The BEST Suspension is HERE: Bilstein 8112 DSA+ for Ford Bronco!

[Bronc69]

Hey all,
I've held off getting suspension till I found exactly what I was looking for.
Now, I have a choice between these, King or Fox.
I liked the details of what went into the Bilstein. I have Bilstein B16 on my 911 and love them.

I was curious about spring rates and overall lift adjustability, so I contacted Bilstein directly.
Here's what I found out:
Spring rates: Front: 400lbs/in, Rear: 288lbs/in
I have a Wildtrak so my Bronco includes the Sasquatch package. I asked about height adjustability:
Front: 0-1.4”, Rear 0.5-1.1”
Aftermarket upper control arms are not necessary.

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[BroncoStorm]

Hey all,
I've held off getting suspension till I found exactly what I was looking for.
Now, I have a choice between these, King or Fox.
I liked the details of what went into the Bilstein. I have Bilstein B16 on my 911 and love them.

I was curious about spring rates and overall lift adjustability, so I contacted Bilstein directly.
Here's what I found out:
Spring rates: Front: 400lbs/in, Rear: 288lbs/in
I have a Wildtrak so my Bronco includes the Sasquatch package. I asked about height adjustability:
Front: 0-1.4”, Rear 0.5-1.1”
Aftermarket upper control arms are not necessary.

Awesome! Thanks for reaching out and getting these details. Do you mind if I update these on the OG post?

Also, be on the lookout for a comprehensive suspension SHOOTOUT between these and the top brands. Controlled environment, same tire size & pressure, same speed, same obstacles. Lets see what kit is the most dialed and improves the chassis characteristics. Will do street, rough stuff, whoops, and slow-speed flex rock crawl. What else do ya'll want to see?

 

[Bronc69]

Awesome! Thanks for reaching out and getting these details. Do you mind if I update these on the OG post?

Also, be on the lookout for a comprehensive suspension SHOOUTOUT between these and the top brands. Controlled environment, same tire size & pressure, same speed, same obstacles. Lets see what kit is the most dialed and improves the chassis characteristics. Will do street, rough stuff, whoops, and slow-speed flex rock crawl. WHat else do ya'll want to see?

Yes, please use this information.
Definitely looking forward to the shootout!

I'm going to do one of these for sure. Along with the Next Venture Skids once they release the 7000 series for the Bronco. I'll probably add the APG upper control arms, 74 Weld steering rack and the ICON lower and upper trailing arms. That should about do it for me.

I spent about $4k on my 911 suspension (it didn't need too much TBH).
In the past, I had a GTI and spent about $8K on the suspension alone. I had JRZ RS1 coil overs, plus sway bars and chassis bracing. The car handled incredibly well. The guy who bought the car from me said it was the best setup car he's ever driven. It took me a few iterations to get there, so I don't mess around with something that is a "cheaper" alternative. I just require too much from my vehicles to cut corners.
I have my racing license and teach younger kids defensive driving technics. Driving something stock is a bit boring to me.

 

[SROC3]

Yes, please use this information.
Definitely looking forward to the shootout!

I'm going to do one of these for sure. Along with the Next Venture Skids once they release the 7000 series for the Bronco. I'll probably add the APG upper control arms, 74 Weld steering rack and the ICON lower and upper trailing arms. That should about do it for me.

I spent about $4k on my 911 suspension (it didn't need too much TBH).
In the past, I had a GTI and spent about $8K on the suspension alone. I had JRZ RS1 coil overs, plus sway bars and chassis bracing. The car handled incredibly well. The guy who bought the car from me said it was the best setup car he's ever driven. It took me a few iterations to get there, so I don't mess around with something that is a "cheaper" alternative. I just require too much from my vehicles to cut corners.
I have my racing license and teach younger kids defensive driving technics. Driving something stock is a bit boring to me.

I'd look into the Rock Jock Trailing arms - so smooth and gotta love those Johnny Joints 74 WELD rack is a great idea too

 

[BroncoStorm]

For those eager to dive deeper into the details of these game-changing Bronco shocks, here’s the full press release. These are the ONLY shocks on the market featuring Position Sensitive Damping (PSD) — a system that offers unmatched performance across all driving conditions eliminating the need to revalve. Here’s how it works:

1. Smooth & Plush Ride for Daily Driving: The main ride zone is tuned to be soft and comfortable, perfect for your everyday driving.
2. Enhanced Control During Big Impacts: As you push further into the shock's travel, the valving progressively firms up, providing better control and stability when you hit those larger, more aggressive obstacles.
3. Jounce Cut Off (JCO): When you take on jumps or rough landings, the JCO feature kicks in, preventing bottoming out and eliminating the need for external bump stops.
4. Rebound Cut Off (RCO): At the bottom of the shock, RCO technology ensures you don’t top out, removing the need for limit straps and improving overall durability.

