Carli Pintop install DIY

[UglyViking]

Just an FYI for people.

So with my OEM suspension and the max payload I was running daily, my truck sat level. With the Carli springs, it sits about 1.5-2" lower in the back than front. I thought with the extra payload the Carli springs give in the back for a Power Wagon it would still sit level. I was wrong.

So I went ahead and ordered the Carli +2" rear springs. Hopefully, the wait isn't as long as the pintop kit haha.

I was gonna say I was surprised. I know Thuren talks about their rear coils being softer than even the Power Wagon, so I was surprised to hear that the Carli were stiffer.

Fingers crossed you get the +2 faster than the rest of the kit.

 

[AnthonyD1978]

I was gonna say I was surprised. I know Thuren talks about their rear coils being softer than even the Power Wagon, so I was surprised to hear that the Carli were stiffer.

Fingers crossed you get the +2 faster than the rest of the kit.

The Carli spring does have a higher payload than the factory Power Wagon springs (but softer than the standard RAM springs). It just wasn't enough for my setup and payload.

They told me 2-3 weeks on the +2 springs. That would make me a happy camper haha.

If anyone wants a set of standard Carli rear springs let me know

 

[Arth]

The Carli spring does have a higher payload than the factory Power Wagon springs (but softer than the standard RAM springs). It just wasn't enough for my setup and payload.

They told me 2-3 weeks on the +2 springs. That would make me a happy camper haha.

If anyone wants a set of standard Carli rear springs let me know

Running thuren rear springs 1/2 increased height. What were your Carli? Might be interested because the Thuren springs are very squishy under load.

 

[AnthonyD1978]

Got the +2 springs in and now the truck sits perfect. The base rear Pintop springs are available if anyone wants to buy them from me.

FYI the +2 springs are actually shorter than the base pintop springs (they might be the same as OEM), but have a higher spring rate.

 

[Brewbud]

Looks great!

 

[Arth]

Got the +2 springs in and now the truck sits perfect. The base rear Pintop springs are available if anyone wants to buy them from me.

View attachment 25822

Interested how much?

 

[AnthonyD1978]

Interested how much?

$300 + Shipping.

Send me a message with your zip code and I can get you a shipping rate.

 

[UglyViking]

Truck looks great. How does it feel with the different springs in the back? Notably harsher, same? How does it compare to stock both ways? What kind of weight sits back there on the daily, how much does it squat when loaded for a trip, and how much weight is that? So many questions, haha.

 

[AnthonyD1978]

Truck looks great. How does it feel with the different springs in the back? Notably harsher, same? How does it compare to stock both ways? What kind of weight sits back there on the daily, how much does it squat when loaded for a trip, and how much weight is that? So many questions, haha.

The +2 actually seems to ride better even though it's a stiffer spring rate. Probably because of the payload I run. The base pintop spring was maxed out and, although an improvement over stock, was being worked too hard probably.

Overall it's a softer ride than stock, but seems to have less body lean in corners (I still drive like I'm in my track car lol). They must have some magic valving in these shocks to accomplish this. Probably a mixture of high and low speed compression/rebound internal valving in the shock.

That picture is loaded for a trip with a full tank of gas, minus some blankets/sleeping bags and 20 gallons of liquids in the bed (I still keep the empty cans in the bed) and how it's driven 24/7. I'd say I'm running around ~1500 pounds of payload (my truck is fully optioned and has ~1100 pounds of payload according to the sticker). I need to get it on a scale.

 

[UglyViking]

I think that pretty much sells it for me. I need to rework my springs in the rear, and possibly the front. If yours is somehow softer and also less body roll that's impressive. My Thuren springs are soft, but I'm thinking too soft for my intended use.

 

[AnthonyD1978]

I think that pretty much sells it for me. I need to rework my springs in the rear, and possibly the front. If yours is somehow softer and also less body roll that's impressive. My Thuren springs are soft, but I'm thinking too soft for my intended use.

You think they are too soft because they sag with your payload or because of how it rides over bumps and around corners?
If because of payload then you need a stiffer spring rate. If it's because of bumps/cornering then it's a shock valving issue.

If it's both, then do the spring rate first and see how it rides with the valving of whatever shock you're running. Then do a shock if needed.

That's how I would go about it if it were me. If you go with a Carli spring it's good to know that they have various shocks that are already properly valved for their springs.

 

[UglyViking]

You think they are too soft because they sag with your payload or because of how it rides over bumps and around corners?
If because of payload then you need a stiffer spring rate. If it's because of bumps/cornering then it's a shock valving issue.

If it's both, then do the spring rate first and see how it rides with the valving of whatever shock you're running. Then do a shock if needed.

That's how I would go about it if it were me. If you go with a Carli spring it's good to know that they have various shocks that are already properly valved for their springs.

When I initially went back and forth between Carli and Thuren I landed on Thuren for a few reasons but one of which was because I didn't want a full 3.25" kit so I could get the 2.75" with Thuren.

Sag is my primary concern. I do get a bit of body roll around the corners but I think that is on me as I had them soften the shocks up a bit (there were a few other issues with the Kings I ordered but I had them softened a bit while they were out there).

