CS-F45-UC30-11 | Carli Suspension Carli Tuned King 3.0" 2 Tube Shocks 4.5" Lift Unchained System For Ford F-250/F-350 4WD | 2011-2016 | Diesel

The most travel, softest on-road ride and the second most off-road capability combine to make this the ultimate utilitarian setup in our 4.5″ height range. This system options full leaf springs and Fabricated Radius arms are recommended.

Front Lift: 4.5″ / Front Travel: 10.5″ / Rear Lift: 0-3.5"″ / Rear Travel: 13″ / Shock Type: 3.0″ / Tire Fitment: 37″ x 13.5″

A “Base Kit” SKU must be accompanied by the SKU of a Sway Bar and Leaf Spring option to form a complete system.

If you’re looking for the best on road ride we offer with a huge boost in off-road capability, grab a Dominator. If you’re after a suspension that will allow more off-road performance than the chassis to which it’s bolted, this is your huckleberry. With the Unchained Suspension System, we recommend a roll cage and axle truss. This system is far more capable off-road than even the Coilover-Bypass System.

For those unfamiliar, a bypass shock has external tubes with one-way check valves that are fully adjustable to allow users to tailor the amount of fluid that bypasses the piston/valving on either the compression or rebound stroke within the effective range of the bypass tube. Typically, there will be a tube surrounding the compression zone at ride height that will allow fluid to freely move around the piston giving a supple ride. Once a large hit is encountered, the piston will move upward closing off the port, thereby forcing all fluid through the valving which substantially increases the shock’s resistance in this secondary zone. This acts as an internal bump-stop of sorts and gives tunable progression to the shock making it the perfect dual purpose setup.

Conversely, on the rebound side, we normally spec tubes that are oversized and deep in the travel stroke to allow a high volume of oil to bypass ensuring the shock shaft comes out quick enough to maintain contact with the ground (doesn’t get hung-up in the bump-zone after a large hit). As the shock extends and closes off the rebound tube, all the valving on the rebound side engages to slow the shaft as it reaches maximum extension, top-out. Simply put, the larger the shock diameter, the more capable the setup; the more tubes and “zones”, the more adjustability; the larger the tubes, the more fluid can flow around the piston and the more valving you can run to increase the stopping power in the “bump-stop” or “top-out” zone.

The truck will sit 4.5” higher in the front and have more wheel travel thanks to the taller, Progressive Rate Coil Springs that mount into the Fabricated Carli Spring Buckets. Radius Arm Drop Brackets reset the pivot point and keep the travel linear for the best ride while Sway Bar Links or Drop Brackets reset the sway bar engagement point. The included Bump Stop Drops protect the shocks from over-compressing while the Adjustable Track Bar centers the front axle and Stainless Brake Lines firm up braking and ensure there is enough line for the newfound travel. To round off the front end, we include Caster Shims to tighten the steering.

The rear is outfitted with a Full Progressive Spring Pack requiring no block to achieve proper ride height; thus, travel is extended and wheel hop/axle wrap minimized at the cost of 15% less load capacity than a stock F250. If capacity is a concern, we offer Long Travel Airbags to restore the payload capacity to that of a SRW F350.

This system boasts Carli Signature tuned, King 3.0” 2-Tube Front and 4-Tube Rear Piggy-Back Bypass Shocks so large, we needed to fabricate custom mounts to fit them; as the old adage goes, there’s no replacement for displacement. The 3.0” shock has a piston surface area 45% greater than a 2.5” King and 126% larger than a factory 2.0” shock making it far more efficient in all situations. Additionally, as explained above, we’ve added bypass tubes to this pinnacle off-road system. The massive surface area and bypass tubes ensure we can achieve unmatched off-road performance while offering a civil & controlled on-road ride. To fit these shocks, we provide fabricated mounts that lift the upper mounting point and position the shock away from the frame while the standard bump stop extensions were shortened to allow for more up-travel to compliment the additional down-travel from the longer shock. In an effort to provide customers with the best product, we designed a custom piston to determine proper base flow rates to ensure the shock works well in the heavy duty truck platform; we then tuned the shocks based on seat-of-the-pants feel. We round off ALL our King shocks with shafts machined and polished from a solid piece of 17-4 Stainless. Unlike King’s standard shafts, there is no coating to wear off, weather is far less likely to hurt them and if there is a small chip, you can round the edges with emery cloth to ensure the seal housing isn’t damaged as they’re not brittle like the stock, hardened shafts. The shocks are finished with King oil good to -55° F. Note that all King shocks are built with a plated steel body. If subjected to inclement weather for extended periods, we recommend wrapping your shocks in 3M to provide a moisture barrier that’s replaceable.

