Suspension Upgrade

[KAltizer]

Forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong place!!

But I just wanted to post incase someone else is looking for suspension answers as I was recently. Fellow TDR Members, I just wanted to post a note about Lorenz Industries.

I have been kicking around the idea of replacing the stock setup on my 03 RAM for the better part of 3 to 4 years now. A little background on me first, my father was a certified mechanic for over 40 years so I grew up around cars mostly since he and my uncles were into drag racing. I have built my share of hot rods from ground up. Once I hit my early twenty's Big Foot hit the scene, so I went that route mainly due to the area I live in and travel to hunt. I am no stranger to lifted 4X4's etc. . I have been there done that and learned from a lot of mistakes. Past experience would be my main reason for being so cautious in changing the suspension on my truck, and with the weight of a diesel and using it to plow snow this added to the decision that I wasn't too sure about.

So after reading, and reading and more reading on TDR and other forums it came down to 3 choices whom we all see on here, Kore, Carli, and Lorenz Systems. So I started about 4 months ago contacting each outfit with questions and in that order. I will not bash any of them because I am by no means an expert which is why I contacted each in the first place, this is my personal opinion only. What I came away with was Sean at Lorenz Industries is tops. After contacting him initially and he responded faster than any of the others and with more information for me to digest I went back and went through this whole process again.

Again, Sean answered my questions and actually helped me decide which setup was the best for my situation, some off road, mostly highway and plowing snow. To my surprise he actually worked with me and customized

my setup to my situation and still honored the sale price on the system. The "others" simply put didn't even offer to listen where I was coming from and for the most part were very short in answering my questions.

Like I said I am not bashing "their" systems I am simply stating facts and in my opinion (take it or leave it) if your looking for suspension modifications check with Sean first you will not be disappointed. I guess the big

thing that threw me was he took a "sale item" which are packaged up and not meant to be "customized" simply because that's what they are a sale item to be sold and shipped in mass. He took that and worked with me to get me what was best for my application. Also with money being tighter these days I really didn't have the extra $$ to throw into a system blindly.



Sean if your up on TDR a big THANK YOU!! out to you for assisting me with outfitting my truck.

Thanks!

 

[AMcCormick]

So what did you end up with?

 

[Bob4x4]

:-laf since this appears to be a testimonial thread... ... ... . I have had Kore,Lorenze and Carli springs on my 3rd gen. The Carli has been what worked the best for me. I have seen Carli custom valve shocks for many different applications although snow plows are not very common in our neck of the woods.

 

[crispyboy]

Great to hear about your positive experience and of a company that is responsive and has good customer service.



Now if one of these vendors would make a suspension system that would take a 4wd truck and lower it to the height of a 2wd truck I might get interested.

 

[04blackcherry]

I also had a great experience with Sean recently. To be fair, I didn't talk to any of the others. I also got a prompt call back from Sean. Sean was very helpful with piecing together a couple products for a good price. I put 6% coils on the front and mini packs on back. The offroad (hunting trails, logging road) performance is much improved. I also wanted stiffer in the front end for 70mph freeway driving to get the bounce out of the front end on bridge joints. It all works for what I wanted. I may upgrade shocks for the next upgrade.

 

[KAltizer]

I only intended it to be informational on my experience with all three vendors in my search for a system to fit my needs. I ended up with the 23% coils and the Bilstein 5100shocks. I want to try this setup out before I add the Minipacks. Heading to the mountains in 3 weeks for hunting trip, so I'll report back. That trip should give it a full work out, since it will be highway, switch-backs, stone and hopefully snow cover roads. I will test the plow setup out once I dig it out of the back of the garage. I only posted to inform others of my experience. But that being said I also wanted to get a full insight on what kind of support I would get. Like I said I am not bashing any of them, it's just that Lorenz did in fact go over what I needed in a setup and worked with me. Not quick answers to my questions but actually explain why. When the time comes to add more I'll go back to Lorenz to get it.

 

[Regcabguy]

I had the 23% Lorenz springs on my truck to accommodate my constant camper load. They proved to be a bit stiff and went to a guy in upstate NY who ran a snowplow biz.



He told they work out great for that application,and workable for the street unladen.

 

[Lorenz]

You're welcome.

 

[KAltizer]

Well I finally got everything on and took it out rides much better. I should have put the plow on over the weekend with the snow but actually didn't feel like digging it out. Still think I'll be getting the rear setup next because the front is nice and the back is choppy. . Anyhow I am leaving the familythis weekend heading to the mountians for my hunting trip. I am excited to run it up the back roads to see how it handles and the highway. I will post up once I get back. I don't think I will be disappointed.



FYI: One other thing if anyone is "thinking" about putting a cheap leveling kit such as the tower spacers. If you do go that route and not saying it's bad thing but make sure you at least get the sway bar drop links or the blocks. I see now why, because I put the ones on that came with the kit and noticed right away my stock one's were now bent. . and wore the rubber bushings out on the top link so I will have to replace those next. When I put the kit on my truck back in 03 I do not recall the links or spacers being advised. Well you live and learn each day, some of us have to learn the hard way. Don't go cheap...