2021-2023 F-150 Ford Performance Leveling Kit (by Bilstein) is released

[crazywayne311]

I believe I was 38 1/2 F 41 3/4 R
Now it sits at 40 3/4 F and 41 3/4 R

Got these installed on my 22 3.5EB max tow fx4 on 2/24/23
in the quote from myself above, those were the measurements taken a day or two after the install.

I havent seen many others report so i'm here to give an update.

the suspension feels great! it still drives and handles very well behaved compared to stock.

as far as measurements go, today i measured and they have indeed settled a bit.
current measurements are 40" front and 41 1/4" rear
as you can see, 3/4" settle in the front and 1/2" in the rear.

also, headlights. when i got the truck leveled, no one really flashed their headlights at me. I did ask on this forum if anyone had re-aimed their headlights or had a shop re-aim them. i think most said they didnt but a few did chime in and said they did.

yes, truck have levelers but i started to notice a few weeks ago, more and more people were flashing their headlights at me. i know i know, big tall truck, raised the front up 2.5" so yeah, gonna blind people. for a while i thought my glare free mode was why no one flashed at me. i always thought they seemed higher right after the level to begin with...

well, today, i re-aimed the headlights. i got about 25' away, i'm on a flat level surface and i measured the dot on the headlights and transferred that to a wall.
yeah, they were aimed about 2-3" high. i didnt keep count but i think 2 complete revolutions on the headlight adjustment screw got them "level" with the dot on the headlight.

anyway, thanks for taking time to read this update.

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[SamE0717]

Thanks for the update @crazywayne311 ! I have been intending to put them on my 157" Screw Platinum 5.0 max tow ... but when I was about to order them last week the "Not recommended for ..." list gave me pause, specifically the "Heavy-Duty Payload Package(627)" but after reading your update I'm back on wanting to order them for my truck.

 

[crazywayne311]

Thanks for the update @crazywayne311 ! I have been intending to put them on my 157" Screw Platinum 5.0 max tow ... but when I was about to order them last week the "Not recommended for ..." list gave me pause, specifically the "Heavy-Duty Payload Package(627)" but after reading your update I'm back on wanting to order them for my truck.

I have no issues other than with my wheel and tire combo, now that the suspension has settled I only notice a rub backing up if the wheels are turned at that specific angle. It’s rubbing the edge of the air dam. Maybe when I head out today I’ll snap a pic.
But its rides sooo much better than stock. Handles great around turns and when I had to hop the ditch getting home yesterday feels very composed haha

 

[sbreech]

What is the performance gain of leveling a truck from factory? I mainly use my truck for either a daily driver or for towing, and occasionally hauling crap around. Would love have any advantage in leveling my truck, or is it just aesthetics? I saw a LOT of trucks down south that had the front ends raised and the rear lowered, and I didn’t quite get that look either…

 

[SamE0717]

I have no issues other than with my wheel and tire combo, now that the suspension has settled I only notice a rub backing up if the wheels are turned at that specific angle. It’s rubbing the edge of the air dam. Maybe when I head out today I’ll snap a pic.
But its rides sooo much better than stock. Handles great around turns and when I had to hop the ditch getting home yesterday feels very composed haha

Good info! I don't think I'll have an tire rubbing issues as I'm running stock 20" wheels with factory size 275/60/20 tires.

Stock truck rides nicely so I almost can't imagine it riding so much better than stock but looking forward to experiencing that and plenty of gravel drives and off road bumps in my life where I'll appreciate that!

 

[crazywayne311]

Good info! I don't think I'll have an tire rubbing issues as I'm running stock 20" wheels with factory size 275/60/20 tires.

Stock truck rides nicely so I almost can't imagine it riding so much better than stock but looking forward to experiencing that and plenty of gravel drives and off road bumps in my life where I'll appreciate that!

Well it definitely rides much better than stock. The way the rear behaves alone makes me happy I went with this set up. It’s not choppy going over certain surfaces.
Btw, you won’t have rubbing with stock wheels and the stock tire size. Hell you can go taller and wider if you’re using stock wheels. Just in case it’s crossed your mind haha

 

[NH_Leadfoot]

I've still got a set of these sitting in my garage that I'll be installing shortly. For those of you running dust boots on the rear shocks, does anyone have a part number?

