2025 2500 with 11,040 GVWR/over 3k diesel payload?!

[DarkHorse8]

Which innov8 wheels do you have ? How about some photos? I have the G700's in 17x8.5" +25mm....

Don’t have them yet. I’m going with 17x8.5” G400 in clear anodize with gloss black solid ring. And I’m thinking about going with Silver Zynith for the truck.

If water gets stuck behind the solid ring, I’ll go with their other style.

 

[AH64ID]

So much to consider when spending so much money. Wanna do it right the first time.

After a conversation with the customer support from Thuren, I think I’ll get a non air 3500 Mega Cab and do a 2.25” Thuren leveling kit. I like the “OEM-Plus” look. Leaving the rear stock with Fox Remote Reservoir upgrade will be more suitable for gooseneck towing.

After a lot of research, I find that the Thuren leveling kit will better suit my comfort. I’m not looking for a “Cadillac” feel. I want somewhat firm and responsive with a nice balance of comfort. I doubt that starting with the 2.25” Thuren is a good place to start vs Carli Backcountry which is a soft boaty feel and Carli Pintop which is more on the firmer side.

Dropping the mic on this one. Tired of getting lost in searching for the “best” option. Just need to do it.

Still running Toyo MT 37x17R17 with 17” Innov8 Wheels. Trying to achieve a similar stance to Thurens white 2500 in his YouTube video.

I’m curious what the appeal is for the standard steel spring suspension?

The auto-level will ride better empty and loaded, as well as handle the gooseneck better. It won’t look right with 2.25” springs, but there are definitely options to level it that high if you really want to.

 

[DarkHorse8]

I’m curious what the appeal is for the standard steel spring suspension?

The auto-level will ride better empty and loaded, as well as handle the gooseneck better. It won’t look right with 2.25” springs, but there are definitely options to level it that high if you really want to.

I will not be loaded all the time. Truck will be daily driver. There’s more aftermarket suspension options to tailor to any need for a non air truck. I’m being told the non air mega cab 3500 rides fine. I’ll have extra height in the rear without having to add a lift with non air. No extra cost with air. No future problems with air.

 

[AH64ID]

I will not be loaded all the time. Truck will be daily driver. There’s more aftermarket suspension options to tailor to any need for a non air truck. I’m being told the non air mega cab 3500 rides fine. I’ll have extra height in the rear without having to add a lift with non air. No extra cost with air. No future problems with air.

I would go drive them, preferably with only 35 psi in the rear tires, and see what you think. The standard springs are pretty still compared to the auto-level, which is definitely going to be noticed daily driving.

The standard springs do have lots more aftermarket options, that’s for sure.

 

[DarkHorse8]

I would go drive them, preferably with only 35 psi in the rear tires, and see what you think. The standard springs are pretty still compared to the auto-level, which is definitely going to be noticed daily driving.

The standard springs do have lots more aftermarket options, that’s for sure.

If I get air, I’ll be paying for something that I’ll rarely use and I’ll be altering it with aftermarket parts anyway. I’ll be driving around with a liability that I’ll rarely use at an extra expense.

With non air, I’ll be leaving it as is and adjust as needed.

Seems more logical to get non air.

 

[johnmyster]

If I get air, I’ll be paying for something that I’ll rarely use and I’ll be altering it with aftermarket parts anyway. I’ll be driving around with a liability that I’ll rarely use at an extra expense.

With non air, I’ll be leaving it as is and adjust as needed.

Seems more logical to get non air.

Non air, you could buy Don's softer spring packs down the road and add airbags for towing...which would be a pretty similar configuration to a stock 3500 with air assist.

My truck (stock) rode like a 1-ton and with the Carli mini-packs in the rear...still does unloaded. (The minipacks somewhat improved ride when towing/loaded). You'll have bigger/squishier tires and fancy shocks, so there's that.

