lorenz suspension question

[megacabcummins]

You seem like one of the more reasonable guys on that side of the fence, and one of the few putting a cage in a full size Dodge. Inquiring minds want to ask how much $ do you have wrapped up into the suspension and cage work?

Good on you for making your truck safe.

I honestly couldn't say how much, some of it was used, some of it was new, but everything from the frame down except the rear axle was replaced. Still trying to find out how much a cage would cost, but I have to build my transmission first. A lot of talk on that side of the fence about caging trucks, just following quite a few others so I can't take credit.

 

[Lorenz]

I honestly couldn't say how much, some of it was used, some of it was new, but everything from the frame down except the rear axle was replaced. Still trying to find out how much a cage would cost, but I have to build my transmission first. A lot of talk on that side of the fence about caging trucks, just following quite a few others so I can't take credit.

Give these guys who know nothing about running 2. 5" and larger shocks, what it would reasonably cost to play with the big boys, it's only fair. If I'm being accused of not "progressing" with LORENZindustries over the years, it would only be fair to put a dollar figure behind jumping in feet first to tackle the "progress" game in a Dodge Ram from a consumers stand point.

I'm not trying to be a jerk with rhetorical questions, as I know exactly what it takes to make a 7000 lb tank skip the whoops at speed, but it would be nice to shed some light on it from somebody who's been there done that, and isn't biased.

The $11,000 figure is the mid tier cost before you get into long arms and Bypass'.

If you're on a budget and did things prudently like you have done, what are we looking at. Buying used doesn't count, as there isn't enough used equipment out there to fill the wants of all the Dodge guys who want to play.

By the way, the talk about caging trucks isn't new, there was a ton of talk about caging trucks 7 years ago, the continual talk about safety is cheap.

 

[megacabcummins]

For what I have on my truck if everything was brand new $20K would be easy to hit, as it stands right now I am somewhere around $13K and that's with A LOT of good deals and used parts, AND use of a shop so I paid zero labor... . Yea these are well beyond a Rancho lift kit... .

 

[AEdelheit]

Oh so you admit than your prices are lower then the rest because you don't progress, improve and constantly strive to give your customers the best? Btw you can do a 2. 5 kit for about 5k

 

[megacabcummins]

Yea that sounds about right... .

 

[AEdelheit]

It seems as Sean see's himself as some sort of savior from all other evil suspension companies that cost $10k minimum, hmmm that's interesting.

 

[megacabcummins]

It's all good, I am way beyond help at this point LMFAO

 

[Regcabguy]

All parties can agree on one thing. They agree to disagree.
And now back to our regularly scheduled program.

 

[megacabcummins]

LOL that is something that will never change, no matter if it is dodge vs ford or toyo vs goodyear...

 

[08CTD]

I think the article states that "when we saw this clean '06 2500 rocket past past camp, our jaws nearly dropped. "



Yeah he did say rocket, but in fact they were basically in love with the looks of the truck. I was standing next to Jason and he saw the truck and snapped the pictures. I am not friends with Jason, just happen to know who he was and was standing there. They liked the flatbed and the looks of the overall truck. Paint, wheels and flatbed. But then again I was just standing there. . Not sure what they were actually 'thinking' when the saw it. Could have been the suspension at that distance. Not sure. .





.

 

[LVJUNIOR]

Wow. A lot of hate for Carli and Thuren. My experience was that both companies treated me extremely well when I was trying to figure my suspension out. $10,000 at Carli will get you a suspension kit 99. 99% of people could never use to it's potential.

My truck is extremely outside of the box as it has a flatbed and tips the scales at #9460. Carli worked with me to put a custom package together that included 2. 5 King resis with arms, coils and a full custom rear leaf pack. The truck can hit mild whoops at 50mph, drag a bed load of elk all over the mountain and still tow my 5th wheel to the races. All in I am close to $5,000. No where near $10,000. The only regret I have is that Carli does not deal in Fox shocks. I would have much rather hat 3. 0 Fox shock than 2. 5 Kings.

