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Suspension sidebar to Are HO Cummins falling out of favor for SO for "22 3500? thread

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Myfast70

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Have the guys with the 3500's considered changing the shocks to a set of King's to improve ride quality?
 
Myfast70 said:
Have the guys with the 3500's considered changing the shocks to a set of King's to improve ride quality?
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I don't feel the need. My '21 3500 rides way nicer than my '16 2500 Hemi. My 2005 Daytona 1500 was bloody dangerous on stock shocks, changed for Edelbrock which was a vast improvement .
 
Southernspeed said:
I don't feel the need. My '21 3500 rides way nicer than my '16 2500 Hemi. My 2005 Daytona 1500 was bloody dangerous on stock shocks, changed for Edelbrock which was a vast improvement .
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Was just wondering as a lot of people say they ride rough and King's make damn near anything ride like a caddy!
 
gpattikjr said:
Is it the kings or the 5" of sidewall they add with 17s and 37s?
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Usually King's and I've been in a lot of off road trophy trucks and other vehicles that didn't have King shocks to start then they changed and that was the only thing that changed and it was a world of difference
 
I've got Kings, 3" front, 2.5" rear, both resi with fins. My truck rides better than it did with the exact same setup with Thuren's overland shocks. Does it ride like a Caddy? No. I question if anyone that says that has ever ridden in a Caddy, modern or otherwise.
 
gpattikjr said:
Is it the kings or the 5" of sidewall they add with 17s and 37s?
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I drove mine for 2 months with 37s on 17s while I was waiting for my Kings. More sidewall definitely helps the small bump compliance but the King shocks and Carli sway bar and springs made the truck ride and handle so much better. The 3" Kings will make your truck ride better than a Caddie. It is really surprising how much better the truck handles both on-road and off
 
I had Thuren Kings on my last truck (3.0F/2.5R). Went with Fox 2.0s on this truck and not been thrilled, so much less control and more wallow and wiggle. I fortunately kept the Kings, but don't want to keep this truck, so haven't swapped them over.
 
Brewbud said:
I drove mine for 2 months with 37s on 17s while I was waiting for my Kings. More sidewall definitely helps the small bump compliance but the King shocks and Carli sway bar and springs made the truck ride and handle so much better. The 3" Kings will make your truck ride better than a Caddie. It is really surprising how much better the truck handles both on-road and off
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Perhaps on a 3/4... definitely no "better than a Caddie" experiences on a 1 ton with only a shock upgrade..
 
gimmie11s said:
Perhaps on a 3/4... definitely no "better than a Caddie" experiences on a 1 ton with only a shock upgrade..
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This is why I said springs and shocks. Even a 2500 doesn't improve if you only replace shocks. Shocks should always be matched to the springs which in turn are matched to the weight and usage of the truck. The 3500s ride like a caddie too if you run their system. You would lose some carrying capacity though. Many will add either long travel airbags or airbags and cradles.
 
Brewbud said:
This is why I said springs and shocks. Even a 2500 doesn't improve if you only replace shocks. Shocks should always be matched to the springs which in turn are matched to the weight and usage of the truck. The 3500s ride like a caddie too if you run their system. You would lose some carrying capacity though. Many will add either long travel airbags or airbags and cradles.
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Can't speak to Carli's system but I threw the entire catalogue of Thuren's upgrades at my 2500 and it absolutely does not ride like a caddy.

2.75" front, 1" rear soft ride springs, matched stage 2 King shocks (3" front, 2.5" rear, both with finned resis), front and rear trackbar upgrades, sway bar, rear sway bar drop, King steering damper. I bought literally every item except for the Axle truss and no arms (arms weren't available at the time).

I'm running AEV 17x8.5" wheels and 37" Falken AT3Ws, properly inflated.

The truck runs better than stock, no doubt. Does it run as nice as a caddy? Absolutely not. Perhaps Carli is that much better but I'd be pretty surprised as the only difference between the two is that Carli has rear progressive springs and a radius arm drop for their 3.25" kit.
 
UglyViking said:
Can't speak to Carli's system but I threw the entire catalogue of Thuren's upgrades at my 2500 and it absolutely does not ride like a caddy.

2.75" front, 1" rear soft ride springs, matched stage 2 King shocks (3" front, 2.5" rear, both with finned resis), front and rear trackbar upgrades, sway bar, rear sway bar drop, King steering damper. I bought literally every item except for the Axle truss and no arms (arms weren't available at the time).

I'm running AEV 17x8.5" wheels and 37" Falken AT3Ws, properly inflated.

The truck runs better than stock, no doubt. Does it run as nice as a caddy? Absolutely not. Perhaps Carli is that much better but I'd be pretty surprised as the only difference between the two is that Carli has rear progressive springs and a radius arm drop for their 3.25" kit.
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Maybe comparing to a Cadillac is too subjective or at least shouldn't be taken literally. Not sure why it is always brought up that way. So what does it mean in this context though? I'll give it a go. I have driven Cadillacs - including the Escalade. For me, they have an over soft suspension that does not have a good handling response, poor dampening on dips and bumps and doesn't have a performance feel. Maybe Caddies handle small bumps better. Still not my ideal for a good overall ride. Comfortable yes, until you need to cross a dip or train tracks etc. Everything is give and take, but I would rather drive my truck any day. Heck, overall, it rides better than my wife's Range Rover Sport and I would pick that over a Cadillac. Neither my wife nor I expected the Dominator system to ride so well on the street.

