First Timer - Upgrading Suspension [Need Advice]

[motivology]

Hi,

This fall/winter, I am going to start a big makeover on my truck. Upgrading the suspension with coilovers is one of them.

This is my first time leveling or lifting it so I want to make sure to do it right. My truck is a ’21 F150 Platinum 3.0 Powerstroke with 6.5’ bed.

I do occasional towing with furniture moves and car hauling. I am looking to hear from owners with experience and knowledge who does occasional towing or tows often on what an ideal set up would be like.

At the moment, I am considering front coilovers with Fox 2.0 or Fox 2.5 for the front (one of the very few kits that is compatible with 3.0 PS engine). Originally, I was considering (and was initially set on) the Ford Performance Bilstein coilover kit, but I am getting mixed answers regarding compatibility with my engine. Can anybody confirm?

For the rear, I am not sure if I should do coilovers or go with RAS/towing system?

I am open to suggestions to other brands / kits. I get mixed reviews from Rough Country so I am staying away from them for now.

It will either have 33” or 35” tires on 18 or 20” wheels after the level is completed.

I will be keeping this truck for the long haul.

Thanks in advance.

-DK

My truck ?

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[SALEEN961]

What is your front GAWR, rear GAWR, and GVWR as listed on the sticker in your drivers door jamb?

 

[mxwrk]

There are no coilovers for the rear. For the fox (and other kits), you’d either get a 2.5 external reservoir shock with adjustability, or a smooth bodied 2.0, non adjustable. Good luck!

 

[Coll4646]

What is your front GAWR, rear GAWR, and GVWR as listed on the sticker in your drivers door jamb?

Either this or figure out what coils you have on the truck now to make sure you're at least close w/ your next set. Most of the new coilovers for current gen F150's are 450 lbs/in but the powerboost, diesel, higher trims etc can be pretty heavy and will have stronger coils OEM (I think up to 595). If you have coils now that are in that mid to upper 500 range and get a fox set w/ 450 you might be disappointed with the amount of lift you get...

 

[Snakebitten]

If your budget allows you to venture into the 2.5 territory, you are going to love the results. Especially if you chose something with adjustable damping.

And I agree with the fellas suggesting a higher spring rate up front for either a Powerboost or Powerstroke.

As for RAS or not.....
I would get the truck sorted with the new 2.5 all the way around, and then determine if you might want additional leafspring assistance in the rear. The good thing about RAS is you can back it off until it's almost without influence, and then later dial it up if you have Payload that will benefit from it. I consider RAS as a "tunable" second damper for the rear suspension.

 

[zx6roclet]

Do it right and stick with 2.5 kings or foxes up front and matching piggybacks in the rear. Icons are great too if your mostly road based but I’d vote king.

 

[mxwrk]

Do it right and stick with 2.5 kings or foxes up front and matching piggybacks in the rear. Icons are great too if your mostly road based but I’d vote king.

All good choices. My vote would be for the fox 2.5. Aluminum shock bodies vs steel on the kings (I think). Also last set of king 2.5’s I looked at at the external reservoir hose coming out the top of the shock, which runs into some clearance issues on the passenger front powerboost due to that scary orange hybrid power cable thingy. Danger! Haha

 

[motivology]

Hey, apologies. Been a busy week with work, and dealing with a family member in a rehabilitation hospital.

Here is the screenshot some of you asked for. I know the payload is not great (1158 lbs - Platinum trim) @SALEEN961 @Coll4646

Thank you for chiming in your suggestions and recommendations. I haven’t really explored a Kings set up yet (I know they are one of the pricier set ups). I like Fox because it is a well known, quality brand, has great reliability record, and majority of the customers love their kits. I have checked out Icons, I am considering them as well.

I won’t be offroading often and when I do, it won’t be anything crazy (like steep hill climbing).

@Snakebitten
Higher spring rate makes sense because my 3.0L Powerstroke is the second heaviest out of the ’21 F150 lineup (I think 3.5L Powerboost is the heaviest, if memory serves me correct). I wonder if I really need RAS if I go Fox 2.5’s all the way around? As I pointed out earlier, my payload is not great (Platinum).

@mxwrk
I see you’re on Fox 2.0 (from your sig), how do you like the set up? Also, can you explain the advantages of going with aluminum shock bodies vs. steel?

-DK

 

[mxwrk]

I like them for sure. They’re substantially stiffer than stock and the first couple days you’ll feel it just due to the difference. However after about a week I was used to it and it feels like a truck now, not a squishy Cadillac. They work great off-road as well and I’ve definitely run them through their paces. They will handle any fire road or trail easily as long as you drive at an appropriate speed. Aluminum vs Steel, I’m sure there’s some advantage to heat dissipation but I was mainly just considering rust. I’ve been around off-road vehicles long enough to see some very pretty king shocks get lots of surface rust. I think they will suit your purpose, but for me I’m looking to upgrade to Fox 2.5 so I can adjust them whenever I want to hit the trail or highway.

Hey, apologies. Been a busy week with work, and dealing with a family member in a rehabilitation hospital.

Here is the screenshot some of you asked for. I know the payload is not great (1158 lbs - Platinum trim) @SALEEN961 @Coll4646

Thank you for chiming in your suggestions and recommendations. I haven’t really explored a Kings set up yet (I know they are one of the pricier set ups). I like Fox because it is a well known, quality brand, has great reliability record, and majority of the customers love their kits. I have checked out Icons, I am considering them as well.