If all you want to do is meander down a trail, a Skyjacker Kit will work as good as anything. The Skyjacker kit made it 90k miles on my truck before the upgrade. On the other hand, if I spend enough money to get up to the Lorenze level I expect to be able to boogie down through the desert at a descent clip without needing a chiropractor visit.

I don't understand all the discontent toward Carli. They have done a lot to push the heavy duty Dodge and Ford suspension game forward. I personally think their products and research has encouraged other companies to up their game as well. We as customers all benefit.

 

[Bob4x4]

This thread was just the lorenzen way to get some free press

 

[WalterJ]

What's so plush about the Lorentz Plush Ride leafs, when they advertise "...the same spring rate..."? They appear to have the same number of leafs.

I too am looking for a NON 1 TON ride with my Ram 3500!!!

 

[Lorenz]

The "same rate" that I'm refering to on the website is the same rate as our full leaf replacements, not the same spring rates as the OEM springs. These will be a drastic ride quality improvement compared to your stock 1 ton 3500 leafs.

http://lorenzindustries.com/products_leafs.html

 

[MCozze]

I can't believe this thread is still alive!

Comparing a Lorenz setup to a Carli ($10G) suspension is a stretch.

Part of the beauty of Carli setup is the front and rear springs work with various shocks. The average street driven Ram isn't jumping stuff. Properly valved shocks make happy customers. A great riding truck is no where near $10G in cost.

For the record, the only Carli parts I use are their Deaver full spring pack. They are worth every penny.

 

[Buffalo]

To begin with, I have no intentions of getting involved in this suspension war. In Sept. of 2007, I purchased a Bilstein 5100 suspension kit with rear mini leaf packs from Lorenz Ind. & made an attempt to install it myself finally, completing the job with the help of a mechanic from down the street. There was nothing wrong with the product that caused me not to be able to complete the install, just the lack of experience on my part. I had to call Sean for some install suggestions, which, he offered. The bottom line is that I like the product and it made a substantial difference in the drivability of my truck. The truck is an '03, 3500 SRW, 4X4,Q-cab., NV-5600, 3:73. My friends all have Duramaxes and did not like the ride in my Dodge. I never told them that I had upgraded the suspension. The following January, we went to the Quartzsite, AZ. RV Show and camped on the outside of town and I drove my friend & I into town going down the old highway from Yuma, which, is a washboard, dirt road all the way (about 6 miles). When we got aways down the road, my friend asked what I did to the truck? I asked him what he meant and, he said that the truck was driving beautifully and very comfortable, unlike in the past. So, I admitted that I had installed a new suspension kit. In my neighborhood, we have speedbumps and when I hit them at anything over 10 mph., the truck bottomed out on the bump stops. I've hit the same bumps at over 20 mph. and never once hit the bump stops with the new suspension kit. It made my truck far more comfortable for normal driving and I'm pleased with what I got from Lorenz Ind. I realize that, unlike many of you guys, my suspension kit is one of the mildest kits available but, it fits my needs perfectly. I'm not a desert racer. Just wanted something to take the harshness out of the stock suspension and this fits my needs very well. I'm posting this in the event there is someone reading this thread and is looking for what I was looking for. There may be better suspension kits available but, I like mine. It works nicely!!! I find the suspension to be far more absorbing of harsh bumps, now. Once again, I'm in no way trying to get involved in a suspension war. Just wanted to share my experience with anyone looking for what I was looking for, and found.
Buffalo

 

[Lorenz]

