Ride-height-adjustable front struts (Bilstein 5100 fronts, Fox 2.0 IFP fronts, and the fronts in 5112 and 5162 kits) have several snap-ring grooves on the body. Where you set the spring seat decides how much the front comes up. This page explains how that works; the exact groove-to-height chart for your part is on its product page under Lift Settings.
How it works
The lower groove is the factory height. Each groove up raises the spring seat, which preloads the factory spring and lifts the truck. The top groove is the maximum, usually around 2 to 2.5 inches depending on the truck. The shock itself does not get longer; you are changing where the spring sits.
Which setting
- Factory rake you want gone: set to the groove that matches the difference between your front and rear fender heights. On most half-tons that is the second or third groove.
- Towing heavy regularly: one groove lower than level, so the truck sits level with the trailer on.
- Maximum setting: only with upper control arms on most IFS trucks. At the top groove the ball joint and CV angles are at their limit and the alignment may not reach spec without UCAs.
Things that catch people
- Aftermarket or heavier-than-stock springs change the result. The groove chart assumes factory springs.
- Measure fender heights before you start. Trucks vary a half inch from the factory.
- Set both sides the same. Always.
- An alignment is required after any setting other than the bottom groove.
If a product page does not show a Lift Settings section, that part is not ride-height adjustable.