F150 Bilstein Shock Upgrade

[ShinyPete]

I’m finally getting around to posting my update to this thread. We recently installed Bilstein 5100s and a set of Timbrens in our 2015 F150 mule. Like many have said, GREAT upgrade. I set the front 5100s at setting “1”, giving a 3/4” rise to the front.

We have an xlt Sport 4x4 crew longbed MaxTow. That’s Ford-speak for what used to be referred to as a “heavy half”. It has 1907 lbs of payload, and xl-rated 18” tires. Not the hd payload, but darn close. I tow with it a lot, a gooseneck aluminum cattle trailer loaded up to 8k lbs or more, a 4K+boat, 4K cargo trailer, and our just under 7k lb Pete, a Flying Cloud 27fb (ProPride hitch).

Everything tows much smoother, and as has been said, with a much more controlled ride empty or loaded. The Timbrens help with the squish right on the axle with 15 300lb calves in the gooseneck and no w/d hitch.[emoji52]

Glad we did the upgrade @42k miles. Hope this helps.

[HHPJ]

Another confirmation on the Bilstein 4600 rear shocks. 2017 F150 3.5 EB. Towing 2017 AS 25a , Blue Ox, lots of power but porpoising on certain roads.

Now, no porpoising and more stable on curves. Happy with upgrade. I will leave the front suspension stock, the rear upgrade did the trick. They were about 90 bucks each on Amazon and 100 to install at local auto repair shop.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by bweybright

I know shocks are fun to think about...but the initial question was about controlling porpoising. My experience has been that wheel base of the tow vehicle, plus wheel base of the trailer, combined with distance between the tow on the particular type of road and road construction makes more of a difference. It seems to me after towing in all but 4 of the lower 50 the systems and machinery used to lay the roads makes all the difference in whether I get porpoising with my tow vehicle, trailer, and distance between axles. New shocks can help a bit...but will it really go away.
I mean on some newly laid concrete in Nebraska and Wyoming I can get porpoising in my tow vehicle without a trailer based on what machine and system they use to lay the concrete.

^
X2

If your shocks are worn out the harmonic oscillation will be much more noticeable, but new shocks won't eliminate it.

"Porpoising" when towing on smooth roads=poor hitch setup.

POI...shock upgrades on most vehicles can be a very worthwhile investment, towing or not.
But I would consider carefully on factory air ride systems, it may be better to stay with what the factory designed.

Bob
🇺🇸
"After all these years the reason I continue to love Thanksgiving.....I still sit at the kids table.”
RLC

[HHPJ]

Have you ever seen a vehicle go down the road with bad shocks?

If you do not have adequate dampened suspension under load, you will experience porpoising on any road that has any lateral variances and death.

The Stock F150 has almost a car like ride. But I can say now that to tow my 25 AS, more dampening is needed.

The ride now is amazing. Not towing, a little more stiff, but worth the tradeoff

[Wconley]

We’ve now put on around 1000 miles since putting on the Bilsteins and my initial impressions are confirmed. Porpoising that was a constant problem has now been all but eliminated - I think I have gotten some minor porpoising once or twice when hitting some dips. Our ride is extremely comfortable to the point of having to watch becoming complacent while pulling our 28 Serenity. My personal speed limit is 65mph except when needed for a short stretch I may go to 70. I towed only once before deciding I needed to change the hitch settings the dealer set up. The changes to our Blue Ox SwayPro settings coupled with the shocks have made a night/day difference to our towing experience. (I still need to get to a CAT scales to confirm the hitch settings).

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Wconley

We’ve now put on around 1000 miles since putting on the Bilsteins and my initial impressions are confirmed. Porpoising that was a constant problem has now been all but eliminated - I think I have gotten some minor porpoising once or twice when hitting some dips. Our ride is extremely comfortable to the point of having to watch becoming complacent while pulling our 28 Serenity. My personal speed limit is 65mph except when needed for a short stretch I may go to 70. I towed only once before deciding I needed to change the hitch settings the dealer set up. The changes to our Blue Ox SwayPro settings coupled with the shocks have made a night/day difference to our towing experience. (I still need to get to a CAT scales to confirm the hitch settings).

Cat scales...yep! Then look again at the links showing and measure distance front fender loaded, unloaded...your on the right track I believe...shocks sound like they help the dampening, but not the fix? My thoughts of course...

[thewarden]

I see lots of comments regarding the 4600 and 5100. On the Bilstein distributor site her in Canada it recommends 5160s for my GMC. Has anyone installed these and what change in ride have you noticed?

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by HHPJ

Another confirmation on the Bilstein 4600 rear shocks. 2017 F150 3.5 EB. Towing 2017 AS 25a , Blue Ox, lots of power but porpoising on certain roads.

