Carli Suspension Ford 17+ F250/350 Pintop Leveling System - CS-FLVL-PT25-17-GAS

The Backcountry on steroids, take the description for the Backcountry and throw an exponent on it. This system is our most popular, all around suspension system. The on-road ride is terrific, sharp edges are rounded and light to medium duty offroad escapades become completely controlled and uneventful. Most Carli videos were filmed with the Pintop kit showcasing the extremes of its capability.

The Pintop is a Jack-of-all-trades system from which every Super Duty owner would benefit. Raising the Super Duty Platform then adding the 2.5” diameter shocks (55% more piston surface area than a 2.0” shock) will support the argument that these trucks should come equipped with 2.5” shocks from the factory. The higher end systems will get you more off-road capability, yes, and even a bit more on-road. The premium paid for these systems; however, doesn’t compare to the on and off-road ride quality per dollar spent on the Pintop. For these reasons, it will likely remain our best seller for years to come.

The Pintop system boasts Carli specific, blueprinted, King 2.5” shocks on all four corners. 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 around the custom pistons based on the only thing that matters to us, 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 can’t 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.

The truck will sit 3.5” higher in the front and have more wheel travel thanks to the lighter rate Carli Coil Springs. 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 and a fabricated, High-Clearance Bump Stop Drop to keep the springs clear from the contacting the factory bump stop. The front Sway Bar Geometry will need to be addressed with your choice of a Sway Bar Drop Bracket (more economical, maintains the factory Sway Bar End Links) or our Extended Sway Bar links with relocation brackets – a FAR more robust option. For those seeking the most possible ride quality, we offer our full replacement Torsion Sway Bar that lightens the most neglected spring rate – the factory sway bar. From the Torsion Sway bar upgrade, one can expect a far more compliant feel and increased articulation with only slightly more body roll. The replacement End Links and Torsion Sway Bar are the only options compatible with a snow-plow bracket.

The rear can be outfitted with a replacement Full Progressive Spring Pack (reduces capacity to a “light” ¾-ton) or factory leaf-pack modifying Progressive Add-a-Pack (eliminates the factory block and maintains payload capacity; pairs with a rear bump stop drop). This is where the F250 and F350 are a bit different. Since 2008, the main spring packs on these two trucks is different; the F250 has a lighter rate spring pack (2 main leaf springs) than its 350 counterpart (3 main leaf springs). The F250 Add-a-Pack equipped systems are a nice improvement over stock; the F350 with the Add-a-Pack is still very stiff in the rear as the main pack doesn’t move much unless loaded. We recommend the Full Replacement Leaf Spring packs for both trucks but especially the F350 given the super-stiff factory springs. If you own an F250 built with the Tremor or high-capacity tow package, these are equipped with an F350 rear spring and should avoid the add-a-pack, as well. If capacity is a concern, an aftermarket airbag system should be installed to complement the Full Progressive Leaf Springs to restore the F350 capacity. We recommend a system that will allow the airbags to disconnect from the lower mount during suspension cycling to ensure you’re able to take advantage of all your rear suspension travel. The Full Progressive Leaf Spring Pack will shift the axle slightly forward in the wheel well to ensure maximum tire clearance for a 37” M/T at full compression.

This system will not achieve a proper rear-high stance without the installation of the Add-a-Pack or Full Progressive Leaf Spring Pack. Without any rear option, an F250 will sit about rear-low. If a Carli rear spring option is not purchased, one can install the taller 2017-19 Ford 3″ rear block for a leveled stance but rear ride quality will not be optimized (Factory Block PN: HC3Z-5598-A and HC3Z-5598-B)

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 2.5” Ford Systems, we recommend 17”-18” wheels, no more than 9” wide with 5.5” of backspacing with Carli Fabricated Radius Arms or 5” Backspace with factory arms; 5” will require a bit more trimming. Tires, 37×12.5” will fit with some trimming; 35” will likely fit without trimming. 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.

***Lift Height Note: 2020 Super Duties were lowered 1” from the factory when comparing to the 2017-19. Further, the Tremor Package is a factory 2” lift on the 20-22 platform putting them 1” taller than the 17-19. As these all START at different heights yet utilize the same lifts, the stated lift height is different. They’ll all end up measuring the same with the lift installed!

