2018 bilstein shock replacement

[Ngravier]

Hi, I am am new to the forum. I've actually been following for the last year, but just created an account recently. I have followed the threads about leaking shocks and cold start noises.

These are two issues with my expedition I am currently experiencing. I have atleast 2 shocks leaking and the motor seems to be making slight noises upon startup. The shocks inwould like to replace with bilstein, but am having trouble finding part numbers and exactly what I want. The motor noises I have ruled out as cam phasers and possibly an exhaust rattle that has been common with these motors.

What i would like to know is what shocks would everyone recommend? I am just going to replace with aftermarket since motorcraft shocks seem to be a weak spot with the expedition and my dealer is over an hour away.

I would like to go with bilsteins. From my understanding, the 5100 and 4600 are the exact same valving just a little different in size. I dont want to add any extra height and am going for functionality over looks since this is the family vehicle. I am having trouble finding any for 18+ expeditions. There are lots for the older models and I have read about guys here purchasing front for the f150. What do you guys recommend and thanks again!

 

[wakeboarder]

Go to https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/ and put your vehicle in. This is what I found, but you should double check it. The 5100’s didn’t noticeably change my ride height, but I didn’t measure it.

 

[Ngravier]

What is the ride like compared to stock? Does it stiffen it up on dirt roads and more control on the highway? Thank you

 

[3tonsoffun]

What is the ride like compared to stock? Does it stiffen it up on dirt roads and more control on the highway? Thank you

5100 if you want to lift it a little. A lot of f150 guys recommend the 4600s as stock replacement if you’re towing. Personal preference really. If your not towing I would do 5100

 

[wakeboarder]

What is the ride like compared to stock? Does it stiffen it up on dirt roads and more control on the highway? Thank you

I did it in two stages. I did the front 1st and it was a vast improvement over the stock ride. It was less bouncy. Granted my fronts were both leaking and one only would move half way. I noticed very little difference on the rear. I only drive on pavement.

 

[Grey ghost]

Ever so slightly firmer definitely more stable

 

[ExplorerTom]

Speaking from my 2014......

i had a leaking rear and a jacked up front factory shocks. I replaced them with 5100 height adjustable shocks. I set mine to the highest position. Resulting ride is firmer, but more controlled. It doesn’t ride like a Cadillac but it’s not supposed to.

 

[Dr0idattack]

I run 4600s on my 2013 and the ride is a little stiffer and the handling is better. 5100s are for adjusting for lift.

 

[Ngravier]

Thank you everyone for the responses. I think I am going to go with the 5100s as I cannot find a part number for the 4600. If it were my daily driver and not my wife's I would set all 4 on the highest setting and add rim's and tires. Because it is my wife's daily driver will keep it close to stock.

I am also wondering about recommendations on tires for the 20" inch wheels. I would like to go with either bf Goodrich all terrains or nitro ridge grappler. Does anyone have any experience with these and how they are compared to the stock highway tires?

Thank you

 

[Black]

Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws
They are nice and quiet for as aggressive as they are.

If you want something slightly less aggressive Continental TerrainTrac ATs

 

[Deadman]

Thank you everyone for the responses. I think I am going to go with the 5100s as I cannot find a part number for the 4600. If it were my daily driver and not my wife's I would set all 4 on the highest setting and add rim's and tires. Because it is my wife's daily driver will keep it close to stock.

I am also wondering about recommendations on tires for the 20" inch wheels. I would like to go with either bf Goodrich all terrains or nitro ridge grappler. Does anyone have any experience with these and how they are compared to the stock highway tires?

Thank you

The BFG AT'S are nice and quiet, but man they get SLIPPERY when they wear down to half. I'm sure they are better than the stock slicks. I had them on my plow truck and until half tread they did ok, after that they were useless. Quiet tire tho!

 

[ExplorerTom]

I’d check the reviews and ratings at Tire Rack. Go from there. Beyond that, you’ll just get a few opinions on here. At least on Tire Rack, you’ll get LOTS of opinions.....

 

[Ngravier]

I ended up ordering the bilstein 5100 front and rear for the expedition. After reading through many of the post it seems most people have gone with the f150 5100s. I am just going for a slight lift to fit 275 60 20 tires. I wanted to go with 285 60 20 tires, but did not want to have to make them fit with trimming and adjustments.

I will be installing the shocks this week. The question I have is

Has anyone installed these and what rings did you use. I know the expedition top setting is 1.6 " height and the rear I was planning on setting the second from the top at 1.1".

I've only found one thread where these were installed and it was stated the rears actually raised 2 inches.

I plan on running stock rims with the tires and would like a little rake, but not completely level incase we ever plan to tow a trailer.

Thanks for everyone's help and I plan on posting pics when everything is installed and finished.

 

[Dice Roll]

Bilsteins are excellent products. Only thing I put at or a little above them are edelbrocks. I was the only one who thought that so they don’t make those anymore. Can’t help with your specific questions as I’m rolling on ccd.

 

[sjwhiteley]

I ended up ordering the bilstein 5100 front and rear for the expedition. After reading through many of the post it seems most people have gone with the f150 5100s. I am just going for a slight lift to fit 275 60 20 tires. I wanted to go with 285 60 20 tires, but did not want to have to make them fit with trimming and adjustments.
...

Will be interested in the setting you eventually choose: sounds like a slight lift with a less noticeable rake.

will you be fitting them yourself or having a shop do it?

 

[Ngravier]

Here is the finished look after install. I went ahead and had my local shop do the install with the tires. Its something I could do, but it's much easier with a lift and all the right tools at your disposal.

I wasn't quite sure what setting to set them on as I was getting conflicting data from on the forum on another install. In that install it was stated the rears were raised 2" on the top clip vs the stated 1.5".

I ended up going with the top clip on the fronts and the second to the top on the rears. This should have given me 1.6" in the front and 1.1" in the rear. It was spot on and left enough rake if I ever need to tow a trailer.

Here is the final height gained

Front original to bottom of fender
35.5"
With bilsteins installed on top setting
37.75"

Rear original to bottom of fender
36"
With bilsteins installed second to top
37.75"

The tires I went with are nitto ridge grappler 275 60 20 and they measure 32 inches high and are spec'd at 33".

So overall the bilsteins seem to be spot on on height gained according to the spacers. I hope this helps someone with a future install and thanks everyone for the help.

This is also the bilstein shocks specific to the expedition and not the f150 "hack" as it was recently called.

 

[bsevans5]

I know this is an old thread...wondering if you got struts alone and had them installed on oem existing springs? Or did you find them with all new parts installed?