I won’t be offroading often and when I do, it won’t be anything crazy (like steep hill climbing).

@Snakebitten
Higher spring rate makes sense because my 3.0L Powerstroke is the second heaviest out of the ’21 F150 lineup (I think 3.5L Powerboost is the heaviest, if memory serves me correct). I wonder if I really need RAS if I go Fox 2.5’s all the way around? As I pointed out earlier, my payload is not great (Platinum).

@mxwrk
I see you’re on Fox 2.0 (from your sig), how do you like the set up? Also, can you explain the advantages of going with aluminum shock bodies vs. steel?

-DK

 

[SALEEN961]

It looks like your stock front springs are 594 lb/in and your rear leaf springs are 247/388 lb/in. With how heavy your truck is and how high your factory spring rates are, most of the coilover kits sold for our trucks will need to be adjusted to give you any lift as they are pre-adjusted for the average F150 which your truck is not.

I personally like the Fox 2.0 kits, but I wouldn't install their 2021+ coilover kit on your truck as they have 450lb/in springs. The 2021+ Fox 2.0 snap-ring kit will reuse your stock springs, so you won't have issues with imbalanced handling or less than expected lift using these.

The 2015-2020 Fox 2.0 coilover kit sold through Ford Performance has 550lb/in springs and without any adjustment it should give you about 1.5-2" of lift in the front.

 

[motivology]

I like them for sure. They’re substantially stiffer than stock and the first couple days you’ll feel it just due to the difference. However after about a week I was used to it and it feels like a truck now, not a squishy Cadillac. They work great off-road as well and I’ve definitely run them through their paces. They will handle any fire road or trail easily as long as you drive at an appropriate speed. Aluminum vs Steel, I’m sure there’s some advantage to heat dissipation but I was mainly just considering rust. I’ve been around off-road vehicles long enough to see some very pretty king shocks get lots of surface rust. I think they will suit your purpose, but for me I’m looking to upgrade to Fox 2.5 so I can adjust them whenever I want to hit the trail or highway.

Glad to hear you have great experience with your Fox 2.0. I can see why heat dissipation can make a difference between the two. Is adjusting the 2.5 easy to do?

It looks like your stock front springs are 594 lb/in and your rear leaf springs are 247/388 lb/in. With how heavy your truck is and how high your factory spring rates are, most of the coilover kits sold for our trucks will need to be adjusted to give you any lift as they are pre-adjusted for the average F150 which your truck is not.

I personally like the Fox 2.0 kits, but I wouldn't install their 2021+ coilover kit on your truck as they have 450lb/in springs. The 2021+ Fox 2.0 snap-ring kit will reuse your stock springs, so you won't have issues with imbalanced handling or less than expected lift using these.

The 2015-2020 Fox 2.0 coilover kit sold through Ford Performance has 550lb/in springs and without any adjustment it should give you about 1.5-2" of lift in the front.

I’d like to know how you came up with those numbers, just for my own knowledge (I’m always learning). Anyway, it sounds like the Fox 2.0 won’t do me any good. What about Fox 2.5? I tried finding out online via their website, but I don’t see anything about the spring ratings.


-DK

 

[mxwrk]

Fox 2.0’s for the last generation model will work on your truck. That’s what I have with the heavier spring rates. The 2.5’s are very easy to adjust just by clicking a little dial on each one. However they are pricey and very off road focused. Would almost be a waste if you’re not out on the trails regularly. Unless you just want some bling under your truck!

Glad to hear you have great experience with your Fox 2.0. I can see why heat dissipation can make a difference between the two. Is adjusting the 2.5 easy to do?




I’d like to know how you came up with those numbers, just for my own knowledge (I’m always learning). Anyway, it sounds like the Fox 2.0 won’t do me any good. What about Fox 2.5? I tried finding out online via their website, but I don’t see anything about the spring ratings.


-DK

 

[SALEEN961]

Glad to hear you have great experience with your Fox 2.0. I can see why heat dissipation can make a difference between the two. Is adjusting the 2.5 easy to do?




I’d like to know how you came up with those numbers, just for my own knowledge (I’m always learning). Anyway, it sounds like the Fox 2.0 won’t do me any good. What about Fox 2.5? I tried finding out online via their website, but I don’t see anything about the spring ratings.


-DK

The factory spring rates are listed in the eSourceBook along with a bunch of other great info. The Fox spring rates aren't advertised, but after owning and installing a bunch of Fox 2.0 kits, I've taken some notes on which springs come on the kits I deal with often. I've never installed a set of Fox 2.5 coilovers, so I can't be of much help with them. The 2.5 coilovers have a great reputation, but with their high cost, they don't make much sense for the average daily driver and if I was going to get them, they would have to be the version with DSC adjusters to help justify the cost.

 

[motivology]

Update. I’ve been busy with work and dealing with family member in rehab hospital.

I will be finalizing details with Kings on a custom set up built specifically for my truck. If it all shakes out, that is what I will be moving forward with.

I’ve strongly considered Fox 2.5’s but for about the same price, I can get a custom set up from Kings built specifically for my F150 3.0 PS.

Disappointed in Icons… they never gotten back to me - I’ve given them plenty of days to respond. Didn’t think their customer service would be like that.

-DK

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