Halo vs. Bilstein or Eibach ride quality

[Tremgineer]

For front struts, contemplating Halo IFP or Bilstein 5100 (OEM spring), 6112 (Bilstein spring), or Eibach Sport shock (OEM spring) for on-road use and daily driving.

Has anyone gone back to back with any of these systems on a Tremor?

The Halo is progressive valving with a spring rate 17%-36% heavier than OEM, depending on which spring you get.

The Bilstein & Eibach are digressive valving and use the OEM spring rate. Except for the Bilstein 6112 which uses a spring rate 3% lighter than OEM.

 

[Escape Hatch]

Icon not an option?

 

[Tremgineer]

Icon not an option?

Icon for Tremor is too much lift for me. They claim 2.5-3.0” over stock. I wish Icon would endorse their non-Tremor offering for use on Tremor, that would give me the 1.5” I’m looking for. Haven’t dig deep enough to learn what their valving, spring, or ride comparison would be.

 

[CAMDENN]

For front struts, contemplating Halo IFP or Bilstein 5100 (OEM spring), 6112 (Bilstein spring) , or Eibach Sport shock (OEM spring) for on-road use and daily driving.

Has anyone gone back to back with any of these systems on a Tremor?

The Halo is progressive valving with a spring rate 17%-36% heavier than OEM, depending on which spring you get.

The Bilstein & Eibach are digressive valving and use the OEM spring rate. Except for the Bilstein 6112 which uses a spring rate 3% softer than OEM.

Have you considered the Eibach coil over set?
The Bilstein 6112 setup might be a bit too harsh for the street but if you don’t mind such a firm ride, go for it.

With that being said, I do like the idea of the matching springs with the Bilstein and Eibach coil over.

 

[Tremgineer]

Have you considered the Eibach coil over set?
The Bilstein 6112 setup might be a bit too harsh for the street but if you don’t mind such a firm ride, go for it.

With that being said, I do like the idea of the matching springs with the Bilstein and Eibach coil over.

The Eibach Coil Over is a nice unit but uses a spring that is 12% lighter than OEM. I prefer not to de-rate the load carrying capabilities of my truck, so I’ve dismissed that option.

The option I referred to in original post is the Eibach snap ring which uses the OEM spring.

 

[pittman]

I've got the Bilstein 6112s and 5160s in the rear. It's a huge improvement over stock. It's firm and planted for normal driving, and the digressive valving makes bigger hits tolerable. Nice to be able to adjust front ride height. What I like about it, and something that seems to be under-appreciated on this forum is that the front and rear shocks by Bilstein are tuned for the truck as a pair. Mixing and matching front and rear shocks (Ex Gen 1 Raptor rears) can lead to unfavourable handling.

Anyhow, a few have said the Bilstein's are too firm, but I don't find that. They totally take away the uncomfortable floating feeling. less body roll too.

 

[CAMDENN]

I've got the Bilstein 6112s and 5160s in the rear. It's a huge improvement over stock. It's firm and planted for normal driving, and the digressive valving makes bigger hits tolerable. Nice to be able to adjust front ride height. What I like about it, and something that seems to be under-appreciated on this forum is that the front and rear shocks by Bilstein are tuned for the truck as a pair. Mixing and matching front and rear shocks (Ex Gen 1 Raptor rears) can lead to unfavourable handling.

Anyhow, a few have said the Bilstein's are too firm, but I don't find that. They totally take away the uncomfortable floating feeling. less body roll too.

The Bilstein definitely has my attention as well as the Eibach Pro 2 system.

One advantage of choosing / using the 5100 rear shocks instead of the 5160’s is the warranty. The 5100 hundred has the same warranty as the 6112’s.

I hope Eibach comes out with a Pro system with a 2.5 front shock or at least a TREMOR specific system.

 

[FaKtor34]

The Bilstein definitely has my attention as well as the Eibach Pro 2 system.

One advantage of choosing / using the 5100 rear shocks instead of the 5160’s is the warranty. The 5100 hundred has the same warranty as the 6112’s.

I hope Eibach comes out with a Pro system with a 2.5 front shock or at least a TREMOR specific system.

I agree wholly on the 2.5" option from eibach in their pro 2 system, and to correct something stated above about it being 12% softer than Stock, while the spring rate is softer it is a longer spring, which allows for upto 2.7" of height gain over stock, hence the reason the softer spring rate so it can account for the compression of the spring as you increase preload for height adjustment. If you use the snap rings I think the 1.7" adjustment option would be optimum. Of course just my opinion.

 

[Tremgineer]

I agree wholly on the 2.5" option from eibach in their pro 2 system, and to correct something stated above about it being 12% softer than Stock, while the spring rate is softer it is a longer spring, which allows for upto 2.7" of height gain over stock, hence the reason the softer spring rate so it can account for the compression of the spring as you increase preload for height adjustment. If you use the snap rings I think the 1.7" adjustment option would be optimum. Of course just my opinion.

The thing I’ve learned about cranking up the preload, to lift the vehicle, which I’ve noticed is not often talked about is…. loss of down-travel.

I have recently talked to many manufacturers and retailers to inquire: “how much up-travel is OEM, how much down-travel is OEM, and what amount of down-travel is necessary for a comfortable on road ride?” - nobody knows.

The best way to characterize this would be to set up an actual experiment with a Tremor. Alas, the “how much down-travel is necesssry for a comfortable on road ride” question remains a mystery, unless others can post here how much down travel they have with their set ups.

