Ford Performance Suspension Leveling Kit by Bilstein

[$lickWilly]

You do realize that there are Tremor owners who have installed these, right? Yes, they do fit regardless of what Ford says on the website.
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This is gorgeous rig....those BR's are perfect....

 

[Bannerman]

@Kverd88 what are you looking for here exactly? Ford Performance says it's not ideal. Are you wanting validation from some random guys on the internet that you should go against Ford's recommendation? It seems like you just want to argue about it....

 

[Kverd88]

@Kverd88 what are you looking for here exactly? Ford Performance says it's not ideal. Are you wanting validation from some random guys on the internet that you should go against Ford's recommendation? It seems like you just want to argue about it....

I have not argued with anyone in this thread Bannerman. I’m simply looking for a member that has experience install this kit on their truck.

Fords Performance engineering department did not state that it is “not ideal” to these on Tremor. They specifically stated that the Bilstein dampers will not provide advertised / targeted leveling of the Tremor. I do not require my truck to be perfectly level, as long as the ride quality and performance is there when adding the Bilstein kit.

Referring back to my first posted questions:

I‘d like some real world feedback from those who have installed these:

1. I find the Tremor shocks are a bit soft and could be a bit stiffer for my liking. Are you happy with the ride? Did body roll decrease? How about off-road performance damping?

2. Did you swap your rear axle blocks to standard F150 to bring the rear end down or did you leave the stock Tremor rear blocks? If so, how level is your truck from front to rear?

3. Ford Performance states that these Bilstein shocks have a 2.65” shock body diameter. has anyone measured the stock Tremor shock body diameter?

 

[Kverd88]

That's exactly what I stated in my first post on here and others gave and got similar responses from various manufacturers.

Yes, you did say that in your first post.

But I’d still like to hear feedback from Tremor owners who have actually installed this kit. That is why I asked very specific questions in my first post.

So far, I already talked with one Tremor owner who removed the Fox / Roush 2.0 shocks in place of this Bilstein / FP kit and prefers the ride quality.

 

[Fozzy]

Yes, you did say that in your first post.

But I’d still like to hear feedback from Tremor owners who have actually installed this kit. That is why I asked very specific questions in my first post.

So far, I already talked with one Tremor owner who removed the Fox / Roush 2.0 shocks in place of this Bilstein / FP kit and prefers the ride quality.

Ride quality is such an individual and vehicle preference. I personally like the ride of Fox over Bilstein and King is right in the same arena but only offer a mid speed adjustment. But comparing a 2.0” to a 2.65” is not apples to apples. The piston in the 2.65” is almost as big as the entire shock body of a 2.0”. The 6112’s are a great bang for the buck. You won‘t find a 2.5” that cheap. I couldn’t stand the factory ride of the Tremor, to soft with zero rebound dampening. And most love it and want to keep the ride. Only way to really know what you want is to drive a truck already equipped with the setup you are looking at or just go for it. As far as measuring the stock strut, I can when I get home. But it doesn’t really matter if it’s 2” or 4”, it rides like crap and I am in the minority with that statement.

 

[Kverd88]

Ride quality is such an individual and vehicle preference. I personally like the ride of Fox over Bilstein and King is right in the same arena but only offer a mid speed adjustment. But comparing a 2.0” to a 2.65” is not apples to apples. The piston in the 2.65” is almost as big as the entire shock body of a 2.0”. The 6112’s are a great bang for the buck. You won‘t find a 2.5” that cheap. I couldn’t stand the factory ride of the Tremor, to soft with zero rebound dampening. And most love it and want to keep the ride. Only way to really know what you want is to drive a truck already equipped with the setup you are looking at or just go for it. As far as measuring the stock strut, I can when I get home. But it doesn’t really matter if it’s 2” or 4”, it rides like crap and I am in the minority with that statement.

I agree with your statements and I know ride quality is subjective. However, most drivers can tell if body roll is reduced, which is one of my specific questions.

Tremor suspension is floaty and soft feeling. I have King 2.5” shocks on my Ford Bronco, but that is not how I want my Tremor to ride. It’s chattery, you feel every bump in the road, but it’s an off-roader and soaks everything up in the dirt. It’s purpose built for that.

If you are able to measure the stock shocks for me, I appreciate that info for my own knowledge. Thanks!

 

[Nomad]

@Kverd88,
Are u looking for a cloth tape measurement totally around the body of the shock or just a ruler held up to the body measurement? Front & rear Shocks? I can hook u up…

 

[Kverd88]

@Kverd88,
Are u looking for a cloth tape measurement totally around the body of the shock or just a ruler held up to the body measurement? Front & rear Shocks? I can hook u up…

Outside diameter of the shock body please for Front and Rear. (not cloth tape measure around)

 

[Nomad]

Here ya go bro, hope this helps. I have no real world experience with bilstein, I’m running Fox snap rings.

