2017-2019 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke Suspension Parts

Suspension on the 2017-2019 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke

Ford put two different front ends under these trucks. A 4x4 F-250 or F-350, and every F-450, rides on a solid monobeam axle with coil springs, radius arms, a track bar, a front stabilizer bar and a steering damper. A 4x2 F-250 or F-350 uses Twin-I-Beam independent front suspension, still on coil springs and with a stabilizer bar. Every truck runs leaf springs out back, four leaves with the 6.75-foot box and six with the 8-foot box, damped by 1.38-inch gas shocks. Dually trucks get a rear stabilizer bar from the factory, and single-rear-wheel trucks get one with the Camper package.

Packages change the starting point. The Camper, Snow Plow and Heavy-Service Front Suspension packages fit upgraded front springs, and FX4 Off-Road trucks left the plant with off-road-tuned shocks. Under all of it sits the fully boxed 2017 frame, which Ford rates up to 24 times stiffer than the 2016 frame. With the 6.7L Powerstroke making 440 horsepower in 2017 pickups and 450 in 2018-2019 pickups, and many owners hitching up fifth-wheels and campers, the parts on this page center on carrying load, setting ride height and keeping the front end in check.

What fails and why

The headline problem is front-end oscillation. On 2017-2019 F-250 and F-350 4x4 trucks and on all F-450 and F-550 models, hitting an expansion joint or rough pavement above about 45 mph can set off a violent shake that only stops when you slow down. Reports start around 10,000 miles. Ford's answer was Customer Satisfaction Program 20N04, which installs a redesigned steering linkage damper and extends damper coverage to 7 years or 100,000 miles.

Many owners report the damper alone is a band-aid. The wear items behind the shake on this solid-axle front end are the track bar, the radius arms, the ball joints and the tie-rod ends. Fixes owners report include dual steering dampers, radius arm replacement and a proper alignment. The second common complaint is at the rear. Ford selects the rear spring pack by GVWR package, so a truck loaded with a fifth-wheel, gooseneck or camper can sag, pointing the nose up and affecting headlight aim and braking. That sag is the usual reason owners add air helper springs.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

If the truck rides at factory height and the shocks are worn out, a direct-fit shock keeps the stock stance. If you tow heavy, air helper springs are the targeted fix: the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 kit for 2017-2019 trucks levels up to 5,000 pounds, runs between 5 and 100 psi and mounts under the frame rails, clear of fifth-wheel and gooseneck hardware. If you want a level stance or more clearance, a leveling kit raises the front, and a full lift kit raises the whole truck with new front geometry. A lift affects more than height. The BDS kits for this truck include the track bar and sway-bar link pieces the extra height calls for, plus rear blocks or add-a-leafs, and air-spring brackets on a lifted truck may need spacers.

What we carry

Bilstein supplies the shocks in B6 4600, B8 5100 and B8 5160 series, plus B8 5112 and B8 5162 leveling kits. Air Lift covers the air side: LoadLifter 5000 and LoadLifter 7500XL helper springs, WirelessONE and WirelessAIR compressor systems, load controllers and air-spring spacers. BDS Suspension builds the lift kits, from 2.5 to 8 inches in radius-arm and 4-link layouts with FOX 2.5 coil-over options, along with leveling coil spacers, a recoil traction bar mounting kit and a rear sway bar link kit. Wehrli Custom Fabrication makes traction bar kits, axle bracket kits and replacement bushings and heims. SPE Motorsport adds a fixed caster kit, track bar bushing kits, a 1-inch rear block kit and a Stage-2 2.5-inch kit. BD Diesel offers an adjustable track bar and a track bar bracket, Daystar Products has Comfort Ride leveling kits, and No Limit Fabrication makes a low-profile front bump stop.

Fitment notes

Start with drivetrain. The 4x2 Twin-I-Beam front and the 4x4 monobeam front take different shocks, and nearly every leveling and lift kit here is listed for 4WD only. Then single or dual rear wheels: BDS lists separate dually versions of its 4-inch kits, and Bilstein lists separate rear shocks for the F-450 and F-550. BDS builds diesel-specific kits for this generation because the diesel trucks use different front spring rates than the gas trucks. For traction bars, Wehrli's bracket kits are made for a specific rear axle, Dana M275 or Dana M300, and Ford's data also lists a Sterling 10.50 in this era, so read the axle tag or the door-jamb code before ordering. Watch year ranges too. Air Lift's 2017-2019 LoadLifter kit does not swap with the 2011-2016 kit, and several parts here carry ranges that start or end in other years. When in doubt, verify by VIN.

Frequently asked questions

Does Ford still cover the death wobble fix on a 2017-2019 Super Duty?

Program 20N04 replaces the steering linkage damper with a redesigned part and extends its coverage to 7 years or 100,000 miles. It applies to F-250 through F-550 trucks built between late 2015 and November 2019 at Ford's Kentucky and Ohio plants, and the coverage transfers to later owners. Have a Ford dealer run your VIN before you pay for a damper out of pocket.

The wobble came back after the damper was replaced. What should I check?

Owners report that happens when wear elsewhere is the real cause. On this front end the track bar, radius arms, ball joints and tie-rod ends are the wear items behind the shake. Inspect them, replace what is loose, and finish with an alignment that includes caster. Track bar bushings, an adjustable track bar and a fixed caster kit are all in this section.

Will air helper springs interfere with my gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch?

The LoadLifter 5000 kit for 2017-2019 F-250 and F-350 4WD trucks mounts under the frame rails, so it stays clear of fifth-wheel and gooseneck hardware. The same kit fits 2017 and later F-450 4WD trucks. The compressor systems and load controllers here are add-ons for managing the air pressure.

What else do I need when I install a lift kit?

The BDS kits for this truck include the track bar and sway-bar link pieces the height calls for, with blocks or add-a-leafs at the rear. If you already run air springs, measure the bracket gap after the lift, because lifted trucks may need spacers. Plan an alignment once the truck is back on the ground.

Can I level a 2WD F-250 with these kits?

Most leveling kits here are listed for 4WD trucks, where the front rides on coil springs over a solid axle. A 4x2 F-250 or F-350 uses Twin-I-Beam independent front suspension instead, which is a different design. Check the drivetrain in each listing, or call and we'll match a part to your truck.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.