Bilstein 5100 Lift Install

[95cobby]

Finally wrapped up the Bilstein 5100 install this weekend.. just need to take it to get aligned now. I originally installed the Readylift 3/2 kit and then realized the front factory shocks were leaking. I ended up coming across the Bilsteins that they just came out with for the Expedition and after some research ended up buying the rears for the Expedition and the fronts for a 4wd F150. The front and rears for the Expedition state only about a 1.6” lift and I guessed that the front needed more to come close to what the Readylift kit is. After 3 adjustments on the F150 4wd shocks I ended up on the bottom ring which is stock setting and likely could have just used the 2wd shocks. I’ve only driven it a little bit as I want to get it align before letting my wife put any real miles on it but the Bilstein shocks have made a huge difference in stability and braking. Definitely happy I went this route instead of wasting time at the dealership. The height to fender ended out coming to the same measurements as the Readylift, just now it has more suspension travel. Anyways the only part that matters.. the pictures...








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[16plati]

Finally wrapped up the Bilstein 5100 install this weekend.. just need to take it to get aligned now. I originally installed the Readylift 3/2 kit and then realized the front factory shocks were leaking. I ended up coming across the Bilsteins that they just came out with for the Expedition and after some research ended up buying the rears for the Expedition and the fronts for a 4wd F150. The front and rears for the Expedition state only about a 1.6” lift and I guessed that the front needed more to come close to what the Readylift kit is. After 3 adjustments on the F150 4wd shocks I ended up on the bottom ring which is stock setting and likely could have just used the 2wd shocks. I’ve only driven it a little bit as I want to get it align before letting my wife put any real miles on it but the Bilstein shocks have made a huge difference in stability and braking. Definitely happy I went this route instead of wasting time at the dealership. The height to fender ended out coming to the same measurements as the Readylift, just now it has more suspension travel. Anyways the only part that matters.. the pictures...








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Looks sick! Yeah we have different springs than the f150s so the rings that equate to specific lift heights on F-150 are actually more for expeditions. I’ll be doing this to my 2016 next couple of years

 

[16plati]

Finally wrapped up the Bilstein 5100 install this weekend.. just need to take it to get aligned now. I originally installed the Readylift 3/2 kit and then realized the front factory shocks were leaking. I ended up coming across the Bilsteins that they just came out with for the Expedition and after some research ended up buying the rears for the Expedition and the fronts for a 4wd F150. The front and rears for the Expedition state only about a 1.6” lift and I guessed that the front needed more to come close to what the Readylift kit is. After 3 adjustments on the F150 4wd shocks I ended up on the bottom ring which is stock setting and likely could have just used the 2wd shocks. I’ve only driven it a little bit as I want to get it align before letting my wife put any real miles on it but the Bilstein shocks have made a huge difference in stability and braking. Definitely happy I went this route instead of wasting time at the dealership. The height to fender ended out coming to the same measurements as the Readylift, just now it has more suspension travel. Anyways the only part that matters.. the pictures...








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What’s the difference between 2WD and 4WD 5100s for F-150?

 

[95cobby]

Looks sick! Yeah we have different springs than the f150s so the rings that equate to specific lift heights on F-150 are actually more for expeditions. I’ll be doing this to my 2016 next couple of years

Thanks man. Yea I know that and ended up starting with the middle ring which was close to 1.5" taller than the Readylift. Stock setting matched great for the 4wd version. I have the 2wd shocks in the garage in case the rear came out lower than the RL kit as I didn't want any reverse rake.. but it worked out great.

The 2wd F150 shocks are about an inch shorter so close to the top setting may have worked..

F150 4wd Bilstein B8 5100 24-248129
Collapsed Length (IN) - 16.91
Extended Length (IN) - 22.46

F150 2wd Bilstein B8 5100 24-253222
Collapsed Length (IN) - 16.05
Extended Length (IN) - 21.40

Expedition Bilstein B8 5100 24-285056
Collapsed Length (IN) -16.10
Extended Length (IN) - 20.95

 

[Black]

3 adjustments. I got lucky and only had to do it twice when I did mine.
Looks good and amazing how much better it rides isn’t It?

 

[95cobby]

3 adjustments. I got lucky and only had to do it twice when I did mine.
Looks good and amazing how much better it rides isn’t It?

