Bilstein 5100 Lift Install

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3DogRanch

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I'm running the 4WD F-150 5100 front's on the lowest stock setting and Expy rears on the highest setting. I was running the RL 3/2 before, and I'd say the stance is pretty close. The ride is a vast improvement over the RL w/ stock struts/shocks. Also replaced the stock UCA's with the ICON tubular Deltajoint UCA's that come with the full Expy ICON coilover lift kit.

Yep, @CE750 that looks about perfect to me.

I only wish that Bushwacker would make fender flares for the Expy like I had on the Tundra.
 

utmeep

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'18+ Those that went from the RL to Bilstein (F150 4WD front) and had 35s on stock 18s are there any issues or is the Bilstein lift the same as the RL? I am about to have the lift done and am in the middle of selecting tires. Thanks!

Did mine today with F150 4WD front at the bottom and expedition rear at the top.

A1587B70-42DE-451C-A302-D53779B8C747.jpeg
 
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TBaganATX

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'18+ Those that went from the RL to Bilstein (F150 4WD front) and had 35s on stock 18s are there any issues or is the Bilstein lift the same as the RL? I am about to have the lift done and am in the middle of selecting tires. Thanks!

Did mine today with F150 4WD front at the bottom and expedition rear at the top.

View attachment 36740

Did you happen to measure yours before and after? I had mine done and I should have measured but didn't. I went 6112 4wd bottom setting, seems like I need to raise it again. Being I changed the spring as well.. I think I under estimated it.


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Expedition Dave

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Sorry, I am a little confused. Is all of this b/c the 5100s for the Expy do not have any more lift than 1 inch on the highest setting, and the F150 5100 offers more lift options?

In the next two months, I am looking for a 1.5 inch front and rear (maybe 1.75 inch rear, not much rake from the factory). I want to keep the CVs/driveline reasonable with the option of adding maybe a slightly taller tire in the future.

Is the Bilstein company fully aware of what these shocks do to the Expy, or is it a case of experimenting here to find out what works? Thx!

And please UTMEET, post more & larger pics since I want to keep factory rims! Looks amazing!! How much lift did you get and how is the ride?
 

sanman28

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Sorry, I am a little confused. Is all of this b/c the 5100s for the Expy do not have any more lift than 1 inch on the highest setting, and the F150 5100 offers more lift options?

In the next two months, I am looking for a 1.5 inch front and rear (maybe 1.75 inch rear, not much rake from the factory). I want to keep the CVs/driveline reasonable with the option of adding maybe a slightly taller tire in the future.

Is the Bilstein company fully aware of what these shocks do to the Expy, or is it a case of experimenting here to find out what works? Thx!

And please UTMEET, post more & larger pics since I want to keep factory rims! Looks amazing!! How much lift did you get and how is the ride?

Correct. The 5100’s for the f150 front yield about 3” lift when used on the expy at the lowest setting....and that is the max you can go with stock CA’s and drive geometry. The 5100’s for the expy get you like 1” or 1.5” max....hardly worth it.
 

Expedition Dave

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Has anyone used the Expy 5100 shocks and reported it is only good for 1.5 inches? May sound strange here, but only looking for a 1.5 inch lift, as I want to keep the CV's / suspension functioning close to stock, and have a lift so mild the dealership hardly ever notices it or takes issue if there is a driveline problem.

Also, if I add tires they will only be 33s of similar width on factory rims.

A 1-inch lift does seem a little "lowish," but a 1.5 all around might be just what I am looking for.
 

TBaganATX

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I'm running the 4WD F-150 5100 front's on the lowest stock setting and Expy rears on the highest setting. I was running the RL 3/2 before, and I'd say the stance is pretty close. The ride is a vast improvement over the RL w/ stock struts/shocks. Also replaced the stock UCA's with the ICON tubular Deltajoint UCA's that come with the full Expy ICON coilover lift kit.

f044a4bf73cc473099046d3feb881c5c.jpg

Finally got mine completed. Only difference is I went with the 6112 for 18+ F150 4wd.. I think the Bilstein spring is either softer or shorter.. I didn't measure before but I think I screwed myself. With new Icon UCAs and the 6112 upfront I have a rake. [emoji2357] So when I add my Sumo spring back it's going to look hideous.. Do you happen to know what the measurement is center hub to the fender is? It drives awesome.. just not happy with the stance.. [emoji36]


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Matt Garrett

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I am about to pull the trigger on the Bilstein 5100's (i am going Expy version all the way around as I am not lifting - just needing to replace leaky stock struts.) I found the below on shockwarehouse.com. Has anyone seen a better deal out there?

Bilstein.JPG
 

Matt Garrett

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Guys, I ended up getting the Bilstein 5100's and I ordered the Expedtion versions for all 4 (vs f150 fronts.) Does anyone happen to know what clip settings will return to the stock ride height? Then I am assuming if I want to level the front that I can then go one clip higher on the fronts?

Thanks in advance!
 

duneslider

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They will come with a paper telling you what the clip positions do but its the lowest one that is stock height.
 

3DogRanch

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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...

Question for you. It's been over a year since you did this install, any issues with the stock UCAs? I was holding off doing this thinking I needed new Upper Control Arms, but it doesn't look like you replaced them.
 

Matt Garrett

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I just bought the Expy 5100s and had them installed but I kept at stock height. That said, the paperwork that came with the front struts said they will lift the front up 1.5 or 1.6 inches (can't remember which one but def more than the 1 inch you mentioned above)

This thread needs more pics lol!

Has anyone confirmed the 5100 Expy version DOES yield at 1.5 inch lift? Tire Rack says MAX 1 inch front, 1.5 inch rear?
 

sjwhiteley

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I just bought the Expy 5100s and had them installed but I kept at stock height. That said, the paperwork that came with the front struts said they will lift the front up 1.5 or 1.6 inches (can't remember which one but def more than the 1 inch you mentioned above)
You had them installed: what hours/price did they charge for the install, if you don’t mind?
 

Matt Garrett

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I went to a local shop, front and rears cost me $610 ish with alignment and before tax. Believe it was around 4.5 hrs. Other places quoted me for 6-7 hours, or $700+.
 

Robert McMillan

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This thread needs more pics lol!

Has anyone confirmed the 5100 Expy version DOES yield at 1.5 inch lift? Tire Rack says MAX 1 inch front, 1.5 inch rear?
Buddy of mine did his highest setting on both. 1” front. 1.5” rear confirmed
 

Expedition Dave

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Thanks Robert--that sucks b/c 1.5 all around with a 1 inch taller tire would have made it perfect for me. Can 1.5 even be achieved with the F150 shocks? Or is that a 1inch, 2inch, 3 inch? I want to keep my rake for towing and such...

WAIT, just re-read the "lowest" F150 yields nearly 3-inch of front lift, correct?

Looks like if I want to go mild, my only choice is the Expys 5100s at 1-inch front, 1.5 inch rear.

Can someone with the Expy 5100s tell me if there is an "in-between" on the rear (1 inch lift for the rear?). My rake is pretty mild factory, and I don't know what .5 extra might do to it, as I run empty most of the time...

Any before and after pics with the 5100 Expy 1-1.5 inch lift?
 
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