First to Market: Fab Fours 2017 Ford F-250
Since Ford first unveiled the Super Duty in 1999, the aftermarket has been busy producing a vast range of products for the plush ¾-ton and 1-ton pickups. Fast forward 18 years, and the 2017 Super Duty is setting the aftermarket ablaze again. The completely redesigned truck platform was a big hit at the 2016 SEMA Show, with many of the industry’s top aftermarket manufacturers showcasing new wares for the pickup. One of those companies was the South Carolina based Fab Fours.
As with many companies, Fab Fours understands the importance of keeping up with the latest vehicles to hit the market. Its 2017 Ford F-250 Lariat is an excellent example of industry partners working together to get new products out in a timely manner. Given this truck was on display at SEMA in the Skyjacker booth, you might think the “show truck” is something the company is afraid to get dirty. Thankfully, Fab Fours isn’t afraid to play in the dirt.
Since Fab Fours' main focus is aftermarket bumpers, the company used its 2017 Super Duty to build an assortment of bumpers for the F-250. Here, the truck is fit with one from its Vengeance line. This series of bumpers are what the company calls its “high and tight” set as they are more compact and lighter than a conventional winch bumper. Instead of hauling around a hefty recover tool, the Vengeance bumper provides room for a 20-inch Rigid Industries lightbar and two Rigid 2-inch LED Dually lights on each corner.
While Fab Fours was on the cutting edge when it came to rolling out bumpers for the latest gen Super Duty, Skyjacker Suspension was just as busy building an all-new suspension system. Replacing the radius front control arm set is a more dirt-friendly four-link configuration. Kit No. F17852K comes with four fully adjustable control arms fit with flex joints at the frame end.
Skyjacker offers multiple lift heights for the 2017 ¾- and 1-ton truck. These range from a simple 2.5-inch leveling kit to its 8.5-inch suspension system you see here. Paired with the huge lift coils are Skyjacker’s M95 Monotube 9500 series shocks, which are valved specifically for the heavy-duty platform.
Skyjacker stated that there were many small tweaks made to the 2017 Super Duty’s suspension that forced the company to start fresh when creating the new lift systems. Even small things such as leaf-spring bushing diameters required a new spring design for the truck.
Out back, Fab Fours secured one of its Vengeance rear bumpers, which is designed to accommodate the stock proximity sensors on the truck. Like the front, the rear is comprised of 11-gauge steel and accepts aftermarket lights. In this case, two 6-inch Rigid Industries lightbars were used.
Massive 24-inch ZETA SS8 American Force Wheels got a custom finish for the truck. The 2017 Super Duty’s 8-on-170 wheel bolt pattern is a carryover from 2016, so the wheel options will remain abundant.
Wrapped around the massive deep-dish wheels are 40x15.50R24 Nitto Trail Grapplers. Nitto is one of the few tire manufacturers that offers a mud-terrain radial that’s large enough to accept such a large wheel size. As you can see, having a mud terrain was especially helpful at our nearly rained-out off-road photo shoot.
The big news for 2017 is the Super Duty's aluminum body, which is said to shave 350 pounds off of its curb weight. By cutting weight in the cab, Ford was able to add beef to the chassis, helping them claim a class-leading low figure of 32,800 pounds. The all-new fully boxed frame is also something those who frequently use their trucks off-road will appreciate.
We love that the power wars among the big three are still going strong. In the end, the consumer always wins. This 6.7L Power Stroke diesel is pumping out 440 horsepower and 925 lb-ft of torque. Even with 40-inch-tall Grapplers to lug, the truck has plenty of go power.
Inside, the Lariat-trimmed F-250 is extremely well appointed from the factory. Fab Fours did drop in a set of WeatherTech floor liners, but they kept the rest of it as it came.
To protect gear from the elements, a Retrax bedcover was installed. This easy-to-use retractable cover was a nice way to finish out the well-appointed truck.
Check out the truck in action and hear what Fab Fours CEO Greg Higgs had to say about the new Super Duty in the video below.
