FABTECH FTS22277i 2017-2020 Ford F450 550 4WD 6 Inch 4-Link System Instruction Manual

FABTECH FTS22277i 2017-2020 Ford F450 550 4WD 6 Inch 4-Link System

PRE-INSTALLATION NOTES

• Check all parts to the parts list above before beginning installation. If any parts are missing contact Fabtech at 909-597-7800 and a replacement part will be sent to you immediately.
• Read all instructions thoroughly from start to finish before beginning the installation. If these instructions are not properly followed severe frame, driveline and / or suspension damage may occur.
• Check your local city and state laws prior to the installation of this system for legality. Do not install if not legal in your area.
• Prior to the installation of this suspension system perform a front end alignment and record. Do not install this system if the vehicle alignment is not within factory specifications. Check for frame and suspension damage prior to installation.
• The installation of this suspension system should be performed by two professional mechanics.
• This suspension must be installed with Fabtech shock absorbers.
• Use the provided thread locking compound on all hardware.
• WARNING
  Installation of this system will alter the center of gravity of the vehicle and may increase roll over as compared to stock.
• Vehicles that receive oversized tires should check ball joints, uniballs, tie rods ends, pitman arm and idler arm every 2500-5000 miles for wear and replace as needed.
• Verify differential fluid is at manufactures recommended level prior to kit installation. Installation of the kit will reposition the differential and the fill plug hole may be in a different position. (For example, if the manufacture recommends 3 quarts of fluid, make sure the diff has 3 quarts of fluid). Check your specific manual for correct amount of fluid.

Recommend Tires and Wheels:

•  Use 37/12.50R17 tire w/ 17×9 wheels w/ 4-3/4” BS w/ minor trimming
•  Use 37/12.50R18 tire w/ 18×9 wheels w/ 4-3/4” BS w/ minor trimming
•  Use 37/13.50R20 tire w/ 20×9 wheels w/ 5” BS w/ minor trimming

