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

[hoss411]

Does your driveway slope? I was somewhat concerned about clearance as I only had a couple of inches also but with the slope of my entrance it gave me several more inches when the high point of the truck passed the low point of the garage entry. Only my antenna hit; everything else had plenty of room. Good luck.

Yes, the driveway slopes down. I may hold off on the level kit unti I decide to sell my current place. The next house will have a garage properly sized for a truck.

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[MattV]

Finally got the full kit installed. I had the fronts installed for about 6 weeks and just finished the rears (was waiting for a replacement shock). Much better than stock ride. I would not consider them firm at all. My truck is a regular cab 4x4 (non-fx4) and at times it felt like I was driving a box truck; now that is gone. Feels like I have a shock that can control the rear springs. Very happy with the setup so far. Installation is pretty straightforward. Took me about 3 hours on the first front side double-checking everything; the other side was about 45 min. Rears are two bolts and just a few minutes each. Directions are really good. Would do again.

 

[red5_0]

Finally got the full kit installed. I had the fronts installed for about 6 weeks and just finished the rears (was waiting for a replacement shock). Much better than stock ride. I would not consider them firm at all. My truck is a regular cab 4x4 (non-fx4) and at times it felt like I was driving a box truck; now that is gone. Feels like I have a shock that can control the rear springs. Very happy with the setup so far. Installation is pretty straightforward. Took me about 3 hours on the first front side double-checking everything; the other side was about 45 min. Rears are two bolts and just a few minutes each. Directions are really good. Would do again.

sweet! Did you adjust the height at all? Post pics

 

[MountainStang]

just found out my truck is missing the rear blocks and I’m hoping to install this kit in the near future, assuming I should order the blocks that came with the tuck and then add the kit, anyone install the level kit without rest blocks installed? Maybe on the 2 inch setting

 

[Magician]

Since my install when I turn right into a driveway that causes the left front wheel to fall and the right front wheel to go up, I'll hear a pop/cluck/knock sound coming from the the left side; not all the time though. I triple checked the bolt/nut torque and found nothing. I even checked the torque on the alignment cam/bolts on the LCA, all good.

Some posters here and there say it's the strut "topping out." Meaning when the left wheel falls the strut over extends or "tops out." The reverse is when the strut compresses or "bottoms out". I have to believe there is a rubber something to absorb it, but maybe not.

That said, I hear a popping/clunk/knock sound even driving straight. When I crest a speed bump and the front wheels extend to catch the truck. I can make it happen every time, so I just drive slower over them. It's done it though since before the FP leveling kit ?‍

Have you tried tightening the top center nut? Both of mine were loose and if I articulated the suspension on the ground I was seeing the top of the shock move. Bilstein installation instruction say to tighten that nut with weight on the suspension. I tightened mine to 100’ lbs and no noise since.

 

[TexasTruck]

Have you tried tightening the top center nut?

Thanks. I've read that before somewhere too. No, I haven't. You might be on to something though. When I installed my FP kit, I needed to index the drivers side top hat to align the lower mounting holes in the lower control arm. Usually they come ready to mount, mine was not. I had to use a spring compressor to remove some spring pressure and loosen the center nut. Perhaps I didn't re-tighten it enough.

 

[MattV]

Have you tried tightening the top center nut? Both of mine were loose and if I articulated the suspension on the ground I was seeing the top of the shock move. Bilstein installation instruction say to tighten that nut with weight on the suspension. I tightened mine to 100’ lbs and no noise since.

Interesting; Mine seems fine but I’ll check it for science. Thanks.

 

[Magician]

Thanks. I've read that before somewhere too. No, I haven't. You might be on to something though. When I installed my FP kit, I needed to index the drivers side top hat to align the lower mounting holes in the lower control arm. Usually they come ready to mount, mine was not. I had to use a spring compressor to remove some spring pressure and loosen the center nut. Perhaps I didn't re-tighten it enough.

You’ll have to hold the center post while turning the nut FYI. I could see a difference in the number of threads between both sides. The pic is before I tightened them up.
I got almost two full turns before any resistance And I could see the bump stop draw tight. Pretty certain mine was drooping over speed bumps and small changes in road surfaces. No noises since. FYI, I put about 100’lbs torque on both sides, the nut was 19mm.

 

[TexasTruck]

You’ll have to hold the center post while turning the nut FYI. I could see a difference in the number of threads between both sides.

Thanks bud, I'll check it this afternoon, makes sense now. You probably don't want to try to turn the center stud since it's attached to the shock cartridge extending to the lower control arm; turn the nut and hold the stud...

 

[Magician]

Thanks bud, I'll check it this afternoon, makes sense now. You probably don't want to try to turn the center stud since it's attached to the shock cartridge extending to the lower control arm; turn the nut and hold the stud...

It will turn but I don’t know enough about shocks and struts to know if turning it will do any damage. I hope it works for you.

 

[MattV]

Thanks bud, I'll check it this afternoon, makes sense now. You probably don't want to try to turn the center stud since it's attached to the shock cartridge extending to the lower control arm; turn the nut and hold the stud...

Might need one of these to get this done

https://www.amazon.com/ZKTOOL-19MM-...8&psc=1&mcid=a0a1d23e26223f4ebf5a38a9bbd46646

 

[TexasTruck]

Thanks for the tips @Magician and @MattV I ordered the special strut socket. My 19mm deep well will fit over the center stud and nut, but it wasn't sitting completely over the nut. I think the socket wall is too thick to sit down all the way. I was going to try anyway, but didn't want to take a chance and round the corners of the nut.

 

[RobertD]

I have not changed out the struts on my F150 but I have done others and found that the thru sockets work really well for struts.

https://www.harborfreight.com/sae-and-metric-go-thru-socket-set-21-piece-62305.html

 

[Iconic22F150]

Might need one of these to get this done

https://www.amazon.com/ZKTOOL-19MM-...8&psc=1&mcid=a0a1d23e26223f4ebf5a38a9bbd46646

Just ordered this tool. Going to try this and see if the popping sound goes away. I’ve been really worried about something breaking or wearing out early.

 

[Iconic22F150]

just found out my truck is missing the rear blocks and I’m hoping to install this kit in the near future, assuming I should order the blocks that came with the tuck and then add the kit, anyone install the level kit without rest blocks installed? Maybe on the 2 inch setting

Or if you want to maintain some rake you could order the 1” taller (taller than stock 4WD block) from auto springs.
https://autospringkits.com/product/2021-2023-ford-f-150-2-rear-block-lift-kit-4wd-2wd/

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