Help with build

[Jeff1759]

I don't have a lot of knowledge about lifts, off roading, etc, and trying to learn online usually leaves me overloaded with info and more confused.
I have a Bundutec Wild camper on my 2021 3500 SRW Hemi Laramie /4x4/ 8 speed Auto 8HP75-LCV Trans/ 3.73 rear end/ factory protection group/skid plate(s)/ 20" rims (with stock tires for now). It drives very well on road and sits level as is.

Just back from scales and I am well within payload capacity with 1,580 lbs still available. Camper weighs about 2,400 lbs fully loaded.
Measured for level and get the following from top of fender opening to center of wheels:
Driver Front - 24-1/2" Passenger Front - 24-1/2" Passenger Rear - 24-1/2" Driver Rear - 24-3/4" I assume that 1/4" difference is due to how the weight is distributed in the camper (?).

As mentioned, I'm pleased with handling on the road, but I have yet to do much more than pavement and occasional gravel roads.
There are some steep and very rutted roads, with pretty drastic drop offs, where I love to climb (ropes and gear, not scramblin' in the truck) in Ky.
I have driven them without the camper and had no issues, other than some head whipping sway.
I have yet to drive them with the camper on. Somewhat chicken I guess.
I also recently retired and am hoping to do a lot of travel in 2022, both on and off road. Hopefully nothing too crazy. Not looking to go rock crawling.

So, I am turning to you knowledgable people here, for suggestions on where to start to modify this truck so that I can more confidently go off the beaten path.
I've picked up a lot from many of you through reading, really like ramblinChet's build, but don't particularly want to go that big, both with tire size or money spent. While that route is not out of the question, I'd rather go with less money spent.
Shortages, delays, etc of course play as everyone knows.

I have added both front and rear differential guards, some reverse lights, waiting on front bumper LEDs, and not much else.
Plan on going with 35" Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT's soon.

When I get new tires, would I get a benefit in going with a smaller rim, maybe 18" and a 35" tire?

Should I lift? Maybe 2-3"?
The camper is obviously a pop up, and as stated rides well, but the center of gravity has to be higher than without camper. This is an area where my lack of knowledge shows. Increased ground clearance sounds great, but would a lift make it feel more top heavy/unstable?

Really like the AEV front bumper w/winch, but seem to be out of stock.

So many questions, hoping you can help me spend my money so that I do it right the first time with room to expand if needed.

What are maybe the top 4 things to do? I'm thinking tires, lift, shocks, ...?

 

[tchur1]

Im not an expert in this realm either but have been doing a ton of research on it as I am looking to make similar upgrades. Carli pintop level kit or their backcountry system seem to be pretty awesome from what I can find. I would start there if I were you.

 

[LateToTheParty]

I don't have a lot of knowledge about lifts, off roading, etc, and trying to learn online usually leaves me overloaded with info and more confused.
I have a Bundutec Wild camper on my 2021 3500 SRW Hemi Laramie /4x4/ 8 speed Auto 8HP75-LCV Trans/ 3.73 rear end/ factory protection group/skid plate(s)/ 20" rims (with stock tires for now). It drives very well on road and sits level as is.

Just back from scales and I am well within payload capacity with 1,580 lbs still available. Camper weighs about 2,400 lbs fully loaded.
Measured for level and get the following from top of fender opening to center of wheels:
Driver Front - 24-1/2" Passenger Front - 24-1/2" Passenger Rear - 24-1/2" Driver Rear - 24-3/4" I assume that 1/4" difference is due to how the weight is distributed in the camper (?).

As mentioned, I'm pleased with handling on the road, but I have yet to do much more than pavement and occasional gravel roads.
There are some steep and very rutted roads, with pretty drastic drop offs, where I love to climb (ropes and gear, not scramblin' in the truck) in Ky.
I have driven them without the camper and had no issues, other than some head whipping sway.
I have yet to drive them with the camper on. Somewhat chicken I guess.
I also recently retired and am hoping to do a lot of travel in 2022, both on and off road. Hopefully nothing too crazy. Not looking to go rock crawling.

So, I am turning to you knowledgable people here, for suggestions on where to start to modify this truck so that I can more confidently go off the beaten path.
I've picked up a lot from many of you through reading, really like ramblinChet's build, but don't particularly want to go that big, both with tire size or money spent. While that route is not out of the question, I'd rather go with less money spent.
Shortages, delays, etc of course play as everyone knows.

I have added both front and rear differential guards, some reverse lights, waiting on front bumper LEDs, and not much else.
Plan on going with 35" Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT's soon.

When I get new tires, would I get a benefit in going with a smaller rim, maybe 18" and a 35" tire?

Should I lift? Maybe 2-3"?
The camper is obviously a pop up, and as stated rides well, but the center of gravity has to be higher than without camper. This is an area where my lack of knowledge shows. Increased ground clearance sounds great, but would a lift make it feel more top heavy/unstable?

Really like the AEV front bumper w/winch, but seem to be out of stock.

So many questions, hoping you can help me spend my money so that I do it right the first time with room to expand if needed.

What are maybe the top 4 things to do? I'm thinking tires, lift, shocks, ...?

Based purely on everything you've written here, I'd recommend the upgrade to 35s before anything else.

Unless you're talking approach/departure angles, a lift won't give you any additional clearance over adding the 35s with no lift. Since you're currently almost perfectly level, anything you add is going to require some creating your own package since the "kits" that are out there will lift the front around 2" more than the rear.

After that, it sounds like the next biggest improvement would be a new front sway bar from either Carli or Thuren (pretty much Coke or Pepsi, take your pick).

At that point you should have a good feel for if you still want to consider creating a lift package or possibly just upgrading shocks.

 

[Jeff1759]

Thanks.
I was just logging in to ask a mod to delete this thread, lol.
WAY too many questions!
That's what happens when you're newly retired and sitting around the house bored. Info overload.
I agree with the tire suggestion and I think I will even wait awhile until I do that. Let these transfarces wear out first. Not like I'm traveling and camping much right now.
Ran my 'dilemma' by a friend today and he mentioned all these mods maybe voiding the warranty. That was enough to clear my head and put things off. Nice to have a friend to talk you down ;-).