Leveling Kits: Bilstein's 5100 or Eibach's Pro Stage 2/R?

[motivology]

I’ve been talking to an owner / mechanic at one of the local shops that does truck lifts.

We’ve discussed at great lengths for leveling kit options for my 3.0L PS (not many options at all). We have narrowed down to these two kits: Bilstein 5100 and Eibach Pro Stage 2. I’m also looking at Eibach’s Stage 2R (basically resi shocks in rear). He said he liked Bilstein 5100 because it reuses the factory spring so we don’t have to worry about the higher spring rate due to the diesel engine.

He pointed out that Eibach (powerboost kit to accommodate higher spring rate) will be softer than Bilstein & Fox and is a much better ride for daily driving.

I will be towing vehicles, boats, & heavy loads occasionally and I won’t be doing much off-roading (definitely not rock climbing or high speed / racing). Will be adding between 33” - 35” AT tires with 18 or 20” new wheels once the kit is installed.

Which kit would you go with? I’d appreciate someone who has (or had) experience running either of these kits or both. This is my first time leveling / lifting a truck so I want to do it right first time around. This truck is a keeper for daily and long trips.

Currently, I am leaning towards on Eibachs.

Thanks.
-DK

This is my truck pulling a trailer of 2 ATV Rhinos.

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[Hotshot Offroad]

A quick answer would be Eibach overall. The Bilstein 5100s are a great set up for entry level kits. But they do ride rougher in their own ways. Doesnt mean its a bad ride, but overall its a rougher feel. The Eibach 2R kits are our most popular kit for the PB series. You get the same coilover as the Pro kit you mentioned, but you get the rear resi shocks too. Which I see that you tow and those rear resi shocks help with that tow load as well as improved daily comfort.

Not sure if you already got your kit or not but if you havent, hit us up and we can probably help get you the kit and save you a little bit of $$ overall. If you're already working with a shop then of course no problem at all! But if we can help save you a bit we'd be happy to do so.

 

[motivology]

A quick answer would be Eibach overall. The Bilstein 5100s are a great set up for entry level kits. But they do ride rougher in their own ways. Doesnt mean its a bad ride, but overall its a rougher feel. The Eibach 2R kits are our most popular kit for the PB series. You get the same coilover as the Pro kit you mentioned, but you get the rear resi shocks too. Which I see that you tow and those rear resi shocks help with that tow load as well as improved daily comfort.

Not sure if you already got your kit or not but if you havent, hit us up and we can probably help get you the kit and save you a little bit of $$ overall. If you're already working with a shop then of course no problem at all! But if we can help save you a bit we'd be happy to do so.

Hey - I appreciate your quick response and opinion. I just learned of 2R and definitely considering them with the resi shocks in the rear.

It looks like they won’t be back in stock until the end of June according to their website, is that what you’re hearing too? I will definitely check with you on the pricing once I get the quote from the shop. His shop is a sponsor in one of the FB F150 groups and said he will try to find the discounts for me… so we’ll see.

Also - he mentioned I will want UCAs to correct the ball joint angles. Agree?

You can DM me your quote if you like?

Thanks!
-DK

 

[Hotshot Offroad]

Hey - I appreciate your quick response and opinion. I just learned of 2R and definitely considering them with the resi shocks in the rear.

It looks like they won’t be back in stock until the end of June according to their website, is that what you’re hearing too? I will definitely check with you on the pricing once I get the quote from the shop. His shop is a sponsor in one of the FB F150 groups and said he will try to find the discounts for me… so we’ll see.

You can DM me your quote if you like?

Thanks!
-DK

yea no worries at all. They have for sure been out of stock. But we happen to still have 2 kits left on our shelf. We have been consistently working to try and keep these in stock every time Eibach can get us inventory. And then we just sell out lol We had 4 available yesterday. Down to 2 as of this moment. We can shoot you a quick PM

 

[RupertPupkin]

I have a 21 Lariat Powerstroke and have also been having this same decision and same plans/ overall use. I have settled on going with the Eibach kit. Planning to do this some time this summer and then go with some 34/35s. What gears do you have? 3.55?