Yea, should have just dropped it to last ring the second time after seeing how high it sat in the middle.. oh well lol. Ride is so much better and doesn’t feel like you’re driving a boat. Wasn’t impressed with the “upgraded” fx4 shocks either.


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[Artie]

Finally wrapped up the Bilstein 5100 install this weekend.. just need to take it to get aligned now. I originally installed the Readylift 3/2 kit and then realized the front factory shocks were leaking. I ended up coming across the Bilsteins that they just came out with for the Expedition and after some research ended up buying the rears for the Expedition and the fronts for a 4wd F150. The front and rears for the Expedition state only about a 1.6” lift and I guessed that the front needed more to come close to what the Readylift kit is. After 3 adjustments on the F150 4wd shocks I ended up on the bottom ring which is stock setting and likely could have just used the 2wd shocks. I’ve only driven it a little bit as I want to get it align before letting my wife put any real miles on it but the Bilstein shocks have made a huge difference in stability and braking. Definitely happy I went this route instead of wasting time at the dealership. The height to fender ended out coming to the same measurements as the Readylift, just now it has more suspension travel. Anyways the only part that matters.. the pictures...








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Looks great! Possibly the best looking example I’ve see to date! What’s your overall vehicle hight? Does it fit in your garage?

 

[95cobby]

Looks great! Possibly the best looking example I’ve see to date! What’s your overall vehicle hight? Does it fit in your garage?

Yup yup, haven't measured but it fits just fine in our 7' garage.

 

[Artie]

Yup yup, haven't measured but it fits just fine in our 7' garage.

Thanks for the info.

 

[16plati]

@95cobby what height setting you do the rears at?

 

[95cobby]

@95cobby what height setting you do the rears at?

Top setting


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[16plati]

Top setting


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Ok top setting for expedition 5100 rear and bottom “stock” setting for 4WD 5100 F-150 front correct?

 

[95cobby]

Ok top setting for expedition 5100 rear and bottom “stock” setting for 4WD 5100 F-150 front correct?

Yup yup! Going to return the 2wd fronts I have since it rides great the way it sits. Gets aligned tomorrow.


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[16plati]

Yup yup! Going to return the 2wd fronts I have since it rides great the way it sits. Gets aligned tomorrow.


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You take it to an offroad shop that does alignments for 4WD trucks? Reason I ask is because my local firestone insists they can’t do my alignment anymore because the alignment brackets won’t fit in the groove between the wheel lip and bead of the tire without scratching the shit out of the wheel face

 

[Black]

Ok top setting for expedition 5100 rear and bottom “stock” setting for 4WD 5100 F-150 front correct?

You don't want to go by his numbers being that you are a 2016. We have different spring rates than the 2018s hence the reason the 5100s for the Expedition are the same part number but give different lift possibilities for 15-17s compared to 18-19s.

You take it to an offroad shop that does alignments for 4WD trucks? Reason I ask is because my local firestone insists they can’t do my alignment anymore because the alignment brackets won’t fit in the groove between the wheel lip and bead of the tire without scratching the shit out of the wheel face

I went to the regular old alignment shop and they had no issue aligning mine.

 

[Artie]

Somewhat unrelated question but while doing this install did you spot the differential vent hose and see where it leads?

 

[16plati]

Somewhat unrelated question but while doing this install did you spot the differential vent hose and see where it leads?

Not sure about the 18s but would guess somewhat similar location as the 16s. Mine is all the way at the top of the pumpkin and sticks straight up into a protected 3” wide hole cut into the framework. Tucks away quite nicely up there

 

[Black]

Not sure about the 18s but would guess somewhat similar location as the 16s. Mine is all the way at the top of the pumpkin and sticks straight up into a protected 3” wide hole cut into the framework. Tucks away quite nicely up there

Thanks for that. Been needing to find these. Presuming this is the rear any idea on the front?
Thinking I am going to run the ARB breather kit.

 

[95cobby]

Somewhat unrelated question but while doing this install did you spot the differential vent hose and see where it leads?

Looked like it went straight up to floor near the exhaust side


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[16plati]

Thanks for that. Been needing to find these. Presuming this is the rear any idea on the front?
Thinking I am going to run the ARB breather kit.

Sorry black, have not ever looked for the front. So what exactly do these do?