These shocks are designed to take your Bronco’s performance to the next level, whether smashing through the desert or rock crawling or cruising on the highway. Want to learn more? Peep the press release above.

I'm hitting Johnson Valley at the end of the month to get some rolling footage and provide a full overview since I installed these.

 

[crenca]

Here is a blind test of 8112 (for Tacoma) against two usual suspects and Dirt King's in house brand. To summerize, 8112 was clearly the best and prompted Dirt King to revise/rebuild their's and come back with a second test...which of course Dirt King won, not that I really believe them

For my application and preferences (e.g. stock or very near stock SAS height, mix of road vs. off-road performance, etc.) I suspect the 8112 are the closet thing to ideal (again, for me). If only they were not $1500 a corner I would upgrade my 5000 mile stock yellow bilsteins now...

 

[elbroncodor]

For those eager to dive deeper into the details of these game-changing Bronco shocks, here’s the full press release. These are the ONLY shocks on the market featuring Position Sensitive Damping (PSD) — a system that offers unmatched performance across all driving conditions eliminating the need to revalve. Here’s how it works:

1. Smooth & Plush Ride for Daily Driving: The main ride zone is tuned to be soft and comfortable, perfect for your everyday driving.
2. Enhanced Control During Big Impacts: As you push further into the shock's travel, the valving progressively firms up, providing better control and stability when you hit those larger, more aggressive obstacles.
3. Jounce Cut Off (JCO): When you take on jumps or rough landings, the JCO feature kicks in, preventing bottoming out and eliminating the need for external bump stops.
4. Rebound Cut Off (RCO): At the bottom of the shock, RCO technology ensures you don’t top out, removing the need for limit straps and improving overall durability.

These shocks are designed to take your Bronco’s performance to the next level, whether smashing through the desert or rock crawling or cruising on the highway. Want to learn more? Peep the press release above.

I'm hitting Johnson Valley at the end of the month to get some rolling footage and provide a full overview since I installed these.

Do you work for Bilstein?

I've got about 500 miles on these now and they're everything promised except for the "plush ride for daily driving." They do not handle small bumps and chatter well, even at their softest setting. Big bumps and offroad, sure. When I contacted bilstein about it their only response was "it's a truck" which is very insulting considering that i've owned many built trucks. This is really a performance shock, so for it to ride like this and for them to keep advertising as "plush" is disingenuous.

Also the rears provide 1.1" more lift than the fronts at 0" thread exposed, which is strange. Meaning you'll have to crank the fronts up and compress the springs in order to not create more rake.

 

[crenca]

Do you work for Bilstein?

I've got about 500 miles on these now and they're everything promised except for the "plush ride for daily driving." They do not handle small bumps and chatter well, even at their softest setting. Big bumps and offroad, sure. When I contacted bilstein about it their only response was "it's a truck" which is very insulting considering that i've owned many built trucks. This is really a performance shock, so for it to ride like this and for them to keep advertising as "plush" is disingenuous.

Also the rears provide 1.1" more lift than the fronts at 0" thread exposed, which is strange. Meaning you'll have to crank the fronts up and compress the springs in order to not create more rake.

Say more about your bronco if you would. Do you have a winch or any other mods (aftermarket steel skids for example) on the front? Anything on the rear? What other suspension mods did you do, or is everything besides the 8112's stock SAS?

Also, what did you have on just before 8112:s, another aftermarket shock or OEM yellow bilsteins?

 

[elbroncodor]

Say more about your bronco if you would. Do you have a winch or any other mods (aftermarket steel skids for example) on the front? Anything on the rear? What other suspension mods did you do, or is everything besides the 8112's stock SAS?

Also, what did you have on just before 8112:s, another aftermarket shock or OEM yellow bilsteins?