I put 400lbs in the bed and she sags quite a bit. I've got a 7200lb 32' camper I pull, and even with the WDH cranked, the thing sags a lot. I had a fiberglass topper with a rhino rack and a roofnest falcon, ton of sag without anything in the bed. To be fair, Chris at Thuren asked me what I was gonna do with it and I decided on the softer springs, but I'm surprised just how soft they are. I think my 1500 leafs were way stiffer than this thing.

As of this moment I'm still debating on a cap or not. RTT isn't the life for me I don't think, at least not the version I had. I'd be more interested if there was a version where I could leave my bedding/pillow in it, because otherwise it's basically a tent at 10x the price.

If I go with a cap and whatever in the bed I'll likely go back to the stock rear coils, Thuren's do mid-rate stock height coils, look at the Carli 2"+ you got, or just add airbags, depends on how it sits. I'd like to only leverage airbags when there is additional weight, I don't want to be sagging without anything in the bed and having to use the bags all the time, so I need to figure out what I'm gonna do on this build before I keep tossing money at it.

The rear coils right now are perfect, so long as it doesn't have a load in it. So if I do just a tonneau then I'll keep these and add bags for towing the trailer. If I do a cap I'll likely have to mix up my rear coils a bit.

 

[Crusty old shellback]

Thanks for all the updates.
I'm still on the fence of full Carli, or just shocks.
I'll know more after my Baja trip this week. 110G of race gas in the bed. Coolers, gear, etc. Pulling a old M101A trailer that Carrie's all of our pit gear. Around 6K lbs.
Not sure how much off road I'll do.
With just the gas in the bed, I dont even notice it. I did set the trailer on the hook and back end dropped about 2 inches.

 

[AnthonyD1978]

When I initially went back and forth between Carli and Thuren I landed on Thuren for a few reasons but one of which was because I didn't want a full 3.25" kit so I could get the 2.75" with Thuren.

Sag is my primary concern. I do get a bit of body roll around the corners but I think that is on me as I had them soften the shocks up a bit (there were a few other issues with the Kings I ordered but I had them softened a bit while they were out there).

I put 400lbs in the bed and she sags quite a bit. I've got a 7200lb 32' camper I pull, and even with the WDH cranked, the thing sags a lot. I had a fiberglass topper with a rhino rack and a roofnest falcon, ton of sag without anything in the bed. To be fair, Chris at Thuren asked me what I was gonna do with it and I decided on the softer springs, but I'm surprised just how soft they are. I think my 1500 leafs were way stiffer than this thing.

As of this moment I'm still debating on a cap or not. RTT isn't the life for me I don't think, at least not the version I had. I'd be more interested if there was a version where I could leave my bedding/pillow in it, because otherwise it's basically a tent at 10x the price.

If I go with a cap and whatever in the bed I'll likely go back to the stock rear coils, Thuren's do mid-rate stock height coils, look at the Carli 2"+ you got, or just add airbags, depends on how it sits. I'd like to only leverage airbags when there is additional weight, I don't want to be sagging without anything in the bed and having to use the bags all the time, so I need to figure out what I'm gonna do on this build before I keep tossing money at it.

The rear coils right now are perfect, so long as it doesn't have a load in it. So if I do just a tonneau then I'll keep these and add bags for towing the trailer. If I do a cap I'll likely have to mix up my rear coils a bit.

Yeah, sounds like you need a stiffer spring rate. I think the Carli base spring is stiffer than what you have now.

I wouldn't do a RTT unless it's a hard shell. The soft shells don't save anytime in setup or tear down.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Now I’m more interested in the carli stuff knowing they have higher spring rate springs available

 

[Ahmed392]

Hello and I hope this interaction helps sharing post kit installation update and also exchanging insights on an outstanding query - as follows:

A) Couple of days ago, I made my first drive of the truck after installing the Carli Pintop kit on my 2022 PW. My truck is equipped for overlanding purposes, crossing mostly sand dunes and occasional moderate to rough rocky terrains. The total weight inside the bed (including the tent and canopy) is approximately ranging between 1200 to 1300 lbs, noting that I have in bed two tanks; one for water and the other for fuel, each holds 150 liters.

The first impression is WOW, with notable improvement. The truck exhibited an agile attitude and enhanced drivability. It’s now more stable, firmer yet more confident truck. Still, I have to complete full test and hit the offroad sand trials to complete the 360 assessment. However, this can happen later in the upcoming winter, since the sands are now boiling hot since current the temperature on sand-surface can easily go beyond 140 F ).

Many thanks to the well engineered and carefully handcrafted pieces of art by Carli and to CJC for the practical advices and prompt support .

B) I opted to remove the factory electronic Anti Sway bar with Carli’s non electrical one. The steering feels more assured and predictable.
After installation and removing the e-unit, both the warning light and buzz of the “Anti Sway” keep coming and regretfully, am unable to turn them off. Thankfully I was advised by CJC as follows: “A software change will need to be made using the AlfaObd app”

However, am unable to put this simple thing in practice, as am out of suitable resource that is fit to perform this job.

Can any expert here guide me and provide more details as how and where to do so?

Thanks in advance!

BR / Ahmed