2011 Ford F-350 Performance Suspension Upgrades

131 1101 Ford F350 Performance Super Suspension Upgrades Front Three Quarter

Modern 1-ton trucks are virtually strangers from the pickups of the past. No longer are vinyl floors and understated interiors the norm; rather, touch-screen navigations, ultra-plush seats, and layers of sound-deadening material are standard throughout. Though the interiors of these workhorse goliaths may have grown a little soft over the years, the rugged HD platforms, for the most part, have maintained their beefy underbellies. And while the power levels and creature comforts have increased, many 1-ton pickup owners still find themselves looking for improved suspension and a taller stance to better survive in the dirt.

To answer the call of workhorse pilots across the nation, Carli Suspension has created a complete line of Performance 2.0 suspension systems for the 3/4- and 1-ton Ford and Dodge 4x4s. Available in 2-, 3-, 41/2-, and 6-inch lift configurations, the 2.0 series are specifically tuned suspensions that will increase not only the height, but the ride quality and off-road performance of your truck.

To check out Carli's latest 2.0 Ford system, we headed down to the company's headquarters in Orange, California, and installed a 41/2-inch version on an '11 F-350 4x4. This particular kit is designed for the 6.7L diesel and can clear up to 37-inch-tall tires. Since it's an entirely bolt-on kit, we found the suspension to be relatively easy, but due to the long front coil springs, driveway installation maybe a little difficult, but not impossible.

To find out more about the 2.0 Performance series and what's available for your truck, visit Carli on the web at www.thecarlisuspension.com.

Since the '11 F-350's front radius arms are pretty beefy from the factory, Carli supplies a massive drop bracket and crossmember brace to lower the arms. This allows the arms to be fixed at a level plane, which helps the truck maintain excellent ride and handling characteristics.
Since the '11 F-350's front radius arms are pretty beefy from the factory, Carli supplies
To keep the 10 inches of vertical front wheel travel in check, a set of bumpstop extensions is fitted at the front of the truck. A well-placed bumpstop keeps your tires from traveling too far into the fenderwell and prevents the Super Duty's front coil springs from going into coil bind at full compression.
To keep the 10 inches of vertical front wheel travel in check, a set of bumpstop extension
Lifting the front of the truck 41/2 inches is a set of progressive-rate coil springs specifically engineered to handle the weight of the Super Duty's heavy diesel engine. Progressive-rate coil springs allow Carli to increase suspension travel and create a better ride, as the coils transition more smoothly from soft to stiff as the suspension cycles.
Lifting the front of the truck 41/2 inches is a set of progressive-rate coil springs speci

In addition to a set of steel braided brake lines and sway-bar endlinks, each 2.0 41/2-inch kit comes with a reservoir retainer that simple fits atop the coil spring. This means no drilling or expensive reservoir clamps to contend with.
In addition to a set of steel braided brake lines and sway-bar endlinks, each 2.0 41/2-inc
With the newfound lift height, it's imperative that you recenter the front axle. This is done by way of the adjustable chromoly track bar provided with the kit. And while a basic toe and steering wheel adjustment can be done with a tape measure and basic handtools, we suggest taking your truck to the pros for a proper alignment.
With the newfound lift height, it's imperative that you recenter the front axle. This is d
Out back, the F-350's single overload pack gets replaced by a mini pack that's fitted with seven leaves. This leaf swap helps smooth out the ride without a substantial impact on the rig's payload capacity.
Out back, the F-350's single overload pack gets replaced by a mini pack that's fitted with

Shocked & Valved
Most of your vehicle's ride quality comes from the shock absorbers. Each of the 2.0 kits includes a set of 7100-series Bilstein reservoir shocks specifically valved by Carli Suspension. By finely tuning the valve shims, pistons, and fluid capacity, Carli is able to dial in the compression and rebound cycle of the shock. This precision valving equates to increased suspension performance along with a stable feel that you'd expect from a 7,000-pound truck.
Shocked & Valved Most of your vehicle's ride quality comes from the shock absorbers. Eac
In The Dirt
While we don't consider the '11 F-350 Quad Cab longbed much of a rockcrawler, it is an excellent recovery and tow vehicle. For light trail wheeling, job site exploration, and practical driving, the overall package felt great. The ride was noticeably more plush than before, and the added height gave the truck the stance the factory should have given it.
In The Dirt While we don't consider the '11 F-350 Quad Cab longbed much of a rockcrawler
HD Cleats
To support the 1-ton's weight and offer the truck a fresh look, we went with a set of 295/65/20 Nitto Trail Grapplers mounted on 20x9 Method Street-series wheels. Testing the land yacht in the SoCal desert, we found that the Grapplers hooked up great and the wheels had just the right amount of offset to clear the fenders and increase the look and footprint of the Ford.
HD Cleats To support the 1-ton's weight and offer the truck a fresh look, we went with a

SOURCES
Nitto Tire 6021 Katella Avenue Suite 250 Cypress CA 90630 877-565-8448 www.nittotire.com	Method Race Wheels 42245 Remington Ave Temecula CA 92590 866-779-8604 www.methodracewheels.com
Carli Suspension N/A AK 714-532-2798 www.thecarlisuspension.com