Badlands non-sas. No mods other than the 8112s and new tires. Stock badlands wheels with toyo at3 35x11.5 c-rated (61 lbs each vs stock 51 lbs each)

 

[crenca]

Badlands non-sas. No mods other than the 8112s and new tires. Stock badlands wheels with toyo at3 35x11.5 c-rated (61 lbs each vs stock 51 lbs each)

Very interesting, so these 8112's pick up more small bumps/chatter than even the stock yellow bilsteins (on softist setting)....I assume that means they are even more roll/brake dive resistant as well?

Did Bilstein think the rear would settle a bit for you after more miles?

 

[elbroncodor]

Very interesting, so these 8112's pick up more small bumps/chatter than even the yellow bilsteins stock (on softist setting)....I assume that means they are even more roll/brake dive resistant as well?

Did Bilstein think the rear would settle a bit for you after more miles?

Yes they pick up more small stuff than the yellow bilsteins (hoss 2.0). The 8112s definitely improve handling. No dip / dives at stock settings (6/19 clicks small, 3/9 large). Strangely, there is body roll and a little bit of slop at 1/19 and 1/9, but you still feel the small stuff and chatter.

Found this review on a 4runner after I installed, which seems to mirror my experience: https://trail4runner.com/2022/01/17/bilstein-b8-8112-8100-lift-kit-review-5th-gen-4runner/

No the tables in their documentation are clear there is a height difference between the front and rear.

 

[SierraBronco]

Do you work for Bilstein?

I've got about 500 miles on these now and they're everything promised except for the "plush ride for daily driving." They do not handle small bumps and chatter well, even at their softest setting. Big bumps and offroad, sure. When I contacted bilstein about it their only response was "it's a truck" which is very insulting considering that i've owned many built trucks. This is really a performance shock, so for it to ride like this and for them to keep advertising as "plush" is disingenuous.

Also the rears provide 1.1" more lift than the fronts at 0" thread exposed, which is strange. Meaning you'll have to crank the fronts up and compress the springs in order to not create more rake.

You might be noticing the lack of damping provided by the rubber bushings of the OEM coils. We’re setting our bronco up for strength with the components we chose, and almost all the rubber is gone up front with the exception of the factory LCA. Everything is heim or uniball, but despite that we didn’t notice the small bumps and road noise as much until swapping out the OEM Bilstein for the Rock Krawler coilovers, which have no rubber in their bushings. They’re plenty plush and glide over bigger bumps, but you definitely notice all the small stuff more.

Dropping the tire pressure helped. We only need 25 psi with our tires to support the weight of our bronco.

 

[BroncoStorm]

Do you work for Bilstein?

I've got about 500 miles on these now and they're everything promised except for the "plush ride for daily driving." They do not handle small bumps and chatter well, even at their softest setting. Big bumps and offroad, sure. When I contacted bilstein about it their only response was "it's a truck" which is very insulting considering that i've owned many built trucks. This is really a performance shock, so for it to ride like this and for them to keep advertising as "plush" is disingenuous.

Also the rears provide 1.1" more lift than the fronts at 0" thread exposed, which is strange. Meaning you'll have to crank the fronts up and compress the springs in order to not create more rake.

To answer your question, no I do not work for Bilstein. What @SierraBronco states about the lack of rubber bushing is 100% correct. The 8112 is a Performance Race shock that will give you significantly more control on/off road hence the lack of rubber bushing it bolts direct to the A-Arm and upper hat. I played with my tire pressure and went to 33 PSI and that "small bump" compliance you're experiencing will improve significantly. That said, running at 36 PSI I noticed still IMO a very compliant ride. It all depends what you're comparing to, if you come from a Mercedes to a Bronco definitions of "plush" are different vs going from say a Jeep to Bronco or something body on frame.

Try opening valves fully open adjusting the JCO to the softest setting and lowering tire pressure.

 

[BroncoStorm]

Very interesting, so these 8112's pick up more small bumps/chatter than even the stock yellow bilsteins (on softist setting)....I assume that means they are even more roll/brake dive resistant as well?

Did Bilstein think the rear would settle a bit for you after more miles?

Mine sits completely level and The measurement I'm taking is from the rock rail front and back to the ground. I'll get pics later today. The body roll and brake dive are substantially less than the factory Bilsteins. It honestly handles pretty damn good around turns compared to stock and I'm running the click settings for high and low on what Bilstein recommends.

 

[RagnarKon]

Soon. Very soon.

Admittedly I'm being kind of a pansy... it's cold and wrenching with cold hands ain't all that fun.

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