Correcting ride height and quality after installing the Ford Performance winch kit

[BayouBadlands]

I have a 2023 Badlands with the Sasquatch package. It’s a four-door and came with the modular bumper.

My goal is to add the Ford Performance winch kit, Bilstein 6100 shocks (using the factory SAS springs), and new wheels. I have the 6100s and wheels in my garage, and I installed the winch this morning. I like the way the Bronco rides and looks in its stock form, and I want to preserve or slightly improve on that. I'm aiming for near-factory ride height with 35s, with a slight lift and mostly level stance, while maintaining at least the same articulation that the SAS Bronco has stock.

However, the winch installation has me reconsidering my approach. It’s had a surprising effect on both the ride height and driving feel, adding at least half an inch of rake, and I can definitely feel the added weight on the front end. I want the benefits of a winch, but my priority is on-road performance. I spend much more time on pavement than on dirt.

The question: Will the Bilstein 6100s with the SAS springs restore the factory ride height and quality, or do I need stiffer springs to accommodate the added weight from the winch?

Here’s a side shot showing the current amount of rake with the winch installed:

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[Area51BS]

I do believe there are different springs on the Everglades do to the winch. 6100s are adjustable, so I’m sure it can be dialed in.

 

[GrumpyVet]

I too am going down this journey but with a non sas badlands 4door. I’ve added air compressor, winch, snorkel, Gobi rack with skycamp 3.0 rtt and Perigine compact 180 awning, Jerry can mount, and propane mount. Then once I fill in my camping gear I start to sit pretty low. I plan to correct this with 6100’s that arrive today but I’m still looking into spring options. From what I gather my rear non sas springs are identical to the sas ones but I’m finding variations with the front springs. Due to the Everglades only coming in 2.3, I don’t think their springs are a good fit on my 2.7. I’m actually considering ordering a set of the first edition springs I think those will provide .04” lift over my stocks and they also account for the weight of the winch. One I get the springs dialed in I’ll be beefing up the steering rack and installing my icon tie rods that have been collecting garage dust the last 2 years and then maybe the 35 x11.5r17 ko3s I’m looking at might actually be on the market.

 

[F-Spot]

I too am going down this journey but with a non sas badlands 4door. I’ve added air compressor, winch, snorkel, Gobi rack with skycamp 3.0 rtt and Perigine compact 180 awning, Jerry can mount, and propane mount. Then once I fill in my camping gear I start to sit pretty low. I plan to correct this with 6100’s that arrive today but I’m still looking into spring options. From what I gather my rear non sas springs are identical to the sas ones but I’m finding variations with the front springs. Due to the Everglades only coming in 2.3, I don’t think their springs are a good fit on my 2.7. I’m actually considering ordering a set of the first edition springs I think those will provide .04” lift over my stocks and they also account for the weight of the winch. One I get the springs dialed in I’ll be beefing up the steering rack and installing my icon tie rods that have been collecting garage dust the last 2 years and then maybe the 35 x11.5r17 ko3s I’m looking at might actually be on the market.

Even though the FE is a Badlands with some gloss black trim pieces, my perception is the FE seems slightly lower in ride height than sasquatch Badlands and Wildtracks. It could just be my eyes tricking me, but my FE definitely seems slightly lower in height than stock SAS Badlands and Wiltracks, I come across.

 

[kevin.gt]

Even though the FE is a Badlands with some gloss black trim pieces, my perception is the FE seems slightly lower in ride height than sasquatch Badlands and Wildtracks. It could just be my eyes tricking me, but my FE definitely seems slightly lower in height than stock SAS Badlands and Wiltracks, I come across.

There are some threads that talk about the different sas springs. Pretty sure the 2.7 4D is as stiff as they get. Watching this thread because I’m also undecided on a solution. There are posts from people with heavy bumper and winch liking the 6100. Alternatively, OME and Eibach have springs for heavier loads, but I believe they both require their shocks? Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[BayouBadlands]

Thanks everyone. I am going to have the 6100 series shocks installed with the factory SAS springs next week to see what sort of improvements that makes. I’ll report back with an update once I put a few miles on the set up.

 

[Shrek27]

Watching this one. I have perch collars on right now and kept some rake for when loaded up with gear, but am also adding a winch.

