F150 Bilstein 5100's, 35's and window tint!
#1
F150 Bilstein 5100's, 35's and window tint!
Okay so I'm reasonably satisfied with the F150 for now. Hah!
So I just added Bilstein 5100's (fronts are set to 2" over stock), 35x12.50R18 BF Goodrich KM2's, and 15% tint all around, including over factory tint.
I love it! It sits about 3.5" higher than stock, it rides GREAT (thanks Jason for steering my towards the 5100's!), and the tires fit PERFECT. I was told by most people that 35's would rub the lower control arm at full lock, but they fit just perfect and don't rub anything in either direction, from lock to lock. I only have about 75 miles on the tires so far, but hit plenty of driveways and bumps and anything else and nothing rubs yet. They are fairly quiet (for an M/T). Power loss is less than I expected, in fact hardly noticeable so far other than a downshift on a long hill where it used to hold O/D, no biggie.
Here are the pictures. I'll add more later when the weather is better, and hopefully I can find somewhere close to get it dirty.
Sorry for the odd coloring in the pictures, it was a dark overcast and rainy day today.
Here it is after I bought it.
After the Bilsteins, steps removed.
And now.
So I just added Bilstein 5100's (fronts are set to 2" over stock), 35x12.50R18 BF Goodrich KM2's, and 15% tint all around, including over factory tint.
I love it! It sits about 3.5" higher than stock, it rides GREAT (thanks Jason for steering my towards the 5100's!), and the tires fit PERFECT. I was told by most people that 35's would rub the lower control arm at full lock, but they fit just perfect and don't rub anything in either direction, from lock to lock. I only have about 75 miles on the tires so far, but hit plenty of driveways and bumps and anything else and nothing rubs yet. They are fairly quiet (for an M/T). Power loss is less than I expected, in fact hardly noticeable so far other than a downshift on a long hill where it used to hold O/D, no biggie.
Here are the pictures. I'll add more later when the weather is better, and hopefully I can find somewhere close to get it dirty.
Sorry for the odd coloring in the pictures, it was a dark overcast and rainy day today.
Here it is after I bought it.
After the Bilsteins, steps removed.
And now.
#8
You have to 3-wheel the Jetta at an angle to get it off the street and started up the driveway.
When there is any trace of ice/snow, I spin all 4 trying to get up the driveway, and eventually park on the street...
#9
#15
#16
Yeah the fenders really eat up the 35's and make them look small.
If I were going to go with aftermarket wheels, I would have gone with 17's to get cheaper tires. If you look up the price of these, you'll understand. lol. I tossed around the idea of a 17x8 with 5" backspacing (stock is 18x7.5 with 5.5" BS), and 35x12.50R17's. But it still came out being more expensive, and the wider wheels would cause rubbing on the fenders. I don't mind trimming a little but I don't know how much I would have had to. With the stock wheels these fit perfect and leave just enough clearance between the bumper, fenders, and control arms so nothing touches on either side.
Yeah Shane, the Jetta is getting plates in the next week or two. Moving cars here, you have to pay 6% sales tax to register them. That's half the reason I sold the trac, couldn't bear spending $1200 to register something I already own. I'll be forking over $600 for the Jetta.
If I were going to go with aftermarket wheels, I would have gone with 17's to get cheaper tires. If you look up the price of these, you'll understand. lol. I tossed around the idea of a 17x8 with 5" backspacing (stock is 18x7.5 with 5.5" BS), and 35x12.50R17's. But it still came out being more expensive, and the wider wheels would cause rubbing on the fenders. I don't mind trimming a little but I don't know how much I would have had to. With the stock wheels these fit perfect and leave just enough clearance between the bumper, fenders, and control arms so nothing touches on either side.
Yeah Shane, the Jetta is getting plates in the next week or two. Moving cars here, you have to pay 6% sales tax to register them. That's half the reason I sold the trac, couldn't bear spending $1200 to register something I already own. I'll be forking over $600 for the Jetta.
#18
Yeah Shane, the Jetta is getting plates in the next week or two. Moving cars here, you have to pay 6% sales tax to register them. That's half the reason I sold the trac, couldn't bear spending $1200 to register something I already own. I'll be forking over $600 for the Jetta.
what? 6% of vehicle worth or something? $1200 to re-register a vehicle? WTF>??!!?!!!?!?!? Shoot....Washington to Oregon, the transfer is like $55 and another $55 i think.
#19
Indiana you have to pay the taxes on a vehicle as well when you bring it into the state. its silly.
Brian you suck! LOL That is what I wish my 150 looked like, maybe in time. I really like it. You say that is 15%? Matches the back well?
