also?

I know I have alot of questions but any insight will help!

Here is a pic of my truck now.

 

The ride will be stiffer if you add the leveling kit since you're compresing your front coils some-what. You will notice a difference with the Bilsteins also, but not as bad as the AS. I don't have them on my truck, but have the 2.5 AS stacked on top of a 6" lift. I'm going to swap over to the Bilsteins when I have the extra cash on hand. My reason for doing it is b/c the Bilsteins will put less stress on my ball joints since they're only a 2" lift instead of 2.5".

 

1. yes, and autospring kit will maintain the factory ride.... it is just a spacer that sits on top of the front factory coils. they are very inexpensive, and easy to install. downside to them is that you still have your stock coils/shocks with 50,000 miles on them.

2. the bilsteins are a great shock for our trucks. i have them on mine (was part of my lift kit). they do offer you some adjustability (stock, 1" or 2" lift) they are more expensive, and not as easy to install (requires removal AND disassembly of the factory coil/shock, and then you put the factory coil onto the bilstein shock). they provide a great ride, but if you dont have the correct tools to swap the coil spring, it can be VERY dangerous. (most shops can change them out for you). one more plus side, is that you would have ZERO miles on your shocks now.

either way you go will require an alignment.

i cannot speak for the ready lift as i have no experience with them.

so, there are a few tips to help you with your decision. if you have the money to get the bilsteins, i would recommend them. i think you would be happier with them than you would with a leveling kit.

 

[QUOTE=HighOn22's;3803038]The ride will be stiffer if you add the leveling kit since you're compresing your front coils some-what. QUOTE]

i have to disagree on this........the spacer alone wont compress the stock spring..... that is afterall how you achieve the lift......

 

I have not used a spacer but I am very happy with my Bilsteins. I like the ride better with the Bilsteins set to 2" than stock.

 

Thanks for the quick responses!

I think am leaning towards Bilstein(unless someone can talk me out of it!), just gotta save up a little more money!
If I do go with Bilstein though, should I get the "leveling shocks" and the rear shocks? What would be the best setup?

And to 06xlt4x4: I see you fit 35's with the Bilstein Leveling Kit. Do your tires rub at all? Or did you have to do some cutting?

Thanks Again!

 

I have no rubbing at all but I haven't flexed it out yet either. The tire guys said I would probably rub at full lock when going up driveways but I haven't yet.

I still have the stocks rear in right now and it makes it more bouncy. I have the bilstein rears in the garage I just need to install them

 

Thats good news. I was hoping I could fit 35's. Your truck looks great by the way!

 

i have a Hell Bent Steel 2.5" spacer and its really good i go offroading guite often and i havent had any problems and the side is ok its like you feel every bump but its really close to factory!

 

also rubbing differs from truck to truck

 

I agree. Also, I wouldn't buy a Readylift product. They are basically identical to the Autospring kits but cost over 3 times as much.

 

How much would it cost to have the bilstein's installed? Or is this something I could do myself (with the right tools)?

 

Agree that at 50k miles, go with new shocks. I've had the Bilsteins set at 2" and loved them. But another consideration is the Rancho QuickLift which, like the Bilsteins, reuses your stock coil spring. The advantage of the RQL is that the R9000xl shock is adjustable so you can dial in your ride preference. I am running these shocks with my current lift and have been really happy with them so far. I have them all set to a 7 but will soften to a 5 after I add more PSI to all four tires.

 

The RQL sounds good as well, but I think I am sold on the Bilstein's!

Anyone know where I could find them the "cheapest"? For both front and rear?

 

Unless you are going to get radical with your tire size, get the Bilstein 5100's. Youv'e got over 50k so so need the shocks anyway, and the fronts can adjust up to 2" higher. The ride is great and you get a lift if you want. Shockwarehouse has them. It's the way to go in my opinion