Hello, all, and thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.... I have a few questions, all of which are related to the rear end suspension. I read through this thread: https://www.expeditionforum.com/thr...on-ride-height-and-suspension-upgrades.39194/ , discussed things with my mechanic, and still feel a bit confused as to how to proceed.
I have a 2015 XLT with the towing package, which I bought about a year ago. As it sits on my driveway in a level position, I measured from the ground to the top of the wheel well (thru the center of the wheel), and got approximately 36" in the front, and 35" in the rear. All 4 tires are the same size and age, rotated regularly.
Q1: Is it normal for the rear to be an inch lower than the front?
When I hitch my camper, including a weight distribution hitch, the rear sinks a bit more, even after I adjusted the wdh a couple times. The "sag" is not real bad, but I'd like the truck to sit more level than it does, especially when hitched up but also in general, so I feel like I should bolster the rear suspension. The thread I linked above seems to favor Bilstein shocks for this sort of thing, but my mechanic and I can't decide between the 4600s and the 5100s. This is because 1) I want to raise the rear end a bit to make it sit level with the front, and 2) I know the 4600s will provide "standard ride height", but I don't know if the truck is currently sitting at standard ride height or if it is sagging a bit (it's got 99k miles, after all); 3) I also know the 5100s can give an inch or two of added height, but I am concerned about the effect on ride quality, especially when I don't have the camper hitched up (which is most of the time I drive it) as well as whether the extra cost for the 5100s is necessary given my question regarding 4600s and whatever "standard ride height" is on the truck. So...
Q2: Should I get the 4600s or the 5100s (plus springs, mounts, etc), or something else altogether, like a KYB complete strut (which was also mentioned in the thread I linked above)?
I'm not looking to "lift" the truck, per se... If the 1 inch difference in the rear is "normal", then maybe I just need to stiffen / strengthen the rear suspension to better accommodate the camper, and the 4600s would work. Or maybe the 4600s will add an inch AND strengthen the rear, because the truck is sagging a bit in the rear and the 4600s would return it to standard ride height, which would be an inch higher in the rear. Or maybe I need the 5100s to add the inch or so in the rear and provide greater strength - but is that going to make the ride too harsh? Or maybe a different product altogether is better.
Sorry if this is too long or "noobish". This is NOT my area of expertise.... lol
I have a 2015 XLT with the towing package, which I bought about a year ago. As it sits on my driveway in a level position, I measured from the ground to the top of the wheel well (thru the center of the wheel), and got approximately 36" in the front, and 35" in the rear. All 4 tires are the same size and age, rotated regularly.
Q1: Is it normal for the rear to be an inch lower than the front?
When I hitch my camper, including a weight distribution hitch, the rear sinks a bit more, even after I adjusted the wdh a couple times. The "sag" is not real bad, but I'd like the truck to sit more level than it does, especially when hitched up but also in general, so I feel like I should bolster the rear suspension. The thread I linked above seems to favor Bilstein shocks for this sort of thing, but my mechanic and I can't decide between the 4600s and the 5100s. This is because 1) I want to raise the rear end a bit to make it sit level with the front, and 2) I know the 4600s will provide "standard ride height", but I don't know if the truck is currently sitting at standard ride height or if it is sagging a bit (it's got 99k miles, after all); 3) I also know the 5100s can give an inch or two of added height, but I am concerned about the effect on ride quality, especially when I don't have the camper hitched up (which is most of the time I drive it) as well as whether the extra cost for the 5100s is necessary given my question regarding 4600s and whatever "standard ride height" is on the truck. So...
Q2: Should I get the 4600s or the 5100s (plus springs, mounts, etc), or something else altogether, like a KYB complete strut (which was also mentioned in the thread I linked above)?
I'm not looking to "lift" the truck, per se... If the 1 inch difference in the rear is "normal", then maybe I just need to stiffen / strengthen the rear suspension to better accommodate the camper, and the 4600s would work. Or maybe the 4600s will add an inch AND strengthen the rear, because the truck is sagging a bit in the rear and the 4600s would return it to standard ride height, which would be an inch higher in the rear. Or maybe I need the 5100s to add the inch or so in the rear and provide greater strength - but is that going to make the ride too harsh? Or maybe a different product altogether is better.
Sorry if this is too long or "noobish". This is NOT my area of expertise.... lol
