Bilstein 6100's and 35x11.50R17's Installed

raqball
Aug 21, 2024

Wherever you go, there you are!

Aug 21, 2024

I didn't see a thread on Bilstein 6100's so I thought I'd share my experience with them. I have a 2023 Badlands - non Sasquatch, 2dr.

I did not do the install myself and had Total Offroad in Portland, OR do it. It took them 2 hours to complete the install of all 4 of the 6100's, which is insanely fast. (see paid invoice for the non believers). I had other shops quote me between 5-7 hours of labor or about $1K just for the install then additional for alignment.. WTF? Yeah, shop around people..

The 6100's gave me slightly more lift in the front and in the rear than advertised. Here are the numbers I ended up getting with the clip portion used..

Front 6100: Clip position 5 = 2 1/2"
Rear 6100: Clip position 1 = 1"

I have about 100+ pounds added to the front via winch, winch mount and ARB dual. I now have about 1/2" of rake.

Please don't ask me about MPG as I do not care about MPG and it's not something I've ever kept track of, especially if you are planning on lifting or slapping on 35's or larger. Look at it as SPG (Smiles Per Gallon) and you'll be much happier than worrying about few MPG difference on a lifted 4x4.

Tire road noise? I am probably not the best person report on this as I roll with the top off 24/7 from the start of Spring until the end of Fall. I also don't really care about road noise as I'll just turn the radio up a notch or two. 😜 I guess come winter time when I slap the hardtop back on I could give an opinion on road noise.

As I expected, the on-road ride quality is slightly diminished with the 6100's -vs- the stock Badlands shocks. You feel the bumps and differences / imperfections in the road a bit more. Fine by me as they were purchased for their off-road improvements.

I've only had them on for 2 days now so maybe as they settle in, the on-road ride quality will improve but I honestly couldn't care less if they don't. It's fine for me.

The Flaken Wildpeak A/T4W 35x11.50R17's were just installed today so I have almost nothing to report on with them. In anticipation for the 35's, I did order a 3rd brake light extension bracket for the spare. It's a good thing I did as the 35's would have covered it up otherwise. They are the C rated version and weight 68 LBS each.

I am heading out tomorrow morning to do some off-roading for the day so I'll have some initial thoughts on their off-road performance once I get back. I'll update this post as I go and get a better feel for the on-road and off-road performance of the 6100's.

Front:




Rear:




Bronco: (snapped a quick photo when dropping off my old tires at my public storage unit) Better photos coming tomorrow.




Poke: 1.75" Bora Wheel Spacers on Ford Performance 17x8 Wheels with Wildpeak A/T4W 35x11.50R17's.

And while you are at it, look at all that glorious pinstriping.. I am a bad Bronco owner! 😇



Install Invoice: Needed new gloves so I bought some of those as well. ;)

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
Moving Chicane, the poacher

Wherever you go, there you are!

Sep 05, 2024

#20
Whilst not OP, I - as someone who has done the same to a stock Badlands - did not have the option to get a Sasquatch. If you'll recall, in the early days, FoMoCo had production issues with Sasquatch and getting them out the door. Then came the price increase with no guarantee you'd get a Sasquatch at your original "locked in reservation price" but you were guaranteed the original price if you downgraded. My current vehicle at the time (a Fusion) was dying. I had already done about $4,000 worth of repairs to its wonderful 14 year old self and was soon looking at probably another $6,000-$10,000 more in the 6 months. So, I opted to downgrade out of some options, did the math, and decided it was for me. So, yes, I would do it again. And, honestly, probably should have never chosen a Sasquatch package because like OP said, any Jeep (2) that I've had I always stripped anyway.

When I was in the market I considered basic Badlands and basic Rubicon. I was 90% sure I wanted the Bronco but still looked at the Rubicon.

I wanted either of those for their lockers, sway disconnects and switch panels. I found one on the lot at a dealer, about an hour away, that was almost exactly as I had my build configured, minus the 12" screen so I purchased it.

I did look at a used Badlands with 3K miles on it that was a Sas. That dealer had it listed for $3K more than the new one I purchased.

Had I purchased the Sas the tires would have instantly been gone and most of the mods I've done thus far would have still been done to it.

The only options I wish my Badlands had came with are the 12" screen and the front trail camera. I do not care about the 360 cam. I did end up installing a 12" screen upgrade and a front trail cam is on the to-do list.

Other than that, I have the 2.3L and in hindsight, I might have preferred the 2.7L for the only reason being the 1 pedal mode. I am okay, not great, at two-footed driving but that 1 pedal mode looks sweet! I wish the 2.3L had it.

I don't use, nor care about, any of the G.O.A.T modes and set everything manually as I encounter obstacles on the trail..

I should have more thoughts on the 6100's after this weekend as I am headed out for a 3-day - 2 night camping and off-road trip this Friday, Saturday and Sunday..
onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
Deano Bronc, TK1215

Really Likes Pi

Sep 05, 2024

#21
The front trail camera is great. I do have that option.

I moderately miss the not-offroading-related creature comfort of A/C seats like in my wife's Expedition, but I don't really need that (it's just an old man's nicety). Plus, I get to justify not having A/C seats with getting to embarrass my teenager with sweaty old man T-Shirt back. And, that bonus is worth so, so much more.
Deano Bronc, TK1215

Wherever you go, there you are!

Sep 05, 2024

#22
The front trail camera is great. I do have that option.

I am trying to find a front trail camera option that will tie into the factory harness and allow it to work in conjunction with the Bronco's 12" screen.

I found one a while back and thought I had bookmarked it but it's not there so now I have to try and find it again..

That will probably be my next mod..
onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
TK1215, Sven

Wherever you go, there you are!

Sep 05, 2024

#23
I am trying to find a front trail camera option that will tie into the factory harness and allow it to work in conjunction with the Bronco's 12" screen.

I found one a while back and thought I had bookmarked it but it's not there so now I have to try and find it again..

That will probably be my next mod..

Found the one I was looking at. It ties into the stock Bronco 12" Screen..

https://www.extremeterrain.com/came...qelhKK14uQepM3-nltxoCMjoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Here is a video it working in the Bronco

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
Deano Bronc, Sven

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