As far as your truck vs a Carli truck. I have ridden in many Thuren stage 3 and stage 4 valved trucks in the dirt and they ride great. I do not have much experience with them on the road though so I cannot make any claims there. Both are high quality, but as you mentioned, there are some differences between the systems. Aside from the radius arm drop, Carli has different valving in their King shocks and their own piston design. You can also run 3" Kings on the rear of a 2500 since the Carli Dominator system outboards the shocks to the outside of the frame. Carli uses linear rate springs in the front for radius arm trucks - I am not sure about Thuren. As for the rear, I do know progressive rear leafs made a huge ride difference in my 2007 Ram. I assume the multi-rate coil springs are one of the reasons for the nice ride of my current 2500. I don't think you can go wrong with either system, especially when you hit the dirt. I believe both companies will work with the valving to get it where you want. I know they used to.

Regardless, this has drifted from the OPs post. Sorry about that.
 
Brewbud said:
This is why I said springs and shocks. Even a 2500 doesn't improve if you only replace shocks. Shocks should always be matched to the springs which in turn are matched to the weight and usage of the truck. The 3500s ride like a caddie too if you run their system. You would lose some carrying capacity though. Many will add either long travel airbags or airbags and cradles.
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Which 3500 with a spring/shock upgrade do you have experience with?

"Some" carrying capacity? lol... yeah. There is no free lunch. If you want a truck that "rides better than a caddie" then you don't have a truck that is capable of pulling 30k. Saying anything else makes you sound like a Carli fan boy.

UglyViking said:
Can't speak to Carli's system but I threw the entire catalogue of Thuren's upgrades at my 2500 and it absolutely does not ride like a caddy.

2.75" front, 1" rear soft ride springs, matched stage 2 King shocks (3" front, 2.5" rear, both with finned resis), front and rear trackbar upgrades, sway bar, rear sway bar drop, King steering damper. I bought literally every item except for the Axle truss and no arms (arms weren't available at the time).

I'm running AEV 17x8.5" wheels and 37" Falken AT3Ws, properly inflated.

The truck runs better than stock, no doubt. Does it run as nice as a caddy? Absolutely not. Perhaps Carli is that much better but I'd be pretty surprised as the only difference between the two is that Carli has rear progressive springs and a radius arm drop for their 3.25" kit.
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Pfffffffffffffffft! You shoulda bought Carli, brah!

Of course it doesnt ride like a caddie, and thank you for being honest. A bad ass truck that is capable of AWESOME shlt, but riding like a car aint one of them.
 
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That's what i figured... 0 experience with 1 tons that "ride better than caddies".

Thanks for playing
 
gimmie11s said:
Which 3500 with a spring/shock upgrade do you have experience with?

"Some" carrying capacity? lol... yeah. There is no free lunch. If you want a truck that "rides better than a caddie" then you don't have a truck that is capable of pulling 30k. Saying anything else makes you sound like a Carli fan boy.




Pfffffffffffffffft! You shoulda bought Carli, brah!

Of course it doesnt ride like a caddie, and thank you for being honest. A bad ass truck that is capable of AWESOME shlt, but riding like a car aint one of them.
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I have been a huge fan of Carli and Thuren since I first took a ride in trucks equipped with them. More 3500s than 2500 in fact. So call me a Fan Boy if you want @gimmie11s. I don't really give a damn. But until you have ridden in one you have no leg to stand on. Show up at one of the DTX meetups and you may have a dozen or more different trucks to ride in. And many towed trailers or 5'ers to get there.

There is always some give and take as I mentioned above. If you want one of these trucks to ride amazing you can do it.

FWIW, right now I think the 3500 leaf spring design is a better platform than the 2500 coil design for Carli and Thuren stuff. I would have bought a 3500 if I had found one with The SO/68rfe.
 
Brewbud said:
I have been a huge fan of Carli and Thuren since I first took a ride in trucks equipped with them. More 3500s than 2500 in fact. So call me a Fan Boy if you want @gimmie11s. I don't really give a damn. But until you have ridden in one you have no leg to stand on. Show up at one of the DTX meetups and you may have a dozen or more different trucks to ride in. And many towed trailers or 5'ers to get there.

There is always some give and take as I mentioned above. If you want one of these trucks to ride amazing you can do it.

FWIW, right now I think the 3500 leaf spring design is a better platform than the 2500 coil design for Carli and Thuren stuff. I would have bought a 3500 if I had found one with The SO/68rfe.
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Why do you like the leaf over the coils on the current platform?
 
Brewbud said:
I have been a huge fan of Carli and Thuren since I first took a ride in trucks equipped with them. More 3500s than 2500 in fact. So call me a Fan Boy if you want @gimmie11s. I don't really give a damn. But until you have ridden in one you have no leg to stand on. Show up at one of the DTX meetups and you may have a dozen or more different trucks to ride in. And many towed trailers or 5'ers to get there.

There is always some give and take as I mentioned above. If you want one of these trucks to ride amazing you can do it.

FWIW, right now I think the 3500 leaf spring design is a better platform than the 2500 coil design for Carli and Thuren stuff. I would have bought a 3500 if I had found one with The SO/68rfe.
Click to expand...

So you quote me and "@" me in once post eh? Triggered?

We get your point... you have an 8k lb truck that rides "better" than a Cadillac because of Carli. Got it.
 
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