2017-2019 Ford F-250/F-350 2.5" Carli Commuter Kit

The Super Duty Commuter 2.0 system is designed for people seeking the best on-road ride quality that don’t plan to off-road their vehicle beyond low-speed trail driving. Utilizing Carli SPEC 2.0″ Diameter, Internal Reservoir shocks, we’ve developed a tune that delivers all-around comfort and ride quality designed for on-road, in town, highway, and towing/hauling.

The mono-tube, internal reservoir, Carli SPEC 2.0 boasts 6063 Aluminum construction, anodized body for corrosion resistance, 5/8″ hardened steel chrome plated shaft, full serviceability & rebuildability and are built with 1-piece bushings in the 6061 billet rod-ends. These shocks are spec’d with a premium 5WT oil to balance lubricity, consistent damping and the widest available range in temperature variation. We back these with a 1-year warranty, serviced by Carli. More details on these shocks can be found HERE. Unlike most of our suspension systems, the Commuter was tuned with 20”, factory wheels on factory Michelin tires given many in the entry level, 3.5” lift market that wanted the most bang for their buck and will continue to run the factory wheels and tires.

The truck will sit 2.5” 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 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 – a FAR more robust option. The replacement End Links are the only option compatible with a plow bracket.

The rear can be outfitted with one of 3 options:

1. Best: A replacement Full Progressive Spring Pack (reduces capacity to a “light” ¾-ton). The Full Progressive Leaf Spring Pack offers the best ride and will shift the axle slightly forward in the wheel well to ensure maximum tire clearance for a 37” M/T at full compression. The Full Replacement Leaf Springs do not require any block (factory block is removed). 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.
2. Better: Factory leaf-pack modifying Progressive Add-a-Pack (maintains factory payload capacity). 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.
3. Good: The final option is to select “NO rear option” in this scenario, the rear lift will be left up to the customer as no rear spring modification is purchased. With this option, the rear springs are unaltered and customers will be best with the “PAP” valving profile. The valving has been tested on both F250 and F350 (2 and 3 leaf main packs). The F250s with 2 Main springs will require a taller block to sit level (4″ and slightly tapered). The F350 (and f250 High capacity tow) with 3- leaf main springs will need a 3″ block, also slightly tapered. Tremors do not require a block change as they come with a taller, tapered block and will sit slightly rear high with the Carli System installed.

AGAIN: Ensure your System includes the properly valved shocks for the rear spring modification purchased as noted in the above system configurator.

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.