Base Kit Includes:

• 2.5" Lift, Linear Rate Ford Leveling Coils - CS-FLC-11-GAS


• Carli Custom Tuned KING 2.5" Remote Reservoir Shocks, Front and Rear with Stainless Shafts & Reservoir Mounts - CS-FPT25SPKG-LVL-11-GAS


• Extended Braided Brake Lines, Front - CS-FORDBBL-LVL-17-F


• 2° Caster Correction Shim - CS-FCASTERSHIM-2.5


• High-Clearance Bump Stop Drops, Front - CS-FBDF-2.5-17


• Adjustable Track Bar - CS-FATB-17

Options:

Sway Bar (required)

The Pintop System has been optimized for use with the Torsion Sway Bar; this sway bar upgrade is a HUGE ride quality upgrade. Maintaining the factory sway bar through use of the Sway Bar Drops or Extended Link Kit is only recommended for customers with snow-plows, in-bed campers or who are constantly hauling to the capacity of the truck.

-Sway Bar Drop Brackets, Leveling

• Corrects Sway Bar Geometry in Carli Leveling Suspensions

- Sway Bar End Link Kit, 2.5"/3.5" Lifts

• Combines End Links and Drop Brackets For Perfect Sway Bar Position


• Extended Length to accommodate Leveled Trucks


• 17-4 Stainless Steel, Greaseable and Fully Rebuildable


• Excellent Articulation


• Compatible with 2.5″ & 3.5″ Suspension Systems

- Torsion Sway Bar - WITH End Links, Leveling

• Direct Fitment to Carli Leveling Lifts


• Replaces Immobile Factory Sway Bar with Custom Torsion Bar


• Huge Ride Quality Improvement


• Includes Drop Brackets and Sway Bar Links

Rear Leaf Spring Options (optional)

-Progressive Add-A-Packs - Leveling

• Smooth, Progressive Design


• Supplied with Bump Stop Drops, U-bolts and hardware


• Pairs to Carli Leveling Lifts, provides 1/2"-1" high rear stance


• Eliminates the Factory Block


• Load capacity is maintained, ride quality is improved

-Full Progressive Leaf Packs For Leveling Systems

• Block eliminating, Full Progressive Spring Pack


• Includes new U-Bolts and Rear Bump Stop Drops


• Provides a 1", rear high stance on Matching 2.5" Leveling Suspension Systems


• 37" Tire Fitment

-Full Progressive Leaf Packs For Leveling Systems, Heavy Duty

• Block eliminating, Full Progressive Spring Pack


• Heavy Duty Full Replacement Leaf Springs designed for those with constant 1,000lbs in the bed


• Includes new U-Bolts and Rear Bump Stop Drops


• Provides a 1", rear high stance on Matching 2.5" Leveling Suspension Systems


• 37" Tire Fitment

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.

• Greasable and Rebuildable


• Far Better Ride than Factory Shackle


• 1/4" Steel Construction


• Fits Factory and Carli Springs

2° Pinion Shim (optional)

• When modifying the rear leaf springs (add-a-pack or Full Spring Pack) of the 2017+ Super Duty platform, there's a small chance you'll induce a driveline vibration around 70mph when under power from the rear driveline. These pinion shims will correct the angle to 4°-5°, ideal for our lifted applications. Although these will not be "required" on every truck, we've found the 4°-5° spec to be superior in our applications and these are FAR easier to install initially than correctively.

High Mount Steering Stabilizer (optional)

• Long Lasting Performance and Appearance


• Bolt in Replacement for OEM Stabilizer


• Works on leveled and lifted trucks ONLY

Low Mount Steering Stabilizer (optional)

• 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

Adjustable Radius Arms (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.

• 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


• Combines with Radius Arm Drop Brackets for 4.5"-5.5" Carli Systems

Weld-On Rear Shock Mounts

• Weld-On


• Massive Strength Increase


• Fits up to 3.0" King Shock in Factory Location


• NOT For Use With Factory-Style Shocks


• Includes Flag-Bolt for Easy Shock Installation