Knowing what I now know, if I could change something about my truck I'd make it 2500 and add airbags for when the camper is hitched. And delete the sunroof. And get a different color. Rambox? But I'm the third owner so I didn't get to make those choices.

 

[AH64ID]

If I get air, I’ll be paying for something that I’ll rarely use and I’ll be altering it with aftermarket parts anyway. I’ll be driving around with a liability that I’ll rarely use at an extra expense.

With non air, I’ll be leaving it as is and adjust as needed.

Seems more logical to get non air.

Definitely solid points, but I will counter with the rarely used part. As a daily driver the auto-level will provide daily benefits over standard springs.

 

[DarkHorse8]

Definitely solid points, but I will counter with the rarely used part. As a daily driver the auto-level will provide daily benefits over standard springs.

It for a 3500. OEM air only comes into play when there’s a heavily load attached. I’m. It getting a 3500 due to the low payload. Don’t want to stress suspension components towing near max payload. Trying to build a truck that can handle all with ease while maintaining comfort and aftermarket support in the event that I need to alter anything in the rear.

 

[johnmyster]

It for a 3500. OEM air only comes into play when there’s a heavily load attached. I’m. It getting a 3500 due to the low payload. Don’t want to stress suspension components towing near max payload. Trying to build a truck that can handle all with ease while maintaining comfort and aftermarket support in the event that I need to alter anything in the rear.

I think AH's point is that the air ride 3500 will have softer spring packs that you will enjoy always. And since your intention is to take the rake out of the truck, you will also enjoy it when loaded. Not to speak for him of course.

That said, I'm not aware if the later air ride 3500 setup has restricted suspension travel (to prevent tearing the bags) like the 2500 has. You'd have to look at the shock specifications to determine. Thuren/Carli are pretty big proponents of travel/articulation for off-road purposes and are likely to make their decisions to that end.

 

[DarkHorse8]

I think AH's point is that the air ride 3500 will have softer spring packs that you will enjoy anytime you are unloaded. And since your intention is to take the rake out of the truck, you will also enjoy it when loaded. Not to speak for him of course.

I understand that the leaf springs of the air 3500 are softer but I’m also seeing and different places that the 3500 Mega Cab non-air has a softer ride than the crew cab 3500 non-air.

I test drove a 2025 2500 Mega Cab non-air and the ride comfort was very nice. I would not mind a bit stiffer/stable/sportier ride than what I experienced with the 2500.

Looking for a firm ride that soaks up bumps. I think I’m headed in the right direction with all the “research” I’ve been doing and all the people I’ve talked to.

 

[johnmyster]

I understand that the leaf springs of the air 3500 are softer but I’m also seeing and different places that the 3500 Mega Cab non-air has a softer ride than the crew cab 3500 non-air.

The earlier 3500 air setup was a hotchkis (monoleaf quasi four link plus airbags) setup, which apparently did not ride as good as the present, traditional leaf plus bags arrangement. Internet musings on the topic often fail to distinguish between the two. I'm not sure what year that transition occurred but it was somewhere between 2014-2018.

If the megacab rides better than the CCSB (which it should) it's because of the +10" wheelbase and extra 250 pounds of ballast. I'm not sure if they're sprung any differently seeing as it's only 250# different.

Let your conscience be your guide. It sounds like you will only be heavily loaded (towing) a small percentage of the time. Given the new transmission, higher power, and higher GVWR (2500) in 2025+, the reasons to look at a 3500 SRW have been reduced. Days of going 3500 to get the HO setup and >2k payload are behind us.

 

[DarkHorse8]

The earlier 3500 air setup was a hotchkis (monoleaf quasi four link plus airbags) setup, which apparently did not ride as good as the present, traditional leaf plus bags arrangement. Internet musings on the topic often fail to distinguish between the two. I'm not sure what year that transition occurred but it was somewhere between 2014-2018.

If the megacab rides better than the CCSB (which it should) it's because of the +10" wheelbase and extra 250 pounds of ballast. I'm not sure if they're sprung any differently seeing as it's only 250# different.

