My son and I purchased a 2017 SD Powerstroke yesterday. This is primarily his truck and is already planning mods. He wants a leveling kit and 35 or 37" tires (on the oem 20's) as one of his first mods. I see that most all 2" kits are just spacers only. But some of the 2.5" kits are spacers only while some include shock extensions and others mention a track bar relocation bracket may be needed. Do most SD's require the track bar bracket or just some?

 

I am looking at doing this as well on my 2019 F350. I will be going with 37" tires on 22" wheels with the 2.5" leveling kit. Based on what I have been reading you should go with the track bar, so will be purchasing the kit that has the track bar relocation bracket, sound isolators, shocks extensions and sway bar spacers.
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I've noticed during my research that even some of the 2.5" kits that do not come with a track bar relocation bracket note in the "fine print" that some F250's will require one.
I've also kinda shocked at the price of some of these brackets. In my experience, the relocation brackets are a much cheaper option than an adjustable track bar. Apparantly that isn't the case with the 17-19 Super Duty trucks!

 

amazon warehouse had the relocation bracket for 108 last month or so. if you don't mind the axle not being centered youll be ok but id get a relocation bracket if you go 2.5

 

I agree. I've started looking at adjustable track bars now. I think that would be an easier installation on top of allowing me to perfectly center the axle. Now I wonder if I should go with a 3" leveling kit since my son is dead set on 37's.

 

I believe the 2.5 leveling kit will allow you to run 37s just fine. Any more than 2.5 I'd look into full lift kits.

 

just know on stock 20's they will rub on the radius arm and possibly sway bar (among other areas that will likely rub) due to the offset

 

The better kits come with

springs not spacers
track bar relocation bracket
brake line accommodations
antis sway bar accommodations
steering shaft extension
new shocks
pinion arm relocation brackets

and sometimes you need the bushing to adjust wheel chamber

sometimes you need a bracket to reposition transfer case



for 2.5 inches you could get by with spacer , shock extensions, but you will probally need anti sway bar links and a solution for the brake lines

 

Thanks guys. I didn't know what the height limit is with a simple spacer type leveling kit on these trucks. I know every brand is a little different. There is always a limit to what you can do inexpensively without causing major issues. I sold my last F150 in 2012 and have been in a Ram 2500 and a Jeep JKU since then.
I remember when the 04 F150 was introduced and a few companies manufactured 3" leveling kits. Owners quickly discovered that 2.5" was the limit. The 3" kits would wear out the ball joints and CV joints on those trucks in short order! There is always a limit!
It sounds like 2.5" is also the limit on the 17-19 F250's.

 

There is not a height limit - just depends on what you want to do and if you want to do it right functionally or get by on less expensive options for the look to drive around town (not saying that's bad if that's all you do)

Personally, I am not a fan of spacer lifts. That said, I do use a .5" spacer under my 2.5" Carli lift spring for that little bit more I wanted. I actually may remove it next time I rotate the tires. Since recently putting a new bumper and winch on I was anticipating it to sag and it really didn't - so when I did the lift I was more forward thinking about that potential sag which is the main reason I put the .5" spacer on - was not needed for clearance.

Here is what I did to legitimately clear 37's - and by that I mean many folks "clear" 37's driving in a straight line, but they rub at full lock, rub going up driveway's, etc. And some folks are happy with that as their truck never see's dirt or articulation off-road. Personally, I live on a ranch on a long gravel road and I take my truck camping and hunting/fishing off road a lot so I didn't want any rub anytime and want it to function anywhere I take it.

I also tow with my truck (GN and bumper pulls), have had no negative experiences post lift (only positive), no death wobble and a smooth ride.

2.5" Fox Shocks with DSC (all 4 corners)
Lewis Built Adjustable Track Bar
Lewis Built Adjustable Radius Arms
17" Walker Evans 501 Rims (4.89 BS, 8.5" wide)
37" Toyo Open Country MT (12.5" wide)
Carli 2.5" Springs
Carli Brake Lines
Carli Bump Stop Drop
Carli Sway Bar Drop
.5" metal lift spacer (under spring perch)
Fox ATS Stabilizer
Stock rear springs
All wheel wells measure within 1/4" of each other
No rubbing and no trimming (tested on truck by cycling front end with no spring and with tires on - full lock to lock. )

The biggest issues you face with 37's (especially on stock rims) is not height clearance, but turning clearance on sway bar, front bumper, radius arms, fender liners, etc.

 

Thanks for the info man! So your truck is basically perfectly level with a total of 3 inches of lift up front? That is really our biggest concern.

 

^^^^yes^^^^

 

Thanks for the information. I'm leaning toward the base 2.5 inch Readylift kit and adding an adjustable track bar.

 

2.5 inch level spacers
Adjustable Track Bar
Sway Bar Drop Brackets
Icon Shocks
King SS
22x10 Black Rhino Warlords +12
37x12.50 Toyo RT

slight rub when backing up over dips on air dam is all

 

Great looking truck! Do the 17-19 F350's still use a taller lift block out back? My son wants to run 37's on the OEM wheels now so we'll be dealing with some rubbing on the radius arms. I'm sure at some point, he will add wider aftermarket wheels though.