Stage 1, 2, or 3? How to Choose the Right Leveling Setup for Your 2017–2022 Super Duty

If you own a 2017–2022 Ford Super Duty F-250 or F-350, you've probably noticed the factory nose-down rake. Ford engineers it in to compensate for payload and towing, but for most owners it means limited tire clearance, a stance that doesn't match the capability of the truck, and a front end that just doesn't look right. Leveling corrects all of that — and Kryptonite has built three distinct stages for the 2017–2022 Super Duty platform to match every budget and build goal.

Here's a breakdown of what each stage includes, what it does, and which one might be right for your truck.

Stage 1

The Stage 1 is built for the owner who wants a clean, capable suspension upgrade without overcomplicating it. It delivers 1.5" of front lift using a precision CAD-engineered billet aluminum coil spacer, paired with four Fox 2.0 Performance Series Extended Length shocks, brake line drop brackets, a bump stop spacer kit, and a set of 2° caster correction shims to make sure your alignment stays dialed in after the lift.

The result is a truck that fits up to a 35"x12.5" tire on a 9" wide wheel with 4.5" backspacing — with little to no trimming required. Push it to a 37" and you'll need some additional fender and front bumper clearance, but it's doable. Everything is direct bolt-on, built to a durable black finish, and covered by Kryptonite's no fine print lifetime warranty.

If you're new to modifying your Super Duty and want a straightforward upgrade that makes an immediate difference, Stage 1 is the place to start.

Includes: Fox 2.0 Performance Extended Length shocks (4), Brake Line drop brackets, Bump Stop Spacer Kit, 1.5" Bottom Mounted Coil Spacer, Caster Correction Shims

Stage 2

Stage 2 is for the owner who wants more — more lift, more capability, and a more complete system. Designed exclusively for the 6.7L Powerstroke diesel (it does not fit gas-powered Super Duties), Stage 2 provides 2.5" of front lift using 2.5" leveling coils, four Fox 2.0 Performance Series Extended Length shocks, a bump stop spacer kit, caster correction shims, and — importantly — the Kryptonite Adjustable Track Bar.

That track bar matters. When you lift the front of your Super Duty, the factory track bar geometry changes. Without correction, you'll notice handling issues and uneven wear. The Kryptonite Adjustable Track Bar is designed for trucks with 0" to 6" of lift, so it accounts for the new geometry and keeps your truck tracking straight and handling correctly.

One note worth knowing: if your Super Duty is a 2020 or later, it actually left the factory sitting 1" lower than its predecessors. That means the same 2.5" coil will provide 3.5" of lift on a 2020+ truck. The exception is the 2020+ TREMOR, which comes with a factory 2" lift and will only see 1.5" of additional lift with Stage 2 coils.

Stage 2 is the sweet spot for owners who want a serious upgrade, bigger tires, and proper supporting geometry — all in one complete package.

Includes: Fox 2.0 Performance Series Extended Length shocks (4), Bump Stop Spacer Kit, 2.5" Leveling Coils, Caster Correction Shims, Kryptonite Adjustable Track Bar

Also available with upgraded shocks: Stage 2 with Fox Performance Series HTO Shocks. and Stage 2 with Fox Performance Elite Shocks.

Stage 3 

Stage 3 is the most comprehensive leveling setup Kryptonite builds for the 2017–2025 Super Duty. Like Stage 2, it's designed for the 6.7L Powerstroke only and provides 2.5" of front lift — but what sets Stage 3 apart is the inclusion of the Kryptonite Radius Arm Kit.

That radius arm kit changes everything. Built into the box-welded structure is a tire clearance pocket that allows fitment of a 37"x13.5" tire on a stock 20" rim with 5.5" backspacing — without needing to swap wheels or do major trimming. It also features Kryptonite's exclusive Hexagon Caster Eccentric, which allows fixed 2° incremental caster adjustments in five different positions. Whether you're running 0" or 6" of lift, you can dial in your caster precisely — and the hex shape locks the adjustment in place so it doesn't drift over time or with hard driving.

The full Stage 3 package includes four Fox 2.0 Performance Series Extended Length shocks, the Kryptonite Radius Arm Kit, a bump stop spacer kit, 2.5" leveling coils, and the Kryptonite Adjustable Track Bar. It's the complete solution for the owner who wants maximum capability, serious rubber, and the confidence that everything underneath is engineered to work together.

Includes: Fox 2.0 Performance Series Extended Length shocks (4), Kryptonite Radius Arm Kit, Bump Stop Spacer Kit, 2.5" Leveling Coils, Kryptonite Adjustable Track Bar

Also available: Stage 3 with Fox 2.5 Performance Elite Shocks.

Don't Forget the Supporting Components

One thing a lot of Super Duty owners overlook when leveling their truck is the supporting components that need to move with the suspension. When you lift the front of your truck, the geometry of your steering and suspension changes. If you don't account for that, you're going to run into issues with handling, wear, and in some cases, safety.

The Kryptonite Adjustable Track Bar is one of the most important supporting upgrades you can make. Designed for 0" to 6" of lift on the 2017–2026 Super Duty, it corrects the factory track bar geometry that gets thrown off the moment you add height — keeping your truck tracking straight and handling predictably.

Beyond the track bar, worn or factory-spec steering components on a lifted truck are a recipe for problems. The Kryptonite Death Grip Tie Rod and Kryptonite Drag Link are built with oversized heavy duty rod ends and extreme strength 7075-grade construction — a significant step up from factory hardware that's already working harder due to the added lift.

The Kryptonite Upper and Lower Ball Joint Package is another component worth addressing at the same time. If your ball joints are due for replacement, doing it during a leveling install saves time and ensures everything underneath is fresh and matched.

For trucks with a lift, the factory brake line routing can become stressed or bind up — the Brake Line Drop Bracket Kit relocates the lines to account for the new suspension travel. And the Front Sway Bar Relocation Kit prevents the sway bar from contacting the drag link under extreme angles — a small detail that matters a lot on a lifted truck.

A leveled truck with properly upgraded supporting components is a completely different experience than one that's just been spaced up and left alone. The lift gets you the stance and the tire clearance — the supporting components make sure it handles the way it should.

Which Stage is Right for You?

If you're daily driving your Super Duty and want to correct the factory rake and run a bigger tire, Stage 1 gets you there cleanly and affordably. If you're running a Powerstroke, want 2.5" of lift, and want a complete system with corrected track bar geometry, Stage 2 is the right call. And if you want the most capable setup available — built to handle larger tires, more aggressive use, and long-term precision alignment — Stage 3 is where it ends.

All three stages are covered by Kryptonite's no fine print lifetime warranty. Race it, jump it, off-road it — if you can break it, they'll replace it.