Carli Suspensions

[WarEagleDiesel]

Thinkin' about purchasing and installing the Carli Starter System suspension leveling lift/kit on my 2500. Reading their website, it appears that installing that suspension kit will improve ride and drive quality (both on and off road) and that the only "negative" result, from a large capacity towing standpoint, is that the rear suspension will compress an additional 1/2". Does anyone have any experience with this Carli suspension system in regards to road travel, mild offroading, and large capacity towing? Your input is appreciated.



BH

 

[Tinman]

I've got Carli springs and mini packs on my 06 (and some other stuff). I have Thuren's KINGS for shocks, so that's quite a bit different than what your are talking about. The springs are very nice and a vast improvement over stock. If you tow heavy payload, it'll sag more. If that's an issue, look at their air bags. You will need bigger tires to match the lift, and that has positives and negatives. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Big_Horn]

I have this exact set up, carli springs, and the bilsteins, front and rear. I initially went with the cheaper set up, carli front springs and shocks only. This leveled out the rig, but ended up with at negative rake, by 1” truck always looked like she was sagging, and I ****** off on-coming drivers with the headlights. Bought the rear spring pack but before I had the springs installed, I did the shocks. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!! just the shocks made. The spring pack leveled out the truck and now it looks like it should. As for feel, I have had people comment that it's like we are just floating over the bumps. With no load, she's a tight ride, but wait... it's a truck... duh! Add a few pounds, like my little 5k travel trailer, hardly feel anything. Suspension eats up the bumps, and you don't feel them. I think the truck handles well... much better on and off road. There is a famous spot on the freeway where you washboard on a curve. After the suspension install, not anymore. Off road, you are in full control, I'm very impressed. I feel tire and tire pressure play a critical role with handling and feel. I'm going to try to ditch a few pounds of tire pressure to find that sweet spot. I have the Nitto Terra Grappler MT's at 35x12. 50x18. So far a very nice tire. Little noisy bit they are MT's. Are you planning on installing the suspension yourself or having it done? I did the front with a friend, if it wasn't for air tools and a massive spring compressor, we would have not been able to do the job. Had the rear leaf pack done, and it's a good thing I did. The shop had a very hard time getting the location holes to line up, they fought the thing for 6 hours. If you live near Olympia/Seattle area, I don't mind showing you what I did… Just PM me… good luck!

 

[Bob4x4]

No spring compressor needed,if you unbolt one end of the track bar you should get plenty of droop to install the front.

 

[Herman8r]

I am getting the Performance 2. 0 put on next week. Are there any concerns about driveline strain or front end strain due to the increased height? I was told the front end would come up 2. 75" to 3".

Any suggestions?

 

[JApol]

If the 2. 0 system comes with a new track bar you should be goodto go. If not you might want to look into getting a new one from him.

 

[JCockerill]

I have recently installed the carli started suspension with carli trackbar and am very happy with the ride of the truck on road. i have not gone off road, but with the increased clearence and the way in handles on road i'm sure it will be much better. install would be a nightmare without a lift in my opinion. i didn't use a spring compessor either. just have to disconect everything including brake lines so front end sags to full droop. and springs just barely fit in there. the first thing you will say once you take out the stock coils and lay them next to the calri coils is WOW what a diffenence. The starter kit should really just come with the adjustable track bar. because you NEED it once you lift the front 3 in. so buy it with the kit otherwise the front end will be off. The instuctions also tell you to take two of the small leaf pack shims out of the rear, I left them out and then took it apart to re-installed them to make truck totally level. so only take out the overload spring, Thats it. when you install track bar, make sure you check frame side holes, mine were egged out and i am now upgading to the newer style (bigger) bolts. I like the carli products, very heavy duty. I am going to get the sway bar and ball joints next. good luck, you will be happy. it's the one mod you can do to the truck you will enjoy everytime you drive it. it's worth the price!

 

[Herman8r]

thanks for the info. The Carli System I'm getting has the track bar. Carli does not do the installations anymore. They are very busy doing R&D. They reccommended a shop just down the street to do the install. For the installed price I could not pass it up.



I will let you all know on Thursday or Friday how it goes.



Thanks Again

 

[Herman8r]

Just got the truuck back & what a difference in the ride! The real test will be next weekend when I go hunting---35 miles of dirt road.



Big Horn sums it up very well in his post above.



The installer was Industrial Motoring (INDUSTRIAL MOTORING 1-877-724-5538 WHEELS, TIRES WORLDWIDE SHIPPING) Anaheim, CA

They have a shop down the road from Carli & were highly recommended by Carli.

They have one of the cleanest shops I have seen. Very friendly & very professional also.



Big Horn--I have the same problem you do--sag at the rear--my truck that is!!



How did you correct this?? Mini Packs?? I haven't seen these. Maybe I should look it up.

 

[Herman8r]

I forgot to mention--the Carli kit came with a 5 leaf "add a pack". This must be the same thing as the Mini Pack.



I do have "stuff" in the back of the truck adding add'l weight--causing the sagging problem I' sure.

 

[Tinman]

If you are sagging b/o load in the rear end, you'll need to consider air bags. Another option might be some spring shackles from Don Thuren. He has some that can be set to stock, +3/4 inch or +2 inches (I think). That'd raise the rear a little. Or you could look at Lorenz's Dual purpose leafs.

 

[Herman8r]

Thanks Tinman. Good idea about the air bags.



Thanks

 

[topcat]

I too have a Carli spring/Bilstein shock setup in my truck,have had it know for about 30,000 miles with a Heliwig swaybar,and Airlift bags. A very nice setup. I too recommend it also. I have never in my life seen such a real world Dodge truck racing/testing operation. They had just got back from the Baja 1000 second in class,to another Dodge truck they ran a Hemi trick motor,that truck look rough all Carli's systems underneath. They are spot on.

 

[Big_Horn]

No spring compressor needed,if you unbolt one end of the track bar you should get plenty of droop to install the front.

either we didnt get the truck high enough or not enough drop, had to use the compressor...

 

[Big_Horn]

I forgot to mention--the Carli kit came with a 5 leaf "add a pack". This must be the same thing as the Mini Pack.



I do have "stuff" in the back of the truck adding add'l weight--causing the sagging problem I' sure.

yep thats the pack I ended up using. . much better look and feel now!!

 

[Herman8r]

I just put the truck on the level shop slab & re-checked the bed. It is absolutly level!



When I checked it before I just eyeballed it--so to speak. It just looked low in the back. Probably because I was so used to looking at it as it sat stock--raised up in the rear.



Now it sits nice & level & that's with a full length 8'-0 roll out tool box in the bed full of tools!



I really like the ride!!