FRONT SUSPENSION

1.  Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Jack up the front end of the truck and support the frame rails with jack stands. NEVER WORK UNDER AN UNSUPPORTED VEHICLE! Remove the front tires.
2.  Disconnect the sway bar from the sway bar end links and frame. Remove sway bar. Save hardware. SEE FIGURE 1
3. Disconnect the brake line from the frame and axle on both driver and passenger sides. Save hardware. SEE FIGURES 2-3
4.  Remove the front shocks and discard, save hardware.
5.  Lower the front axle allowing the coil springs to come free of tension and remove the coil springs. EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN WORKING WITH COIL SPRINGS UNDER LOAD!
6.  Disconnect the factory steering stabilizer from the frame mount. Remove the steering stabilizer frame bracket. Discard the frame bracket. Save all hardware.
7.  Remove the drag link from the pitman arm. Use care not to damage the threads on the drag link.
8.  Disconnect the trac bar from the frame bracket. Remove the trac bar bracket from the frame, save the original hardware and discard the factory trac bar bracket.
9.  Remove the factory pitman arm from the steering box using a large pitman arm puller. Discard hardware and arm.
10.  Install the new pitman arm using the supplied FT30258(Sector shaft nut). Torque to 350 ft-lbs. NOTE: This is a one time only use nut. If remove, it must be discarded.
11. Locate FT30956 (Track Bar Bracket). Attach to the frame using the original hardware in the same position. Torque bolts to 120 ft-lbs. DO NOT ATTACH THE TRAC BAR TO THE FRAME BRACKET AT THIS TIME. SEE FIGURES 4-5
12. Working from both sides of the truck, locate and remove the factory front bump stops and save. Pull on the bump stop itself to free from the cup. Remove the factory mounting cup from the frame and discard the hardware. Drill out the center hole on the factory cup to 1/2”. SEE FIGURES 6-7
13. Install FT30654 (Bump Stop Extension) onto the factory cup using the supplied 1/2” x 1-1/4” hardware and set aside. Torque to 127 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 8
14. Locate the factory bump stop mounting hole. Measure 3” straight up from the bottom of the frame. Mark and drill a 1-1/4” hole using a hole saw into the frame. SEE FIGURES 9-10
15. Drill out the factory bump stop mount hole to 1/2”. SEE FIGURE 11
16. Using FT50290 (Nut Tab) and 1/2 X 1-1/2” bolt and washer. Mount the new bump stop extension to the frame. Route the Nut tab through the 1-1/4” hole that was made in Step 11. Torque to 127 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 12
17.  With the front axle still supported by the floor jack, remove the Driver side factory radius arm.
18.  Locate FT30650 (4-Link pocket). Install the bracket into the factory radius arm pocket using the supplied ¾” x 1- 1/2” bolts, nuts and washers through the original rear holes in the frame. Leave loose. SEE FIGURE 13
19. Locate FT30129BK (Lower Link) and (2) FT147 (Misalignments). Install the link into the new bracket “lower hole” using the supplied 3/4” X 5” Hardware. Install the FT292 (Alignment Cam kit) hardware at the axle side. Locate FT30692 (Upper Link) and (2) FT147 (Misalignments). Install the link into the new bracket forward upper hole” using the supplied 3/4” X 5” Hardware. Use the factory hardware at the axle mount. Torque 3/4” hardware to 450 ft-lbs, and factory axle bolts/alignment cams to 300 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURES 14-15
20. Install FT30123BK (Coil Spring) using the factory upper isolator. SEE FIGURE 16
21.  Install the new front shocks FTS7188, FTS6188 or FTS810382 with the supplied bushing kits. Using the factory hardware. NOTE: Install a supplied 9/16” washer at the lower mount to fill up the gap between the bushing and mount. Due to vehicle variances the top of the lower shock mount may need to be sanded down to clear the shock body only if installing Stealth shocks. SEE FIGURE ON LAST PAGE.
22.  Reinstall the track bar to the new frame bracket. Torque to 300 ft-lbs. Install the drag link to the new Fabtech pitman arm using the factory hardware and the new supplied cotter pin. NOTE: The drag link will need to be rotated 180 degrees and installed from the bottom side of the pitman arm. SEE FIGURE 17
23. (DRIVER SIDE) Install FT30660 (Brake line bracket) to the factory brake line tab using the supplied 3/8” hardware. Next, install the bracket to the frame using the factory hardware. Torque hardware to 52 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 18
24. (PASSENGER SIDE) Install FT30660 (Brake line bracket) to the factory brake line tab using the supplied 3/8” hardware (Use lower hole). Next, using the supplied rubber clamp and 1/4” hardware, attach the ABS line to the upper hole on the FT30660 bracket. Re attach to the frame using the factory hardware. Torque 3/8” & factory hardware to 52 ft-lbs. Torque 1/4” hardware to 14 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 19
25. Install FT30672 (steering stabilizer drop bracket) in the factory location using the factory hardware. Torque to 127 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 20
26. Install FT30686 (Stabilizer Clevis) on the factory steering Install FT30686 (Stabilizer Clevis) on the factory steering stabilizer using the supplied M12 hardware. NOTE: Install FT30604 (spacer) like shown in the figure below. Install the stabilizer using the supplied 9/16” washer and nutto the drag link. Using the factory hardware install the tapered end into the new Fabtech bracket. Torque to 127 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 21
27. Install FT3400-112P (Driver) & FT3400-112D (Passenger) Sway bar drop brackets using the factory hardware. Reinstall the front sway bar to the new brackets using the supplied 7/16” hardware torque all hardware to 83 ft-lbs. Remove the factory end links and install FT30456 to the axle using the supplied 1/2-13 X 1-1/2” hardware then reinstall the endlink to the new bracket and sway bar. Torque to 52 ft-lbs. NOTE: The smaller flange end of the bracket will be installed to the axle. SEE FIGURES 22-23
28.  Install the lower brake line bracket to the lower spring perch using the factory hardware. Torque to 29 ft-lbs.
29.  Install the front tires and wheels. Torque lug nuts to wheel manufacturer’s specifications.
30. Jack up the rear end of the vehicle and support the frame rails with jack stands. Release the parking brake at this time. Supporting the rear differential, remove the rear shock and u-bolts. Disconnect the sway bar end link from the sway bar then lower axle down and remove the blocks. Use care not to over extend the brake hose. SEE FIGURE 24
31.  Install the new FTBK65 (Block) onto the axle. Jack up the rear axle so the block is seated in with the spring pin. Next, install the FT759U ubolts. Torque to 275 ft-lbs in a diagonal pattern.
32.  Remove the sway bar end link and factory bracket from the frame. Save hardware. Remove end link from the bracket and discard. The bracket will be re-used. SEE FIGURE 25
33. Remove the factory bump stop from the frame and separate the bumpstop from the mounting plate. Install FT30750 (Bumpstop Extension) onto the bumpstop using the factory nut. Note: The alignment tab will seat into the hole on the new bracket. SEE FIGURE 26
34. Using a 1/2” drill bit. Drill out the center hole on the factory bumpstop mounting plate. SEE FIGURE 27
35. Using the supplied 1/2” X 1-1/4” hardware. Install the mounting plate to the bumpstop assembly. NOTE: Make sure the orientation is in line as shown in FIGURE 28. Torque hardware to 127 ft-lbs.
36. Install the bumpstop assembly into the vehicle using the factory hardware. Torque to 100 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 29
37. Install the FT1004 (Bushings) and FT50089 (Sleeves) into both FT30784 (End Links). Install the new end links to the factory brackets using the supplied 1/2” X 2-1/2” hardware. NOTE: Install the bolt from the back side. SEE FIGURE 30 Install the brackets/Tie rods to the frame and sway bar using the factory hardware for the frame mount and the supplied 1/2 X 2-1/2” hardware at the sway bar location. Torque to 127 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 31
38. Install the new rear shocks FTS7266, FTS6063 or DL FTS810052 using the factory hardware, torque to 90 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 32
39.  Install tires and wheels and torque lug nuts to wheel manufacturer’s specifications. Turn front tires left to right and check for appropriate tire clearance. Note – Some oversized tires may require trimming of the front bumper & valance.
40.  Check front end alignment and set to factory specifications. Readjust headlights.
41.  Recheck all bolts for proper torque.
42.  Recheck brake hoses, ABS wires and suspension parts for proper tire clearance while turning tires fully left to right.
43.  Check the fluid in the front and rear differential and fill if needed with factory specification differential oil. Note  some differentials may expel fluid after filling and driving. This can be normal in resetting the fluid level with the new position of the differential/s.
44.  Install Driver Warning Decal. Complete product registration card and mail to Fabtech in order to receive future safety and technical bulletins on this suspension.

