Freakin thank you!!!! I needed a real world difference between oem and 5100’s. I’ve been debating this for the last 7 months and just watched your video. I will be subscribing to your channel specifically for the air bags. Keep it up brother. 100%all the hard work you’ve been doing.
Hey! I was debating over this same issue! I want to get my f150 leveled as well, but didn't know if I should go with the spacers or these Bilsteins. I'm going to upgrade my wheels and tires as well, but the thought of how spacers may ride was concerning to me. I think that I'm just going to pay a little extra for the leveling shocks. I know it will be a smoother ride, and less stress on my front end suspension! Great video man. I'm a new sub, and I enjoy your content! Very relatable! Happy New Year to you, and your family. Looking forward to your content in the future!
You scared me when you put your head in front of the compressed spring. I'm almost 70 and changed my front struts last summer but I bought the monroe pre assembled struts. I didn't know how much work it would be, after watching you I kind of wished I'd done it like you. I installed Firestone air bags a couple of years ago and a airlift compressor on my 2014 F150. I pull a 25 ft. camper. Good video.
Yea scared me too! Like a jack in the box but worse. The preassembled struts are conveint but I wanted to level out the truck. I was in between the Firestone and airlift bags and went airlift. Both are good products from what I've heard.
Thanks for the video. I'm in middle of this right now. Did you have any problem with the stem of the Bilsteins not coming back through the upper mount when you put them in?
I bought my 2011 f150 5.0 used. It has a leveling kit. I'm going to be towing also. I installed the roadmaster active suspension which raised my rear height about an inch. I'm OK with that. However after the install I noticed my left shock is bad. While doing the back I figured I'd do the front. However I'm not sure I should scrap the leveling kit or not. When I towed before the active suspension my truck was squatting like crazy!
I also installed RAS on my 2019 F-150 and now I noticed that my rear shock is leaking fluid. I’m thinking the stock shocks don’t like the Road Master springs. I’m installing 5100s now.
Great instructional video mate. Going to do the front shocks and upper control arms on my truck and save 500 bucks. Thank u very much for video it is a help from heaven.
Sorry to post so long after you made this but you install the little washer and rubber sleeve on the shock? Reason i ask is because i forgot to install them on one side and wanted to know if it makes a difference.
So does it ride any smoother? I am thinking about putting these on my 2010 F150. I recently had a different leveling kit installed when I needed to replace some front end stuff and the ride quality is way worse. The mechanic put on new springs and shocks in addition to the spacer but I hate the way it rides now. I did have a leveling kit on it before this and it rode much better. I'm hoping if I change out the shocks that it might be better? But I remember him saying he used heavy duty coil springs since I tow a good bit and that could be part of the reason the ride sucks.
Penetrating oil. haha just start spraying the bolts a couple days before hand. They drive pretty well. The truck definitely settles down a lot quicker, especially with a trailer attached. It is not the smoothest ride empty but what do you aspect from a truck with leaf spring suspension.
So after install you were nose high after installing this when you had the trailer on but without it you were nice and leveled, I assume that's where your air bag install came in handy huh? before you had the air bags did you notice any weirdness in the front with trailer on? I am going to be installing this kit, however, I dont have heavy trailers and whatnot just a small 15' bass boat but I still dont have that but nose high look so perhaps I will go with a 1.5" on the bilsteins.
Before the airbags the truck still acted the same steering wise with and without the trailer. The ride was definitely smoother with the trailer though. As for height, the suspension ended up settling down and the truck still has a small rake to it. I only did the third notch up which I believe is 1.5 or 1.75 lift. So this way if you only put some weight, the truck will sit level while towing or hauling.
@@HitchinMitch Awesome man thanks for the info I just subscribed! love the channel, I have a 2012 f150 same color but with a 5.0 ! saved me some time with my trailer brake installation as well! I will be following this installation video as well as when I get my powerstop z36 brakes and painting calipers as well!
I rented it from Advanced Auto down the street from me. Most auto parts stores have a loan a tool program. You technically buy the tool and just return when done.
@@HitchinMitch I just adjusted my 5100s and I'm sitting at 13.5inch in the front and 14 inch in the rear, didn't sit leveled like I would have like it but still happy with it
After changing out my old struts to bilstein 5100’s and changing my upper control arms I can’t get the knuckle and upper control arm to match up. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Dude...doesn't matter if the ground is not leveled. Ur measuring from the upper rim of the rim or from the center of the hub..I mean..think about it..🤔 Would only matter if you were measuring from the ground up..
