Carli Suspension Dominator 4.5" System | King 3.0" Remote Reservoir Shocks | 10" Front Travel | Bolt-In Front / Weld-In Rear | 2017–2019 Ford F-250 / F-350 Diesel 4WD | SKU: CS-F45-D30-17
Couldn't load pickup availability
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 2017 through 2019 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty with a diesel engine and 4WD. The SKU is categorized by Carli specifically under the 2017–2019 platform. The 2020 and newer Super Duty underwent suspension and platform changes that place it in a separate Carli system category — confirm current-generation fitment with OFAS before ordering if your truck is 2020 or newer.
| Year Range | Make | Model | Drivetrain | Engine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2019 | Ford | F-250 Super Duty | 4WD | Diesel | Bolt-in front / weld-in rear shock mounts |
| 2017–2019 | Ford | F-350 Super Duty SRW | 4WD | Diesel | Bolt-in front / weld-in rear shock mounts |
| 2017–2019 | Ford | F-350 Super Duty DRW | 4WD | Diesel | DRW axle tube is 4.5" — confirm fitment before ordering |
A rear leaf spring and sway bar option are both required at checkout and are not included in the base kit price.
Axle tube note: Standard F-250 has a 3.5" axle tube. High-Capacity Tow Package F-250 has a 4" axle tube. F-350 SRW has a 4" axle tube. F-350 DRW has a 4.5" axle tube. Measure your axle tube before ordering.
Verify fitment by text: (469) 407-7538
Does NOT Fit
| Exclusion | Reason | Correct System |
|---|---|---|
| 2020+ F-250/F-350 | The 2020 Super Duty platform is in a separate Carli system category — this SKU (CS-F45-D30-17) is not confirmed for 2020+ trucks | Confirm 2020+ system availability with OFAS — text (469) 407-7538 |
| 2016 or earlier F-250/F-350 | Prior platform — 2011–2016 equivalent is the Unchained (CS-F45-UC30-11) | CS-F45-UC30-11 |
| 2017–2019 F-250/F-350 Gas | Diesel-specific coil springs and geometry | Confirm gas 4.5" availability with OFAS |
| 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 |
| Trucks with factory or aftermarket 5th wheel hitch | Carli explicitly states none of the trucks tested were equipped with 5th wheel hitches, and that the weld-in rear shock mounts interfere with 5th wheel hitch installations and require hitch modification by a fabricator | Confirm 5th wheel hitch situation before ordering — text (469) 407-7538 |
| Factory wheels with oversized tires | Factory wheels confirmed to cause rubbing on radius arm, sway bar, and brake lines with oversized tires | Order 17"–18" wheels, max 9" wide, 5" backspacing, E-rated |
Verify fitment by text: (469) 407-7538
Component Specifications
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| SKU | CS-F45-D30-17 |
| System name | Dominator 4.5" — 2017–2019 F-250/F-350 Diesel 4WD |
| Base price | From $7,933.00 (sway bar and rear leaf spring required — additional cost) |
| Front lift height | 4.5 inches |
| Rear lift height | 3 inches |
| Front wheel travel | 10 inches |
| Rear wheel travel | 13 inches |
| Front shocks | King 3.0" Remote Reservoir — Carli Signature-tuned; offset upper stem-top and lower mounts for BOLT-IN installation; 10" travel; 17-4 stainless machined shafts; custom Carli piston; King oil rated to -55°F; 45% greater piston surface area than 2.5" King; 126% greater than factory 2.0" shock |
| Rear shocks | King 3.0" Piggyback Reservoir — Carli Signature-tuned; weld-in upper mounts (cutting and welding required); offset mount positions shock body away from frame |
| Front coil springs | Progressive-rate front coils (CS-FMRC-05) |
| Radius arm drop brackets | CS-FRAD-17 — resets radius arm pivot point for linear travel |
| Adjustable track bar | CS-FATB-17 — CUB vibration-damping uniball joint; adjustable for 2.5"–4.5" lift on 2017–2019; corrects axle centering |
| Caster shims | Included — tightens steering geometry |
| Front brake lines | CS-FORDBBL-45-17 — extended stainless brake lines; maintains firm pedal feel |
| Bump stop drops | Included — protects shocks from over-compression |
| Tire fitment | 37" x 13.5" |
| Recommended wheel | 17"–18", max 9" wide, 5" backspacing, E-rated tire |
What Is and Is NOT Included
Included in base kit:
| Component | SKU |
|---|---|
| King 3.0" Remote Reservoir front shocks with offset bolt-in upper mounts (pair) | King/Carli |
| King 3.0" Piggyback Reservoir rear shocks with weld-in upper mounts (pair) | King/Carli |