Hopefully your shop can nail the ride height first try as I believe you have to disassemble the coilovers to adjust the snap rings on 6100's, which is essentially another install every time. Will be interested to hear what ring you end up on.

 

[Hemisfear]

I really didn't notice much change in ride height when I added mine...

 

[GNFITR]

I have a 2023 Badlands with the Sasquatch package. It’s a four-door and came with the modular bumper.

My goal is to add the Ford Performance winch kit, Bilstein 6100 shocks (using the factory SAS springs), and new wheels. I have the 6100s and wheels in my garage, and I installed the winch this morning. I like the way the Bronco rides and looks in its stock form, and I want to preserve or slightly improve on that. I'm aiming for near-factory ride height with 35s, with a slight lift and mostly level stance, while maintaining at least the same articulation that the SAS Bronco has stock.

However, the winch installation has me reconsidering my approach. It’s had a surprising effect on both the ride height and driving feel, adding at least half an inch of rake, and I can definitely feel the added weight on the front end. I want the benefits of a winch, but my priority is on-road performance. I spend much more time on pavement than on dirt.

The question: Will the Bilstein 6100s with the SAS springs restore the factory ride height and quality, or do I need stiffer springs to accommodate the added weight from the winch?

Here’s a side shot showing the current amount of rake with the winch installed:

From your photos it looks like you have more than .5" of rake. As somebody else mentioned the 6100's have six circlip settings so you would be able to adjust it, but that will require removing and compressing the spring to adjust the height to get what you want by trial and error. Would be a PITA especially of you have to do it more than once.

My set up is a little different, I had a non-SAS BL and went with the 6112 kit with Bilstein springs instead of 6100s with the factory BL springs. I wanted to get as much lift as possible (after spending a lot of money) so I went with the top circlip setting. After adding the Summit bumper and Warn winch, I had over 1.5" of rake. My options were to lower the circlips on the rear to decrease the rake or to raise the front. I ended up going with the Ready Lift 1.25" leveling kit which left me at about .5" of rake which is pretty close to factory.

Also just a comment to your question " Will the Bilstein 6100s with the SAS springs restore the factory ride height and quality, or do I need stiffer springs to accommodate the added weight from the winch?" IMO The answer is no, the quality of your ride will not improve-it will be different. I think a lot of others will agree your ride will be stiffer and it will feel a lot different than the Bilstein ESCV so I would not say it will improve the quality. For me it was give and take with what I wanted to do, to add some lift and to improve off road capability so I gave up a little comfort on the highway to do that.

 

[projectbadlands]

When I added a Superwinch up front, it dropped the front end by a good inch, maybe more. The rake was ridiculously obvious. I swapped out the OE sasquatch shocks for Kings 2.5 and it leveled everything right up

 

[BayouBadlands]

Also just a comment to your question " Will the Bilstein 6100s with the SAS springs restore the factory ride height and quality, or do I need stiffer springs to accommodate the added weight from the winch?" IMO The answer is no, the quality of your ride will not improve-it will be different. I think a lot of others will agree your ride will be stiffer and it will feel a lot different than the Bilstein ESCV so I would not say it will improve the quality. For me it was give and take with what I wanted to do, to add some lift and to improve off road capability so I gave up a little comfort on the highway to do that.

Thanks for the insight. I'm wondering how much going to the highest circlip setting impacts your ride quality.

I don't mind a bit of a firmer ride, but I don't want it to be harsh. I've put a few more miles on the truck since installing the winch and the weight isn't quite as noticeable as I thought it was. I can definitely feel it, especially when braking, but I think a lot of what I am noticing is the lower ride height/ increased rake.

 

[GNFITR]

Thanks for the insight. I'm wondering how much going to the highest circlip setting impacts your ride quality.

I don't mind a bit of a firmer ride, but I don't want it to be harsh. I've put a few more miles on the truck since installing the winch and the weight isn't quite as noticeable as I thought it was. I can definitely feel it, especially when braking, but I think a lot of what I am noticing is the lower ride height/ increased rake.

I am not sure if it would make much difference and the only way to really know would be to install at different settings and try it which is not a great option.

