Bilsteins installed on my 17 Limited

[NASCAR Mike]

Ever since I upgraded the front brakes and rotors on my 17 Limited (4WD, tow package & rear load leveling shocks) with EBC yellow pads and slotted rotors, the Expy stops much better but the front end nose dives really bad now. I wanted a stiffer shock up front to help reduce the nose dive.

I had Bilsteins on my 05 Excursion and they made a huge improvement in driving. Unfortunately Bilstein does not make shocks for 2017 Expeditions. I decided to take a chance and ordered front Bilsteins for a 2016 F150 4X4 because the front ends are nearly identical to the Expedition. I did not order rear shocks because the F150 has a solid axle and the shocks are different. I also have the Nivomat load leveling shocks which I wanted to keep.

Below are pics showing the Bilsteins next to the factory shock. They are identical in every dimension except the Bilstein shaft rod is larger. Unfortunately you need to destroy the Ford shocks to remove the lower spring perch. I drilled a small hole in the shock to let all of the oil and gas out. I used a cloth over the drill bit as the oil does spray out. I also had safety goggles on. I did this outside as the oil does mist everywhere. I then used a saws-all to cut the shock in half. This allowed the spring perch to slide off. I marked the location of the three nuts for the upper shock mount to so I didn't throw off the alignment.

Bilstein does include an aluminum collar that you can use under the Ford spring perch. It will raise the front end about 1" higher. I didn't like the way it looked so I removed the collar and just installed the spring perch. It now sits at the same ride height as the Ford shocks.

The end result is the front end is much firmer and under heavy breaking the nose does not dive nearly as low as it did with the Ford shocks. The truck feels more stable at highway speeds. I am very pleased with this modification.

The Bilstein part number is 24-248112. I ordered from Tire Rack as they were the cheapest at $100 each with free shipping. Amazon is selling them for $115. Bilsteins have a lifetime warranty.

 

[Black]

Well you work ALOT faster than me.
I have been at this for a few weeks now.

https://www.expeditionforum.com/thr...l-shock-update-things-are-looking-good.36631/

But I am betting you can use the Bilsteins from the earlier Expeditions.
What are the body, extended and compressed lengths for the ones you picked up?

You have now saved me some time. I am still going to see about having King build me some shocks.

But you don’t have to destroy your old shock to get the lower spring perches.
I SPECIAL SPECIAL ordered mine from NAPA. They took a little over 2 weeks to arrive which is partially what has taken me so long. As this is not something you can regularly order. The regional manager had to make a special request from the factory.
But you need NAPA part number P 1388. Mine arrived today. I paid $12 a perch though I buy a ton from them so they generally take pretty good care of me so not sure what others would pay.

 

[Black]

Never mind.
Misread your post.

 

[NASCAR Mike]

Does the Napa P-1388 have a rubber / plastic isolator on it so the metal spring does not squeak when it flexes?

The Bilsteins are already on my Expy and the Ford shocks are at the landfill so I wont be able to get exact measurements for you. I can tell you that the fully extended length of the Bilstein shaft was identical to the the Ford shock. The first picture I posted shows them side by side.

The compressed measurement was harder as I only had a tape measure. It was within 1/2 inch with me pressing down on it with all my might for the Bilstein. The Ford shock compressed much easier. I did not measure the shock body diameter but it did not appear to be any different than the factory one because the Ford spring perch fit perfectly on the Bilstein shock. The Bilstein fit fine inside the coil spring and I have turned the wheels full lock in each direction and there is no rubbing or clunking.

It might be easier for you to buy two Nivomat load leveling shocks for the rear. They are pretty firm and will prevent your rear from sagging if you are towing or have a lot of stuff in the rear of the Expy.

 

[Black]

Yes, the isolator portion is likely a heavy nylon would be my guess.
It is not rubber but not plastic either at least I don’t think. The part on the left in picture 2.

The rear shocks are the same from 2007-2017. Even with the aftermarkets. So I am positive the Bilsteins rear shocks from the earlier Expeditions will fit with the removable perches.

I contacted Bilstein to get the measurements for the F150 strut you bought.
I am still going to contact King as I would like adjustable shocks but if they are silly expensive I’ll toss on the Bilsteins.

 

[Adieu]

Arent the rears identical to 07-13? (Dont quote me on that)

 

[Black]

Arent the rears identical to 07-13? (Dont quote me on that)

Pretty much.
The 15-17 do not have removable spring perches.
But OEM and all aftermarkets I have found that make shocks for the rear share the same part number across the board.
So the rear Bilsteins for the 07-13 should work just fine for the 15-17s. Provided you get the perches. Whether you deconstruct the OEMs or buy the ones from Napa.

 

[Black]

Amazon has the height adjustable Bilstein for $106.
Bilstein 24248129 Shock Absorber https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N994D9C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GkWHBbFFT88Q9

 

[Black]

So I had a nice little chat with the folks at Bilstein today. Their tech support is very easy to work with.

So the dimensions I was able to get for the model 24-197717 front shock for 2006-2013 Expedition:
21.02 Extended
16.12 Compressed
46mm body diameter

Then a little more detailed for the model you purchased for the 2016 F150:
22.2 Extended
16.91 Compressed
46mm body diameter
Compression @ 0.52m/s 620
Rebound @ 0.52m/s 3025

Then they asked what I needed the numbers for as these are direct bolt ons for specific vehicles.
I said just trying to determine which would be better suited for a 15-17 Expedition
That’s when Bilstein magically became a brake company. Their help came to a screeching halt and I got the lovely legalese about them no longer being able to assist me due to liability reasons and retrofitting products on vehicles they have not tested. We have our over litigious society to thank for that one. But I understand them no longer helping.

Only dimension I would like that I do not have is the shaft/stem diameter.

But your success got me going even deeper into the rabbit hole. You have successfully used the front shock from an F150. So we know for a fact that the lower mount works, the dimensions are proper, and the valving works.
That got me thinking what else is left??
Only thing left would be the bolt pattern on top of the strut assembly that I can think of at least.
So I pull up the front strut top mounting kits for the 15-17 Expedition and the 2016 F150.
Low and behold they share the same NAPA part number NS 906963. So that means the bolt pattern is the same.

So I wonder if there is any reason the FOX 2.0 Coilover for the F150 or the ICON 2.5 would not work.
Only rub is the FOXs run $450 each and the ICONS are closer to $800 each!!! And then what to do about the rears as you won’t really have a matching set possibility and that is a lot of coin to drop and run crap in the back.

So tomorrow I think I’ll have time to call King with the dimensions I have and keep my fingers crossed that a simple emulsion shock with a collar or coil slide I think King calls them will be in the $350 or less ballpark.

If not I guess I’ll grab the set of fronts from the F150 and rears from the Expedition that Bilstein makes.
Better than my leaking OEM.

 

[NASCAR Mike]

Black, I would be curious to know what the specs are on the Ford shocks installed at the factory. I can tell you that the Bilstein's I installed are firmer than the Ford shocks.

I used the upper strut mount from the factory shock so I knew it would fit perfectly.

I have put about two hundred miles on the Bilsteins so far and no squeaks or odd noises. Driving in corners is better and hard braking is more controlled. Good upgrade so far!