To begin with, I have no intentions of getting involved in this suspension war. In Sept. of 2007, I purchased a Bilstein 5100 suspension kit with rear mini leaf packs from Lorenz Ind. & made an attempt to install it myself finally, completing the job with the help of a mechanic from down the street. There was nothing wrong with the product that caused me not to be able to complete the install, just the lack of experience on my part. I had to call Sean for some install suggestions, which, he offered. The bottom line is that I like the product and it made a substantial difference in the drivability of my truck. The truck is an '03, 3500 SRW, 4X4,Q-cab., NV-5600, 3:73. My friends all have Duramaxes and did not like the ride in my Dodge. I never told them that I had upgraded the suspension. The following January, we went to the Quartzsite, AZ. RV Show and camped on the outside of town and I drove my friend & I into town going down the old highway from Yuma, which, is a washboard, dirt road all the way (about 6 miles). When we got aways down the road, my friend asked what I did to the truck? I asked him what he meant and, he said that the truck was driving beautifully and very comfortable, unlike in the past. So, I admitted that I had installed a new suspension kit. In my neighborhood, we have speedbumps and when I hit them at anything over 10 mph., the truck bottomed out on the bump stops. I've hit the same bumps at over 20 mph. and never once hit the bump stops with the new suspension kit. It made my truck far more comfortable for normal driving and I'm pleased with what I got from Lorenz Ind. I realize that, unlike many of you guys, my suspension kit is one of the mildest kits available but, it fits my needs perfectly. I'm not a desert racer. Just wanted something to take the harshness out of the stock suspension and this fits my needs very well. I'm posting this in the event there is someone reading this thread and is looking for what I was looking for. There may be better suspension kits available but, I like mine. It works nicely!!! I find the suspension to be far more absorbing of harsh bumps, now. Once again, I'm in no way trying to get involved in a suspension war. Just wanted to share my experience with anyone looking for what I was looking for, and found.
Buffalo

You know how to make a guy blush.

Have you considered upgrading those Mini Packs to the latest Plush Ride Leaf option? Give me a jingle, it's the least a I can do to help you out. You seem like an honest enough fellow to give a straight up no-nonsence review of the latest and greatest rear leaf option, even if gave an already happy client a deal on them.

The Plush Rides will be a night and day difference in ride quality on a washboard dirt road when your running empty. You said RV park.... Do you tow an RV and already have airbags on your truck?

You still have those same friends hanging around that you can use as unwitting guinea pigs right?

Sean Lorenz
(619) 300-3351

 

[Buffalo]

Hi Sean,
The intention of my post was not to make you blush!!! My thinking was that if someone read the title of this thread and was thinking of buying a suspension upgrade, not much was said that mentioned how customers felt about their experiences with the upgrades they purchased. So, I thought I would mention my personal experience. I originally clicked on this thread (Lorenz Suspension Question) to see if others experiences were similar to mine. I understand "Wars" but, that was not what I was looking for. At any rate, as I said, I've been happy with my suspension kit. It works well, still, considering it's been on the truck for nearly 9 years, now. For the kind of driving I do, it's great!!!! No regrets in buying it.
In your reply, you mentioned upgrading the rear springs from the mini leaf packs to the Plush Ride Leaf option. I had not thought of doing that upgrade. Is it far more comfortable than what I have now? I do tow a bumper pull 25" Nash travel trailer but, am thinking of upgrading to an Arctic Fox 27.5' fifthwheel trailer in the future. I, also, have a 115 gallon auxiliary fuel tank in the bed of the truck. I do not have airbags but, think that they may be a good idea with a fifthwheel, which, has an 82 gal. fresh water capacity. My present trailer has a 50 gal. fresh water capacity. I tow with the tank full due to the fact that I remote camp, exclusively. Hardly ever stay in RV parks. At Quartzsite, my buddy & I each camp with our own trailers out in the desert (free camping and RV parks are almost always full during the RV Show). I've been wondering if the my rear suspension with the mini packs would support a fifthwheel trailer (27.5') without some sort of upgrade since, the overloads that came stock with the truck were replaced with your mini packs. Would air bags work well in this case. Would the "Plush Ride" option work better to support the additional weight of the fifthwheel? Your system works great with the trailer I have now. No noticeable rear end sagging and the truck tows the trailer well. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'll give you a call sometime when I'm not so busy. I've had two family members pass away, recently, and am settling their estates so, I can't do anything right now. Thanks, Sean.
Buffalo