24 XLT Screw 4WD w/ Ford Performance Lowering Kit + FX4 Shocks = Floaty

[INADAZE]

I've been running my '24 XLT Screw 4WD with the Ford Performance Lowering Kit and stock FX4 shocks for a couple months now and recently completed a 600-mile road trip. I noticed the sponginess or floating aspect of the stock FX4 shocks early on but it was just barely noticable during my normal driving around town, short trips, lower speeds, etc. It wasn't until a recent road trip that it became very apparent that the stock FX4 shocks aren't ideal long term. At high speeds on the highway, you definitely feel the floatiness on certain bumps.

I have no plans to off-road the truck nor tow anything which is why I went with the Ford Performance Lowering Kit immediately. I'll probably look at Ride Tech a couple years from now (i.e. paid off truck), but in the meantime I'd like a firmer/sportier ride on all four corners.

Based on my research, there appears to be three obvious options: Bilstein 4600 (4WD or RWD), Bilstein 5100, or Fox 2.0. I've been searching on here, but there isn't much information specifically related to the Ford Performance Lowering Kit and aftermarket shocks. Lots of feedback on levels, lifts, and fully lowered, but not this "slightly lowered" setup.

Does anyone have an real world feedback or suggestions? Obviously, I don't want anything that will lift the stance from where it is now.

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[StoneGray22]

Here are the threads within the suspension forum where this topic has been discussed.

 

[INADAZE]

Here are the threads within the suspension forum where this topic has been discussed.

I appreciate you flipping those over, Jonathan. I've seen most of those threads and again, most of them are specific to lifts, front levels, or full lowering kits 2/4 or 3/5+. The closest related are the lowered rear shackle threads which are relevant, but didn't offer much feedback. That's the only reason I posted a new thread for some additional feedback. I try to avoid creating redundant threads, if possible.

Is the expectation that the shocks will perform the same between the lower lowering kits and stock?

I'll take a look at some of the older threads again. Thanks.

 

[Boyk1182]

I had FX4 suspension on my 2023 for a little over 7,000 miles, and just put Fox 2.0s on it. I was slow to do it because of the price and I wasn’t sure if it would make that much of a difference. I was wrong, should have done it on the first day, it’s like a different truck. I also have a Steeda rear sway bar and I couldn’t imagine it riding any better at this point.

Edit: This might be a way to get the front shocks only (without the springs) to work with your setup with no lift: https://ridefox.com/products/perfor...ear=2023&make=Ford&model=F-150&drive_type=4WD

 

[INADAZE]

I had FX4 suspension on my 2023 for a little over 7,000 miles, and just put Fox 2.0s on it. I was slow to do it because of the price and I wasn’t sure if it would make that much of a difference. I was wrong, should have done it on the first day, it’s like a different truck. I also have a Steeda rear sway bar and I couldn’t imagine it riding any better at this point.

What led you to choose the Fox shocks? Based on other posts it seems like the Fox aren't quite as harsh as Bilstein which is why they get such praise. It's pretty telling that Ridetech chooses Fox for their setup. The only negative I've seen mentioned is the routine maintenance (every 20K?). Perhaps that's simply fud. I'll do my research on that as well.

The Steeda 2WD rear sway is already on the upgrade list.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Boyk1182]

What led you to choose the Fox shocks? Based on other posts it seems like the Fox aren't quite as harsh as Bilstein which is why they get such praise. It's pretty telling that Ridetech chooses Fox for their setup. The only negative I've seen mentioned is the routine maintenance (every 20K?). Perhaps that's simply fud. I'll do my research on that as well.

The Steeda 2WD rear sway is already on the upgrade list.

Thanks for the feedback!

I read a lot, progressive, digressive, linear, all that, and decided they’d be the best for what I needed. I’ve built Jeeps and all that in the past and had a lot of fun, but I’ll be on road almost all the time with this truck. I’ll go off road if I need to get somewhere occasionally. The rebuild period is 50k miles if you daily drive it, and I don’t put many miles on it, so I may never even reach that. You’d definitely want to consider that if you drive a lot, it could get expensive rebuilding them often.

