F150 Bilstein 5100 vs ready lift on 4th gen expedition

[pm89spur]

I’ve read on a couple threads here that some are doing the Bilstein 5100 lift rather than the 3” readylift by using the f150 4x4 Bilstein in the front on the lowest setting. This sounds good to me because I’d rather do the suspension rather than the spacer lift to get 3” of lift, but every truck outfitter (including Bilstein) I call to pick their brain about this, they say it’s not a good idea. I know Bilstein doesn’t make a 3” kit (yet) but they do make a 1.5.” What is y’all’s input on this?

 

[Kahuna]

Well I have the Bilston front shocks for my 2020 exp limited in the car now to be returned.

They lack any kind of override for the oem electronic shocks in there now. If we installed them I’d have to live with a red light on the dash.

I’m talking to Off Road Guys here on San Diego who tell me my only good lift option is the ready-lift 3/2. It’s certified to maintain the exiting ride and electronic shock controls.

I’ve ordered them but concerned that my 2020 exp limited might have an issue if I use them. Would love to hear from someone here if their 2020 or later survived it without an issue

 

[MATT0404]

I just switched from the RL 3/2 spacers to the Expedition specific Bilstein 5100's front (24-285056) and rear (24-285063) on my 2018 XLT (non-CCD obviously). The only thing I regret about making the switch is not doing it sooner! Before I removed the RL spacers, I measured from the center of the hub to the bottom of the fender and all 4 corners measured 22.875". After installing the Bilsteins at their highest settings, all 4 corners measured 22.75". So I only lost about an 1/8" in height all around, but I gained much improved ride and handling characteristics.

I got the Bilsteins from Summit Racing for $534, though they used to be able to be found for a little less elsewhere. Given the marginal difference in cost between the RL spacers and Bilsteins, I would NOT recommend the RL to anyone.

 

[sanman28]

I have the RL and no issues to date. Im sure the Bilstein rides better....but i find no issues. Oh and raptor wheels are the *******.

 

[Fozzy]

I would NOT recommend the RL to anyone.

Did you have bilsteins on with the Ready Lift? Or are you blaming Ready lift for the crappy factory shocks?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MATT0404]

Did you have bilsteins on with the Ready Lift? Or are you blaming Ready lift for the crappy factory shocks?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No I did not have the Bilsteins on with the RL. I wouldn't recommend the RL over the Bilsteins because of the severe upper control arm angles and decreased downward travel which resulted in a rough ride, exaggerated top-heavy feeling, and decreased wheel travel off road. Others have described the 5100's as having a firmer ride than the factory shocks. In my case, with the 5100's installed, the ride feels positively plush compared to the RL spacers and factory shocks. Just my experience. YMMV.

 

[MATT0404]

I have the RL and no issues to date. Im sure the Bilstein rides better....but i find no issues. Oh and raptor wheels are the *******.

I had to do a double-take. Those Raptor wheels look good black! What size tires are on them?

 

[sanman28]

I had to do a double-take. Those Raptor wheels look good black! What size tires are on them?

295-70-17. Powder coated black OEM wheels. 1/4” spacers. Obviously took off the FX4 running boards. No rubbing, trimming, or pulling.

 

[LazSlate]

No I did not have the Bilsteins on with the RL. I wouldn't recommend the RL over the Bilsteins because of the severe upper control arm angles and decreased downward travel which resulted in a rough ride, exaggerated top-heavy feeling, and decreased wheel travel off road. Others have described the 5100's as having a firmer ride than the factory shocks. In my case, with the 5100's installed, the ride feels positively plush compared to the RL spacers and factory shocks. Just my experience. YMMV.

Just curious how the Bilsteins make the control angles any different that the ReadyLift?

 

[Waldo78]

Putting on the 5100's on my 2018 expedition with new Ford ome spring as my originals are shot.
I'll be using the factory 20" wheels. Can anyone suggest a good tire size?
Thanks

 

[pm89spur]

Putting on the 5100's on my 2018 expedition with new Ford ome spring as my originals are shot.
I'll be using the factory 20" wheels. Can anyone suggest a good tire size?
Thanks

I just finished mine this weekend. Wound up going with the Bilstein f150 fronts (lowest setting) and expedition rears (highest setting). I went with the
BFGOODRICH ALL TERRAIN T/A KO2
LT275/70 R18 125R E1 RWL. No rubbing or trimming at all.

I should’ve put the OME springs while I was in there. I did that exact setup on my Tacoma and love it. Where did you get the springs? Are they for expeditions or f150s?

 

[Polo08816]

Just curious how the Bilsteins make the control angles any different that the ReadyLift?

They may help if there's rapid weight transfers where the compression and rebound of the Bilstein shocks slow down the change in "angles". However, it's not going to help if the vehicle is going through a long sweeper where there's a continuous load on the suspension. The effective spring rate will matter more in that case.

 

[Rtorres001]

I just did my 2018 and went with Bilstein F150 fronts on lowest setting; I also went from 20" wheels down to 18" wheels and new Michelin's also. The ride a just a bit stiffer, but very tight and aggressive feeling. Should have done it sooner. Sorry for dirty pics, we just had a good rain.

 

[Speedboosted]

I should’ve put the OME springs while I was in there. I did that exact setup on my Tacoma and love it. Where did you get the springs? Are they for expeditions or f150s?

I'm almost positive he meant oem, not OME unfortunately. Eibach appears to have the only drop in lift spring available for the F150/Expo, which would need to be ran with 2wd F150 or Expedition specific 5100s on the bottom ring of both, and would still be at least a 2" lift result. The Eibach spring is 525lbs, and the Expedition front spring is rumored to be in the mid 500lbs, so something to keep in mind.

Also, what wheels are you running? They look great

 

[pm89spur]

I'm almost positive he meant oem, not OME unfortunately. Eibach appears to have the only drop in lift spring available for the F150/Expo, which would need to be ran with 2wd F150 or Expedition specific 5100s on the bottom ring of both, and would still be at least a 2" lift result. The Eibach spring is 525lbs, and the Expedition front spring is rumored to be in the mid 500lbs, so something to keep in mind.

Also, what wheels are you running? They look great

Ah that makes sense. I thought I missed something in all my research. The Vision Wheel “Nemesis” is what we went with

 

[Speedboosted]

Ah that makes sense. I thought I missed something in all my research. The Vision Wheel “Nemesis” is what we went with

Would you mind posting a shot down the side of the truck (to see fender fitment)?