Ford Super Duty Superlift Lift Kit

When you're putting together a "usable" truck that can act as a work truck, chase truck, tow truck, and full-on support truck, you need to make sure you put a functional suspension that isn't too high or too stiff. Using off-the-shelf parts is always a big plus, so replacement parts can be ordered and shipped directly to you should the need ever arise. Our friend Mike O'Donnell had his truck up on 38-inch Cepeks with an entire set of expensive custom leaves and dual remote-reservoir shocks. His truck had around an 8- or 9-inch lift and was just a bit too tall to be really useful off-road or for work. The 38-inch tires were verging on being a bit big as well, but if we could drop the truck down in height and still keep the same tire, it would be a lot more functional. At the same time, we were curious at how an off-the-shelf kit would perform against a fully custom megabucks kit. To make the challenge a bit more fair, we called up Superlift and made sure we got every option we could with its off-the-shelf 6-inch kit. And even with the Superlift kit all opted out, we were still not at half the price of the four custom leaves and remote-reservoir shocks O'Donnell had on his truck previously. Xtreme Unlimited in Oceano, California, removed the original suspension and installed the new suspension. We then headed to Oceano (Pismo) Dunes for some suspension testing. It was great having Xtreme Unlimited's shop only a few miles from the sand dunes in case we overtested something.

From the factory, Super Dutys come with a factory crash bar below the bumper. This is to keep smaller cars from getting sucked underneath the truck in the event of an accident. Most trucks have the bars removed once it is lifted, but this one still had the framehorns for it. Pete Ritterbush of Xtreme Unlimited took a torch to the horns and did a great job of plasma cutting a really nice line congruent with the lines of the spring hanger.Check out the military-wrap front spring eye on the Superlift leaf springs. That's a nice option in case of a main-leaf break during extreme use.
From the factory, Super Dutys come with a factory crash bar below the bumper. This is to k

As an option, Superlift offers dual shocks in the front, which is achieved with a replacement upper shock bracket.
As an option, Superlift offers dual shocks in the front, which is achieved with a replacem
The lower shock mounting point is turned into a dual-shock mount by using a longer bolt and mounting the shocks single-shear on the bracket. Generally, you try to stay away from single-shear mounting, but since this is an extremely robust bracket, and the shocks are strictly shock-absorbing and not weight-carrying, it seems to work out well.Superlift provides a new track-bar frame bracket and dropped pitman arm that work in conjunction to eliminate any bumpsteer when lifting the truck 6 inches.
The lower shock mounting point is turned into a dual-shock mount by using a longer bolt an

As an option, specifically valved Superlift SSR remote-reservoir shocks were provided for the front end. Instead of trying to twist the heck out of the reservoir lines to mount them on the corresponding bodies, Xtreme Unlimited suggested just mounting the reservoirs on the opposite shock bodies. Duh. Sometimes things are too simple and easy to realize.
As an option, specifically valved Superlift SSR remote-reservoir shocks were provided for
Superlift also provided new extended brake lines - really nice ones too! The Bulletproof lines are an option as well, but we highly suggest getting them. The added stopping power of the Teflon-lined braided stainless steel lines is definitely noticed over old rubber lines that can expand when line pressure (applying the brakes) is increased.
Superlift also provided new extended brake lines - really nice ones too! The Bulletproof l
The Superlift kit also comes with a dual-steering stabilizer option utilizing two Superlift SS Bilstein shocks. We've always had a problem with the way steering stabilizers mount on Super Dutys. These shocks are just asking for it sitting at such a low point on the truck. If we bash these in, it won't be the first set we've done that to.
The Superlift kit also comes with a dual-steering stabilizer option utilizing two Superlif

We also optioned in for an Extreme Ring for the front Dana 60 axle. It allows you to add substantial protection to your differential without even having to remove the original cover.
We also optioned in for an Extreme Ring for the front Dana 60 axle. It allows you to add s
Superlift also included bumpstop spacers and new bumpstops to limit the upward travel of the kit. They mount in the factory position with no drilling.
Superlift also included bumpstop spacers and new bumpstops to limit the upward travel of t
Superlift offers its standard block kit for the rear with its 6-inch suspension, or you can opt for full replacement leaves to eliminate any block but the factory one.This four-leaf (plus an overload leaf) had a lot of arch but seemed like it had a good amount of movement in it. Dennis Gregory and Ritterbush lifted the spring into place for the front spring eye, but it took a little massaging to get the rear spring eye into the shackle. We'll see how well it flexes when we get out to test the truck.
Superlift offers its standard block kit for the rear with its 6-inch suspension, or you ca

Superlift SS shocks are basically Bilstein 5100s with special valving done specifically for the springs Superlift uses. A single SS shock on each side made this rear kit all too simple.
Superlift SS shocks are basically Bilstein 5100s with special valving done specifically fo
For the tire selection, this owner decided to go with some 38x15.50R18 Dick Cepek Mud Country tires on 18-inch DC-1 wheels. He powdercoated the wheels completely black prior to the install, and we think the grey Super Duty looked pretty sick on its blacked-out Cepek package.
For the tire selection, this owner decided to go with some 38x15.50R18 Dick Cepek Mud Coun

We opted for the Torque Max traction bars for our Super Duty kit as well. The Torque Max bars are specifically designed (therefore many application numbers) to inhibit axlewrap while not hindering travel with the specific Superlift spring they're designed to work with. The rear of the traction bars bolts to a bracket that mounts to the U-bolt holding on the factory rear shock mount. The front of the Torque Max bars features swivel ends that are extremely important for keeping the bars from binding the suspension when twisting up.
We opted for the Torque Max traction bars for our Super Duty kit as well. The Torque Max b
Because the truck had 38-inch Cepek Mud Countrys on it and now only a 6-inch lift, we were going to need to do something about tire clearance at the rear of the front fenders. This is the bad rubbing point for Super Dutys with big tires. For now, Gregory cut the rear corners of the fenders and cleaned up the edges with a file.
Because the truck had 38-inch Cepek Mud Countrys on it and now only a 6-inch lift, we were

What Did We Think?
Seriously, Superlift has really set itself on a top tier in our minds. This is not the first time that we have seen a Superlift suspension best a suspension costing many times more, but it is hard to believe that some readily available parts that could be ordered in just a few days could work as well as custom-built shocks and leaves, much less better! But Superlift really did a great job matching its shock valving to its spring rates. The Super Duty kit really smoothed out some serious bumps while keeping an amazing on-road ride quality. Any classic Super Duty chatter was gone, and there was no nose-bobbing. The Torque Max traction bars worked in unison with the rear leaf springs, still allowing a ton of movement while inhibiting any axlewrap. We ditched the rear antisway bar when we added the rear Superlift kit, but O'Donnell is thinking of putting it back on now that the rear has a more supple rear suspension.Sand-dune play is a great way to test if your tires are going to rub anywhere. The 38-inch Mud Country tires were still rubbing a little bit on the front fender during full compression, so we'll either have to cut more fender or add fiberglass fenders to the truck.