 

[StoneGray22]

I appreciate you flipping those over, Jonathan. I've seen most of those threads and again, most of them are specific to lifts, front levels, or full lowering kits 2/4 or 3/5+. The closest related are the lowered rear shackle threads which are relevant, but didn't offer much feedback. That's the only reason I posted a new thread for some additional feedback. I try to avoid creating redundant threads, if possible.

Is the expectation that the shocks will perform the same between the lower lowering kits and stock?

I'll take a look at some of the older threads again. Thanks.

Sure thing. Searching "fp lowering" in the suspension forum also brings up a number of results.

Have you thought about looking through the rcsb posts? Many of those have been lowered, and although there will be a weight and wheelbase difference, might yield some useful info?

 

[sport19]

I've also been searching for an answer to this question without much luck. I've read pretty much every old thread I could find related to lowering, FP Kit, etc and haven't found any specific information on using aftermarket shocks/struts with the FP Lowering kit.

I considered going with the full Ridetech kit, but didn't want to go with the full 3/5 drop (although, now that I'm reviewing their website again, looks like it could be setup to be ~2/4). I've already acquired the lowering kit and hellwig bar on sale so eh, I'll try to make this setup work. Worse case I'll sell them and order the ridetech setup instead.

I read (here) that the 5100's will work in the rear (although no confirmation if that was just with the shackle or with the block removed too). My current plan is to talk to the vendor and see if the 5100 set to stock height would work in the front with a shorter coil. I also see there is a 2WD specific 5100 shock, but all of the sites list it as "coming soon" so it might not actually be a thing. My main concern is (from what I read) the 5100 has a longer piston, so I don't want to bottom out on it.

 

[INADAZE]

I've also been searching for an answer to this question without much luck. I've read pretty much every old thread I could find related to lowering, FP Kit, etc and haven't found any specific information on using aftermarket shocks/struts with the FP Lowering kit.

I considered going with the full Ridetech kit, but didn't want to go with the full 3/5 drop (although, now that I'm reviewing their website again, looks like it could be setup to be ~2/4). I've already acquired the lowering kit and hellwig bar on sale so eh, I'll try to make this setup work. Worse case I'll sell them and order the ridetech setup instead.

I read (here) that the 5100's will work in the rear (although no confirmation if that was just with the shackle or with the block removed too). My current plan is to talk to the vendor and see if the 5100 set to stock height would work in the front with a shorter coil. I also see there is a 2WD specific 5100 shock, but all of the sites list it as "coming soon" so it might not actually be a thing. My main concern is (from what I read) the 5100 has a longer piston, so I don't want to bottom out on it.

This is exactly why I posted a new thread. The information is definitely lacking for this exact install. We may have to simply rely on anecdotal recommendations for other applications.

I'm weighing the options and prices for each now. I'll need install (mostly the front) and likely another alignment as well.

4600s seem like the cheapest, risk free option, but possibly not much improvement over the stock FX4 shocks.

 

[INADAZE]

Just wanted to follow-up on this for those interested. I've been doing lots of research and spoke to a few knowledgeable folks, as well as a live chat with someone at Shock Surplus. I pulled the trigger on the Bilstein 4600 front/rear 4WD combo from Shock Surplus, link to the combo here. One of the best prices for all four corners and in stock!

The feedback was consistent that with the modest drop of the Ford Performance Lowering Kit, the Bilstein 4600s would provide the best ride, firm and sporty, but not too harsh. The Bilstein 5100 are primarily used for lifted trucks and more specifically for higher unsprung weight (think larger than stock wheels/tires) and it would produce a harsher ride with my setup. The opinion of several was that the Fox 2.0 would not produce a great ride, too soft, and the higher initial cost and future maintenance costs aren't ideal for many.

The only downside (purely subjective) is the only color scheme option available on the 4600s is the obnoxious yellow/blue.

I'll likely do the rears myself and have the fronts professionally installed at my next scheduled maintenance (prepaid plan). I'll update once completed.

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