2009-2020 F150 4WD Bilstein 5100 Adjustable Leveling Shock Kit Install

Leveling your truck and getting a smooth factory ride don't always go hand-in-hand. Many aftermarket leveling kits reuse your stock suspension hardware which leaves you with a factory ride and suspension performance at best, if not worse. Bilstein, one of the biggest names in performance suspensions, cuts out the middle man with this 5100 shock kit that includes high-quality adjustable front shocks. These shocks allow you to set your 2009-2017 F150's front ride height to stock, +.79", +1.26", +1.75", or +2.10" of leveling by using their adjustable spring seat tabs. The adjustable design is paired up with legendary Bilstein quality and performance that let you take these dampers anywhere for any application you have in mind without fear. Rear monotube shocks are also included to provide extra stability and handling performance for your F150's rear end.

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[BrandonSmith-jzzt]

Just followed these instructions and installed my struts. Definitely helped. Mines a 2010 F150 and let's just say between the rust and the seized bolts it didn't go this fast. Thanks for the help!!!

[happinessisafulltank]

This was super helpful in getting the job done on my truck. My one regret is that I initially didn’t follow the order you did things... would’ve saved me a lot of trouble. Thanks for the video!

[caedom]

that is the cleanest truck ever. must of done the install a day after rolling off the lot... :) great video!

[spatulaman]

You shouldn’t tighten the upper control arm bolts until you have truck back on the ground. If you do while in the air you will add preload to the suspension arm.

[jjsemperfi]

Installed these on my old 13’ F150 but after fighting with the spring compressor I took the struts into a shop to swap out. I don’t have faith in those crappy spring compressors. I’m surprised he got them to work. Everything else about the job was very easy and straight forward. Get a good quality impact gun and it’s a breeze. Got a new truck and I just ordered another set of 5100’s but I think I may have a shop do the entire install for me this time. 2 hours labor at $90 / hr isn’t bad at all.

[SilentMechanic]

Thank you for posting this I’m in the middle of the install and the seat wouldn’t come off due to that small silver cap on the end of the strut. I wasn’t sure if removing that would cause the strut to blow apart! Thank you!!

[kevinvoyer]

I also installed the Bilstien 5100 s Dr. truts/shocks in my 2019 Colorado Crew Cab, 4x4, V6. I set at the next to top spot for a total of 1.9”, because I have a 26’, 4, 409-6, 400 lbs travel trailer I tow, so I wanted to be level when towing. So when just the truck is empty there’s still about 3/4” rear hight bias, but still level with up to about 1, 000 lbs in the bed. The heaviest if ever traveled was 10, 658lbs CGVW on a Cat Scale! That was with the trailer totally loaded with provisions, full fresh water tank with 40 gals, 5 cases of bottled water, my wife and two dogs, all our clothes and games an toys, plus my 275 lbs scooter in the bed. Using a Fastway E2 Weight Distribution Hitch, was all nice and level, with excellent sway and stability control. While that sound heavy for a Colorado, they are rated to tow 7, 000 lbs. up to 12, 000 lbs CGVWR. That does a surprisingly good job on every road that we’ve been on, including grades on Interstates and local roads, even in The Smokey Mountains of N.C./TN areas. With plenty of power to maintain legal speeds, including passing slower traffic! I’m very satisfied with the complete package. The next trip in a week will be on the new 32” tires I bought last weekend, Cooper RTX 265/75-16, that are fine so far.

[badhombre]

I installed just the rear bilstein 5100 on my 2016 f150 with a bds 4" lift with 33x12" tires. I'm blown away.. Completely different truck. Rides like a Cadillac. Can't wait to do the fronts.. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[MrBigcountry]

Just did this today. The video was very helpful. Put the complete kit on a 4x4 2011 with a ranch hand bumper replacement. At full height it raised front 2in and back 3/4.
Ride is amazing.
Only thing I would add is tighten up the top shock nut once you have the truck on the ground. I thought it was tight then I let the truck down and there was about 1/2inch play.
Took about 4hrs start to finish.

[donmulvey]

You pulled the dust cap and axle nut off but you never mentioned removing the 3 IEW bolts. Yet at 2:51 in the video I can see that the axle is separated from the knuckle. Did you forget to mention this? My 2016 has the 3 bolts. Thanks for making the video!

[gr]

Replaced my front ones on my 2015 F150 4WD. I had a local shop swap out my springs after my HF CLAM SHELL spring compressor broke. Worth the $150 I paid. Still saved half of what I was quoted $900-1, 000). Truck rides better, but I used lowest setting. I tow a travel trailer so I wasn’t interested in raising the front much.

[rockkstah]

I have these on my 2003 4Runner and before that, I had KYB's, I will never go back to KYB's, Bilstein 5100's are the real deal, highly recommend it to anyone that wants to level out any trucks or 4Runners, without ruining their suspension systems, and keeping everything as stock as possible. Really good stiff firm ride but comfy on the freeways, absorbs road inconsistences well..

[jarjarblinkz]

Definitely need to torque the axle but on this design properly. Should be torqued to 30 ft lbs. do not tighten with a 1/4 ratchet like stated. Torque to spec.

[Sergio-crbo]

I just ordered a set from your web site. Best price and free shipping. Thanks guys.

[michaelgabriel]

This is an incredible video on this front end work. I wish I'd have seen this before paying for my 5100 RHA fronts to be installed. Next truck I'll be doing the coilovers, rotors and pads upgrade, tie rod, and UCAs right off the bat. Thanks guys!

[jeffthomas]

Great video. Would've been nice to show just what needs to be marked for the alignment. Think I can see them on the video, but not sure. Would've also like some guidance on how/where to set the leveling rings.

[robnation]

Tip: After you level your truck ...don't hit the gas too hard on a green light before an overpass with a load of plywood/drywall in a short bed :)

[jlongjr]

5:49 The upper control arm should be at ride height before tightening.

[tharanykrishnamoorthy]

I have a 2018 F-150 with the FX4 off road package. Unfortunately, The strut is bolted on to the bottom control arm, but the bolts itself are pressed onto the strut, meaning it won't come off unless the whole strut is removed, in order to do it on these model F-150s, the control arm has to come off, DO NOT try to pry it open like in the video, because the tension will cause the support beam on the control arm to bend. It's better to bring it to a shop and let them do it at this point since you'll need a wheel alignment anyway.

[seanthemon]

Great video, very helpful. Is it necessary to torque anything down with a torque wrench? And did you happen to put anti-sieze on any threads?