 

[SamE0717]

Well it definitely rides much better than stock. The way the rear behaves alone makes me happy I went with this set up. It’s not choppy going over certain surfaces.
Btw, you won’t have rubbing with stock wheels and the stock tire size. Hell you can go taller and wider if you’re using stock wheels. Just in case it’s crossed your mind haha

Mind are ordered and on the way! Thanks again for the feedback

 

[Ctimrun]

Put the Ford Performance kit (set at 2”) on my max tow truck with some Tremor wheel/tire takeoffs. The ride of this kit is really good, I am very impressed. I think the tuning of the Ford spec’d Bilstein dampeners is softer than the actual Bistein 6112/5160 version. I recently installed the Bilstein version (also set at 2”) on a friend‘s 2023 and this one is noticeably smoother over the same jarring bumps in the road.

 

[backcountryplatinum]

I installed these on my 2022 Platinum Powerboost with Max tow.

I am LOVING the new feel on it. They drive great and I got about 1.75 inches of lift in the front. I am having to add a leaf spring in the back as I am sitting almost level due to a Leer and DECKED system.

My build information

 

[SamE0717]

Small delay in adding these to my truck. Opened the box this morning and one of the remote reservoirs was leaking in the package at the hose fitting and had saturated most of the box.

Mind are ordered and on the way! Thanks again for the feedback

 

[Imtheweezel]

Does installing these void the warranty? I don’t think it should since they are a ford product, correct?

 

[JohnMcClane]

Does installing these void the warranty? I don’t think it should since they are a ford product, correct?

Which warranty?

Installing these should not void your standard truck warranty, unless the dealership thinks you're at fault for damaging something like the CV boot during install, in which case they likely won't request your warrant be voided, but won't fix it for free under warranty.

The 36k warranty offered on the shocks is only valid if installed by a Ford tech.

 

[Imtheweezel]

Which warranty?

Installing these should not void your standard truck warranty, unless the dealership thinks you're at fault for damaging something like the CV boot during install, in which case they likely won't request your warrant be voided, but won't fix it for free under warranty.

The 36k warranty offered on the shocks is only valid if installed by a Ford tech.

Thanks John! Yes the truck warranty. I’m planning on having the dealership install them to avoid any issues.

 

[jaronritchie]

Installed at the 2.5 Perch with Icon UCA's. I upgraded over from the 21-23 Fox 2.0 kit. With the 10 Ply tires and Fox 2.0 kit I felt the ride was overly stiff and at times washy over certain bumps. Also When it settled I wanted to adjust up a 1/2" but figured it would just get even stiffer by pre-loading the spring further. I decided to switch to the Ford Kit and there was an immediate difference with just the rears switched out. I actually liked the ride of the FP rears combined with the Fox up front. I rode like that for a week until the install appointment for the front installation. After getting it back there was a small difference for the better with the FP over the Fox Coilovers, even pre-loaded up to the 2.5"setting . I'm sure it would be even better at the 2" setting, but I wanted the more leveled look. The biggest improvement is from the rear, with less bucking. Also the FP kit has a bit less wash out and feels more planted on turn ins. I also chose to go with the UCA's due to the Alignment not being perfect with the Fox kit. With the UCA's it was spot on. Also when the shop returned the Fox kit, I noticed how much smaller and lighter they were compared to the bigger shock bodies of the Ford Performance Kit. Currently there is about a + 3/4" lift over the Fox, hoping it doesn't settle too much. Looks Wise the Fox was much better looking as the Fox Logos and Silver springs really stood out.
Ride Wise, Overall if anyone is comparing the two, the Ford Performance kit is definitely worth the extra bucks. I really have enjoyed driving this truck again over my daily as the ride is that much better.

W/Ford Performance Kit

W/Fox 2.0

Ford Performance W/ Icon UCA

Hey brother I am going to install the exact same lift and Icon UCA combo, what wheel size and tire size did you go with? I want to clear the UCAs, which according to Icon require 5.25" of BS on an 18x9 Wheel. I also want to run the biggest tire I can without rubbing or trimming a whole lot.

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