Mitch, I know it has been a while. You have me thinking about getting some Bilsteins. I am putting a leveling kit and 33x12.5/20s (already paid for Rough Country N3s.) Check this link out, since you tow a lot www.f150forum.com/f38/product-review-hellwig-anti-sway-bars-233896/ I might put a rear sway bar on first after reading that review! My imagination is going crazy with mods to improve the f150’s performance and usability (or is utility the word?)
With how much there is to offer in the aftermarket world you drive yourself crazy figuring out what you want to do next. I have thought about a sway bar kit at some point. These trucks do have body roll, however I don't know if its something I necessarily need as of right now. I like that they mentioned that if you are an avid offroader the sway bar is not for you which I find myself sometimes offroad but nothing crazy. Definitely something to keep in mind though.
What's with guys and airbags??? Just get the proper ball drop/ hitch receiver... I've been towing trailers for 20 years, heavy, with every gen of f150 since 01 and never needed bags for leveling... I have 5 different trailers for my business
ball drop/hitch receiver has nothing to do with the level of the truck, it's for leveling the trailer...hard to believe you had every gen of f150 and 5 different trailers when you don't know that simple fact...Ball drop/hitch receiver does not magically change the weight of a trailer on the rear end of the truck
Freakin thank you!!!! I needed a real world difference between oem and 5100’s.
I’ve been debating this for the last 7 months and just watched your video.
I will be subscribing to your channel specifically for the air bags. Keep it up brother. 100%all the hard work you’ve been doing.
When you measured the back end after putting the trailer weight on.... you held the tape crooked, thus why you got an extra 1/2" of squat
Hey! I was debating over this same issue! I want to get my f150 leveled as well, but didn't know if I should go with the spacers or these Bilsteins. I'm going to upgrade my wheels and tires as well, but the thought of how spacers may ride was concerning to me. I think that I'm just going to pay a little extra for the leveling shocks. I know it will be a smoother ride, and less stress on my front end suspension! Great video man. I'm a new sub, and I enjoy your content! Very relatable! Happy New Year to you, and your family. Looking forward to your content in the future!
So far I'm enjoying the new shocks and they're riding pretty smooth. Thank you for the support! Happy new year to you as well, thank you!
You scared me when you put your head in front of the compressed spring. I'm almost 70 and changed my front struts last summer but I bought the monroe pre assembled struts. I didn't know how much work it would be, after watching you I kind of wished I'd done it like you. I installed Firestone air bags a couple of years ago and a airlift compressor on my 2014 F150. I pull a 25 ft. camper. Good video.
Yea scared me too! Like a jack in the box but worse. The preassembled struts are conveint but I wanted to level out the truck. I was in between the Firestone and airlift bags and went airlift. Both are good products from what I've heard.
I feel the struggle watching you install these. I'd be doing same thing cutting it off. Good to watch others do it before me
Glad the struggle was able to come through. 😁 👍
Thanks for the video. I'm in middle of this right now. Did you have any problem with the stem of the Bilsteins not coming back through the upper mount when you put them in?
Great video..! I just installed Bilsteins 5100 series rear shocks on my 2013 F150, and I see you have the boot down, as are mines!!
I bought my 2011 f150 5.0 used. It has a leveling kit. I'm going to be towing also. I installed the roadmaster active suspension which raised my rear height about an inch. I'm OK with that. However after the install I noticed my left shock is bad. While doing the back I figured I'd do the front. However I'm not sure I should scrap the leveling kit or not. When I towed before the active suspension my truck was squatting like crazy!
I also installed RAS on my 2019 F-150 and now I noticed that my rear shock is leaking fluid. I’m thinking the stock shocks don’t like the Road Master springs. I’m installing 5100s now.
I was thinking about getting the same bilsteins for my truck as well!
So far I'm likeing them very much. Definitely a smoother ride with the trailer.
Great instructional video mate. Going to do the front shocks and upper control arms on my truck and save 500 bucks. Thank u very much for video it is a help from heaven.
Sorry to post so long after you made this but you install the little washer and rubber sleeve on the shock? Reason i ask is because i forgot to install them on one side and wanted to know if it makes a difference.
So does it ride any smoother? I am thinking about putting these on my 2010 F150. I recently had a different leveling kit installed when I needed to replace some front end stuff and the ride quality is way worse. The mechanic put on new springs and shocks in addition to the spacer but I hate the way it rides now. I did have a leveling kit on it before this and it rode much better. I'm hoping if I change out the shocks that it might be better? But I remember him saying he used heavy duty coil springs since I tow a good bit and that could be part of the reason the ride sucks.
Just picked these up, hopefully I don't run into any seized up nuts or bolts. Going to give it a shot this weekend. How's the drive now?
Penetrating oil. haha just start spraying the bolts a couple days before hand. They drive pretty well. The truck definitely settles down a lot quicker, especially with a trailer attached. It is not the smoothest ride empty but what do you aspect from a truck with leaf spring suspension.
