Ford Performance Suspension Leveling Kit by Bilstein

[hotrodmex]

Trying to keep it very simple,

That's fine. I didn't think that my version would overcomplicate it, just clarify it. If you think it was better your way, I'm not going to debate you on it. Nor was it my intention to AKSHULLY you here; I thought I was being helpful. Good knowing it was on purpose.

What do you run on your Tremor and what do you prefer?

I currently have 6112/5100 on my Lariat...

*GASP*

I've gone with those first as the value proposition was where I needed it to be right now. I knew they were digressive, but I couldn't find much info on what those curves actually look like in this application, and TBH I wouldn't know a lot on how those values would work for off-road. I'm getting back into trucks and off-road after a long hiatus. After ditching my first truck back when $20 couldn't get you 20 gal anymore, I ran to sport compact and performance driving. While all the same concerns are still there (small bump absorption, large bump absorption, etc), they come at you different.

I'm also gravitated that way as a Bilstein Fanboy. Had them on that first truck (89 F150), we have them on our beater Montero, had them on the Miata, and run some custom valved ones in custom housings on my FC RX7.

I'll get a chance to try some Icons that a friend is getting installed, which will be great as you don't really see linear dampers in sports cars. With all my track friends you could co-drive a lot of cars and get a lot of varying experience. Accu-Tune has been a good resource for getting to know the nuances of this category.

 

[mashir]

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

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?



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.

What else did ford performance tell you about the tremor kit? Any rough ETA or other intel?

 

[Fozzy]

What else did ford performance tell you about the tremor kit? Any rough ETA or other intel?

I am not sure what everyone is hoping for from Ford. All they could do is just change the ride height numbers for the Tremor. Ford is not going to put the CV angles as steep as an additional 2.5" level would put them.

 

[mashir]

I am not sure what everyone is hoping for from Ford. All they could do is just change the ride height numbers for the Tremor. Ford is not going to put the CV angles as steep as an additional 2.5" level would put them.

Totally agree. As I’ve said here and elsewhere, I would ideally have 1.5” additional lift in the front and slightly more dampening without making things too much firmer.

 

[Bannerman]

Totally agree. As I’ve said here and elsewhere, I would ideally have 1.5” additional lift in the front and slightly more dampening without making things too much firmer.

Halo. With the collar at the top of the threads.

 

[mashir]

Halo. With the collar at the top of the threads.

I know, this is probably the “right choice” for now. Part of me is pretty loyal to Bilstein, having used their shocks on previous rigs. I also rather like the idea of using some thing, Ford factory, or Ford performance, just to keep things simple from a dealership maintenance standpoint.

 

[FaKtor34]

I know, this is probably the “right choice” for now. Part of me is pretty loyal to Bilstein, having used their shocks on previous rigs. I also rather like the idea of using some thing, Ford factory, or Ford performance, just to keep things simple from a dealership maintenance standpoint.

That doesn't keep things simple, it's still a level whether it has their name or not, you can save money and get a better product with the 6112 if your looking to use Bilstein. Ford has already stated not recommended for the Tremor and the first time you have a complaint they will point that out and are less likely to do anything. Regardless of why they stated it. Personally I would look towards the 8112 for exceptional performance.

 

[mashir]

That doesn't keep things simple, it's still a level whether it has their name or not, you can save money and get a better product with the 6112 if your looking to use Bilstein. Ford has already stated not recommended for the Tremor and the first time you have a complaint they will point that out and are less likely to do anything. Regardless of why they stated it. Personally I would look towards the 8112 for exceptional performance.

No I totally understand. Not wanting to run this kit, hoping that ford performance turns out something specific for the tremor as was referenced in the post I quoted above. That would seem to be the best of all worlds.

 

[Bannerman]

No I totally understand. Not wanting to run this kit, hoping that ford performance turns out something specific for the tremor as was referenced in the post I quoted above. That would seem to be the best of all worlds.

Not likely, as they already claim “tremor specific” suspension, and they probably don’t wanna cannibalize raptor sales any more than the Tremor does already

 

[FloridaMan2.0]

New here. Love the Tremor Forum banter but... Has anyone actually answered the original question? Or have y'all just argued about it... I see one member stated "they will fit" with a picture, but no comment on ride quality or handling improvements.

Can anyone comment about on-road ride quality & handling of the Ford Performance Bilstein or Roush Fox kits? Any suggestions on losing the role-ly-pole-ly feel of the stock suspension? We are already aware they will both fit just fine on the Tremor, and the only technical reason - [Ford Performance Engineering] that Ford Performance says "not for Tremor" is that they haven't actually installed and tested either kit specifically on a Tremor (internally at Ford Performance).

 

[FaKtor34]

New here. Love the Tremor Forum banter but... Has anyone actually answered the original question? Or have y'all just argued about it... I see one member stated "they will fit" with a picture, but no comment on ride quality or handling improvements.

