Installed Bilstein 5100s on 2021 F-150 PowerBoost

[RickBullotta]

Just a quick follow up on this. Purchased a pair of 5100's with the goal of settling down the rear end on my 2021 PB, which hopped like a tweaker getting tased whenever you hit railroad tracks, big road seams, etc...

I had planned for a one man, one beer installation, based on the various install videos I had watched. Unfortunately, on my 4WD PB which came stock with FX4 shocks, the length of the Bilsteins with the retaining band on them was about 2" too long. I double checked the part # - that was correct. Wrangling them into position and getting the lower bolt through was a b*tch, but after about a dozen times re-compressing the shocks (which ain't easy when you're on your back scrunched under the truck), I finally got it all back together, torqued up and ready to go. All told took about an hour instead of the 20 minutes I planned. I rewarded myself with two more beers.

Took it out for a test drive on a stretch of road that always gets the rear end jumping and it was WAAAAAAAY more settled down.

I highly recommend this mod - best $200 I spent on the truck thus far.

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[Buyer2021]

Now if you want a really nice ride, install the front 5100's at stock height.

Best $480 I spent on my truck (4-corner 5100 bundle from Stage 3 Motorsport with forum member discount).

Yeah, that was a six-pack install spread over 2 days

Tip - if you jack the rear a bit those shocks slip-in easy without compression struggles (use jackstands for safety!).

 

[Ricksc]

I did that and a 6112’s on the front. Totally different truck now. Now more body roll when turning and drives like a truck.

 

[LouDog]

Just a quick follow up on this. Purchased a pair of 5100's with the goal of settling down the rear end on my 2021 PB, which hopped like a tweaker getting tased whenever you hit railroad tracks, big road seams, etc...

I had planned for a one man, one beer installation, based on the various install videos I had watched. Unfortunately, on my 4WD PB which came stock with FX4 shocks, the length of the Bilsteins with the retaining band on them was about 2" too long. I double checked the part # - that was correct. Wrangling them into position and getting the lower bolt through was a b*tch, but after about a dozen times re-compressing the shocks (which ain't easy when you're on your back scrunched under the truck), I finally got it all back together, torqued up and ready to go. All told took about an hour instead of the 20 minutes I planned. I rewarded myself with two more beers.

Took it out for a test drive on a stretch of road that always gets the rear end jumping and it was WAAAAAAAY more settled down.

I highly recommend this mod - best $200 I spent on the truck thus far.

im thinking about doing them same. Any plans to do the fronts now?

 

[Buyer2021]

Now more body roll

Methinks a typo, there?

Now > No ?

 

[Mosey]

Now if you want a really nice ride, install the front 5100's at stock height.

Best $480 I spent on my truck (4-corner 5100 bundle from Stage 3 Motorsport with forum member discount).

Yeah, that was a six-pack install spread over 2 days

Tip - if you jack the rear a bit those shocks slip-in easy without compression struggles (use jackstands for safety!).

I would love to do a 4 corner swap, but the fronts look way too daunting for me.

 

[RickBullotta]

im thinking about doing them same. Any plans to do the fronts now?

Not for now. I want to maintain stock rake/height so will consider the various options. I had Fox 2.0's on the front and rear and took them off.

 

[Buyer2021]

I would love to do a 4 corner swap, but the fronts look way too daunting for me.

For sure you gotta go with your capabilities & comfort level. It is a bit of a job and having the proper tools (including Workshop Manual for torques, etc) helps a lot.

Post about my installation.

 

[Gord0]

The fronts aren't too bad. There's multiple ways if doing them. Some faster, some slower, some easier. I've done fronts a few times on different f150's. The 6112's on this truck took me about 2.5hrs with having to swap the spring hats over. Totally different truck after swapping the stock FX4 for 6112/5160 combo.

 

[Ricksc]

I got the 6112’s fully assembled for an extra 100 bucks. Save more than that in time and labor. Had them installed. If you do them yourself there’s like 10 nuts Ford says are 1 time use. The new hardware doesn’t include these.

 

[dmac]

It is crazy how underdamped the powerboost is.

With 5100s all the way around on a platinum powerboost, it still feels less in control than an XLT crew cab FX4 V8, with only Bilstein 4600s in the rear. Batteries + platinum junk is heavy.

Don't get me wrong, the 5100s are MILES better than stock.

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

Great job! Rick, cheers to your persistent effort. ?
Nice to hear it improved the ride. Sway bar next?

 

[Ricksc]

All ready in. Added a hellwig sway bar. Set in the middle position. Taking the trailer out this weekend. Should be a lot better. Now it drive

 

[GypsyDanger]

i did the rear 5100s on mine last weekend and now im contemplating the fronts. might jump up to the 6112s if it makes the install faster and a better package. Im sticking to stock height.

 

[Gord0]

i did the rear 5100s on mine last weekend and now im contemplating the fronts. might jump up to the 6112s if it makes the install faster and a better package. Im sticking to stock height.

If you buy the 6112's from shock surplus pre assembled it makes it a little quicker and easier.

 

[GypsyDanger]

If you buy the 6112's from shock surplus pre assembled it makes it a little quicker and easier.

hell yea ill check them out! thank you!

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