Getting a Good Lift Kit for 2017 F350 Trucks
In case you're looking for a lift kit for 2017 f350 , you've probably noticed right now that the particular market is totally overloaded with options. It's a good issue to have, truthfully. The 2017 model year was a big deal for the Super Responsibility because it was the first season of the aluminium body, which transformed the weight distribution and how these vehicles handle. Because associated with that, you can't just throw any old suspension components at it and expect it in order to ride like the dream.
Determining to lift your F350 usually arrives down to two things: you possibly need it to appear meaner, or else you really need the terrain clearance for function sites or 4x4 trails. Or, let's be real, it's a bit of both. There's nothing quite such as the stance of a 1-ton vehicle sitting a several inches higher on a beefy collection of 37s. When you start clicking "add to cart, " there's a lot to wrap your head about so you don't end up getting a vehicle that drives such as a shopping cart.
Leveling Kits vs. Full Suspension Lifts
Prior to you dive heavy into the world of 6-inch enemies, you should determine out in case you really need a full-blown lift or simply a leveling kit. A lot of people find that will a lift kit for 2017 f350 that just levels front side is plenty. These trucks arrive from the manufacturing plant with a "rake, " meaning the particular back sits increased than the front. It's designed that way to ensure that whenever you hook up a heavy trailer, the truck sits degree instead of sagging.
In case you just want to clear some 35-inch tires plus lose that nose-down look, a 2-inch or 2. 5-inch leveling kit is usually the way in order to go. It's cheaper, easier to install, and keeps your factory ride quality mostly intact. But, if you're looking for that "big truck" energy plus want to operate 37s or also 40s, you're searching at a 4-inch to 6-inch suspension lift. This is where points get a bit more specialized and, frankly, a lot more expensive.
Why the particular 2017 Model Yr Matters
Because I mentioned, 2017 was the "Alumiduty" debut. Ford shaved a lot associated with weight off the body, but they beefed up the frame with high-strength metal. This implies the suspension has to be tuned specifically for this pounds profile. If you try to use a kit designed for a 2016 or even older model, the particular spring rates is going to be all wrong. The truck will probably sit way higher than advertised and ride like a stone.
When you're shopping for a lift kit for 2017 f350 , create sure the manufacturer specifies it's for the 2017-2022 era. The geometry of the radius arms and the track bar is specific to this body. Getting the geometry perfect are the differences between a truck that trails straight on the road plus one that feels like it's trying in order to jump into the particular next lane every single time you hit a pothole.
The Components That will Actually Matter
It's easy to get distracted by gleaming powder-coated parts, yet the "guts" from the kit are exactly what you're paying for. Here's a break down of what you should be searching for in the quality setup.
Shocks are Everything
Don't skimp here. Plenty of budget-friendly lift kits come with "white body" shocks that are basically garbage. They'll feel okay for a week and after that get soft or even leaky. If you can afford it, look for kits including Monk or King shocks. These are rebuildable and tuned for the weight of a heavy diesel-powered engine. Even a basic 2. 0 Fox shock can make the world of distinction in how the particular truck handles "chatter" on a gravel road.
Radius Hands vs. Drop Brackets
When you lift a 52 pick up, the angle of the entrance axle changes. To fix this, a person either need to use "drop brackets" to lower where your own factory radius hands mount, or a person need entirely brand-new, longer radius hands. Drop brackets are cheaper and they function fine for street driving. However, in the event that you're actually going off-road, they can get hung on rocks. New radius hands look way cooler and usually provide better clearance plus caster correction, which helps the truck return to middle after a turn.
The Track Bar
This is a big one for the F350. The track bar keeps the axle centered beneath the truck. When you lift the entire body, the track club pulls the axle to the aspect. An excellent lift kit for 2017 f350 will possibly incorporate a track club relocation bracket or even, better still, an adjustable heavy-duty track club. If you skip this particular, your truck will certainly "dog track" lower the road, as well as your steering wheel may never be directly.
Will a Lift Kit Destroy the Towing Capacity?
This is the amount one question I get. "I purchased an F350 to tow my 15, 000-pound fifth wheel; will a lift kit ruin that will? " The brief answer is: certainly not, but it shifts things.
Once you raise the particular truck, you raise the center associated with gravity. That indicates you might feel the bit more swing when a big gust of blowing wind hits your movie trailer. Also, if you go with the 6-inch lift, your hitch height will be massive. You'll require a high-quality drop problem to keep the trailer level.
Something many guys do is set their lift along with a set of rear atmosphere bags. This enables a person to keep the particular "level" look whenever the truck is empty, however a person can pump up the bags when you're loaded straight down to prevent the back end from squatting. It's the greatest of both realms.
Keeping the "Death Wobble" in Bay
In case you've spent any time on Ford producer forums, you've heard about the dreaded dying wobble. It's that will violent shaking of the front end after hitting a push at high speeds. While Ford provides made improvements, lifting a truck can sometimes aggravate the concern if the caster angle isn't corrected.
Whenever you install a lift kit for 2017 f350 , you're changing the turns points from the steerage and suspension. In the event that the kit doesn't provide enough caster (the forward/backward point of the steerage axis), the front side wheels can begin to oscillate. Constantly make sure your kit includes a way to modify caster, and for the love of most things holy, obtain a professional alignment exactly the same day you finish the install.
Is DO-IT-YOURSELF Installation a Great Idea?
If you've got some sort of heavy-duty floor jack port, some high-quality jack stands (and We mean high-quality, this truck weighs 7, 000 pounds), and also a massive breaker pub, you can completely perform a 2-inch or even 4-inch lift in your driveway.
Nevertheless, everything on an F350 is heavy plus tight. You're going to be dealing with bolts torqued in order to over 400 foot-pounds in some situations. In case you aren't comfy wrestling with a 400-pound front axle or don't have a helper, it may be worth paying a shop a few 100 bucks to do the lick of work. As well as, they usually possess the tools to obtain the pitman arm off, which may be the total nightmare on these trucks.
Final Thoughts upon Choosing Your Kit
At the particular end of the day, you obtain everything you pay for. In case you see the lift kit for 2017 f350 that costs $400 and includes "everything, " you should probably run the other method. You're driving a premium heavy-duty truck; don't put bottom-shelf parts on it.
Start by determining your own tire size. If you want 35s, opt for a 2. 5-inch level. In the event that you want 37s, a 4-inch lift is the lovely spot for the 2017 model. It gives you plenty associated with room without making the truck feel like a creature truck that's impossible to climb into.
Whatever you choose, just remember that the "look" is only more than half the battle. You want a truck that a person can still generate to work, tow the boat, and take on a car ride without needing a chiropractor when you arrive. Spend the extra money on good shocks plus proper geometry correction—your 2017 F350 will thank you for it.