Now, no porpoising and more stable on curves. Happy with upgrade. I will leave the front suspension stock, the rear upgrade did the trick. They were about 90 bucks each on Amazon and 100 to install at local auto repair shop.

Thanks for the info. Thinking of doing same with my truck.

[Mount'n Man]

So, I had my new Bilstein 4600's installed last week on our '17 F-150 (front and rear) and am very pleased with the results. Huge difference in the handling of the truck alone on our twisty, turny back roads, and with a little adjustment to the weight distribution setup, the ride towing our 25' FB is now firm and responsive. No more "squish" and "sway". A good investment, IMO!

[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by Mount'n Man

So, I had my new Bilstein 4600's installed last week on our '17 F-150 (front and rear) and am very pleased with the results. Huge difference in the handling of the truck alone on our twisty, turny back roads, and with a little adjustment to the weight distribution setup, the ride towing our 25' FB is now firm and responsive. No more "squish" and "sway". A good investment, IMO!

Thanks for the input here. We have a 17 F150 that I've been looking at upgrading the shocks on. Now at least I have a model number to go shopping with.

Did you have to adjust the shock much to get your good results?

Thanks

Doug

[Kanusport]

I wonder if the fx4 already has these shocks because my 2018 f150 seems really well mannered on the road

[Arcticfox]

So there seems to be different models of 4600 shock. Can anyone confirm the proper ones to purchase? I'm not interested in lifting the truck so I'm guessing these would be the correct ones?

[Mount'n Man]

There was no adjustment to be made on these shocks, just install them (fronts are a rather involved procedure). The truck sits the same as with original equipment. Bilstein does offer a model that is adjustable but I don't mind the nose sitting a little low and opted for the 4600's.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by HHPJ

Have you ever seen a vehicle go down the road with bad shocks?

If you do not have adequate dampened suspension under load, you will experience porpoising on any road that has any lateral variances and death. (depth) 👍

The Stock F150 has almost a car like ride. But I can say now that to tow my 25 AS, more dampening is needed.

The ride now is amazing. Not towing, a little more stiff, but worth the tradeoff

Have I?...probably, once or twice in my 40+yrs in motorized vehicle service.😂
Lateral...of, at, toward, or from the side or sides=sway.
Vertical...at right angles to the horizontal plane= Porpoise
move through the water like a porpoise, alternately rising above it and submerging.

Death...? ☠️

Bad shocks and improper hitch set-up will exaggerate the problem caused by road conditions. Why not correct both?
But take note, an improper hitch set-up,(TW/WD), can cause vertical instability, even on a smooth road, regardless of how the TV is equipped .

Bob
🇺🇸

[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by Mount'n Man

There was no adjustment to be made on these shocks, just install them (fronts are a rather involved procedure). The truck sits the same as with original equipment. Bilstein does offer a model that is adjustable but I don't mind the nose sitting a little low and opted for the 4600's.

Thanks for the input.....

[TouringDan]

Wconley

Thanks for starting this thread. My 08 Tundra just turned over 100k miles, so I just ordered new Bilstein #4600 shocks for all 4 wheels for less than $300. This should insure that I am well planted for at least the next 100k miles.

Dan

[Mount'n Man]

Was just going to add that I got mine on Amazon.com (assuming you go that way) for a pretty reasonable price: $65/ea rear, $105/ea front, free Prime shipping. Installation was $400 at my local shop (figured they had a boat payment due).

[Wconley]

You’re welcome TouringDan. I’m loving these shocks more every day.

[HHPJ]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Have I?...probably, once or twice in my 40+yrs in motorized vehicle service.😂
Lateral...of, at, toward, or from the side or sides=sway.
Vertical...at right angles to the horizontal plane= Porpoise
move through the water like a porpoise, alternately rising above it and submerging.

Death...? ☠️

Bad shocks and improper hitch set-up will exaggerate the problem caused by road conditions. Why not correct both?
But take note, an improper hitch set-up,(TW/WD), can cause vertical instability, even on a smooth road, regardless of how the TV is equipped .

Bob
🇺🇸

Death was an auto spell typo. I was going to correct, but I wanted to see if you would take the bait.

Yes there are many variables. I eliminated all the variables related to my towing and set up. All that was left was most likely the suspension damping question.

Going around curves when road is flat has been no problem with the stock set up. When road characteristics encourages porpoising and also curvy can create a very unstable feeling while driving for me.

All I can offer, is that the new rear shocks have increased my dampening and stability when experiencing what I discribled above.


Marry Christmas Bob!

[Kanusport]

Like I said before, I think the fx4 off road package might already have the upgraded shock or a version that rides better. Besides if I tried to put new shocks on my 53k truck with 11000 miles I’m pretty sure my wife would lose her sh@# because it’s her work truck and she wouldn’t see the value.

That said I’m glad it’s working out for you all. Just wanted to see if any other 2018 or fx4 off-road owners were feeling the need.