Carli Suspension Unchained 4.5" System | King 3.0" 2-Tube Front / 4-Tube Rear Bypass Shocks | 10.5" Front Travel | Roll Cage & Axle Truss Recommended | 2011–2016 Ford F-250 / F-350 Diesel 4WD | SKU: CS-F45-UC30-11
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Before ordering, verify your vehicle details, current setup, and SKU with OFAS fitment support so your upgrade matches your build.
Shipping & Delivery
Free shipping is available within the lower 48 U.S. states. Large or heavy items may ship by freight, and delivery timing can vary by warehouse, carrier, and product availability.
Fitment, Shipping & Product Support
Verified Fitment
This system fits the 2011 through 2016 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty with a diesel engine and 4WD. It is Carli's highest-tier 4.5-inch lift system for the 2011–2016 platform — purpose-built for buyers who want extreme off-road performance in a platform designed as a working truck. Carli recommends a roll cage and axle truss for any buyer running this system to its full off-road capability.
| Year Range | Make | Model | Drivetrain | Engine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2016 | Ford | F-250 Super Duty | 4WD | Diesel | Roll cage and axle truss recommended |
| 2011–2016 | Ford | F-350 Super Duty SRW | 4WD | Diesel | Roll cage and axle truss recommended |
| 2011–2016 | Ford | F-350 Super Duty DRW | 4WD | Diesel | DRW fitment not confirmed — text (469) 407-7538 |
A rear leaf spring selection and sway bar option are required at checkout and are not included in the base kit price.
Verify fitment by text: (469) 407-7538
Does NOT Fit
| Exclusion | Reason | Correct System |
|---|---|---|
| 2011–2016 F-250/F-350 Gas | Diesel-specific geometry and spring rates — gas trucks require separate system | Confirm with OFAS |
| 2017+ F-250/F-350 | Different platform — 2017+ Super Duty uses different suspension architecture | CS-FLVL-DOM-30-17 (Dominator 3.0, 2017+) |
| 2010 or earlier F-250/F-350 | Prior Super Duty generation — different suspension geometry | See Carli 2005–2010 systems |
| Ford F-150 | F-150 front suspension is a different architecture | Not applicable |
| 2WD F-250/F-350 | 4WD only — solid front axle configuration required | Not applicable |
| Buyers wanting a leveling or 2.5" lift | This system delivers 4.5" of front lift. For 2.5" leveling: CS-FLVL-BC-CS-11 (Backcountry) | See 2.5" system family |
| Buyers expecting a quiet suspension | Bypass shocks produce audible clicking from the check valves in the external tubes — this is normal bypass shock behavior, not a defect. Buyers who require silence should select a non-bypass system. | CS-F45-BC-CS-11 (Backcountry) or Pintop |
| Factory wheels with oversized tires | Factory wheels cause rubbing on radius arm, sway bar, and brake lines with oversized tires | Order 17"–18" wheels, max 9" wide, 4.5"–5" backspacing |
Verify fitment by text: (469) 407-7538
Component Specifications
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| SKU | CS-F45-UC30-11 |
| System name | Unchained 4.5" — 2011–2016 F-250/F-350 Diesel 4WD |
| Base price | From $10,266.00 (sway bar and rear leaf spring required — additional cost) |
| Front lift height | 4.5 inches |
| Rear lift range | 0–3.5 inches |
| Front wheel travel | 10.5 inches |
| Rear wheel travel | 13 inches |
| Front shocks | King 3.0" 2-Tube Front Bypass — Carli Signature-tuned; 45% greater piston surface area than 2.5" King; 126% greater than factory 2.0" shock; 17-4 stainless machined shafts; adjustable bypass tubes (wide-open rebound, neutral compression from factory); King oil rated to -55°F |
| Rear shocks | King 3.0" 4-Tube Rear Piggyback Bypass — Carli Signature-tuned |
| Shock mounts | Carli fabricated custom upper mounts — required due to 3.0" shock diameter; lifts upper mounting point and positions shock away from frame |
| Bump stop drops | Shortened to allow additional up-travel — included |
| Front coil springs | Progressive-rate coil springs mounting into Carli fabricated spring buckets |
| Radius arm drop brackets | Included — resets pivot point for linear travel |
| Adjustable track bar | CS-FPRB-05 — corrects axle centering for 4.5" lift |
| Caster shims | Included — tightens steering geometry |
| Front brake lines | Stainless — ensures adequate line length for full travel |
| Tire fitment | 37" x 13.5" |
| Recommended wheel | 17"–18", max 9" wide, 4.5"–5.0" backspacing, E-rated tire |
| Rear recommendation | Carli recommends roll cage and axle truss for full off-road use |
What Is and Is NOT Included
Included in base kit:
| Component |
|---|
| King 3.0" 2-Tube Front Bypass shocks with Carli fabricated custom mounts (pair) |
