In the event that you're looking for a lift kit for 2017 f350 , you've probably understood by now that the market is totally overloaded with options. It's a good problem to have, honestly. The 2017 model year was a big deal for the Super Responsibility because it has been the first 12 months of the lightweight aluminum body, which changed the weight submission and exactly how these vehicles handle. Because of that, you can't just throw any old suspension parts at it and expect it in order to ride like the dream.
Deciding to lift your own F350 usually arrives down to two things: you either need it to appear meaner, or else you actually need the surface clearance for function sites or all-terrain trails. Or, let's be real, it's a little bit of both. There's nothing quite such as the stance associated with a 1-ton pickup truck sitting a several inches higher upon a beefy place of 37s. But before you start clicking "add to wheeled, " there's a lot to cover your head about so you don't end up getting a truck that drives like a shopping basket.
Leveling Kits vs. Full Suspension Lifts
Before you dive heavy into the entire world of 6-inch monsters, you should number out if you in fact need an out-and-out lift or simply a leveling kit. Most people find that a lift kit for 2017 f350 that simply levels front side is a lot. These trucks come from the manufacturer with a "rake, " meaning the particular back sits higher than the front. It's designed that will way so that when you hook upward great trailer, the truck sits degree instead of sagging.
In case you just need to clear several 35-inch tires plus lose that nose-down look, a 2-inch or 2. 5-inch leveling kit is generally the way to go. It's less expensive, easier to install, and keeps your own factory ride high quality mostly intact. Yet, if you're looking for that "big truck" energy plus want to run 37s or even 40s, you're searching at a 4-inch to 6-inch suspension system lift. This is how issues get a bit more specialized and, frankly, the lot more costly.
Why the 2017 Model Season Matters
As I mentioned, 2017 was the "Alumiduty" debut. Ford shaved a lot associated with weight from the entire body, but they beefed up the frame with high-strength steel. What this means is the suspension system has to be tuned particularly for this fat profile. If you try to make use of a kit designed for a 2016 or older model, the spring rates is going to be all wrong. The particular truck will probably sit way increased than advertised plus ride just like a brick.
When you're shopping for the lift kit for 2017 f350 , make sure the producer specifies it's for the 2017-2022 generation. The geometry of the radius arms and the monitor bar is particular to this body. Getting the geometry right are the differences between a truck that monitors straight on the highway plus one that seems like it's trying in order to jump into the next lane every time you hit a pothole.
The Components That will Actually Matter
It's easy to obtain distracted by sparkly powder-coated parts, yet the "guts" of the kit are what you're paying for. Here's a break down of what you should be searching for in a quality setup.
Shocks are Every thing
Don't skimp here. Lots of budget-friendly lift kits arrive with "white body" shocks that are basically garbage. They'll feel okay for per week and then get soft or leaky. If you possibly can afford it, look for kits that include Fox or King shock absorbers. These are rebuildable and tuned for the weight associated with a heavy diesel-powered engine. Even a simple 2. 0 Fox shock will make a world of distinction in how the truck handles "chatter" on a gravel street.
Radius Hands vs. Drop Brackets
When you lift a 52 pick up, the angle of the top axle changes. In order to fix this, you either need to use "drop brackets" to lower where your own factory radius arms mount, or a person need entirely fresh, longer radius arms. Drop brackets are cheaper and so they function fine for street driving. However, in case you're actually going off-road, they can get hung on stones. New radius arms look way cooler and usually offer better clearance and caster correction, which helps the truck return to middle after a convert.
The Monitor Bar
This is a big one for the particular F350. The monitor bar keeps the particular axle centered beneath the truck. When a person lift the entire body, the track pub pulls the axle to the side. A good lift kit for 2017 f350 will either incorporate a track bar relocation bracket or, better still, an changeable heavy-duty track club. In case you skip this particular, your truck can "dog track" straight down the road, and your steering wheel may never be straight.
Will the Lift Kit Ruin the Towing Capacity?
This is the number one question I actually get. "I bought an F350 to tow my 15, 000-pound fifth steering wheel; will a lift kit ruin that will? " The brief answer is: certainly not, but it shifts things.
If you raise the particular truck, you raise the center of gravity. That indicates you might feel a bit more sway when a large gust of blowing wind hits your movie trailer. Also, if a person go with a 6-inch lift, your hitch height will probably be massive. You'll require a high-quality drop hitch to keep the particular trailer level.
One thing many guys do is set their lift along with a group of rear atmosphere bags. This allows a person to keep the particular "level" look when the truck is empty, but then you can pump upward the bags when you're loaded down to prevent the back end from squatting. It's the best of both realms.
Keeping the particular "Death Wobble" with Bay
When you've spent any time on Ford producer forums, you've heard about the dreaded passing away wobble. It's that violent shaking of the front end after hitting a lump at high rates of speed. While Ford offers made improvements, raising a truck can occasionally aggravate the issue if the caster position isn't corrected.
If you install a lift kit for 2017 f350 , you're changing the turns points of the steering and suspension. When the kit doesn't provide enough caster (the forward/backward tilt of the steerage axis), the front side wheels can start to oscillate. Constantly make sure your kit includes a way to modify caster, and for the love of things holy, get a professional alignment the same day you finish the install.
Is DIY Installation a Great Idea?
If you've got a new heavy-duty floor jack, some high-quality jack port stands (and I actually mean high-quality, this truck weighs eight, 000 pounds), plus a massive breaker club, you can totally perform a 2-inch or 4-inch lift in your driveway.
Having said that, almost everything on an F350 is heavy and tight. You're likely to be dealing with bolts torqued to over 400 foot-pounds in some instances. In case you aren't comfortable wrestling with the 400-pound front axle or don't possess a helper, it could be worth paying a store a few hundred bucks to do the dirty work. As well as, they usually have the tools to obtain the pitman hand off, which can be a total nightmare upon these trucks.
Final Thoughts on Choosing Your Kit
At the end of the day, you obtain that which you pay for. If you see a lift kit for 2017 f350 that costs $400 and includes "everything, " you need to most likely run another method. You're driving a premium heavy-duty pickup truck; don't put bottom-shelf parts on this.
Start by figuring out your tire size. If you want 35s, go with a 2. 5-inch level. When you want 37s, a 4-inch lift is the nice spot for the particular 2017 model. This gives you plenty associated with room without making the truck sense like a beast truck that's impossible to climb directly into.
Anything you choose, just remember that the "look" is only about half the battle. You need a truck that you can still drive to work, tow the boat, and take on a road trip without needing the chiropractor when a person arrive. Spend the particular extra money upon good shocks plus proper geometry correction—your 2017 F350 will thank you for it.