Going with these on my 4wd with FX4 package. I've done enough internet surfing on this topic to convince myself that I'll have a better ride as opposed to using a spacer to get 2" of lift. Anybody done it and have any before/after pic's?. I'm sure I want to have the shop adjust them to the max, 2.1" of lift.

I added the 5100 shocks to my '09 Dodge 4x4 TRX. The ride the shocks had was very good. The added suspension travel was great. It made the truck ride very well. It also was very soft off road. I had 1.5" or 2" added up front, and only 1" in the rear. I wanted the truck to level out some, which it did. I ran them with 285's and then 305's size tires.

The main issue I had was the feel of the shocks at higher speed and when hauling a load in the truck bed or pulling a trailer. When I was loaded down going hunting with gear in the bed and 2-4 people, the truck had a sway in the rear to it. It kind of felt like the rear end was loose and had a soft sway and long rebound to it. Enough that I felt uncomfortable at higher speeds with it (75+). And the sway was not perfectly up and down, it was slightly to the side, which is the weird feeling I had with them.

When pulling a trailer, the truck would squat A LOT and sit really low. I think the great ride they had came from the softer shocks with more travel, but it wasn't the best when you pulled a trailer that had some weight to it. It would sit low.

If I were to buy them again, I wouldn't increase the height over an 1". I think the 1.5" and 2" increase was too much. But the ride of the truck was VERY good without gear or a trailer.

Thanks for the feedback. The rake of my F150 is very low. I'm doing nothing to the rear. I only pull a 5' x 10" trailer with my ATV, so not much weight at all. In the photo above, it seems high in the front, which would be compounded further with a load. Agree? It would be a labor charge, but have you considered having them adjusted down? I'm glad to hear your confirmation on the ride.

I sold the TRX truck recently and have another 4x4 Dodge now. The TRX leveled out well with those shocks. When I measured the height difference from front to rear, they were almost the same. That picture does look like it's higher in the front for some reason. But those were certainly the best shocks I have ever bought. I will buy them again when it's time. I also pulled a small trailer for a 4 wheeler on occasion, and it pulled and rode fine for that. There were a few occasions where I pulled a heavier trailer that squat the back a lot.

Im pretty sure if you jack the truck up, or put it on a lift as the rear axle sags down unloading the suspension it will be drawn to one side. I believe this is part of how the 5-link rear suspension works. The coil springs are awful about bobbing up and down with a load, as the suspension travels up and down it as an ever so slight side to side motion to it, I think that is what you were feeling. I have noticed similar in my '15 ram.

Yes, I think you are correct. I was told the same thing.

Hidden contraband would be a much better story.

A track bar drop bracket would have almost completely eliminated that little side shimmy you had, Chad. A friend of mine got the same thing in his ram 2500 that had the coils in the rear. He put some squishy soft springs and shocks and it would make you pucker when hitting a good sized bump. A few companies came out with drop brackets for the rear track bar, and it helped tremendously.

Chad, did you ever get the supercharger for your new pickup? If so you need new tires yet?

Yes he did and he will soon!!

Yes. I got a Whipple installed with 6.2 lbs of boost. That 5.7L is now 435 HP and 450 lb ft of torque, at the rear wheels. She flys now!

Why are there so many F250s lifted way more in the front? Looks goofy as can be.

*Be sure and have your headlights adjusted*

Sweet! Let's see some pics. Who did the install for you?

That’s how just about every half ton truck with over sized tires and weight in the bed will act. Add in the coil springs your truck has, and well, that just adds to the floaty feeling. Hell, my 3/4 ton has coil springs in the rear, it too feels floaty with 3-4,000 pounds in the bed at 75mph.

Ive had well over the rated capacity 2500-3500 lbs in the back of several half tons with leaf springs and never noticed the BS the coils in this RAM pull. The coils give it the soft ride, but are one of my least favorite traits. If I used it for heavier hauling more I would put a set of air bags on it.

I had a 2004 F150, and I put a 2' on the front and no lift on the rear. It leveled it out great, but any time I put ANY weight or any trailer, it would sag. I ended up adding an inch to the back. On my new F150, I have 2" in the front and 1" in the back. Rides well, and does not sag with weight. If you are adding 2" to the front, I would also add 1" to the back. F150's come with about 2-2.5" of rake. If you take all the rake out of it, it will suck some of the load carrying ability out of the truck.

I have had the Bilstein 5100s on my Tundra and they have been great. I need to replace them after 80,000 trouble free miles. I highly recommend them over a spacer lift for 2-2.5 inch mild lift. The ride is much better than a spacer lift and less wear and tear on other components than a spacer lift. You can’t beat them for the price.

What year model is your new F150? Good info from you, thanks.

Doc, Here's my link to the supercharger install- HERE. I didn't want to hijack his thread.

Bilsteins on front, max + adjustment of 2" leveled it out pretty nice. A definite ride improvement.

air bag it, I put air ride 5,000# on the f150 and it makes a huge difference. don't have to have an onboard compressor but it does make it nice. put my gauge and a switch in the console.