Can anyone comment about on-road ride quality & handling of the Ford Performance Bilstein or Roush Fox kits? Any suggestions on losing the role-ly-pole-ly feel of the stock suspension? We are already aware they will both fit just fine on the Tremor, and the only technical reason - [Ford Performance Engineering] that Ford Performance says "not for Tremor" is that they haven't actually installed and tested either kit specifically on a Tremor (internally at Ford Performance).

I'm sure someone has installed these somewhere, but as for the ride it will be better than stock because of the valving difference of the units. The ride isn't the only aspect of the suspension though, that is why they are not suggested for the tremor, they feel that you don't gain any significant advantage from them. Will they work yes, will the on road ride be improved yes, are they going to give an improvement to the offroad worthiness of the truck.....well the ride might be slightly improved, but you don't gain much extra clearance and may even lose some travel from the stock units...... saying this because I don't know what the specific travel of these units are. That is part of why people are commenting that it says not recommended for the tremor, even the engineers didn't feel that there would be enough gain in performance to test it. Does that mean it won't work, no of course not.

Ultimately if your after improved on road ride and not offroad improvement then it may work very well for you. If you want to try it then try it, if you do then post your review in here and share it with others so that the question has more validity and an actual source of input.

 

[FloridaMan2.0]

I'm sure someone has installed these somewhere, but as for the ride it will be better than stock because of the valving difference of the units. The ride isn't the only aspect of the suspension though, that is why they are not suggested for the tremor, they feel that you don't gain any significant advantage from them. Will they work yes, will the on road ride be improved yes, are they going to give an improvement to the offroad worthiness of the truck.....well the ride might be slightly improved, but you don't gain much extra clearance and may even lose some travel from the stock units...... saying this because I don't know what the specific travel of these units are. That is part of why people are commenting that it says not recommended for the tremor, even the engineers didn't feel that there would be enough gain in performance to test it. Does that mean it won't work, no of course not.

Ultimately if your after improved on road ride and not offroad improvement then it may work very well for you. If you want to try it then try it, if you do then post your review in here and share it with others so that the question has more validity and an actual source of input.

I like this response. Thank you. I may choose to be the guinea pig here. One day/ dollar at a time.

 

[pittman]

I'm starting to think that this kit wouldn't be a big problem. Bilstein is now listing the same 5100s for the tremor and regular 4x4. King said they're the same when I inquired. Fox lists the same shocks and advertises a bit less lift for the Tremor vs a regular 4x4.

My suspicion is that Ford Performance is not listing it for the Tremor as it either provides less than the advertised lift on the Tremor, or the rear shock isn't quite long enough.

 

[FaKtor34]

I'm starting to think that this kit wouldn't be a big problem. Bilstein is now listing the same 5100s for the tremor and regular 4x4. King said they're the same when I inquired. Fox lists the same shocks and advertises a bit less lift for the Tremor vs a regular 4x4.

My suspicion is that Ford Performance is not listing it for the Tremor as it either provides less than the advertised lift on the Tremor, or the rear shock isn't quite long enough.

That's kinda what I stated above, the travel length may also be different, how much drop it allows etc. They all will "FIT" it's just dependent upon what you expect to get out of it, whether it's worth the cost or not, if you plain on mainly using it on road then any of them will work. That's never been a question, it's trying to find the one that ultimately gives the best on and off road performance, allowing full travel and articulation without causing the shock to bottom or over extend is the main concern. So while they will "FIT" doesn't mean they will be the right choice.

 

[FloridaMan2.0]

Will be interesting to physically test the travel of the stock tremor shock versus the FP/Bilstein while the truck is disassembled on the lift. Front and rear. Based on travel findings, maybe leave the rears stock... again who knows. I knew there's only one way to find out!

 

[WA Tremor]

New here. Love the Tremor Forum banter but... Has anyone actually answered the original question? Or have y'all just argued about it... I see one member stated "they will fit" with a picture, but no comment on ride quality or handling improvements.

Can anyone comment about on-road ride quality & handling of the Ford Performance Bilstein or Roush Fox kits? Any suggestions on losing the role-ly-pole-ly feel of the stock suspension? We are already aware they will both fit just fine on the Tremor, and the only technical reason - [Ford Performance Engineering] that Ford Performance says "not for Tremor" is that they haven't actually installed and tested either kit specifically on a Tremor (internally at Ford Performance).

I installed a rear sway and it tightened everything up real quick. Far less body roll in corners - no effect on my travel, but did stiffen things up a bit.

 

[drtatomd]

I installed a rear sway and it tightened everything up real quick. Far less body roll in corners - no effect on my travel, but did stiffen things up a bit.

What was the part #? is this from ford or 3rd party solution?

 

[FaKtor34]

https://fordauthority.com/2022/09/2021-2022-ford-f-150-off-road-suspension-leveling-kit-out-now/

Here's the lowdown on this, what I find interesting is they can make it raise the standard f150 2.5" which ideally would give 1.5" to the tremor, although it states hasn't been verified for the tremor.