 

[Fozzy]

I agree with your statements and I know ride quality is subjective. However, most drivers can tell if body roll is reduced, which is one of my specific questions.

Tremor suspension is floaty and soft feeling. I have King 2.5” shocks on my Ford Bronco, but that is not how I want my Tremor to ride. It’s chattery, you feel every bump in the road, but it’s an off-roader and soaks everything up in the dirt. It’s purpose built for that.

If you are able to measure the stock shocks for me, I appreciate that info for my own knowledge. Thanks!

Are your Kings OE replacement or custom built? The Bilsteins with their digressive valving will most certainly help with body roll. Kinda the entire purpose for it.

 

[jdangel2]

Are your Kings OE replacement or custom built? The Bilsteins with their digressive valving will most certainly help with body roll. Kinda the entire purpose for it.

Digressive shocks are not ideal for off pavement use, right?

 

[FaKtor34]

Digressive shocks are not ideal for off pavement use, right?

The jeep crowd sure loves them for offroading.

 

[Fozzy]

Digressive shocks are not ideal for off pavement use, right?

Digressive valving starts out with a heavier dampening at the top of the stroke. This helps with body roll and on asphalt performance. As the shock travels in the stroke the dampening actually get less or digresses. For a more controlled off road ride. Digressive shocks suck at small bumps and large bumps but excel in on road handling and G-outs. Makes for a livable daily driver shock. The 5 and 6 series entry level Bilstiens are all Digressive and most ICON's are. You have to move up to the 8+ series to get away from them.

Progressive starts out soft at the top of the stroke and increase dampening as the shock travels through the stroke. It makes them good for small and big bumps, but you loose on road handling and G-out control.

Linear shocks the valving curve is more of a straight line. It stays consistent through the stroke. It's a better overall compromise between small and large hits, G-outs and handling. Add a High and Low speed compression adjuster and you're golden. As you can adjust for the small and big hits. Fox and King use linear valving and there is a reason they are at the top.

The jeep crowd sure loves them for offroading.

To his point most Jeeps don't travel at high speeds over large and small bumps. They disconnect their sway bars to get more flex while retaining some stability at the top of the stroke. As they drop off large ledges and take the big slow hit or G-out they can handle it.

Anything is better than the factory strut and shocks. Well, maybe not the RC standard struts, the M1's, maybe and Vertex would be. I would probably go with a standard 6112 over the Ford tuned one, but that's just me.

 

[FaKtor34]

Digressive valving starts out with a heavier dampening at the top of the stroke. This helps with body roll and on asphalt performance. As the shock travels in the stroke the dampening actually get less or digresses. For a more controlled off road ride. Digressive shocks suck at small bumps and large bumps but excel in on road handling and G-outs. Makes for a livable daily driver shock. The 5 and 6 series entry level Bilstiens are all Digressive and most ICON's are. You have to move up to the 8+ series to get away from them.

Progressive starts out soft at the top of the stroke and increase dampening as the shock travels through the stroke. It makes them good for small and big bumps, but you loose on road handling and G-out control.

Linear shocks the valving curve is more of a straight line. It stays consistent through the stroke. It's a better overall compromise between small and large hits, G-outs and handling. Add a High and Low speed compression adjuster and you're golden. As you can adjust for the small and big hits. Fox and King use linear valving and there is a reason they are at the top.


To his point most Jeeps don't travel at high speeds over large and small bumps. They disconnect their sway bars to get more flex while retaining some stability at the top of the stroke. As they drop off large ledges and take the big slow hit or G-out they can handle it.

Anything is better than the factory strut and shocks. Well, maybe not the RC standard struts, the M1's, maybe and Vertex would be. I would probably go with a standard 6112 over the Ford tuned one, but that's just me.

You and I have stated the same on 6112 over the Ford performance ones, yes the digressive valving works great for slow crawling offroad, which where I'm at is the most available kind, so digressive valving would be my preferred choice overall, but unfortunately the RC M1's are the only one that gets to the lift that I want, the icons come close, with that being said if when I do it nothing has changed I may just go with Halolift, if I catch wind Bilstein is going to be coming out with something I'll either wait or throw on the m1 for a period of time. I know RC has improved leaps and bounds but with the experience I have had with them in the past it makes it hard to even lean that way.

 

[Kverd88]

Are your Kings OE replacement or custom built? The Bilsteins with their digressive valving will most certainly help with body roll. Kinda the entire purpose for it.

King offer a kit for the Bronco. We use it for high speed off-roading mostly and trail riding. Very minimal crawling.

King Shocks

www.kingshocks.com

I would probably go with a standard 6112 over the Ford tuned one, but that's just me.

Ford Performance confirmed with me that their kit is based on the 6112 front and 5160 rears.

Why would you go with the standard 6112 instead?

If I catch wind Bilstein is going to be coming out with something I'll either wait or throw on the m1 for a period of time. I know RC has improved leaps and bounds but with the experience I have had with them in the past it makes it hard to even lean that way.

