My take on replacing 2024 Badlands stock Bilsteins with Eibach Pro 2.0 coilovers.

[gbub]

I see no major change in ride. One thing I noticed is the front and rear are more balanced now. On my way home from work there is an area that has four speed bumps. I usually hit them around 18 mph. With the Bilsteins, the front was smooth over them but the rear had a bit a jolt to it. With the Eibachs, the front is about the same but the rear is much less harsh compared to the Bilsteins. Otherwise, the ride is about the same.

Another thing I have noticed with the Eibachs is sometimes when I come to a complete stop I get a little jiggle from the suspension. It does not happens all the time and lasts less than a half second. It probably relates to how smoothly I stop. It is not an issue for me and most people would probably not even notice it. Having dialed in suspension on my race car for 32 years, I am very sensitive to any kind of feedback.

The main reason I selected the Eibachs was the ability to adjust ride height. That works very well. I ended up with a lift of 1.5". Eibach was right on giving me the adjustment from their factory setting to get the 1.5" lift on the front. However, they were off 1" on the rear. Not a problem, readjusting was fairly easy.

I have not taken it off-road yet but I expect it too be very satisfactory. I got a pair of Seal Savers to help keep dirt and debris from contaminating the rear shock rods. Hopefully, that will give the shocks longer life.

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[userdude]

I'm starting to feel a lot of squishiness in my stock Bilsteins and am probably 5k out from replacing (I would guess, 41k now).

Do you have a 2dr, Sas/Non-Sas? Stock or HD springs w/winch etc? Do you mind disclosing a ballpark for purchase and install?

I'm personally looking for the lowest lift (hopefully an 1-1.5") I can get with an option to adjust without completely taking the suspension apart. I like the ProComp but I think they're too tall on the lowest setting, the 6100s but I think they have to be disassembled (Johnny Five say No disassemble!). I feel like if I'm going to spend, maybe get the stock Fox kit but not sure they're for the 2dr (I just haven't checked).

Sorry, don't mean to throw a bunch of questions at you but I figure when in the Roman Forum, er, the forum (not in Rome).

Edit: There is a 2dr Fox kit for $3k. I guess since they're "drop in" getting them installed would run $500-1000k? I guess that's really no lift, so I'd be giving up a lift if I did that.

 

[timhood]

I'm starting to feel a lot of squishiness in my stock Bilsteins and am probably 5k out from replacing (I would guess, 41k now).

Do you have a 2dr, Sas/Non-Sas? Stock or HD springs w/winch etc? Do you mind disclosing a ballpark for purchase and install?

I'm personally looking for the lowest lift (hopefully an 1-1.5") I can get with an option to adjust without completely taking the suspension apart. I like the ProComp but I think they're too tall on the lowest setting, the 6100s but I think they have to be disassembled (Johnny Five say No disassemble!). I feel like if I'm going to spend, maybe get the stock Fox kit but not sure they're for the 2dr (I just haven't checked).

Sorry, don't mean to throw a bunch of questions at you but I figure when in the Roman Forum, er, the forum (not in Rome).

Edit: There is a 2dr Fox kit for $3k. I guess since they're "drop in" getting them installed would run $500-1000k? I guess that's really no lift, so I'd be giving up a lift if I did that.

If you're talking about the Ford performance kit, they have been discounted when the sale happens.

 

[Tenski]

I see no major change in ride. One thing I noticed is the front and rear are more balanced now. On my way home from work there is an area that has four speed bumps. I usually hit them around 18 mph. With the Bilsteins, the front was smooth over them but the rear had a bit a jolt to it. With the Eibachs, the front is about the same but the rear is much less harsh compared to the Bilsteins. Otherwise, the ride is about the same.

Another thing I have noticed with the Eibachs is sometimes when I come to a complete stop I get a little jiggle from the suspension. It does not happens all the time and lasts less than a half second. It probably relates to how smoothly I stop. It is not an issue for me and most people would probably not even notice it. Having dialed in suspension on my race car for 32 years, I am very sensitive to any kind of feedback.

The main reason I selected the Eibachs was the ability to adjust ride height. That works very well. I ended up with a lift of 1.5". Eibach was right on giving me the adjustment from their factory setting to get the 1.5" lift on the front. However, they were off 1" on the rear. Not a problem, readjusting was fairly easy.

I have not taken it off-road yet but I expect it too be very satisfactory. I got a pair of Seal Savers to help keep dirt and debris from contaminating the rear shock rods. Hopefully, that will give the shocks longer life.

Thanks for the awesome review! It is great to hear from someone with 32 years of race-car tuning experience.

 

[Tenski]

That rear end jolt over speed bumps is basically a stock complaint lol, so it's nice that the Eibachs balanced it out.

 

[Smocaine]

I personally found the Bilsteins to be quite harsh and the Eibachs to be noticeably softer and "floatier" in all directions - more roll, more dive, and more squat, none of which I mind.
I don't want to talk them up TOO much because of some recent quality issues on the forum, but I do think this is what a 4x4 should ride like. I saw fine adjustability as an absolute requirement to balance out the winch weight while retaining some factory rake. That, and they were on sale at 4WP

 

[gbub]

Do you have a 2dr, Sas/Non-Sas? Stock or HD springs w/winch etc? Do you mind disclosing a ballpark for purchase and install?

I'm personally looking for the lowest lift (hopefully an 1-1.5") I can get with an option to adjust without completely taking the suspension apart. I like the ProComp but I think they're too tall on the lowest setting, the 6100s but I think they have to be disassembled (Johnny Five say No disassemble!). I feel like if I'm going to spend, maybe get the stock Fox kit but not sure they're for the 2dr (I just haven't checked).

