NASCAR Mike
Full Access Members
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.
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.
