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

[ImChris]

Anyone who installed these have an issue with your stabilizer bar end joints popping out?

Noticed my passenger side detached from the swaybar and curious if anyone else has ran into that? Both bolts are still attached (upper and lower) but the actual link is not attached to the upper bolt. Bolt popped of the end link.

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[TexasTruck]

Oh wow, no… IIRC the torque on the sway bar links is 100 or so lb/ft. I’m having a difficult time visualizing, do you have a pic you can share?

 

[ImChris]

Oh wow, no… IIRC the torque on the sway bar links is 100 or so lb/ft. I’m having a difficult time visualizing, do you have a pic you can share?

Bad pic, but check the yellow circles. I zip tied the sway bar link for now to keep it out of the way. New one coming in tomorrow.

This happened when I changed my wheels and tires. I installed everything, a few days later got my new wheels in and when I lifted the truck and took the wheel off, it popped out like you see. Seems like the suspension and full droop put too much pressure on it ?‍

Other side is disconnected for now until I get the new one in.

 

[cowboywill]

Stunning job! Love it. Great shots.

Early morn work pics...btw, i got about 25' from a garage door this morning and i swear my headlights dont look high sooo...i didnt get flashed this morning either. I wonder if Glare Free is helping by not blinding people automatically.

 

[cowboywill]

Just got it all installed! Loving the look.

• Ford Performance Bilstein set at 2.5”
• Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 35"x11.50" R20
• 2022 Powerboost Platinum

No rubbing, no cutting. The stance is perfect. I would cut or remove the air dam as I did on my 2018, but there's a pesky electric secondary air dam behind the primary air dam on the 21+ models.

 

[TexasTruck]

Thanks that helps!

Gosh, I've seen that before in my lifted Jeep JK, the suspension drooped to where the sway bar end link is supporting the suspension and at one point it can't and pops off the ball.

Full suspension lifts include longer sway bar end links, but I never heard of a leveling kit needing them.

Now you got me wondering, some times when a front wheels extends (pot hole or incline driveway) to catch my truck, I hear a clunk/knock sound. Some say it's the strut topping out, but I wonder about this....

 

[Squbits]

I see there is a 3yr/36K part warranty when installed by a Ford dealership. However, the dealerships near me can’t seem to provide a clear answer as to whether these void the current suspension warranty of my F150 (2022). I’ve heard a variety of answers, to include ‘only when you go above a certain height’ and ‘you have to order the part through Ford.’

Anyone experience this or have any insight?

 

[fireonice02]

Finally got my kit installed after they were back ordered! Love the look and the ride. I left mine on the standard 2” setting. The shop that installed mine put driver side reservoir facing forward vs towards rear as mentioned in the instructions. I don’t know if it makes a difference or not but they are going to flip shock over when I go back for torque check in 500 miles. The kit and the 275/65’s definitely improve the stance!

 

[fireonice02]

I also never noticed the rear shocks are mounted on different sides of the axels. My 15 might have been like that but don’t remember.

 

[crazywayne311]

Finally got my kit installed after they were back ordered! Love the look and the ride. I left mine on the standard 2” setting. The shop that installed mine put driver side reservoir facing forward vs towards rear as mentioned in the instructions. I don’t know if it makes a difference or not but they are going to flip shock over when I go back for torque check in 500 miles.

i dont think it makes a difference but i'm no offroading expert.

 

[TexasTruck]

The shop that installed mine put driver side reservoir facing forward vs towards rear as mentioned in the instructions.

That's how I installed mine. If you mount the LR like the RR the braided hose will be hanging outside (exposed to rocks, limbs, ledges, etc.) the safe confines of the "axle area." The instructions say: "...Install the rear shock absorber. The remote reservoir on the shock absorber should be oriented toward the rear of the vehicle...", but they're showing the RR only, no pic of the LR.

Any way, I don't think it matters. I looked at several other resi installs and couldn't find any reason to mount it any direction except to protect the remote reservoir and braided hose ?‍

 

[fireonice02]

That's how I installed mine. If you mount the LR like the RR the braided hose will be hanging outside (exposed to rocks, limbs, ledges, etc.) the safe confines of the "axle area." The instructions say: "...Install the rear shock absorber. The remote reservoir on the shock absorber should be oriented toward the rear of the vehicle...", but they're showing the RR only, no pic of the LR.

Any way, I don't think it matters. I looked at several other resi installs and couldn't find any reason to mount it any direction except to protect the remote reservoir and braided hose ?‍

I figured it more than likely made no difference other than like you stated protecting the braided line. I also found it curious the instructions never showed the drivers side rear shock in pictures. As detailed as the instructions were I figured they would have shown pictures of both sides installed? ??‍

 

[93dpscoupe]

Finally got my kit installed after they were back ordered! Love the look and the ride. I left mine on the standard 2” setting. The shop that installed mine put driver side reservoir facing forward vs towards rear as mentioned in the instructions. I don’t know if it makes a difference or not but they are going to flip shock over when I go back for torque check in 500 miles. The kit and the 275/65’s definitely improve the stance!

With that crossbar being right behind the mount, it doesn't look like its physically possible to mount the driver shock with the reservoir facing rearward.

 

[TexasTruck]

With that crossbar being right behind the mount, it doesn't look like its physically possible to mount the driver shock with the reservoir facing rearward.

Definitely on the passenger side but the drivers side you can mount it forward or rearward, at least on my truck… and don’t look at my uni-leaf ?

 

[ThunderKat]

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

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