Let your conscience be your guide. It sounds like you will only be heavily loaded (towing) a small percentage of the time. Given the new transmission, higher power, and higher GVWR (2500) in 2025+, the reasons to look at a 3500 SRW have been reduced. Days of going 3500 to get the HO setup and >2k payload are behind us.

When I tow, I’ll have about 2,100 pounds of tongue weight.

 

[johnmyster]

When I tow, I’ll have about 2,100 pounds of tongue weight.

Tongue weight or pin weight? (Tag trailer or GN/5W?)

 

[Brutal_HO]

I understand that the leaf springs of the air 3500 are softer but I’m also seeing and different places that the 3500 Mega Cab non-air has a softer ride than the crew cab 3500 non-air.

I test drove a 2025 2500 Mega Cab non-air and the ride comfort was very nice. I would not mind a bit stiffer/stable/sportier ride than what I experienced with the 2500.

Looking for a firm ride that soaks up bumps. I think I’m headed in the right direction with all the “research” I’ve been doing and all the people I’ve talked to.

Maybe Mega vs CCSB. There's no logic or truth in the Mega riding better than a CCLB that has a longer wheelbase. If you're opposed to the regular sized bed and the wheelbase that comes with that, you have a valid reason to chose the Mega ride quality over CCSB.

My CCLB with air rides better than any other configuration unless you go tuned aftermarket.

 

[DarkHorse8]

Maybe Mega vs CCSB. There's no logic or truth in the Mega riding better than a CCLB that has a longer wheelbase. If you're opposed to the regular sized bed and the wheelbase that comes with that, you have a valid reason to chose the Mega ride quality over CCSB.

My CCLB with air rides better than any other configuration unless you go tuned aftermarket.

Are you talking about unloaded?

 

[DarkHorse8]

Tongue weight or pin weight? (Tag trailer or GN/5W?)

Pin weight. Gooseneck.

 

[AH64ID]

It for a 3500. OEM air only comes into play when there’s a heavily load attached. I’m. It getting a 3500 due to the low payload. Don’t want to stress suspension components towing near max payload. Trying to build a truck that can handle all with ease while maintaining comfort and aftermarket support in the event that I need to alter anything in the rear.

I’m well aware you’re taking about a 3500. The air comes into play 100% of the time. The main springs are softer, much softer, than the standard springs and the airbags always have a little air in them.

The MC does not weigh enough more than the CC to improve the ride on the standard springs.

I personally wouldn’t own a non auto-level 3500, especially one that was daily driven, that’s after many miles on both suspensions. You can’t beat the auto-level empty or loaded.

If you want to go more than a couple inches higher than stock in the rear the auto-level is severely limited and that is what it is.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Are you talking about unloaded?

I think the conversation is mostly around unloaded ride quality isn't it?

 

[johnmyster]

Pin weight. Gooseneck.

Then I would not hesitate to own a 2025+ 2500 and add airbags, if needed, to give the option for additional support for the small portion of time you intend to tow at that weight. An airbag kit and a milwaukee portable inflator and you get to enjoy the better ride and avoid your concerns with factory air ride. There is plenty of aftermarket support for adding fancy parts to the rear of a 2500, and much cheaper than full leaf pack replacement.

And I say this as a person with a non-air 3500 mega.

If you are trying to future proof for significantly larger options, that is a different matter. IIRC, my rear axle with factory spring setup saw right at 2" of compression with 2500 pounds of added heft. Zeb may be able to ballpark the factory rear coil rates for you and you can anticipate how much squat you'll see.

 

[AH64ID]

My 2500 handles my ~2K pin weight 5er without issue(5500 RAW). The 3500 auto-levels were better, but nothing to write home about if you don’t want to deal with OEM air. The truck sits pretty much level. I do miss the auto-level 3500 suspension, but this truck fits the current needs better.