I picked up a free tool box for mine, not sure if I will like it. I am not a big BFG fan though! LOL
its pretty well level then? I want to level it then install Helper bags in the rear.
Brian you suck! LOL That is what I wish my 150 looked like, maybe in time. I really like it. You say that is 15%? Matches the back well?
I picked up a free tool box for mine, not sure if I will like it. I am not a big BFG fan though! LOL
its pretty well level then? I want to level it then install Helper bags in the rear.
#21
Shane, it's 6% of the sale price, or 6% of Nada trade-in or something like that. Added a lot to my estimated moving cost...
Zach, the tint is 15%, but it is also 15% over the rear factory tint so the back is still darker than the front. Anything from 15-20% will be a good match to the rear windows though if you want them all the same, people claim the factory is something like 18%. I went with additional tint over the back because I don't like people to see in the back seat. It's dark enough back there now (especially with black interior) that you don't really notice anything in there.
FWIW, I actually wanted to go a little lighter in the front this time (like around 20%). But the installed convinced me not to. He said if the front was much lighter the contrast between the two windows would make the rear windows seem black at night, and light coming in the front would reflect on the back windows.
The front actually still sits a little lower on mine, maybe 3/4" to 1" if you measure the body lines. The wheel wells are fairly close, though I haven't measured. I still think the Bilsteins and airbags in the rear would work perfect for you. Plus 35's on 20's look sweet if you go that route.
Good score on the free tool box. I'm not sure what I'll do for extra storage yet. I might consider a used cap IF I found the right one and IF I found the right deal. Some of the caps look like garbage and don't match the flow of the truck well. I also really like the Bakflip bed cover, but they are spendy. If I get a toolbox it would be a low-pro (ideally black) box. Unless it was free then I may be more flexible, lol.
Zach, the tint is 15%, but it is also 15% over the rear factory tint so the back is still darker than the front. Anything from 15-20% will be a good match to the rear windows though if you want them all the same, people claim the factory is something like 18%. I went with additional tint over the back because I don't like people to see in the back seat. It's dark enough back there now (especially with black interior) that you don't really notice anything in there.
FWIW, I actually wanted to go a little lighter in the front this time (like around 20%). But the installed convinced me not to. He said if the front was much lighter the contrast between the two windows would make the rear windows seem black at night, and light coming in the front would reflect on the back windows.
The front actually still sits a little lower on mine, maybe 3/4" to 1" if you measure the body lines. The wheel wells are fairly close, though I haven't measured. I still think the Bilsteins and airbags in the rear would work perfect for you. Plus 35's on 20's look sweet if you go that route.
Good score on the free tool box. I'm not sure what I'll do for extra storage yet. I might consider a used cap IF I found the right one and IF I found the right deal. Some of the caps look like garbage and don't match the flow of the truck well. I also really like the Bakflip bed cover, but they are spendy. If I get a toolbox it would be a low-pro (ideally black) box. Unless it was free then I may be more flexible, lol.
#24
I haven't driven the TDI's much. I HATE turbo lag though with such a weak motor. I hear that if they're tuned right they will SCREAM though.
Our Jetta has the VR6, six speed, magnaflow, eibach lowering springs and swaybars. Pretty much it as far as performance. If I drove it instead of my wife it would have a short shift linkage, more stout engine/transmission mounts, intake, tuner, etc etc... But it's more than enough for her and I still think she sucks at driving stick anyway. I mean she gets around just fine but her shifts are rough and she slips the clutch a lot sometimes. Whatever...
Our Jetta has the VR6, six speed, magnaflow, eibach lowering springs and swaybars. Pretty much it as far as performance. If I drove it instead of my wife it would have a short shift linkage, more stout engine/transmission mounts, intake, tuner, etc etc... But it's more than enough for her and I still think she sucks at driving stick anyway. I mean she gets around just fine but her shifts are rough and she slips the clutch a lot sometimes. Whatever...
#25
I can't help it, I feel like an old guy when I drive around a stock vehicle, and I'm only 23.
It's a horrible picture, but YES, it does fit in the garage! 4-6" to spare front to back, and atleast a couple inches to spare on top.
My stupid steep driveway helps getting in the door too I think as the tires drop down before the cab gets to the door. Haven't measured, but I think it would fit anyway. Barely.
It's a horrible picture, but YES, it does fit in the garage! 4-6" to spare front to back, and atleast a couple inches to spare on top.
My stupid steep driveway helps getting in the door too I think as the tires drop down before the cab gets to the door. Haven't measured, but I think it would fit anyway. Barely.