| Progressive-rate front coil springs | CS-FMRC-05 |
| Radius arm drop brackets | CS-FRAD-17 |
| Adjustable CUB track bar | CS-FATB-17 |
| Caster shims | Included |
| Extended stainless front brake lines | CS-FORDBBL-45-17 |
| Bump stop drops | Included |
| Hardware per Carli specification | Included |
Required at checkout (not in base price):
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Torsion Sway Bar | Required. Carli marks this as REQUIRED. Dominator is optimized for the Torsion Sway Bar. Factory sway bar drops are only appropriate for snow plow, in-bed camper, or constant-capacity-hauling applications. |
| Rear leaf spring | Required. Full Progressive Leaf Springs (REQUIRED, Carli's own language). "Selecting anything other than this option will result in non-optimal operation." Add-a-Pack is an available selection but non-optimal. |
Optional at checkout:
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Fabricated Radius Arms | Highly recommended — adds tire clearance, limit strap protection, serviceable spherical bearings, adjustable caster up to 3.5° over stock. |
| Leaf Spring Shackle | Improved rear ride via serviceable bushings. |
| Long Travel Airbags | Restores factory payload capacity after full progressive leaf spring reduces rate. |
| Carrier Bearing Drop | Required for trucks with 2-piece driveshafts (CCLB) to eliminate take-off shudder at lifted height. |
| High Mount Steering Stabilizer | Bolt-in, adjustable 70–200 psi. |
| Low Mount Steering Stabilizer | Complements high mount for dual opposing setup. |
| Trophy Hitch | 16,000 lb capacity 3" hitch receiver; accommodates up to 38" spare in factory location. |
Critical Compatibility
| Condition | Interaction | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Rear weld-in shock mounts | The King 3.0" rear piggyback shocks require weld-in upper mounts that cannot be bolted to the factory frame position. Installation requires cutting and welding at the rear shock upper mount. Carli describes this as "super easy" for a qualified fabricator. | A qualified shop with welding capability and Super Duty experience is required for rear installation. |
| 5th wheel hitch (factory or aftermarket) | Carli explicitly notes no test trucks were equipped with 5th wheel hitches and that the weld-in rear shock mounts are reported to interfere with 5th wheel hitch installations, requiring modification. Carli adds the weld-on nature makes this solvable for a fabricator, but flags it as a known concern. | If your truck has a 5th wheel hitch, discuss this with your fabricator before ordering. Text (469) 407-7538. |
| 2020+ Super Duty | The product page category is "2017-19 Ford F250/F350 - 4.5" Suspension Systems." The 2020+ platform is a separate category on Carli's site. | Confirm 2020+ fitment with OFAS before ordering if your truck is 2020 or newer. |
| Torsion Sway Bar — required | Carli marks this REQUIRED and states the Dominator is optimized for it. Running factory sway bar drops is only recommended for snow plow, in-bed camper, or constant-capacity buyers. | Select Torsion Sway Bar at checkout unless you have a specific reason for factory sway bar drops. |
| Rear leaf spring — required | Full Progressive Leaf Springs are required at checkout. Carli states any other selection results in non-optimal system operation. | Select Full Progressive Leaf Springs at checkout. |
| Factory wheels with oversized tires | Confirmed rubbing on radius arm, sway bar, and brake lines with oversized tires on factory wheels. | Order appropriate aftermarket wheels before running oversized tires. |
Installation Notes
Skill level: Advanced to expert. Front installation is bolt-in — no cutting or welding on factory front buckets. Rear installation requires cutting and welding to install the upper rear shock mounts. A qualified shop with welding capability and 4.5" Super Duty lift experience is required.
Front installation: Fully bolt-in. Carli engineered offset upper stem-top and lower shock mounts specifically to allow the King 3.0" fronts to fit without cutting factory buckets.
Rear installation: Weld-in upper mounts. Cutting and welding required. Carli provides all weld-in hardware. A qualified welder is required — the mount positions the oversized 3.0" shock body away from the frame and reinforces the upper rear mount.