| King 3.0" 4-Tube Rear Piggyback Bypass shocks (pair) |
| Progressive-rate front coil springs in Carli fabricated spring buckets |
| Radius arm drop brackets |
| Adjustable track bar (CS-FPRB-05) |
| Caster shims |
| Stainless front brake lines |
| Shortened bump stop drops |
| Hardware and installation hardware per Carli specification |
Required at checkout (not in base price):
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rear leaf spring | Required — Full Progressive Leaf Springs recommended; Add-a-Pack compatible with noted ride quality difference. Selecting no rear spring produces unknown ride quality and height. |
| Sway bar option | Required — Carli Torsion Sway Bar recommended for non-daily-GVWR buyers. Factory sway bar drop brackets also available. |
Optional at checkout:
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Leaf spring shackle | Improved rear ride quality via serviceable bushings. Recommended for most buyers. |
| Carli Fabricated Radius Arms | Additional tire clearance, limit strap protection, serviceable spherical bearings, adjustable caster up to 3.5° over stock. Strongly recommended at this system level. |
| Carrier bearing drop | Required for 2-piece driveshaft (CCLB) to correct carrier bearing angle. Not required for single-piece driveshaft. |
| Long travel airbags | Restores factory payload capacity to reduced-rate leaf springs. Recommended for buyers who tow at or near capacity. |
| High mount steering stabilizer | Bolt-in replacement for factory stabilizer. Adjustable 70–200 psi. |
| Low mount steering stabilizer | Complements high mount for dual opposing setup. |
| Roll cage and axle truss | Recommended by Carli for any buyer using this system to its full off-road capability. Not sold by Carli — requires separate fabricator. |
Critical Compatibility
| Condition | Interaction | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Bypass shock clicking | The King 3.0" bypass shocks produce audible clicking from the check valves in the external tubes as they open and close. This is normal bypass shock behavior — not a defect and not a sign of failure. Buyers who have not used bypass shocks before should expect this sound on and off-road. | Buyer expectation management — not a warranty issue. |
| Factory wheels with oversized tires | Factory wheels cause confirmed rubbing on radius arm, sway bar, and brake lines with oversized tires. Factory tires on factory wheels work without issue. | Order 17"–18" wheels, max 9" wide, 4.5"–5" backspacing before running any oversized tire. |
| Gas-powered 2011–2016 Super Duty | No gas version of the Unchained system confirmed for this generation. | Contact OFAS before ordering if truck is gas-powered. |
| Roll cage and axle truss | Carli explicitly recommends a roll cage and axle truss when running this system to its full off-road potential. The Unchained is more capable off-road than the truck's chassis was engineered to handle without reinforcement. | If used for aggressive off-road, budget for roll cage and axle truss fabrication separately. |
| Rear leaf spring — required | Same requirement as all Carli complete systems — rear spring selection is required at checkout. No rear spring = unknown ride quality and height. | Select Full Progressive or Add-a-Pack at checkout. |
| Sway bar — required | Sway bar option is required at checkout. Not selecting a sway bar option is not permitted. | Select Carli Torsion Sway Bar (recommended) or factory drop brackets. |
| Bypass shock tuning | Shocks arrive from Carli with wide-open rebound and neutral compression. Carli provides a recommended tuning spec. Users can adjust bypass tubes for more float/comfort or engage more valving for off-road control. | Review Carli's recommended tuning guide before first drive. |
Installation Notes
Skill level: Expert. This is the most complex system in the 2011–2016 Super Duty lineup. The King 3.0" bypass shocks require Carli-fabricated custom upper mounts. The system includes all required fabricated hardware — but installing it correctly requires a highly qualified suspension shop with 4.5" Super Duty lift experience and bypass shock installation knowledge.
Post-install alignment: Full front-end alignment is mandatory after installation.
Track bar adjustment: CS-FPRB-05 must be set to the 4.5" configuration for correct axle centering.
Bypass shock tuning: The shocks ship with a Carli baseline tune. Allow time to test and adjust the bypass tubes to your preference per Carli's recommended spec before committing to a final tune.
Roll cage and axle truss: If this system will be used for serious off-road use — Carli explicitly recommends these reinforcements. Budget for them separately.