 

[23STX]

How would the Eibach Pro stage 2 kit compare to the Ford Performance leveling kit?

I really wanted to like the Ford Performance kit but, the off-road performance is terrible. On road, the truck actually handles very well but, I drive daily on poorly maintained forest service roads and I hate how it drives.

And I know it’s the suspension because every other vehicle I’ve driven on those same roads, to include an older F150 seems perfectly fine except my truck.

 

[Hotshot Offroad]

How would the Eibach Pro stage 2 kit compare to the Ford Performance leveling kit?

I really wanted to like the Ford Performance kit but, the off-road performance is terrible. On road, the truck actually handles very well but, I drive daily on poorly maintained forest service roads and I hate how it drives.

And I know it’s the suspension because every other vehicle I’ve driven on those same roads, to include an older F150 seems perfectly fine except my truck.

This is not a direct comparison that you asked for, but it’s a good comparison in terms of the Ford performance kit compared to the Bil 6112. A short version of our write up is they are basically the same kit.

As for the Eibach, they are a great entry-level kit for minor off Roading. Of course you’re not going to be able to do serious rugged courses as that’s when you want to go with the more advanced kit, but these will handle the average person, offloading capabilities or desires.

https://hotshotoffroad.com/blogs/ti...e-suspension-kit-for-21-f-150s-worth-the-wait

 

[23STX]

Got it, wasn’t try to hijack OPs thread that’s why I asked about the Eibach kit

 

[Hotshot Offroad]

Got it, wasn’t try to hijack OPs thread that’s why I asked about the Eibach kit

Im sure OP doesnt mind! They asked about Eibach too and as we mentioned to them, they really are an awesome kit. We are already down to just 1 left on the shelf until the restock. These kits just keep selling out like crazy because everyone loves them!

 

[Blurb]

believe that might be zero now as I just ordered

Looking forward to reporting back.

 

[motivology]

I have a 21 Lariat Powerstroke and have also been having this same decision and same plans/ overall use. I have settled on going with the Eibach kit. Planning to do this some time this summer and then go with some 34/35s. What gears do you have? 3.55?

Pulled the plug to do Eibach Stage 2R. Will have it installed end of month. Will be adding new tires & wheels as well. Not sure 34/35 yet.

Yes - electronic lock 3.55 gears.

-DK

believe that might be zero now as I just ordered

Looking forward to reporting back.

And just like that, they're gone! So did I.

-DK

 

[Graygoose2021]

You will love the Eibach kit!!

 

[Hotshot Offroad]

believe that might be zero now as I just ordered

Looking forward to reporting back.

You did indeed get our last one! We do have 3 more inbound though according to Eibach. We will see how long they last haha

Your tracking was sent this morning so you should have it soon! We appreciate the support and enjoy

 

[motivology]

You did indeed get our last one! We do have 3 more inbound though according to Eibach. We will see how long they last haha

Your tracking was sent this morning so you should have it soon! We appreciate the support and enjoy

Sounds like it won’t last long! Lol...

-DK

 

[rpold150]

I have the Eibach pro 2R, and ordered them from Hotshot Offroad last year. They are great on road and don't have the boat ride that the stock FX4 had. When pulling out of my driveway, at an angle, I do still get some of the rocking but have a feeling that will happen on any set up unless you get sway bar upgrades, which then detract from off-road capabilities.

I haven't ridden with any other shock type, but after researching it seemed the consensus was that Fox was the softest, Bilstein was the firmest, and Eibach was in between. Also haven't had any experience offroad either so I can't comment on that.

Eibachs can be adjusted higher/lower on the truck. I currently have 10 turns (about .75") off the max height so I can have just a little rake incase I tow or carry a load. Adding the additional .75" in height would probably stiffen the front a little bit more also.

Not sure how much weight difference there is in the front of different trims, but for comparison, I have a '22 platinum 3.5EB, 34" tires on 20" rims.

Edited: I took a look at some pictures and taking 10 turns out of the front struts resulted in .75" shorter, not 1.25".

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