Product Warranty and Warnings

Fabtech provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original retail purchaser who owns the vehicle, on which the product was originally installed, for defects in workmanship and materials.The Limited Lifetime Warranty excludes the following Fabtech items; bushings, bump stops, ball joints, tie rod ends, limiting straps, cross shafts, heim joints and driveshafts. These parts are subject to wear and are not considered defective when worn. They are warranted for 60 days from the date of purchase for defects in workmanship.Dirt Logic and Performance Coilover take apart shocks are considered a serviceable shock with a one year warranty on leakage only. Service seal kits are available separately for future maintenance. All other shocks are covered under our Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Fabtech does not warrant any product for finish, alterations, modifications and/or installation contrary to Fabtech’s instructions. Alterations to the finish of the parts including but not limited to painting, powder coating, plating and/or welding will void all warranties. Some finish damage may occur to parts during shipping, which is considered normal and is not covered under warranty.Fabtech products are not designed nor intended to be installed on vehicles used in race applications or for racing purposes or for similar activities. (A “RACE” is defined as any contest between two or more vehicles, or any contest of one or more vehicle against the clock, whether or not such contest is for a prize). This warranty does not include coverage for police or taxi vehicles, race vehicles, or vehicles used for government or commercial purposes. Also excluded from this warranty are sales outside of the United States of America.

