The 12th-gen F-150 is the one you see everywhere with 200,000 miles on it and no plans to quit: 5.4L, 5.0L, EcoBoost, it doesn't matter. What gives out first is the front end. Tired factory struts let the nose dive and bounce, the truck floats over highway dips, and it sits lower in front than it should. This kit replaces both front struts with Bilstein's 60mm digressive-piston monotube and a matched spring, and lets you take out the factory rake at the same time, from stock height up to 1.75".

This is the Bilstein kit in its own box. You pick the groove for your cab, set the circlips and put the springs on, or hand it to your shop. On a high-mile truck you're keeping, it's the most damper you can buy for the money.

What's in the Box

This is the kit exactly as Bilstein boxes it. Everything below comes as loose parts, ready for you or your shop to put together:

• 2 Bilstein 6112 dampers. A 2.6-inch zinc-plated monotube body with a 60mm digressive piston and a row of numbered circlip grooves that set your ride height.
• 2 Bilstein coil springs matched to the 2009-2013 F-150 4WD.
• 2 billet aluminum spring seats. The seat rides on the circlip and carries the bottom of the spring.
• Circlips. The snap rings that lock the spring seat into the groove you choose.
• Not in the box: upper mounts. The kit reuses your factory upper strut mounts. Inspect them while they're out; if the rubber is cracked or the bearing is rough, replace them now instead of doing the job twice.

Setting Your Height

On this truck the cab decides the column, not the engine. Here's the order we'd do it in:

• Find your column on the chart. SuperCab or SuperCrew. Every engine uses the same numbers.
• Measure your rake. Wheel center to fender lip, front and rear, on flat ground. Pick the groove in your column closest to the difference. Don't use #5 on a SuperCrew.
• Use the same groove on both sides. Bilstein charts this kit with one groove for both dampers. One groove off leaves the truck leaning.
• Use a mounted, shop-grade strut compressor, or let a shop do this step. A coil spring under load stores a lot of energy, and a cheap clamshell compressor from the parts-store loaner shelf is the tool that hurts people. A shop with a wall-mounted compressor puts a 6112 together in minutes. If you don't have one, that's the best money you'll spend on this job.
• Seat the spring, then the factory upper mount, and torque the top nut to spec before you let the compressor off.
• Check the pair side by side before it goes on the truck. Same groove, circlip fully seated in the groove, spring ends sitting in their pockets.

Want it assembled? Our Bilstein 6112 assembled listing for the 2009-2013 F-150 ships this same kit as two finished coilovers at the groove for your cab and height, with new upper mounts. No spring compressor on your end.

Both cabs sit at stock height on #1 and top out at 1.75". The SuperCab gets there at #5 (0.4" steps). The SuperCrew gets there at #4 (0.6" steps); Bilstein doesn't recommend #5 on the SuperCrew.

How to choose: Measure from the center of each wheel to the fender lip, front and rear. Front minus rear is your rake. Want it level on the stock rear leaf springs? Pick the groove for your cab closest to that number. Adding an add-a-leaf? Add that first. Heavy bumper or winch? One groove up. Stuck between two? Call us with your measurements and we'll pick it with you: (213) 433-3616.

Matching the Rear: Bilstein 5100 or 5160?

The 2009-2013 F-150 rear is a solid axle on leaf springs. The leaf pack sets the height; the shock only needs to be the right length. Both Bilstein rears for this truck cover stock height to 2" of rear lift. Pick one in the Rear Shock option above.

Bilstein 5100 (33-187501): the one most trucks need. A 46mm digressive piston in a zinc-plated monotube, 28.9" extended, 17.68" compressed, 11.22" of travel. Matching it to the 6112 keeps a fresh front end from sitting on a rear that still bounces.

Bilstein 5160 (25-311280): for the truck that works. The remote reservoir adds oil, so it stays cool and keeps damping when you tow, load the bed, or run a long washboard road.

Run the 5100 if:

• The rear sits on stock springs or up to 2" of rear lift
• Most miles are pavement and dirt roads, with a trailer now and then
• You want Bilstein damping at both ends for the least money

Run the 5160 if:

• You tow or load the bed regularly
• You drive long washboard or desert roads, where a shock without a reservoir gets hot

When you need something else: Running 4-5" of rear lift? The longer 5100 (33-255057) is on the same rear listing. Anything else, call us and we'll size it: (213) 433-3616.

Shop the Bilstein 5100 Rear Pair for the 2009-2013 F-150 4WD

Shop the Bilstein 5160 Rear Pair for the 2009-2013 F-150 4WD

On the Road

Control first. Compared to worn factory struts, the nose stops diving under braking, settles in one motion after a dip, and leans less on an on-ramp. Small, sharp bumps come through a little more than on a new stock strut. That's the trade for a front end that doesn't float.

Off the Road

The 2.6-inch body holds more oil than the factory strut and sheds heat faster, so damping stays consistent on long washboard roads. The digressive piston holds firm on small, quick hits and opens up on big ones. It won't cure rear axle hop; that's the leaf springs and rear shocks, so match the rear (above).

The Honest Trade-Offs

• You need a spring compressor, or a shop. The kit comes in pieces. Budget for a shop to put it together if you don't own a mounted compressor.
• Only 1.75" of lift. This kit tops out lower than the newer F-150 kits. If you want 2" or more, this isn't the kit.
• Heights are typical. Bilstein's numbers assume a healthy factory suspension. Sagged rear leaves or a heavy bumper can move the result a few tenths. Measure first.
• Changing height later means doing it again. Moving the circlip means pulling the strut and compressing the spring a second time. Measure before you set it.
• Firmer than stock. See "On the Road" above.
• Don't stack a spacer on top. A strut spacer on top of a 6112 pushes the front past what the factory arms and CV axles are built for.

Install Notes

• Fits 2009-2013 Ford F-150 4WD SuperCab and SuperCrew: 4.6L or 5.4L V8 (2009-2010), or 3.7L V6, 5.0L V8, 6.2L V8 or 3.5L EcoBoost (2011-2013). Heights go by cab, not engine.
• Not for the SVT Raptor. It has its own wide-track front suspension.
• Regular Cab owners: call us before ordering. Bilstein charts the SuperCab and SuperCrew only.
• Not for 2WD trucks or the 2014 F-150.
• Have a 2004-2008? See Bilstein 6112 kit 47-310780. A 2015-2020? See Bilstein 6112 kit 47-310995.
• Spring compressor or shop required. Use a mounted, shop-grade compressor. A suspension shop does both sides in minutes.
• Reuse your factory upper strut mounts unless they're worn. The kit doesn't include mounts.
• Removing a strut spacer? Leave it off.
• Get an alignment right after install. Any change in front height changes camber and toe.
• Recheck front height after the springs settle over the first few hundred miles.

Who Should Buy These

2009-2013 F-150 owners keeping a high-mile truck who do their own work, or have a shop they trust, and want the front end under control with a little less rake. Daily drivers, weekend tow rigs, hunting and camping trucks. If you want more than 1.75" or more wheel travel, you need a full lift kit.