[mass-hole]

You cannot stick a screwdriver or extension through the bottom of the shock on the 2014+ trucks due to the whack double bolt connection. You might be able to cross it through the bolts though.

But having just installed Bilstein 6112's on my Lexus with new top hats and springs, this is exactly what I did. That was with 700 in-lb springs too, way stiffer than the ones on the F150. once the top hat studs are in the upper mount the shock should turn with a little effort.

 

[butthead]

That's where the farmer tools come in handy. Like an 18 inch crescent wrench. KM

 

[bluelight]

When I did mine, I didn't check the alignment of things closely enough. I had to throw them back in the compressor and give them a squeeze and take a 2nd shot at getting things aligned close enough to work.

 

[FanaticalKilla]

You cannot stick a screwdriver or extension through the bottom of the shock on the 2014+ trucks due to the whack double bolt connection. You might be able to cross it through the bolts though.

But having just installed Bilstein 6112's on my Lexus with new top hats and springs, this is exactly what I did. That was with 700 in-lb springs too, way stiffer than the ones on the F150. once the top hat studs are in the upper mount the shock should turn with a little effort.

I just installed two sets in the past two weeks. Both were built a bit off. The 2013 I used a pry bar. Turned to where it needed to be no problem. The 2017 I stuck in a bolt and went between the shock body gently and the bolt. Turned straight very easily. If your resourceful this is a very moot point.

 

[Boatwaco]

I started to check that I have all components to pre-build my 5100’s. Looks like the spring seat, shown in this diagram as the ring on the stock shock item #1, is not available separately.
Am I correct in my assumption that I need to take original shock off and reuse the spring seat?
If so, I can’t pre-build my 5100’s - unless someone out there has a pair of old shocks with spring seats that they’re willing to sell?

 

[FanaticalKilla]

No, you won’t be able to. You need that piece.

 

[butthead]

YouTube to the rescue, seems you need parts from the OEM unit to build the 5100 unit. KM

 

[GearHead_1]

I started to check that I have all components to pre-build my 5100’s. Looks like the spring seat, shown in this diagram as the ring on the stock shock item #1, is not available separately.
Am I correct in my assumption that I need to take original shock off and reuse the spring seat?
If so, I can’t pre-build my 5100’s - unless someone out there has a pair of old shocks with spring seats that they’re willing to sell?

View attachment 184645

I couldn't have guessed. I wouldn't have thought that the Ford OE shocks come with the seat, I've never seen that to be the case.

 

[Boatwaco]

I’ve watched the @Stage3Motorsports video many times. I just can’t find the lower spring seat / perch sold separately. I’ve got an email out to a trusted Ford Parts guy - I’ll update when I find out the availability.

 

[snydmax]

Hard to imagine you cannot get that seat. They surely get messed up in some way and need replaced. Or you’d at least think the possibility is accounted for

 

[FanaticalKilla]

Hard to imagine you cannot get that seat. They surely get messed up in some way and need replaced. Or you’d at least think the possibility is accounted for

Or do they make you buy a whole strut assembly then? Seen sillier things.

 

[Boatwaco]

My Ford parts guy says those are only available on the struts. We have to knock them off to use with the new struts.
Every time I try to move forward with pre-building my Bilsteins I’m getting stymied. Looks like I need to take mine off first, or find a set of used front struts to get the spring seats off of.

I’ll start a Want To Buy ad for this…
😥

 

[B52U]

My Ford parts guy says those are only available on the struts. We have to knock them off to use with the new struts.
Every time I try to move forward with pre-building my Bilsteins I’m getting stymied. Looks like I need to take mine off first, or find a set of used front struts to get the spring seats off of.

I’ll start a Want To Buy ad for this…
[emoji26]

Bummer man, I was rooting for you! I did the disassembly and reassembly myself and using 4 spring compressors on each spring was still pretty scary. I think I would farm that out to someone with a wall mounted unit next time.

Doesn't shock surplus preassemble these units? I wonder how they source the spring seats.

 

[Boatwaco]

Thanks @B52U !
I may have been pushed back on the ropes, but I’m not down for the count yet!
I’ll figure out how to pre build these, sooner or later!

 

[Stage3Motorsports]

Unfortunately as you have discovered those are not available separately and need to be removed from oem struts. Bilstein does plan on offering these in the future but as of last month had no time frame for when they will be brought to market.

 

[snydmax]

What I did, but was get a local (subaru) shop lined up ahead of time. Took the old assembly and new shocks to them and had them back in a couple hours to install.

 

[Boatwaco]

Unfortunately as you have discovered those are not available separately and need to be removed from oem struts. Bilstein does plan on offering these in the future but as of last month had no time frame for when they will be brought to market.

I know exactly when these will brought to market - the Monday right after I get mine installed!

 

[snakebitten]

Probably.
But it couldn't happen to a guy with a better attitude regarding.

 

[Boatwaco]

What I did, but was get a local (subaru) shop lined up ahead of time. Took the old assembly and new shocks to them and had them back in a couple hours to install.

That was plan A. Plan B was to try and get the new assemblies pre-built and just swap them in.
I’m still pushing to figure out Plan B.

 

[Boatwaco]

Unfortunately- parts 7 and 9 as shown below are not available separately. So unless I find a pair of donor struts, it’s back to Plan A. I did read a similar case where the guy bought a preowned truck with aftermarket strut assemblies; when he wanted to go to Bilstein 5100’s he had to find old struts on FB market place and reuse those spring seats.
Edit - part 7 - bump stops - are available after market.