Required tools (expert shop):
| Tool | Required |
|---|---|
| Vehicle lift rated for F-250/F-350 | Yes |
| Torque wrench | Yes |
| Full socket and wrench set | Yes |
| Bypass shock handling equipment | Yes |
| Spring removal/installation tools | Yes |
| Alignment equipment or appointment | Yes |
Torque specifications: Follow Carli's published torque values. Instructions for this system are listed as currently unavailable at carlisuspension.com — contact Carli directly for installation documentation.
Common Questions
What makes the Unchained different from the Backcountry and Pintop systems at 4.5"?
Shock diameter and shock type. The Backcountry uses 2.0" Remote Reservoir shocks. The Pintop uses King 2.5" Remote Reservoir shocks. The Unchained uses King 3.0" 2-Tube Front and 4-Tube Rear Piggyback Bypass shocks — a 45% larger piston area than the 2.5" King and 126% larger than the factory shock. The bypass design adds externally adjustable tubes that control fluid movement at specific points in the shock travel. The result is a shock that floats over small terrain features and has dramatically increased damping force when large compression events occur. Carli specifically states this system is more capable off-road than even their Coilover-Bypass system. For on-road use alone, the Pintop delivers comparable ride quality at meaningfully lower cost.
My bypass shocks are clicking. Is something wrong?
No — clicking from bypass shocks is normal. The external bypass tubes use one-way check valves that open and close as the shock moves through its travel range. The clicking sound you hear is these valves operating. It is not a defect, not a sign of failure, and not covered under any warranty claim. This is inherent to bypass shock design.
Carli says to recommend a roll cage and axle truss. Do I actually need those?
Carli recommends them for any buyer using this system to its full off-road capability because the Unchained is more capable than the truck's stock chassis is designed to handle at speed off-road. If your use is primarily on-road with occasional moderate off-road, you can run this system without a roll cage. If you plan to run the truck at speed in the desert, wash, or technical terrain, Carli's recommendation stands. Budget for those items from a qualified fabricator separately — Carli does not sell them.
Why does this cost $10,266 when the Backcountry starts at $2,690?
Three factors: shock diameter (3.0" vs. 2.0"), shock type (bypass vs. remote reservoir), and component complexity. King 3.0" bypass shocks require custom fabricated upper mounts that Carli engineers and includes. The bypass tubes, custom pistons, and 17-4 stainless shafts are premium components at every point. The Backcountry is a capable system for the buyer who wants on-road and moderate off-road performance. The Unchained is for the buyer for whom the Backcountry's off-road ceiling is the starting point.
What is the warranty?
Carli provides a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects to the original purchaser, with proof of purchase at Carli's retail price required. Wear items — including shock seals, bearings, and bushings — are excluded.
The Obsidian Take
This system is for the 2011–2016 F-250 or F-350 Diesel owner who has exhausted what 2.0" and 2.5" remote reservoir shocks can deliver and needs the capability ceiling that only a 3.0" bypass shock provides. At $10,266 and up, this is not a purchase made because it looks impressive — it is made because the buyer's use case has outgrown every other system in the Carli lineup for this generation.
It is not for the buyer who wants the best on-road ride from a 4.5" lift — the Pintop delivers comparable on-road performance at lower cost and without bypass shock clicking. It is not for the buyer who runs moderate off-road trails on weekends. And it is not for the buyer who plans to skip the roll cage and axle truss recommendation while driving the truck to its suspension limits — Carli recommends those reinforcements for a reason.
At this price point and capability level, every component of the build matters: rear leaf spring selection, sway bar option, fabricated radius arms, wheel and tire backspacing, bypass tube tune, and whether the truck's chassis is reinforced to handle what the suspension can do. The Unchained is the suspension. The rest of the build is the buyer's responsibility.
Manufacturer Data Disclaimer
Specifications are sourced from Carli Suspension product documentation and authorized distributor data. Actual product specifications, component fitment, included hardware, lift heights, and required options may vary by specific vehicle configuration, available options at time of purchase, and manufacturer updates. Confirm all vehicle specifications and build requirements with Carli Suspension or OFAS before ordering.
Prop 65 Warning
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Non-Returnable Notice
Suspension components are non-returnable once installed. Confirm model year (2011–2016), engine (diesel), drivetrain (4WD), and complete build requirements — including rear leaf spring selection, sway bar option, shock compatibility, and recommended chassis reinforcements — before ordering. Text (469) 407-7538 with any fitment or build questions before your order is placed.