2021-2023 F-150 Ford Performance Leveling Kit (by Bilstein) is released

[Grafx36510]

My kit finally arrived on Friday! Thanks to Frank at Stage 3 Motorsports!

The kit includes OEM nuts and bolts so you don't reuse the originals, right down to the axle nut, likely for the 3yr./36mi. warrantee maybe, but still glad get new ones and not reuse the originals.

Only grip is the outer shipping box (UPS was not gentle) could use better box staples and/or use that shipping webbing strap stuff to keep the outer box closed.... very heavy stuff inside!

Next.... install it!

Not gonna lie, that’s a decent set. Too bad they don’t recommend it for Tremors.

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[TexasTruck]

I installed the rear shocks yesterday, one because they're easy to install and two because I wanted to see how much difference there is if I just replaced the rear. All I can say is wow, but I bet any upgrade shock would be better. There are so many terms owners use regarding suspension operation, so I'll just say my truck feels much better than the OEM "FX4" rear shocks. I wanna say I even have less body roll.... can that be.... They look cool too

 

[crazywayne311]

may have to finally pony up for these...looks great guys! love hearing how you guys feel about these over stock.

 

[BlueKnight]

I installed the rear shocks yesterday, one because they're easy to install and two because I wanted to see how much difference there is if I just replaced the rear. All I can say is wow, but I bet any upgrade shock would be better. There are so many terms owners use regarding suspension operation, so I'll just say my truck feels much better than the OEM "FX4" rear shocks. I wanna say I even have less body roll.... can that be.... They look cool too

Could you let us know how the install goes on the front coil-overs? I seem to be having an issue installing mine. Top mounting bolts on coil-over not matching bolt holes

 

[hotrodmex]

Could you let us know how the install goes on the front coil-overs? I seem to be having an issue installing mine. Top mounting bolts on coil-over not matching bolt holes

Just gotta double check with the "obvious": You know the pattern is asymetrical, and reversed front-to-back for each side, yeah?

 

[BlueKnight]

Just gotta double check with the "obvious": You know the pattern is asymetrical, and reversed front-to-back for each side, yeah?

I think I was sent the wrong product. Parts man checking with their people right now. These coilovers look like the pics I’ve seen online. the top does not align with bottom. Top mount goes in but the bottom mount is way off. If align the bottom the top mount bolts don’t line up with top bolt holes. Outer box said M-18000-F15B. But the smaller individual boxes have different part numbers like 41-322970. Rear shocks fit fine.

 

[TexasTruck]

Could you let us know how the install goes on the front coil-overs? I seem to be having an issue installing mine. Top mounting bolts on coil-over not matching bolt holes

Uh oh..... now I'm concerned... I'm planning to install them today or tomorrow... I just looked at my front coil overs.
-The main box has Ford part number: M-18000-F15B.
-The larger white box inside the main box (fronts) is: 41-322967.
-The two individual white boxes inside the larger white box is: 41-322970.

When I researched the coil over leveling kits I saw several that say they will not work on 2022 models. Something about "geometry" changes between 2021 and 2022. So at first I thought maybe that's the issue, but you have a 2021 model. Maybe this kit only works on a 2022 or higher then.... then again this says 2021-2023.....
https://www-performanceparts.app.ford.com/part/M-18000-F15B

I'm going to try and measure my top hat bolt pattern and bottom mounts and compare them....

 

[TexasTruck]

Houston we have a problem.... @BlueKnight based on my rough eyeball measuring I have the same issue. As we know the top hat has a triangle shape bolt pattern where one side is shorter than the other two.

Where the coil over attaches to the lower control arm those two bolts are almost parallel (slight turn in on the forward bolt) to the wheel/frame/truck. On the new coil over the Ford Performance and Bilstein stickers are ~perpendicular with the position of the lower attachment point.

Measuring my truck, the two top hat bolts closest to me are ~4 1/2".

I then tried to position the new coil over with the lower attachment point/stickers/etc. next to the wheel and measure the two top hat bolts closest to me.... ~3 3/4"

I thought this would be easy, silly me

So, now what?

 

[BlueKnight]

Houston we have a problem.... @BlueKnight based on my rough eyeball measuring I have the same issue. As we know the top hat has a triangle shape bolt pattern where one side is shorter than the other two.

