I also installed Bilsteins (65k miles). The stock Ford shocks had zero damping - nada. Just floppy sticks.
How long are the "reengineered" control arms? Which set of holes did they run them to and what is the sway bar / end link angle?
Stock end links are 10". You would need 11.5" for the same sway bar position to the "firm" holes (but the angle isn't right). If you run the stock links to the "firm" holes the angle is approaching 180d plus the sway bar contacts the leaf spring when wheel travel is extended. Sure, that's pretty unlikely . . . .
You can buy a set of Hellwig 11"-14" adjustable end links for $95 but eventually you'll end up with a fixed length never to adjust again. I'm wondering what a pair of fixed length (what is optimum length?) end links would cost and what does the parts guy look for? For me I'd pay $50 but not $100. I already drive with one hand (most of the time).
There's 129 pages on this topic in another forum. I got to page 5 . . . .
Letting 15% of the air out of the tires would have me concerned about running on overloaded tires. Do you know the tire load rating at 80 psi?
Best,
- bob
