Bilstein 5100 Settings and Resulting Lift

[sempifi99]

I'm seeing some reports that the Bilstein 5100 are lifting a lot higher than their alleged lift setting. For example I saw a 2021 F-150 5.0 that was lifted 3" when the setting was at 2.5".

I have an appointment next week to get some put on and am debating going with 2" or maybe 1.5" setting.

Using the rest of the stock factory components, I was wondering if anyone has put these on a PB and what setting they used with the resulting lift or knows any good articles for this.

I've already tried doing some initial searching but there aren't many articles that show good before and after for the Power Boost with 5100s.

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[Kodiak]

I have no personal experience, but this is from what I believe I have read in previous posts.

I think I remember people saying the same thing that the lift was more but after some wear and use it settles back down to what you set it for.

Hopefully someone with direct experience will chime in. Good luck with it as I may do the same thing with the 5100's but factory setting and no additional lift.

 

[GIjoe]

I think the discrepancy is when these coilovers come with their own springs that vary in spring rate from what came on your truck. If you are reusing your factory springs I would expect to get the advertised lift.

 

[Twinturbospoolybois]

I personally have Bilstein 6112 on mine and found that the powerboost is the heaviest configuration so you'll be seeing a bit less than advertised. I will also add that because you are using the stock springs, you do not want to max out your struts because that will compress your springs too much and make the truck drive a bit harsh. Here is a picture of a powerboost truck with 5100 maxed out.

 

[sempifi99]

I personally have Bilstein 6112 on mine and found that the powerboost is the heaviest configuration so you'll be seeing a bit less than advertised. I will also add that because you are using the stock springs, you do not want to max out your struts because that will compress your springs too much and make the truck drive a bit harsh. Here is a picture of a powerboost truck with 5100 maxed out.

Thanks, that helped out. With the picture not quite being centered it looks like there is still a good amount of rake there. Green and red lines below are the same pixel count to help with look at this.

I wish I knew what the exact measurements were. But the gap from top of the wheel well to the top of the tire looks to be identical. But with the perspective it looks like there is a bit more of a gap in the rear than the front.

 

[Twinturbospoolybois]

Thanks, that helped out. With the picture not quite being centered it looks like there is still a good amount of rake there. Green and red lines below are the same pixel count to help with look at this.

I wish I knew what the exact measurements were. But the gap from top of the wheel well to the top of the tire looks to be identical. But with the perspective it looks like there is a bit more of a gap in the rear than the front.

I’m not sure if the smaller shocks of the 5100 will give you different results but my 6112 on the max height gave me around 2” of lift instead of the advertised 2.5”

 

[Polo08816]

For the Bilstein 6112, when it comes time to replace those struts, are you able to purchase the struts alone (without having to re-purchase the kit which includes the springs)?

 

[sempifi99]

Thanks for the help, pending another post I'm planning to set these at the 2" lift mark, #5 in the install instructions for the 5100.

I'll take some before and after measurements and report on them here.

 

[sempifi99]

I am quite disappointed with the results here.

I'm not sure what happened but before taking this into the shop I was measuring just over 38.5 inch on the front, maybe 38.6 inch. Now after installing these I am measuring only 39.5 inch. So roughly the 2 inch position gave me a 1 inch lift.

I didn't have a before measure on the rear wheel but as the truck stands now I have 41.5" on the rear, 39.5" on the front so a 2" rake rear to front.

Better than it was but my advise to anyone going forward with the PB and Bilstein 5100 is to use the max lift position.

 

[SudS2k]

I'm in the same boat. I've got a PB with an appointment tomorrow to install 5100s in front and 5160s in back. I do want some rake because I'm driving with a load mostly. I'm planning to match your same setting at 2". I'll post back here to see if I get the same result.

 

[sempifi99]

I'm in the same boat. I've got a PB with an appointment tomorrow to install 5100s in front and 5160s in back. I do want some rake because I'm driving with a load mostly. I'm planning to match your same setting at 2". I'll post back here to see if I get the same result.

Let me know how it goes.

 

[Rockman5159]

I'm seeing some reports that the Bilstein 5100 are lifting a lot higher than their alleged lift setting. For example I saw a 2021 F-150 5.0 that was lifted 3" when the setting was at 2.5".

I have an appointment next week to get some put on and am debating going with 2" or maybe 1.5" setting.

Using the rest of the stock factory components, I was wondering if anyone has put these on a PB and what setting they used with the resulting lift or knows any good articles for this.

I've already tried doing some initial searching but there aren't many articles that show good before and after for the Power Boost with 5100s.

I had the same issue with the Rough Country lieveling struts. Was supposed to be 2" but ended up with 3 1/2". removed them and used Rough Country spacers to correct problem

 

[SudS2k]

Here's my before photo. Sorry I should have taken measurements but I forgot to. I'll ask the shop to take them, hopefully they can do it before they install the shocks. Everything is stock currently. There is about 250lbs of load on the rear from the cover and some tools.

 

[SudS2k]

Here's my before photo. Sorry I should have taken measurements but I forgot to. I'll ask the shop to take them, hopefully they can do it before they install the shocks. Everything is stock currently. There is about 250lbs of load on the rear from the cover and some tools.

My before measurements were 37.25" in front and 39.75" rear. The new measurements right after install (without driving it around to settle the suspension) are 39.5" front and 39.75 rear. So a little more than advertised using the 2" setting on the 5100s in front. Hopefully it settles because I do need some rake for towing and hauling. I'll udpate here after a few hundred miles. This is a current photo of the truck just after install.

 

[sempifi99]

I'm glad you got a good lift. Strange our front ends measurements ended up the same. You still have the stock tires if I am not mistaken, 33s I think? I have 34s installed. But I also have the FX4 and Max Tow packages; perhaps, there is some kind of difference there.

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