Where the coil over attaches to the lower control arm those two bolts are almost parallel (slight turn in on the forward bolt) to the wheel/frame/truck. On the new coil over the Ford Performance and Bilstein stickers are ~perpendicular with the position of the lower attachment point.

Measuring my truck, the two top hat bolts closest to me are ~4 1/2".

I then tried to position the new coil over with the lower attachment point/stickers/etc. next to the wheel and measure the two top hat bolts closest to me.... ~3 3/4"

So, now what? One thought is find a spring compressor, compress the spring, undo the center nut and clock the top hat and spring to position the top hat bolts to the truck. Of course the Bilstein sticker won't line up any more and there will be some trial and error to get it to line up.

I purposely bought a full coil over kit to bolt right in vs the kits that reuse the factory spring and/or top hat.

Well! I thought it was just my luck! I wonder if anyone else experienced this?

 

[BlueKnight]

Installed rears. Great ride; handled ~1/4 of payload capacity really well over highway and unpaved/rocky area.

Biggest improvement by far is the empty ride/drive; soaks up bumps at speed with a dull thud and not a judder with my 275/65/20 KO2s.

*Update*

Not quite a BMW, but very planted and composed with all 4 installed— night and day versus the pucks. The very first thing I noticed was that the truck now stays flat during aggressive acceleration and braking.

The truck is visually similar to what it was with pucks even though rake is less; I retained ~1.5” of rake on the 2” setting (~39.9/~41.4) from ~2.5" prior (~39/~41.5).

*Update*

Cornering is noticeably improved (sweepers); truck has less body roll and holds a tighter line with less effort.

*Update*

Rake is increasing as springs settle; 39.6/41.4 or ~1.8" today.

*Update*

Definitely a firmer all-around ride. I can hear rattles I didn't before, i.e., loose change in the console, some metal items I had in the under-seat storage area, and from the console cover.

Smooth surface highway ride feels about the same as before.

Did you have any issues installing front coil overs? Fitment for mine is off.

 

[D40]

Did you have any issues installing front coil overs? Fitment for mine is off.

I didn't install them; I went to a local 4x4 shop. I've attached some pics of my install and part numbers though.

I hate speculating and I didn't specifically ask them, but looking at my install, they may have repositioned the holes based on you what you guys are saying and what mine looks like.

I can tell you that the Ford Performance sticker on my shock body was chewed up a bit, so I know something unexpected occurred. GL.

 

[BlueKnight]

I didn't install them; I went to a local 4x4 shop. I've attached some pics of my install and part numbers though.

I hate speculating and I didn't specifically ask them, but looking at my install, they may have repositioned the holes based on you what you guys are saying and what mine looks like.

I can tell you that the Ford Performance sticker on my shock body was chewed up a bit, so I know something unexpected occurred. GL.

Thanks for your reply! I have the exact same boxes with those part numbers. And yes, mine was chewed up too when it arrived.
well, the boxes were. Stickers are fine.

 

[TexasTruck]

Thanks for your reply! I have the exact same boxes with those part numbers. And yes, mine was chewed up too when it arrived.
well, the boxes were. Stickers are fine.

Assuming your springs are like mine, given our situation, the top hat will have to be clocked, which means the spring has to be turned to keep the spring rubber isolator aligned. But I'm not sure, we may just need to compress the spring, loosen the center nut and turn the top hat, I haven't gotten that far yet....

@D40 Do your springs have Bilstein printed on them? If so, where is it positioned now, towards the front or rear of truck?

 

[TexasTruck]

I didn't install them; I went to a local 4x4 shop. I've attached some pics of my install and part numbers though.

I hate speculating and I didn't specifically ask them, but looking at my install, they may have repositioned the holes based on you what you guys are saying and what mine looks like.

I can tell you that the Ford Performance sticker on my shock body was chewed up a bit, so I know something unexpected occurred. GL.

I wonder if the shop aligned two of the bolts and drilled a new hole for the third..... The bolt/nut on the left looks like the hole is elliptical even.....

 

[BlueKnight]

Assuming your springs are like mine, given our situation, the top hat will have to be clocked, which means the spring has to be turned to keep the spring rubber isolator aligned. But I'm not sure, we may just need to compress the spring, loosen the center nut and turn the top hat, I haven't gotten that far yet....

@D40 Do your springs have Bilstein printed on them? If so, where is it positioned now, towards the front or rear of truck?

I saw your pics and the springs are positioned just like yours.

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