I heard back from Ford Performance engineering team today. Apparently they are working on a kit for Tremor, however they didn’t mention if it will use Bilstein or something else.

 

[FaKtor34]

@Kverd88 I don't know if his answer is the same as mine but the cost and the fact that Ford tends to make their suspension a little soft, I would look at it as you are paying for the performance name without getting any real difference between the 2.

 

[Fozzy]

Yes, I agree with FaKtor34. Bilstien makes a great shock and is a shock company. Ford engineers idea of performance shocks is marginally better than stock. Even if it’s the Fox branded ones. But the kit is fully assembled and ready to go. The 6112’s will be just the shock unless your order it assembled by a vendor. The highest clip setting is at 2.5” for a standard F-150 that will only give you 1.5” of lift on the Tremor. Sounds like what you want. If you are worried about being to aggressive on the dampening the Ford ones may be for you. You’re off the shelf Kings on your Bronco will be more aggressive than the 6112’s. The Kings are a true performance shock vs the 6112’s being an entry level performance shock.

 

[jdangel2]

Digressive valving starts out with a heavier dampening at the top of the stroke. This helps with body roll and on asphalt performance. As the shock travels in the stroke the dampening actually get less or digresses. For a more controlled off road ride. Digressive shocks suck at small bumps and large bumps but excel in on road handling and G-outs. Makes for a livable daily driver shock. The 5 and 6 series entry level Bilstiens are all Digressive and most ICON's are. You have to move up to the 8+ series to get away from them.

Progressive starts out soft at the top of the stroke and increase dampening as the shock travels through the stroke. It makes them good for small and big bumps, but you loose on road handling and G-out control.

Linear shocks the valving curve is more of a straight line. It stays consistent through the stroke. It's a better overall compromise between small and large hits, G-outs and handling. Add a High and Low speed compression adjuster and you're golden. As you can adjust for the small and big hits. Fox and King use linear valving and there is a reason they are at the top.


To his point most Jeeps don't travel at high speeds over large and small bumps. They disconnect their sway bars to get more flex while retaining some stability at the top of the stroke. As they drop off large ledges and take the big slow hit or G-out they can handle it.

Anything is better than the factory strut and shocks. Well, maybe not the RC standard struts, the M1's, maybe and Vertex would be. I would probably go with a standard 6112 over the Ford tuned one, but that's just me.

Very nice reply. Thank you for taking the time.

I own a quarry so you can imagine the environment my truck is in. Lots of potholes and sharp jarring hits. I ordered the Halo 2.0 kit. Hopefully it helps. Don’t care about body roll.. just don’t like jarring pothole and expansion joints.

 

[hotrodmex]

Digressive valving starts out with a heavier dampening at the top of the stroke. This helps with body roll and on asphalt performance. As the shock travels in the stroke the dampening actually get less or digresses. For a more controlled off road ride. Digressive shocks suck at small bumps and large bumps but excel in on road handling and G-outs. Makes for a livable daily driver shock. The 5 and 6 series entry level Bilstiens are all Digressive and most ICON's are. You have to move up to the 8+ series to get away from them.

Progressive starts out soft at the top of the stroke and increase dampening as the shock travels through the stroke. It makes them good for small and big bumps, but you loose on road handling and G-out control.

Linear shocks the valving curve is more of a straight line. It stays consistent through the stroke. It's a better overall compromise between small and large hits, G-outs and handling. Add a High and Low speed compression adjuster and you're golden. As you can adjust for the small and big hits. Fox and King use linear valving and there is a reason they are at the top.

You've related the damping curve to position, but these values are velocity based. They are graphed in Force (lbs or N) X Velocity (In/Sec). So the curve is the same independent of where the shock is in the stroke, unless it's a bypass shock which does alter the damper curve at each bypass point (single, double, triple, etc).

Also good to note that while these are overlying themes for the style of damping, the curves can all kinds of slopes and values. You could design a digressive curve with a shallow knee and low slope that performs close to a linear curve with low and high speed compression adjusters. It's all in the margins

 

[Fozzy]

You've related the damping curve to position, but these values are velocity based. They are graphed in Force (lbs or N) X Velocity (In/Sec). So the curve is the same independent of where the shock is in the stroke, unless it's a bypass shock which does alter the damper curve at each bypass point (single, double, triple, etc).

Also good to note that while these are overlying themes for the style of damping, the curves can all kinds of slopes and values. You could design a digressive curve with a shallow knee and low slope that performs close to a linear curve with low and high speed compression adjusters. It's all in the margins]

Trying to keep it very simple, I am sure you know exactly how fast your shafts are traveling at all times. But most will get what I am saying. Feel free to to explain the speed of a shock travel to its valving characteristics. Don't forget to include thermo losses, shock pack and its effects on rebound. As for your second point that is exactly what Icon does. But for on the road 5 and 6 series shock, you feel it at the top of the stoke daily driving. What do you run on your Tremor and what do you prefer?