Something to consider, you are going to have to make a choice (guess) on where you want to initially set the circlips to get the rake you are looking for. Based on your photo, the fronts will most likely have to be 2-3 slots higher than the rear to be more level. For example you may need to be on #4 in front with the rear on #1. So is there really a big difference between #4 and #6 in the front? Probably not that much difference in ride quality.

When I kicked that around, I finally came to the decision that I was going to put both front and rear on the top (#6 slot) and planned to lower the rear which is a lot easier (cheaper if you are paying someone) to make adjustments. If I had done that I would have been at #6 in the front and had to drop down to probably #2 in the rear to get ~.5" rake which is what I have now. I do have a little more weight than you because I added a winch and a ARB Summit bumper, that is why I think you will probably need a 2-3 slot difference between front and rear.

 

[HighVelocity]

Another option:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/sumosprings-front-coil-spacers.73251/

 

[BayouBadlands]

I am not sure if it would make much difference and the only way to really know would be to install at different settings and try it which is not a great option.

Something to consider, you are going to have to make a choice (guess) on where you want to initially set the circlips to get the rake you are looking for. Based on your photo, the fronts will most likely have to be 2-3 slots higher than the rear to be more level. For example you may need to be on #4 in front with the rear on #1. So is there really a big difference between #4 and #6 in the front? Probably not that much difference in ride quality.

When I kicked that around, I finally came to the decision that I was going to put both front and rear on the top (#6 slot) and planned to lower the rear which is a lot easier (cheaper if you are paying someone) to make adjustments. If I had done that I would have been at #6 in the front and had to drop down to probably #2 in the rear to get ~.5" rake which is what I have now. I do have a little more weight than you because I added a winch and a ARB Summit bumper, that is why I think you will probably need a 2-3 slot difference between front and rear.

Thanks for the help with this.

I bought the 6100 shocks at a great price from Panda Motorworks after considering the assembled 6112s. I don’t have access to a spring compressor I trust for these springs, so I am going to pay for the install at the same time I have new wheels swapped in.

I think you’re right - to get this right is probably going to take a couple of attempts and we are likely to end on a higher circlip setting than I was hoping for. I am not looking for much lift over factory, but that still means the fronts needs to come up a lot. I don’t want to lower the rear if I can avoid that.

 

[BayouBadlands]

Here's the follow up on this thread after a few days and miles on the new shocks.

I had the Bilstein 6100 shocks installed on the factory Badlands Sasquatch springs.

The 6100 series shocks have height adjustability through six circlip slots. I installed the front shocks at location 5 (second from top) and the rears at location two (second from bottom).

Stance: Not sure yet. I wanted an almost level look with the roof on, and level with a full cargo area and a full tank of gas. It is close.

Unloaded, though, there's a bit of rake. In the future, I think I will adjust the front shock to the top circlip location. That requires removing the springs, which is significant amount of work.

If I had to do this again, I would follow GNFITR's advice and go with setting 6 in front and 2 in back. (By the way, @GNFITR , thanks for the advice. Everything you said was spot on.)

One of the reasons I went with location five was to preserve ride quality as much as possible. I was concerned that maxing out the pretension on the springs would stiffen the ride too much.

The ride is fantastic.

I like a firm ride, and the Bronco feels much more responsive. There's much less body roll and break dive. It definitely communicates road imperfections but its not harsh. It is very settled over bumps and it immediately recovers after a big hit, like a speed bump. At speed, over rough roads, it is signifcantly better than the OEM shocks. This is a handy feature in a city like New Orleans, which has unbelievably bad streets. I haven't taken it offroad yet, but I'll get a few chances to do so in November and December.

If you like a softer ride, then I would steer you towards Fox Shocks, or another brand.

My motivation for doing this now was the winch install, as I hated how it made the Bronco look (with the huge forward rake) and feel (with the added brake diving and worse cornering feel). It added a ton of weight, and I was aware of the winch whenever I drove the car. The 6100s have corrected those issues, which was my goal. The Bronco looks and drives better than it did before the winch was mounted.

I do 95% of my miles on the road. The combination of the Bilstein 6100s and the Ford Performance Tune is a game changer for the Bronco. It makes for a much, much better driving experience. Worth every cent of the upgrade costs: $865 for the shocks, $900 for install and alignment, $650 for the FP tune.

After pics (roof off, no cargo):

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