We've got a packed shop this week. A GMC Sierra is up getting a Fox 2.0 shock upgrade, a Sprinter van is going up on a Van Compass lift, a Raptor is getting a coilover lift, and a 4Runner is on the alignment rack. But the main story right now is a brand new Super Duty where we basically threw the entire Carli catalog at it.
Here's what's moving through the shop this week:
- GMC Sierra - Fox 2.0 snap ring shock upgrade
- Sprinter Van - Van Compass lift
- Ford Raptor - coilover lift
- Toyota 4Runner - on the alignment rack
- Ford Super Duty - full Carli Dominator system, the focus of this build
The Main Event: A Super Duty Running the Full Carli Dominator System
This truck is running the full Carli Dominator system: front torsion sway bar, radius arms, and a set of full travel airbags out back, plus 38 inch tires. That's the toughest off-road system Carli sells for the Super Duty, and this customer went all in on it.
King 3.0 Shocks: The Biggest Piece of the Kit
The biggest piece of this build is the shocks. This truck is running King 3.0s, the biggest shock Carli offers on this kit. If you're into off-road like this customer is, these are going to handle all the abuse you can throw at them and still ride good day to day.
Torsion Sway Bar Up Front
The Carli torsion sway bar frees up the front end. Instead of a bump on one side of the truck getting sent straight through to the other side like it does with the factory bar, each side of the front suspension can move more on its own.
Rear End: Leaf Pack Plus Full Travel Airbags
Out back there's a Carli leaf spring pack with a more progressive feel. That's good for off-road, but you lose a little weight-carrying capability with it. That's where the full travel airbags come in.
The bags aren't connected at the bottom on the leaf spring side. There's a cup the bag sits in when it's inflated, with a removable spacer. Pull the spacer for trail use and there's enough room that the leaf spring won't touch the bag, so you get full articulation and full travel.
13 Inches of Travel Rear, 10 Up Front
With the longer shocks, this system gets you about 13 inches of travel out back and 10 up front. That's what lets it fit 38s. It's one of the most badass off-road suspensions available for the new Super Duty.
Toyo RT Trails
The customer topped it off with Toyo RT Trail tires on a nice set of wheels. Makes sense for what he's doing with it. This truck is going to tow a boat, tow a UTV, but it's also his play toy. He lives down in Havasu, and there are plenty of trails nearby. Sometimes after work you just want to go for a quick rip, and this is the system that lets him do that and still get home safely.
Installing This Kit Isn't for Everybody
The hardest part of this install is the rear shock mounts. You have to weld a new one on. There's welding on the front too, for the limit strap tabs. If you can't weld it yourself, you need a competent shop to do it. Past that, it's a pretty straightforward lift kit, just with a lot of trick parts that add up to serious performance.
The initial valving feels soft. Hit a bump and it just floats right over. We smashed a curb at 20 mph and it rolled right over it, did the same thing at 30. One-handed driving, and I've got a ton of confidence in it.
Not Every Truck Needs to Go This Far
The GMC Sierra we've also got in the shop right now is on the other end of the spectrum. It's a Fox 2.0 snap ring system that reuses the stock springs, up to 2 inches of lift, paired with a Cognito control arm up front to get the alignment right. It's inexpensive, but it still rides way better than stock and lets the truck carry a good wheel and tire package without breaking the bank.
Build at a Glance
- Suspension: Carli Dominator system - torsion sway bar, radius arms, King 3.0 shocks
- Rear: Carli leaf spring pack plus full travel airbags
- Travel: About 13 inches rear, 10 inches front
- Tires: 38 inch Toyo RT Trail
- Customer: Out-of-state program, coming up from Havasu, Arizona - pickup Friday
Not every truck that comes through Battle Born Offroad needs the full Dominator treatment, but when a customer wants to tow, haul, and still get after it on the trails after work, this is the system that does all three. Check out the full Carli Suspension lineup at battlebornoffroad.com, or give us a call if you want help figuring out which kit fits how you actually use your truck.
Las Vegas, NV 89103
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