Carli Spec 2.5" Backcountry Leveling Suspension System (2013-2024 Ram 3500 w/6.7 Cummins)
Carli Spec 2.5" Backcountry Leveling Suspension System (2013-2024 Ram 3500 w/6.7 Cummins)
The Carli-SPEC Backcountry Leveling system can best be described as being built for truck owners who "use their truck as a truck." So, what does this mean? The Backcountry is ideal for those who daily drive, tow, plus like to hit some trails on the weekends, but aren't looking to see daylight under the tires out in the dunes. The benefit of the Backcountry over the Commuter series is the remote reservoir that not only LOOKS cool but also allows the shock to maintain its temperature, meaning you won't experience shock fade when on rough surfaces for any extended period, as a traditional IFP shock will tend to do.
THE BEST RIDE ON AND OFF-ROAD
The Backcountry 2.0 system is designed for people seeking the best ride on and off-road on a budget; perfect for those who want to have a little dirt-road fun in their 8,500lb truck without losing the on-road ride quality or usability for which the truck was designed. You're no longer limited to the highway while gravel roads become uninteresting as you can drive them at speed with one hand on the wheel. Utilizing Carli SPEC 2.0″ Diameter, Remote Reservoir shocks, Carli developed a tune that delivers all-around comfort and ride quality designed for on-road, in-town, highway, towing/hauling as well as slow to mid-speed off-road use. The remote reservoir Carli SPEC 2.0 boasts 6063 Aluminum construction, an anodized body for corrosion resistance, a 5/8″ hardened steel chrome plated shaft, full serviceability & rebuildability, and is built with 1-piece bushings in the 6061 billet rod-ends. These shocks are spec’d with a premium 5WT oil to balance lubricity, consistent damping, and the widest available range in temperature variation.
OPTIONAL TORSION SWAY BAR UPGRADE
The 2.5-inch leveling Systems do not require any sway bar geometry correction; customers are free to run the factory sway bar and links without risking damage. That said, the Torsion Sway Bar is a HUGE ride quality upgrade. Maintaining the factory sway bar is only recommended for customers requiring the stiff rate of the factory sway bar - i.e.: those with snow plows, in-bed campers, or who are constantly hauling to the capacity of the truck.
TORSION SWAY BAR SPECIFICATIONS:
- Allows front suspension to move freely without giving up control
- Requires removal of electronic sway bar on Power Wagons
- Compatible with 0"- 4" Front Lift
- Torsion Bar may be black or silver depending on supply-chain availability. NOT requestable
OPTIONAL RADIUS ARM DROP BRACKETS
The base kit does not require you to use radius arm drop brackets however, lifting the front 2.5" and maxing the caster correction (adjusting the cam-bolts to the rear of their adjustment) will provide sufficient caster to reach the Ram recommended alignment spec. This may cause a slightly coil bow but it's perfectly operable. If you'd prefer to achieve a proper caster spec with the cam-bolt in the middle of its range and want to guarantee a straight, non-bowing coil, these Radius Arm Drop Brackets are the answer. Additionally, if you want a little extra icing on the cake, add a set of Carli Fabricated Radius Arms. These arms add Limit Strap Protection for your Front Shocks, 1/4" Boxed Steel Construction, and Serviceable 3" - 17-4 Stainless Steel Spherical Bearings.
RADIUS ARM DROP BRACKET SPECIFICATIONS:
- Maintains critical geometries with 2.5 - 4" Front Lift
- Heavy-Duty Construction
- Bolt-On installation, no welding required
- Requires part CS-DCM-20-HK to fit 2020-2024 Rams, NOT included
- Massive strength upgrade vs. stock arms
- Improved ride quality and control
- Internal X-Bracing & Servicable 17-4 stainless Spherical Joints
- 10" Quad Wrap Limist Straps for 2.5" leveling systems
OPTIONAL RADIUS ARM DROP BRACKETS AND LOW MOUNT STEERING
Bolt in steering stabilizer (factory location). Adjustable from 70-200 psi to run neutral (no directional influence at 70psi) or at 200psi to counter the left-hand pull inherent to tires like Nitto Trail Grapplers. Run in conjunction with the Carli High Mount for the ultimate Dual, Opposing Steering Stabilizer combination that's infinitely adjustable.
- Direct bolt-in replacement
- Corrects left tire pull, adjustable
- Inside the Carli stainless stabilizer
BILLET BLOCK AND U-BOLTS
In 2019, Ram lowered the rear of the 3500 trucks – for this reason, Carli is now providing a 1″ Billet Block and U-Bolts to fit the larger AAM 12″ Axle (4.25″ Axle Tubes). As the rear springs remain unmodified aside from the lift block, load capacity is maintained while predictability is improved. For those who aren’t looking for a massive increase in travel or big shocks but still desire a level stance and improved ride quality and handling characteristics, this is the perfect kit. The 2.5” lift height doesn’t require the geometry correction of their 3” Systems.
PAYLOAD TESTING
After a great deal of test runs with various weights loaded in the bed of Carli test truck, it was quickly determined that the factory payload was nearly untouched, given all of the updates Carli had made to the rear of the truck.
What would a Carli kit be if it weren't getting absolutely filthy out in the dirt or getting the shocks up to temperature? In true form, Carli made absolutely sure the truck could also perform offroad by making numerous trips to the deserts of Barstow, El Cajon and Phoenix to really confirm how the new packages worked. The conclusion? These trucks can boogie just like the previous years!
RECOMMENDED WHEEL AND TIRE:
- 35" Tire
- 18" wheel that's no more than 9" wide with 5.75"-6" Backspace
- Recommended unloaded tire pressure is 45F/40R
- This system will fit up to a 35" tire when utilizing wheels that are no more than 9" wide with 5.5-6" of backspacing. A 12.5" wide should fit with no rubbing on the factory radius arm and only minor trimming required, while a 13.5" will require more trimming and slightly more offset to fit properly. 35" tires will fit with VERY minimal, if any trimming. Carli recommends running an 18" diameter wheel for optimal ride quality (more rubber = better small bump compliance) on a 35" E-rated tire running 45psi front, 40psi rear when unloaded.
KIT CONTENTS:
- Carli-SPEC 2.0 Remote Reservoir Front Shocks
- Carli-SPEC 2.0 Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks
- Reservoir Mounts
- Linear Rate Front Coils
- Front Track Bar
- Billet Rear Lift Blocks & U-Bolts(2019-2024 Ram 3500 SRW Only)
FITMENT NOTES:
- This system is NOT compatible with trucks equipped with the factory auto-leveling air assist.
- Does NOT work with rear auto-level air suspension
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- This system is tuned for the 3500s equipped with rear leaf springs. It will install on the 3500 trucks equipped with the factory auto-leveling air assist but the tuning is NOT refined to the platform. We recommend you measure the truck as it often takes less than 2.5" of front lift to level the Air-Assist Rams.