Leveling Kits, BDS or Carli?

[RamGuy84]

I'm looking at both kits. I can find the BDS kit with Fox 2.0 shocks for about the 1/2 the price of the Carli 2.5" kit. I know the Carli kit is quite a bit of an upgrade obviously. Has anyone used the BDS 2" kit on these new Rams?

 

[Cely1932]

Take a look at the Thuren as well. Thats what I have and really like it.

 

[Marshfly]

You simply can't compare the BDS spacer lift to replacement coils. There is really no comparison in the ride quality. Spacers decrease ride quality, period. No matter what some guys claim.

Carli or Thuren replacement coils and shocks will make your front end ride like a half ton. It's that good. People are floored by how good my truck rides when they get in.

 

[Marshfly]

Also, I just built a BDS kit with 4 Fox 2.0 IFP shocks on their site. It was $793.

The Thuren coils with the Fox IFPs are $900.

That's a no brainer.

 

[User_1648]

You simply can't compare the BDS spacer lift to replacement coils. There is really no comparison in the ride quality. Spacers decrease ride quality, period. No matter what some guys claim.

Carli or Thuren replacement coils and shocks will make your front end ride like a half ton. It's that good. People are floored by how good my truck rides when they get in.

X2! I just bought the Carli Commuter Lift and getting it installed this weekend. I have used either Carli or Thuren in the past and unless something better comes along (Kelderman...expensive), I will stay with them. Great ride quality and great craftsmanship.

 

[Dakrt23]

I really wish carli would make a backcountry for a 3500 air ride application as their only offering is the pintop which is overkill for my needs. It’s driving me towards AEV as their HD stuff is coming soon for the 19s.

 

[dwjez14]

Wicked Customs’s I did the 3 inch with the fox shocks. Rides amazing.


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[RamGuy84]

I'm going to be ordering the Carli kit once we get over winter here in MN, plus I want to run chrome rims.

 

[Chewie307]

Which would be a better option for lifting? The carli suspension leveling kit or the Pintop king kit? Saw a few threads saying that strain occurs more with just changing the shocks and coils.

 

[elephantrider]

I ordered carli 3" front springs, custom ordered a set of 2.5" rear springs, to replace the spacer lift.
already had the rough country front and rear adj. trac bars. will be interesting to see how the ride changes.

 

[Squatch]

You simply can't compare the BDS spacer lift to replacement coils. There is really no comparison in the ride quality. Spacers decrease ride quality, period. No matter what some guys claim.

Carli or Thuren replacement coils and shocks will make your front end ride like a half ton. It's that good. People are floored by how good my truck rides when they get in.

Spacers on an independent suspension mess with ride quality, there is no difference on a straight axle. No doubt that Carli springs are better than stock ride, but spacers are no different than stock. I have experience with both Carli and spacer lifts on my rams.

 

[Chewie307]

My biggest worry with spacers is that it'll cause a bow in the spring and just doing the shocks and springs will cause premature wear on the front end. I was just wondering if redoing the whole front end with the Carli front end would be the better option over doing the shocks and larger springs.

 

[Squatch]

My biggest worry with spacers is that it'll cause a bow in the spring and just doing the shocks and springs will cause premature wear on the front end. I was just wondering if redoing the whole front end with the Carli front end would be the better option over doing the shocks and larger springs.

I guess the bigger question is, what do you plan on doing with your truck? If you are going to do some serious off-road and jumping your truck then maybe you should get high strength components throughout. But if you’re like most I would get the lift you want and replace the other components as they wear which will likely take the good part of a 100,000 miles or more for many people. It’s easy to get sucked into purchasing the biggest best stuff that is out there. I did Carli with my last truck and honestly felt it was not worth it for me, but I only drive 20% of my time on fire roads and don’t do any serious off-roading, so I just never needed that kinda strength. This time around I did a zone leveling kit, the thing rides just fine and I still can tow at full capacity. I think you would be hard pressed to find someone that had trouble with bowed or worn out springs. I’ve seen trucks that have spent 200,000 plus miles on spacer leveling kits and their springs are just fine. It’s the big ol tires that wear everything out. Cheers man, hope you enjoy the truck.

 

[User_1648]

I guess the bigger question is, what do you plan on doing with your truck? If you are going to do some serious off-road and jumping your truck then maybe you should get high strength components throughout. But if you’re like most I would get the lift you want and replace the other components as they wear which will likely take the good part of a 100,000 miles or more for many people. It’s easy to get sucked into purchasing the biggest best stuff that is out there. I did Carli with my last truck and honestly felt it was not worth it for me, but I only drive 20% of my time on fire roads and don’t do any serious off-roading, so I just never needed that kinda strength. This time around I did a zone leveling kit, the thing rides just fine and I still can tow at full capacity. I think you would be hard pressed to find someone that had trouble with bowed or worn out springs. I’ve seen trucks that have spent 200,000 plus miles on spacer leveling kits and their springs are just fine. It’s the big ol tires that wear everything out. Cheers man, hope you enjoy the truck.

Perfectly explained!

 

[Chewie307]

Alright thank you for the info. That makes the wallet feel a lot better.