Technical > Installation Guide
SEMA Suspension Winners Revisited - Part 2
Lifts for the Latest Popular 4x4s
story & photos by Steve Temple
Fabtech’s breakthrough design of its Coilover Shock conversion system completely changes the look and performance of a Ford Super Duty suspension. This coil-over conversion mounts directly on the factory locations, replacing the stock coil-spring buckets with heavily gusseted 1.75-inch tubing for exceptional strength. Fabtech’s setup uses either the Dirt Logic 2.5 or the massive Dirt Logic 4.0 Coilover Shocks.
  Note how much beefier the Fabtech coil-over upgrade looks compared with the stock setup. |
The latter features a massive 4.0-inch diameter mono tube with a 3 5/8-inch OD piston. This hockey-puck-size component is attached to a 1 1/4-inch diameter piston rod and billet-aluminum end caps for effective dampening of the most aggressive maneuvers in the toughest terrain. The 4.0 Dirt Logic Coilover also includes an integrated 2.5-inch-diameter reservoir, along with ride-height adjustment from six to eight inches over stock. The slightly smaller Dirt Logic 2.5 offers the same height adjustment and is still a proven performer in a variety of demanding applications. Added to this high-performance coil-over conversion are hydraulic bump stops.
An F-250 fitted with Fabtech’s six-inch lift. |
This trick-looking adjustable Dirt Logic 4.0 Coilover is designed to work with either the 4-Link or Radius Arm system. The system’s shocks feature extra-large, four-inch diameter monotube construction with an integrated piggyback reservoir. |
This Coilover Shock System is compatible with either the Radius Arm or 4-Link systems. The patent-pending Radius Arms have a tubular structure strengthened by dimple-die side plates, with an adjustable alignment cam at the axle to allow caster adjustment.
Supported by gusseted 1.75-inch tubing, Fabtech’s coil-over conversion system directly replaces the stock Super Duty coil-spring buckets (right). |
Note Fabtech radius arm compared with stock, stamped-steel unit for Ford Super Duty. The dimple-die side plates on the Fabtech component provide additional strength over stock units. The offset design also provides greater tire clearance. |
On the 4-Link system, the two-inch diameter heavy-wall tubular arms feature race style one-inch Uniballs for superior strength. Thick, 1/4-inch steel brackets secure the 4-Links to the frame without cutting or welding. This 4 Link system allows the use of Fabtech’s replacement coil springs or the premium-grade Dirt Logic adjustable Coilover Shock conversion. The system also includes billet swaybar links, Trac Bar relocation bracket, Pitman Arm and more. Rear lift options include blocks and u-bolts or replacement leaf springs.
For even better performance, Fabtech’s 4-Link system for the 2005 Super Duty allows more articulation and wheel travel. |
Securing the 4-Link system to the frame are 1/4-inch-thick brackets, with no cutting or welding required. |
  These stout links are two inches in diameter and include race-duty one-inch uniballs. |