Aesthetically, there will be one huge bypass shock at each corner. The purpose for which the truck’s being built should be a huge consideration when purchasing the Unchained. On Road, it’s great; Off-Road, extreme caution should be taken as this system is far more capable than the truck. Being bypass equipped, customers can expect to hear clicking from the opening and closing of the check valves in the external tubes of the shocks. On the bright side, the suspension is tuned by Carli but fully adjustable to the customer’s preference. Customers can turn tubes for more float and ride comfort or engage more valving for better control and off-road performance. From Carli, these shocks are setup with a wide open rebound and neutral compression; we also provide a recommended tuning spec.

As with the Coilover Bypass, it’s recommended that users purchase a Differential Guard for axle protection, High Mount Steering Stabilizer to keep the steering as controlled as the suspension and Fabricated Radius Arms for strength and Limit Strap mounting. Again, at this level of suspension, a roll cage and axle truss is also recommended if the system will be used to its full off-road potential.

Wheel and Tire: Factory Wheels SHOULD NOT be run with oversized tires. They’re known to rub the radius arm, sway bar and most concerning – Brake Lines. Factory tires and factory wheels will work without issue but we DO NOT recommend running oversized tires on factory wheels. On our 4.5” Bypass equipped Ford Systems, we recommend 17”-18” wheels, no more than 9” wide with 4.5”-5” of backspacing with a 37”, E-Rated Tire. The more rubber, the better the small bump compliance will be at proper inflation pressures. The ride will firm up as you go larger in wheel diameter. For more details, see our article on wheel and tire selection and tire pressures:

Tires and Wheels: How Do They Affect My Ride?

Customization Information

Sway Bar Option

*REQUIRED*

For everyone that’s not loaded to the GVWR daily, the Carli Torsion Sway Bar provides the final link lightening the last spring on the truck maximizing the ride quality of the Super Duty Platform. Keeping your factory bar (with the sway bar drops optioned) limits comfort, removing it completely makes for questionable control when hauling or emergency maneuvering. After several revisions and years in development, the Carli Torsion Sway Bar Splits the Difference perfectly allowing a small amount of differentiation side to side before progressively engaging to add the needed control as leverage is applied. Rip corners in the dirt with surgical precision knowing there’s exactly enough rate to hold the body steady while cutting your line through the dirt. Hit the tarmac and enjoy the benefit of the lighter rate bar cruising around town with it’s on-road feel reminiscent of an independent front suspension – no more chassis reverberation on small bumps and let the suspension dance in the level cab while hitting off-camber driveways.

11-16 FORD F250/350 4X4 STOCK SWAY BAR FRAME DROP BRACKET - 4.5" LIFT

SKU: CS-FSBD-11
- Easy Bolt-On
- Factory Dual Ball Joint End Links negate the need to replace links
- Intended for 4.5" Suspension System
- Fitment: 2011-16 F250/F350 4x4

11-16 FORD F250/350 4X4 TORSION SWAY BAR KIT - 4.5" LIFT

SKU: CS-FTSB-45-11
- Direct Fitment to Carli 4.5" Lifts
- Replaces Immobile Factory Sway Bar with Custom Torsion Bar
- Huge Ride Quality Improvement
- Fitment: 2011-16 Ford F250/F350 4x4

Rear Leaf Spring Options

*REQUIRED*

This System has been optimized for use with the Full Progressive Leaf Springs. This system is also compatible with the Progressive Add-a-Packs but there will be a notable ride quality difference on and off-road. Selecting "NO Rear Leaf Spring Selection" will result in an unknown ride quality and height result as all Carli Systems are optimized to either the Add-a-Pack or Progressive Leaf Springs.

11-16 FORD F250/350 4X4 FULL PROGRESSIVE LEAF SPRING KIT - 3" LIFT

SKU: CS-FFSP-11
- Block eliminating, Full Progressive Spring Pack
- "Light" 3/4-Ton Capacity, Full Capacity Attainable with Long Travel Airbags
- Includes new U-Bolts and Rear Bump Stop Drops
- Provides a 1", rear high stance on Matching 4.5" Suspension Systems
- Fitment: 2011-2016 F250/350 4x4, 3.5" Axle Tube

11-16 FORD F250/350 4X4 PROGRESSIVE ADD-A-PACK KIT

SKU: CS-FPAP-11
- Built in the U.S.A. By Deaver Leaf Spring
- Smooth progressive design
- Supplied with U-bolts and hardware
- Provides 2.0" of lift
- O.E.M. load capacity maintained, improved ride
- Fitment: 2011-2016 F250/350 4x4, 3.5" Axle Tube

Leaf Spring Shackle

*OPTIONAL*

Much of the jarring ride of the Super Duty rear can be attributed to the factory vulcanized bushings in the leaf spring pack and shackle. The factory shackle is very strong BUT the design is not conducive to a smooth ride. The Carli shackle is constructed of 1/4″ American cold-rolled steel. The mid-length gusset ensures no deflection while the serviceable bushings offer a far superior ride to the bind of the factory bushings.

