WattTheTruck
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- Thread starter
- #1
Read a lot on here before deciding so figured I’d share some pics and feedback.
Installed:
Overall install was pretty straight forward. If you were to do just the sway bar it would be super easy. Suspension is a little more involved but not too hard. I didn’t want to disassemble the factory suspension so I bought new top hats. I bought the truck used and it already had a leveling puck lift in the front so I removed that. I left the Bilsteins at position 0 so they are “factory” height but probably a tiny bit lower since they are for an ICE F-150.
Factory suspension for me (with puck lift) was very floaty and damping was pretty bad, lots of nose dive. Highway wind turbulence was very noticeable. Coming from a performance Model S this was a massive change.
After install I could feel the difference right away, just backing out of the garage. Truck is more planted, responsive, solid feeling, level in the turns. Extremely reduced sway and significantly improved damping; almost no diving in the nose with 1 pedal or heavy braking. It feels to me a lot more like a typical sports car would, not over the top, just much more confidence inspiring. No problem taking turns like off ramps at moderate speed, feels completely in control. Wind turbulence on the highway was drastically reduced - I don’t feel like I’m constantly being pushed around. Going over speed humps was pretty impressive, I tested at few at 40mph (larger more gradual speed humps) and the front of the truck barely cared at all. I pushed it until the rear was getting a little bouncy. Factory suspension I would have never done that, the truck would have pogo sticked itself into a telephone pole.
In short, for about $1500 or so this was well worth it (installed myself). Now I just need to decide on leaving the rear suspension alone or using a perch drop to lower it slightly. I’d love to put something aftermarket in the rear but all the proper solutions are thousands of dollars as there is not much demand..
Some pics:
After:
Before:
Links:
Bars:
Installed:
- Hellwig 7905 front swaybar - this is chromoly and larger diameter than OEM for reduced sway
- Mevotech TXMS408141 front swaybar end links - greaseable and look a bit stronger than OEM
- Bilstein 47-323841 front pair shocks/springs 6112 - much improved dampening, handling & off-road capability, adjustable height perch's
- KYB SM5727 Mount Kit - OE Style front top hats for the Bilsteins
Overall install was pretty straight forward. If you were to do just the sway bar it would be super easy. Suspension is a little more involved but not too hard. I didn’t want to disassemble the factory suspension so I bought new top hats. I bought the truck used and it already had a leveling puck lift in the front so I removed that. I left the Bilsteins at position 0 so they are “factory” height but probably a tiny bit lower since they are for an ICE F-150.
Factory suspension for me (with puck lift) was very floaty and damping was pretty bad, lots of nose dive. Highway wind turbulence was very noticeable. Coming from a performance Model S this was a massive change.
After install I could feel the difference right away, just backing out of the garage. Truck is more planted, responsive, solid feeling, level in the turns. Extremely reduced sway and significantly improved damping; almost no diving in the nose with 1 pedal or heavy braking. It feels to me a lot more like a typical sports car would, not over the top, just much more confidence inspiring. No problem taking turns like off ramps at moderate speed, feels completely in control. Wind turbulence on the highway was drastically reduced - I don’t feel like I’m constantly being pushed around. Going over speed humps was pretty impressive, I tested at few at 40mph (larger more gradual speed humps) and the front of the truck barely cared at all. I pushed it until the rear was getting a little bouncy. Factory suspension I would have never done that, the truck would have pogo sticked itself into a telephone pole.
In short, for about $1500 or so this was well worth it (installed myself). Now I just need to decide on leaving the rear suspension alone or using a perch drop to lower it slightly. I’d love to put something aftermarket in the rear but all the proper solutions are thousands of dollars as there is not much demand..
Some pics:
After:
Before:
Links:
Bars:
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