Nitrogen pressure: King shocks arrive pre-charged to Carli specification (250 psi at full extension for 3.0"). Confirm pressure before installation using King PN: T1001-100.
Post-install alignment: Full front-end alignment is mandatory after installation.
Track bar (CS-FATB-17): Must be adjusted to the 4.5" configuration for correct axle centering.
Required tools (expert shop):
| Tool | Required |
|---|---|
| Vehicle lift rated for F-250/F-350 | Yes |
| Torque wrench | Yes |
| Full socket and wrench set | Yes |
| Welding equipment (rear mount installation) | Yes |
| Nitrogen pressure gauge (King PN: T1001-100) | Recommended |
| Alignment equipment or appointment | Yes |
Torque specifications: Follow Carli's published torque values. Install instructions for CS-F45-D30-17 available in the Carli install guide PDF.
Common Questions
Is the front installation really bolt-in on a 3.0" shock?
Yes. Carli worked with King for several years to design offset upper stem-top and lower shock mounts that allow the King 3.0" fronts to bolt into the factory upper shock mount location without cutting or modifying the factory buckets. The rear is a different story — weld-in mounts are required at the rear.
Does this fit my 2020 or newer Super Duty?
Carli's product page categories the Dominator CS-F45-D30-17 under the "2017-19 Ford F250/F350 - 4.5" Suspension Systems" category. The 2020+ platform has its own separate category on Carli's site. Text (469) 407-7538 before ordering if your truck is a 2020 or newer — OFAS will confirm whether this SKU applies or whether a different system is required.
I have a 5th wheel hitch. Does that affect this build?
Carli explicitly notes that none of their test trucks were equipped with 5th wheel hitches and that the weld-in rear shock mounts are reported to interfere with factory and aftermarket 5th wheel hitches. Because the mounts are weld-on, a qualified fabricator can modify the hitch mounting to accommodate. This is a known issue — have your fabricator review the rear mount geometry relative to your hitch before ordering.
What is the difference between this and the Unchained system for 2011–2016?
Two key differences: shock type and platform. The Unchained uses King 3.0" Bypass shocks — which include external bypass tubes with one-way check valves and produce audible clicking. The Dominator uses King 3.0" Remote Reservoir shocks — no bypass tubes, no clicking, but slightly less extreme off-road adjustability than bypass. The Dominator also uses the upgraded CS-FATB-17 CUB track bar (vibration-damping encapsulated uniball) vs. the CS-FPRB-05 (FK Race Heim + tapered rod end) in the Unchained. The 2017–2019 platform also provides better factory front suspension geometry than the 2011–2016 generation.
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 excluded.
The Obsidian Take
This system is for the 2017–2019 F-250 or F-350 Diesel owner who wants the highest-tier 4.5" King 3.0" system available for this platform generation. At $7,933 and up, this is the performance ceiling of the 2017–2019 Super Duty 4.5" lineup — King 3.0" remote reservoir shocks front and rear, 10 inches of front travel, and the CUB track bar (CS-FATB-17) that the 2011–2016 generation never had access to.
The rear weld-in mounts are the build gate that determines who can install this system. If your shop can weld, the installation is described by Carli as straightforward for a qualified fabricator — the hardware is all provided. If your shop cannot weld, this is the wrong system regardless of budget.
It is not for the 2020-or-newer Super Duty owner without fitment confirmation — that platform has a separate system category. It is not for any buyer with a 5th wheel hitch who hasn't discussed the rear mount conflict with a fabricator. And it is not the right buy for the buyer whose use case is highway and occasional dirt — the Pintop or Backcountry delivers comparable on-road ride at meaningfully lower cost and without the weld-in rear mount requirement.
The Dominator is the truck that handles the highway and the desert in the same week without compromising either.
Manufacturer Data Disclaimer
Specifications are sourced from Carli Suspension product documentation and authorized distributor data. Actual product specifications, component fitment, required options, and year range may vary by specific vehicle configuration, axle tube diameter, factory equipment, 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 (2017–2019), engine (diesel), drivetrain (4WD), axle tube diameter, 5th wheel hitch status, sway bar selection (Torsion Sway Bar required), and rear leaf spring selection (Full Progressive required) before ordering. Text (469) 407-7538 with any fitment or build questions before your order is placed.