05-23 FORD F350/350 4X4 FABRICATED LEAF SPRING SHACKLE

SKU: CS-FSHACKLE-11
- Greasable and Rebuildable
- Far Better Ride than Factory Shackle
- 1/4" Steel Construction
- Fits Factory and Carli Springs

Carrier Bearing Drop

*OPTIONAL*

We recommend adding this to shim to ALL 2-piece driveshafts (CCLB) to shim the Carrier bearing down alleviating the angle of all joints. If your truck is equipped with a single piece driveshaft, this will not fit and is not required.

05-23 FORD F250/350 4X4 CARRIER BEARING DROP

SKU: CS-CARRIERDROP-F
- Drops Carrier Bearing on 2-Piece Driveshafts
- Prevents take-off shudder/driveline vibration
- Stackable 3/8" Shims for 1"-4" Rear Lift

Long Travel Airbags

*OPTIONAL*

Restores Factory capacity to reduced rate Carli Leaf Springs. Provides the best of both ends of the spectrum. Ride on Carli's soft-rate leaf springs when unloaded then air the bags up to level the chassis and support your load!

08-16 FORD F250/350 4X4 LONG TRAVEL AIR BAG SYSTEM - 4.5" LIFT

SKU: CS-FLTB-08
- Supports up to 12 inches of travel
- Compatible with rear lifts that level to a 4.5" Front Suspension System ONLY
- Restore Factory Payload to Full Progressive Springs
- Adjustable Rear Loaded height, 2,000lb Capacity per bag at 100psi
- Use Manually (included) or with onboard air System (1/4" airline compatible)
- Fitment: 2008-2016 F250/F350 4x4 with 3.5" Axle Tube

High Mount Steering Stabilizer

*OPTIONAL*

Bolt in replacement for the factory stabilizer. Adjustable from 70-200 psi to run neutral (no directional influence at 70psi) or at 200psi to counter the right-hand pull inherent to tires like Toyo Mud Terrains.

08-16 FORD F250/350 4X4 HIGH MOUNT STEERING STABILIZER - STAINLESS STEEL - 2.5" & 4.5" LIFT

SKU: CS-FHMSS-08
- Inside the Carli Stainless Stabilizer
- Bolt in Replacement for OEM Stabilizer
- Fitment: 2008-2016 F250/350 4x4
- Works on levelled and lifted trucks ONLY
- WILL NOT work with Dropped Pitman Arms

Low Mount Steering Stabilizer

*OPTIONAL*

Bolt in steering stabilizer which compliments a Carli, or factory, high mount stabilizer. Adjustable from 70-200 psi to run neutral (no directional influence at 70psi) or at 200psi to counter the left-hand pull inherent to tires like Nitto Trail Grapplers. Run in conjunction with the Carli High Mount for the ultimate Dual, Opposing Steering Stabilizer combination that's infinitely adjustable.

05-22 FORD F250/350 4X4 LOW MOUNT STEERING STABILIZER KIT - WITH DIFFERENTIAL GUARD

SKU: CS-FLMSS-05
- Custom Valved for Larger Tires, Adjustable Nitrogen Pressure
- Includes Differential Guard and Clamp
- Combines with High-Mount Stabilizer for Opposing Setup
- Optimized for Carli 2.5"-5.5" Systems

Radius Arm Option

*OPTIONAL*

Icing on the cake, these arms add Additional Tire Clearance, Limit Strap Protection for your Front Shocks, 1/4" Boxed Steel Constructions, Serviceable 17-4 Stainless Spherical Bearings and Adjustable Caster Correction up to 3.5° over stock specs to leave Death-Wobble in the rear-view.

05-22 FORD F250/350 4X4 FABRICATED RADIUS ARMS - 4.5"/5.5" LIFT

SKU: CS-FARA-45-05
- 1°-4° of adjustable Caster correction
- 3/16 Construction, Fully Internal Gusseted with 1/2" Additional Tire Clearance
- Limit Straps Kit Included
- Serviceable 17-4 Stainless Spherical Joint at Frame Connection for longevity and bind free Cycling
- Requires Radius Arm Drop Brackets for 4.5"-5.5" Carli Systems
- Fitment: 2005-22 Ford F250/350 4x4