I have a 4dr, non-SAS Badlands. I had stock springs and installed the standard Eibach springs (not HD). I have no winch. I do have the rear seats removed but a platform and cabinets replaced them. The additions were made of lightweight foam core composite. I am pretty sure they are about the same or less weight than the rear seats.

My price for install was two days of hard labor, especially the 350 ft-lbs torque on the rear bottom bolts. I know many people have done it in less time but I take my time to make sure it is done right. I have a shop lift and that helped a lot. I bought them Jan. 2025 with a good discount at $1499 for the standard springs with free shipping.

The Eibachs Pro 2.0 should provide you with the 1-1.5" lift you want. I had to adjust the fronts up from their factory setting to get the 1.5". The rear was supposed to give a 1.5" lift at the lowest adjustment point. It only gave 0.5" at the lowest adjustment point, so I had to adjust it up to get the lift I wanted. That is for a Badlands. Other models will vary.

 

[gbub]

That rear end jolt over speed bumps is basically a stock complaint lol, so it's nice that the Eibachs balanced it out.

I think that is due to the progressive spring rate in the rear. I am pretty sure the rears are progressive but the fronts are not.

 

[gbub]

I personally found the Bilsteins to be quite harsh and the Eibachs to be noticeably softer and "floatier" in all directions - more roll, more dive, and more squat, none of which I mind.
I don't want to talk them up TOO much because of some recent quality issues on the forum, but I do think this is what a 4x4 should ride like. I saw fine adjustability as an absolute requirement to balance out the winch weight while retaining some factory rake. That, and they were on sale at 4WP

The only harshness I felt from the Bilsteins was in the rear suspension. If the Bilsteins were adjustable I would have stayed with them. I have used Bilsteins for many years on different vehicles and have been very happy with them. They are not like Fox or other premium shocks but for the price, they do very well and are pretty durable without having to rebuild. I normally get 100K to 150K with Bilsteins before needing replacement.

I do feel a slight roll (lean) in corners if I push it hard with the Eibachs, but I think that has more to do with the lift more than the Eibach coilovers. I have not notice the dive and squat so much. I have noticed a few times after braking the rear will lift a little when I let up on the brake pedal so maybe it does squat a little.

 

[timhood]

The Eibachs Pro 2.0 should provide you with the 1-1.5" lift you want. I had to adjust the fronts up from their factory setting to get the 1.5". The rear was supposed to give a 1.5" lift at the lowest adjustment point. It only gave 0.5" at the lowest adjustment point, so I had to adjust it up to get the lift I wanted. That is for a Badlands. Other models will vary.

Out of curiosity, do you think the fronts would go as low as 1/2” lift?

 

[GA2Dr]

Out of curiosity, do you think the fronts would go as low as 1/2” lift?

Not on a non-SAS. I'm about 2" over stock (non-SAS) and while there's room to move down, I don't think there's more than a full inch. I'd say around 1" over factory is the lowest on the Pro Truck's for non-SAS.

 

[SHANUT]

I see no major change in ride. One thing I noticed is the front and rear are more balanced now. On my way home from work there is an area that has four speed bumps. I usually hit them around 18 mph. With the Bilsteins, the front was smooth over them but the rear had a bit a jolt to it. With the Eibachs, the front is about the same but the rear is much less harsh compared to the Bilsteins. Otherwise, the ride is about the same.

Another thing I have noticed with the Eibachs is sometimes when I come to a complete stop I get a little jiggle from the suspension. It does not happens all the time and lasts less than a half second. It probably relates to how smoothly I stop. It is not an issue for me and most people would probably not even notice it. Having dialed in suspension on my race car for 32 years, I am very sensitive to any kind of feedback.

The main reason I selected the Eibachs was the ability to adjust ride height. That works very well. I ended up with a lift of 1.5". Eibach was right on giving me the adjustment from their factory setting to get the 1.5" lift on the front. However, they were off 1" on the rear. Not a problem, readjusting was fairly easy.

I have not taken it off-road yet but I expect it too be very satisfactory. I got a pair of Seal Savers to help keep dirt and debris from contaminating the rear shock rods. Hopefully, that will give the shocks longer life.

At first, I was a little disappointed with how harsh they rode because I put them on my 25 Badlands. I have a 23 Badlands with Sasquatch and I thought it road smoother. But now after a few thousand miles, the Eibachs are much smoother and softer than the Sasquatch on my 23. I actually like the squishy ride. It makes me feel like I’m playing a video game like grand theft auto. And on the highway, they ride fantastic for a two door with 35 inch tires. I have the height adjusted to approximately 3/4 of an inch higher than my Badlands with Sasquatch.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I have the non HD 2.0's on my non SAS OBX. I find they ride substantially smoother than stock over all terrains. That did come with a cost of more pronounced brake dive and rear end pre-loading when putting it in gear or occasionally when releasing the brake (I can feel the rear lift a touch). I can live with that. My truck has tube bumpers front and rear and a few other bolt ons that did add a few lbs for reference. On my truck the minimum lift was 2" and that is what I went with to avoid driveline issues. All in all I am very happy with them.

 

[Smocaine]

OP: since you have a 4D, do you have a factory rear swaybar? That may explain a lot of the differing experience. Our 2's don't and that may be why we get more roll and such.

 

[GA2Dr]

I have the non HD 2.0's on my non SAS OBX. I find they ride substantially smoother than stock over all terrains. That did come with a cost of more pronounced brake dive and rear end pre-loading when putting it in gear or occasionally when releasing the brake (I can feel the rear lift a touch). I can live with that. My truck has tube bumpers front and rear and a few other bolt ons that did add a few lbs for reference. On my truck the minimum lift was 2" and that is what I went with to avoid driveline issues. All in all I am very happy with them.

I have the same exact experience and I'm very happy with it.

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