Installation of most suspension products will raise the center of gravity of the vehicle and will cause the vehicle to handle differently than stock. It may increase the vehicle’s susceptibility to a rollover, on road and off road, at all speeds. Extreme care should be taken to operate the vehicle safely at all times to prevent rollover or loss of control resulting in serious injury or death. Fabtech front-end Desert Guards may impair the deployment or operation of vehicles equipped with supplemental restraining systems/air bag systems and should not be installed if the vehicle is equipped as so. Fabtech makes every effort to ensure the suspension product compatibility with all vehicles listed on the website, but due to unknown auto manufacturer’s production changes and/or inconstancies by the auto manufacturer, Fabtech cannot be responsible for 100% compatibility, including the fitment of tire and wheel sizes listed. The Tire and Wheel sizes listed in Fabtech’s website are only a guideline for street driving with noted fender trimming. Fabtech is not responsible for damagesto the vehicle’s body or tires. Fabtech is not responsible for premature wear of factory components due to the installation of oversized tires and wheels.

Fabtech’s obligation under this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement, at Fabtech option, of the defective product only. All costs of removal, installation or re-installation, freight charges, incidental or consequential damages are expressly excluded from this warranty. Fabtech is not responsible for damages and/or warranty of other vehicle parts related or nonrelated to the installed Fabtech product. This warranty is expressly in lieu of all other warranties expressed or implied. This warranty shall not apply to any product that has been subject to accident, negligence, alteration, abuse or misuse as determined by Fabtech.

Fabtech suspension components must be installed as a complete system including shocks as shown on our website. All warranties will become void if Fabtech parts are combined and/or substituted with other aftermarket suspension products. Combination and/or substitution of other aftermarket suspension parts may cause premature wear and/or product failure resulting in an accident causing injury or death. Fabtech does not warrant products not manufactured by Fabtech.
Depending on the condition of the factory suspension components retained after the installation of a Fabtech suspension not all vehicles may have the same ride stance front to rear as described in the website. The blue color of suspension components shown in all Fabtech photographs are for display purposes only. Majority of all Fabtech components will be black specifically where noted with part numbers ending in BK.

Installation of Fabtech product may void the vehicles factory warranty; it is the consumer’s responsibility to check with their local vehicle’s dealer for warranty disposition before the installation of the product. Some state laws may prohibit modification of suspension to a vehicle in whole or in part. It is the responsibility of the installer and consumer to consult local laws prior to the installation of any Fabtech suspension product to comply with such written laws. It is the responsibility of the distributor and/or the retailer to review all warranties and warnings of Fabtech products with the consumer prior to purchase. Fabtech reserves the right to super cede, discontinue, change the design, finish, part number and/or application of parts when deemed necessary without written notice. Fabtech is not responsible for misprints or typographical errors within the website or price sheet. For the most recent Product Warranty and Warnings visit our website www.fabtechmotorsports.com

Documents / Resources

FABTECH FTS22277i 2017-2020 Ford F450 550 4WD 6 Inch 4-Link System [pdf] Instruction Manual FTS22277i, 2017-2020 Ford F450 550 4WD 6 Inch 4-Link System, FTS22277i 2017-2020 Ford F450 550 4WD 6 Inch 4-Link System, Ford F450 550 4WD 6 Inch 4-Link System, F450 550 4WD 6 Inch 4-Link System, 550 4WD 6 Inch 4-Link System, 6 Inch 4-Link System, 4-Link System

References

• Fabtech® - Suspension Lift Kits & Truck Accessories
• User Manual