An advantage Halo provides over the others is that the strut overall length is longer. So some amount of lift comes from the longer strut (similar to a top hat spacer a.k.a. puck lift) and the rest of the desired lift comes from the preload adjustment. This does put the CVs at more angle than OEM and could cause OEM UCA interference with other bits like the frame or spring, but it’s less worse than the smallest spacer you could add and also the UCA interference can be overcome by using aftermarket UCAs like the SPC option.

 

[CAMDENN]

I wonder how fast the price will drop on Halo and Icon if and when Bilstein and Eibach comes out with a TREMOR specific kit that doesn’t require the use of or need aftermarket UCA’s.

 

[b-real]

On my previous truck ('17 F150), I did the Eibach and reused my stock coils. Had it set at the lowest setting and had 2.5" puck spacer on top. My goal was to keep the ride feeling as close to the "cushy" stock as possible, but the shocks sucked. I liked that setup and would not hesitate to run it again. Cant comment as to how it would ride on the Tremor, but I see no reason why it would feel any different.

 

[Tremgineer]

On my previous truck ('17 F150), I did the Eibach and reused my stock coils. Had it set at the lowest setting and had 2.5" puck spacer on top. My goal was to keep the ride feeling as close to the "cushy" stock as possible, but the shocks sucked. I liked that setup and would not hesitate to run it again. Cant comment as to how it would ride on the Tremor, but I see no reason why it would feel any different.

That’s how I would do it with the Eibach snap ring kit as well. Run their 0 or 0.7” lift setting (preload) and get the rest of the lift from a spacer on top. Seems to be the smartest way to achieve desired lift while maintaining maximum down-travel.

 

[SP1]

Icon for Tremor is too much lift for me. They claim 2.5-3.0” over stock. I wish Icon would endorse their non-Tremor offering for use on Tremor, that would give me the 1.5” I’m looking for. Haven’t dig deep enough to learn what their valving, spring, or ride comparison would be.

My friend works for Icon. I had him speak to an engineer about the kit for our trucks. Specifically stage 4. The engineer said the front can be backed down for 2.25” of front height adjustment. Stock truck no added front weight. Obviously if you add a winch, bumper, lights they will add weight in turn lowering the front more. I’m going to see if they can switch the front springs for a slightly lighter rate which will get it to 2” which is what I personally want. But others that have used the Icon kit say the ride quality and function is very good. The only other kit I have considered is the Halo Lifts stage 3 (icon will cost me less because of my friend) or the BDS 4” system with FOX shocks. But they are not tremor specifically although a member here is running that kit.

 

[Tremgineer]

@SP1 could you ask why Icon won’t endorse their non-Tremor kits for use on Tremor? I would think they could do this and simply reduce the claimed amount of lift in the Tremor application.

 

[SP1]

@SP1 could you ask why Icon won’t endorse their non-Tremor kits for use on Tremor? I would think they could do this and simply reduce the claimed amount of lift in the Tremor application.

I’ll ask but if I remember it had something to do with rear suspension travel and shock length. The tremor rear shock length is longer. Halo lifts just updated all their tremor kits with new shock lengths.

 

[GreenMan]

That’s how I would do it with the Eibach snap ring kit as well. Run their 0 or 0.7” lift setting (preload) and get the rest of the lift from a spacer on top. Seems to be the smartest way to achieve desired lift while maintaining maximum down-travel.

I’m not an expert so take this at face value…My Eibach strut and spring setup is set at the 2.7” ring and it netted a 3” lift which measured level to rear but visually looked nose high. A small trailer, boat or 200lbs of load in the back created a bad squat. They didn’t have a rear setup available so I installed the RAS and love the ride. It’s definitely more firm than stock. I commute 70 miles a day mainly on the highway and it’s a great ride. I can take pot holes easily and not experience the rear jumping all over the road like stock.

 

[Stevenrausch]

2023 Tremor 3.5EB …I just installed rear Bilstein 5100 shocks next step I’m planning on the 5100 front shocks set at 1” to 1 1/2” lift, don’t want to go any higher for a few reasons, don’t want to stress the c/v angle, and don’t want to replace the upper control arms, and I’m liking the 18mpg I’m getting and I tow a 25ft travel trailer and don’t want to squat the rear lower then the front. Question is has anyone used the same configuration? And will this effect my warranty? Any and all feed back is welcome!

 

[CAMDENN]

2023 Tremor 3.5EB …I just installed rear Bilstein 5100 shocks next step I’m planning on the 5100 front shocks set at 1” to 1 1/2” lift, don’t want to go any higher for a few reasons, don’t want to stress the c/v angle, and don’t want to replace the upper control arms, and I’m liking the 18mpg I’m getting and I tow a 25ft travel trailer and don’t want to squat the rear lower then the front. Question is has anyone used the same configuration? And will this affect my warranty? Any and all feed back is welcome!

As far as your warranty goes, I’m sure you’re fine so don’t stress over it.

 

[Captain]

I’m not an expert so take this at face value…My Eibach strut and spring setup is set at the 2.7” ring and it netted a 3” lift

Are you using the pro lift springs or originals? In either case, do you know which pro truck strut you're on? There are different part numbers for Tremor (E60-35-037-08-10) and 4wd F150 (E60-35-059-01-10). If you're on the highest ring then I'd expect them to be the 4wd F150 struts.