Bilsteins on 1" setting pics please
#1
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I have some pics on grass which doesn't show the 1" that well, I can take more but probably won't get to it today. I did the 275/70/18" BFG TA/KO (E rated) tires on the stock shocks and the ride was a tad firmer over my 255/75/17 Silent Armors. I rode like this for about 6-7 weeks to evaluate the tires. At the beginning of July I put the Bilstein 5100's on and set them to the first notch (.75" according to Bilstein). The lift is noticeable to me but it is minimal and best noticed when parked beside a stock F150. I am pleased with the fender gaps - front vs rear - as they are almost equal which was important to me visually. I have many reasons why I didn't go higher, one being I think to go any higher the truck deserves a 34" tire, I tow so I didn't want a perfectly leveled truck and was worried any higher setting the ride would suffer.
So the ride is definitely firmer but it is very minimal. Admittedly it is so minimal it could merely be attributed to the new tires. The stock shocks had 72000km on them and were completely worn out (they wouldn't support their own weight once taken off vehicle), this surprised me. The handling with the new billy's is incredible, the ride is taught yet very controlled, bumps are controlled much better. I love them and wish I had done this a year or two ago when I first started thinking about this upgrade.
If I didn't tow I'd go with a 275/65/20" tire/rim combo with the middle setting or top setting, this on a 5.5 box supercrew, if i had the 6.5 box screw I'd do a 35" tire on the highest setting because I personally think the different bed lengths deserve a different size tire to appear proportionate. Of course gear ratio plays a part in overall decision as well and I have a 3.55 gear so staying with a 33" tire was important to me since I tow, hence the lowest setting.
As you can see many factors resulted in my decision to go on the 2nd lowest setting and am extremely happy with my set up. I just did 2200km towing trip with about 800 lb in the bed + 2 adults + 3 kids and the tires/shocks performed incredible, much better than my previous set ups (stock tires, silent armors, MS2's all on stock shocks).
I've been meaning to post a review of my set up for a while now but my house is real busy with 3 little ones.
Gimme a day or two to get some pics on flat pavement.
So the ride is definitely firmer but it is very minimal. Admittedly it is so minimal it could merely be attributed to the new tires. The stock shocks had 72000km on them and were completely worn out (they wouldn't support their own weight once taken off vehicle), this surprised me. The handling with the new billy's is incredible, the ride is taught yet very controlled, bumps are controlled much better. I love them and wish I had done this a year or two ago when I first started thinking about this upgrade.
If I didn't tow I'd go with a 275/65/20" tire/rim combo with the middle setting or top setting, this on a 5.5 box supercrew, if i had the 6.5 box screw I'd do a 35" tire on the highest setting because I personally think the different bed lengths deserve a different size tire to appear proportionate. Of course gear ratio plays a part in overall decision as well and I have a 3.55 gear so staying with a 33" tire was important to me since I tow, hence the lowest setting.
As you can see many factors resulted in my decision to go on the 2nd lowest setting and am extremely happy with my set up. I just did 2200km towing trip with about 800 lb in the bed + 2 adults + 3 kids and the tires/shocks performed incredible, much better than my previous set ups (stock tires, silent armors, MS2's all on stock shocks).
I've been meaning to post a review of my set up for a while now but my house is real busy with 3 little ones.
Gimme a day or two to get some pics on flat pavement.
#4
I did the 275/70/18" BFG TA/KO (E rated) tires on the stock shocks and the ride was a tad firmer over my 255/75/17 Silent Armors. At the beginning of July I put the Bilstein 5100's on and set them to the first notch (.75" according to Bilstein). The lift is noticeable to me but it is minimal and best noticed when pa
Of course gear ratio plays a part in overall decision as well and I have a 3.55 gear so staying with a 33" tire was important to me since I tow, hence the lowest setting.
Gimme a day or two to get some pics on flat pavement.
Of course gear ratio plays a part in overall decision as well and I have a 3.55 gear so staying with a 33" tire was important to me since I tow, hence the lowest setting.
Gimme a day or two to get some pics on flat pavement.
I am running 3.55 gears with a 5.0 4x4 scab. I think I would swap for 4.10 gears. Working for a parts store and can get most things at cost. Also built relationships with small shops in the area so they give me a break on labor.
#5
If you can go 4.10 then go with a 275 75 18! Gets you to a 34.2" tire which would look great on your truck and you'll maintain economy and acceleration. 275 75 18 is not available from all the tire manufacturer's but pretty sure toyo at2's come in that size...maybe even the "extreme" version.
#6
Only saw the 275/75r18 in mud tires. Just want all terrain. The 275/70r18 still measure about 34" so that would still be good. Those tires and 4.10s would be about the same as a 3.73 with stock tires. This is kinda the reason I chose the 3.55 gear when buying the truck. 3.55 gears for the first 60,000 miles (or when the tires are done) then 4.10 for the rest of the truck's life.
#7
275 70 18 is a 33.2" tire, it looks good on my particular setup. If I was going to set the billy's at 1.5" I'd def want a 34" to maintain the fender gaps front/rear, personal thang.
The Toyo AT2 I was thinking of was in fact at 285 75 18 (34.8") in XTreme, great looking tire with great reviews. I'm sure there are some AT's in 275 75 18....have to dig around.
The Toyo AT2 I was thinking of was in fact at 285 75 18 (34.8") in XTreme, great looking tire with great reviews. I'm sure there are some AT's in 275 75 18....have to dig around.
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#8
Thanks for the I detailed info, Cheef!
Did you get a chance to get a pic or two? I have the Billys now, on the on the factory setting with 2" spacers, and had them on the highest setting w/no spacers and both ways I'm very unhappy with the ride. So I'm thinking about going down in tire size and putting the Billy's on the 1" setting. But can't find any pics... Very interested, thanks!
Did you get a chance to get a pic or two? I have the Billys now, on the on the factory setting with 2" spacers, and had them on the highest setting w/no spacers and both ways I'm very unhappy with the ride. So I'm thinking about going down in tire size and putting the Billy's on the 1" setting. But can't find any pics... Very interested, thanks!
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I am enjoying my ride. It's cold here now and I've noticed the ride a tad choppier but that happens regardless of tires/shocks in this climate. I love the control, buttoned down handling, and appearance these billy's gave me. The BFG's are great too. Had the truck sunk in mud the other day and the tires were excellent.