Use Deep Creep to free those bolts.
So my stock struts went bad on my 2010 f150. Could I simply buy this kit and it replace my struts?
Nice stance. I like it. Thanks for showing
So after install you were nose high after installing this when you had the trailer on but without it you were nice and leveled, I assume that's where your air bag install came in handy huh? before you had the air bags did you notice any weirdness in the front with trailer on? I am going to be installing this kit, however, I dont have heavy trailers and whatnot just a small 15' bass boat but I still dont have that but nose high look so perhaps I will go with a 1.5" on the bilsteins.
Before the airbags the truck still acted the same steering wise with and without the trailer. The ride was definitely smoother with the trailer though. As for height, the suspension ended up settling down and the truck still has a small rake to it. I only did the third notch up which I believe is 1.5 or 1.75 lift. So this way if you only put some weight, the truck will sit level while towing or hauling.
@@HitchinMitch Awesome man thanks for the info I just subscribed! love the channel, I have a 2012 f150 same color but with a 5.0 ! saved me some time with my trailer brake installation as well! I will be following this installation video as well as when I get my powerstop z36 brakes and painting calipers as well!
Thank you for the support and welcome to the channel! I'll be doing a review on my power stops coming up here soon. They're holding up pretty nicely.
what kind of spring compression kit is that? where did you get it from?
I rented it from Advanced Auto down the street from me. Most auto parts stores have a loan a tool program. You technically buy the tool and just return when done.
I’m thinking of doing the exact same thing. Can you tell me why you chose not to change the front springs as well??
The springs were still in good condition and don't feel it was needed to change them.
Hitchin Mitch thanks for responding. Springs seam to last a long time. I suppose some people are more sensitive than others about how they feel/ride.
Sweet 2.5 inch leveling kit
Just bought a 2013 F150 FX4 with the adjustable Bilstein 5100s.. how much lift does it give the front end when the adjustment is maxed out?
I believe the highest setting puts it at 2.25"
@@HitchinMitch I just adjusted my 5100s and I'm sitting at 13.5inch in the front and 14 inch in the rear, didn't sit leveled like I would have like it but still happy with it
After changing out my old struts to bilstein 5100’s and changing my upper control arms I can’t get the knuckle and upper control arm to match up. Any suggestions? Thank you.
When you say they won't match up do you mean it's hard to get them to line up or get the upper control arm into the knuckle?
Where did you find the front shocks for the job? I only found Moog on Amazon
You can buy the entire kit (front and rear shocks) on stage3motorsports.com for around $360, depending on model year.
Looking good! I hated the bottom mount on the front struts as well lol
thanks
Dude...doesn't matter if the ground is not leveled. Ur measuring from the upper rim of the rim or from the center of the hub..I mean..think about it..🤔
Would only matter if you were measuring from the ground up..
it matters because if the truck is not on level ground the weight would either be more on the front or rear, which messes up the reading.
How's the ride compare to stock?
It seems to be a bit more stiff over oem but honestly feels alot better.
What brake rotors do you have on the front??
Powers stop extremes
@@HitchinMitch do you like them? How many miles do you have on them?
What year is your truck?
Mine is a 2013
I'm lazy and would get the pre-assembled struts. How much did it cost ?
The shocks were just under $430 and got to me within a couple days.
Thanks.
Measure your height from the ground
I would hate to see the shelves on your walls
Mitch, I know it has been a while. You have me thinking about getting some Bilsteins. I am putting a leveling kit and 33x12.5/20s (already paid for Rough Country N3s.) Check this link out, since you tow a lot
www.f150forum.com/f38/product-review-hellwig-anti-sway-bars-233896/
I might put a rear sway bar on first after reading that review! My imagination is going crazy with mods to improve the f150’s performance and usability (or is utility the word?)
With how much there is to offer in the aftermarket world you drive yourself crazy figuring out what you want to do next. I have thought about a sway bar kit at some point. These trucks do have body roll, however I don't know if its something I necessarily need as of right now. I like that they mentioned that if you are an avid offroader the sway bar is not for you which I find myself sometimes offroad but nothing crazy. Definitely something to keep in mind though.
What's with guys and airbags??? Just get the proper ball drop/ hitch receiver... I've been towing trailers for 20 years, heavy, with every gen of f150 since 01 and never needed bags for leveling... I have 5 different trailers for my business
ball drop/hitch receiver has nothing to do with the level of the truck, it's for leveling the trailer...hard to believe you had every gen of f150 and 5 different trailers when you don't know that simple fact...Ball drop/hitch receiver does not magically change the weight of a trailer on the rear end of the truck