Carli pintop King 2.5 leveling system vs Carli 3.25 Backcountry Fox shocks

[Vpolio90]

Good morning yall,

I currently have a 2022 Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab HO 4x4 on order and should be here the first week of April. I want to upgrade the suspension for strictly improving ride quality. This truck will be my daily and my driving will be 80% highway 20% city with hardly any off road however, I live in Houston,Tx and work in the Port of Houston area so the roads are a bit rough to say the least. I also plan on purchasing a 5th wheel. I will tow about 2 times a month.

My current game plan is the Carli Pintop Kind 2.5 Leveling System with the torsion sway bar, low mount steering stabilizer, and Firestone air bags. I plan to get Nitto ridge grapplers 37x13.5 with 20" Trail ready Wheels (the CJC edition).

So, I have a 2 questions

1. How is the ride quality of the pintop leveling system on a 3500 compared to the stock suspension
2. Is it worth upgrading to a backcountry 3.25 kit? Is it that much of a difference compared to the Pintop king 2.5 leveling system? I was trying to avoid the backcountry kit just to not drill into my frame but if it drastically improves the ride quality compared to the pintop king 2.5 leveling system then I would be more inclined to purchase the backcountry kit.

Let me know yalls thoughts

 

[BoatieTX]

I think I can help with some of this as I have been back and forth. Speaking with CJC the other day I was informed that the Pintop and Backcountry kits are identical with exception to the shock package in comparing the 2.5" level to each other and likewise the 3.25". As for ride quality for the Pintop vs Backcountry I can't say. I have read that the larger bump response offroad is cleaner at speed with the Kings. Though most of my driving is on rough roads, I don't plan on flying down them to prove the point. Ha I live West of San Antonio. Can get my hands on the Backcountry (2.5 and 3.25") minus the torsion sway bar and might lean that way. Just need to choose height. Not sure if any of that helps you.

 

[tchur1]

I have a very similar truck on order and have been going back and forth with the same decision. My use case is very similar to yours but will be towing about 10k like 4-5 times a week in the summer. From talking with CJC and the recommended Carli shop in my area in Northern California the backcountry system will ride softer on road than the pintop w/ kings. Especially if you do the Pintop level vs the 3.25 backcountry. My plan is to go with the backcountry w/ high mount stabilizer and torsion sway bar up front with the add a pack in the back. This allows me to retain factory towing specs but soften the rear end more than if you just go with the pintop level which would retain the factory leafs (or in your case, firestone bags).

From what I have gathered this will give the "softest" on road ride quality while still allowing for full factory towing. Hope this helps!

 

[Vpolio90]

I have a very similar truck on order and have been going back and forth with the same decision. My use case is very similar to yours but will be towing about 10k like 4-5 times a week in the summer. From talking with CJC and the recommended Carli shop in my area in Northern California the backcountry system will ride softer on road than the pintop w/ kings. Especially if you do the Pintop level vs the 3.25 backcountry. My plan is to go with the backcountry w/ high mount stabilizer and torsion sway bar up front with the add a pack in the back. This allows me to retain factory towing specs but soften the rear end more than if you just go with the pintop level which would retain the factory leafs (or in your case, firestone bags).

From what I have gathered this will give the "softest" on road ride quality while still allowing for full factory towing.

Yes I would plan to do the same if I got the backcountry. I wonder if drilling in the frame some how voids your warranty.

1.Also, if you mind, how much are they going to charge for labor?
2.Are you getting the long travel air bags?
3.What 5th wheel hitch do you plan on getting?
4. Do you see the truck being too high when hooking up to the 5th wheel?

 

[tchur1]

Yes I would plan to do the same if I got the backcountry. I wonder if drilling in the frame some how voids your warranty.

1.Also, if you mind, how much are they going to charge for labor?
2.Are you getting the long travel air bags?
3.What 5th wheel hitch do you plan on getting?
4. Do you see the truck being too high when hooking up to the 5th wheel?

I dont think drilling the frame voids warranty aside from frame related issues but I think if you have an issue with your frame you probably have a larger issue at hand anyway thats not warranty related (ie truck is totaled)
1. The whole thing is expensive - labor for install is about $2k for install, alignment, mounting and balancing for the new wheels and tires
2. No long travel airbags, I dont tow a 5th wheel and at 10k pounds I dont see a need for the bags. I also dont want to spend for the onboard compressor and having everything set up to inflate from the cab. I have had bags in the past on older trucks and got tired of airing up and down all the time.
3. See #2, no 5th wheel/gooseneck needed on my end. I use a GenY Mega duty (https://genyhitch.com/product/mega-duty-21k-drop-hitch/)
4. I dont think a 3.25 is too high personally. And considering the level kit raises the front 2.5 inches anyway its a pretty minimal difference.

 

[Vpolio90]

I dont think drilling the frame voids warranty aside from frame related issues but I think if you have an issue with your frame you probably have a larger issue at hand anyway thats not warranty related (ie truck is totaled)
1. The whole thing is expensive - labor for install is about $2k for install, alignment, mounting and balancing for the new wheels and tires
2. No long travel airbags, I dont tow a 5th wheel and at 10k pounds I dont see a need for the bags. I also dont want to spend for the onboard compressor and having everything set up to inflate from the cab. I have had bags in the past on older trucks and got tired of airing up and down all the time.
3. See #2, no 5th wheel/gooseneck needed on my end. I use a GenY Mega duty (https://genyhitch.com/product/mega-duty-21k-drop-hitch/)
4. I dont think a 3.25 is too high personally. And considering the level kit raises the front 2.5 inches anyway its a pretty minimal difference.

Thanks for the input.

1. Yea, 2k seems reasonable.
4. You're right if I'm willing to pull a 5th wheel with a leveling kit the 3.25 should be marginal

Whens your truck coming in?

 

[tchur1]

Thanks for the input.

1. Yea, 2k seems reasonable.
4. You're right if I'm willing to pull a 5th wheel with a leveling kit the 3.25 should be marginal

Whens your truck coming in?

I have an estimated ship date of 2/28 but Im thinking that will be close to the actual build date. I figure Ill have the truck late march or early april ish. Hopefully haha.

You?

 

[Vpolio90]

I think I can help with some of this as I have been back and forth. Speaking with CJC the other day I was informed that the Pintop and Backcountry kits are identical with exception to the shock package in comparing the 2.5" level to each other and likewise the 3.25". As for ride quality for the Pintop vs Backcountry I can't say. I have read that the larger bump response offroad is cleaner at speed with the Kings. Though most of my driving is on rough roads, I don't plan on flying down them to prove the point. Ha I live West of San Antonio. Can get my hands on the Backcountry (2.5 and 3.25") minus the torsion sway bar and might lean that way. Just need to choose height. Not sure if any of that helps you.

Yes, I've been hearing the same. Unfortunately, I think im going to end up getting the 3.25 back country but as tchur1 was mentioning very expensive lol.

 

[Vpolio90]

I have an estimated ship date of 2/28 but Im thinking that will be close to the actual build date. I figure Ill have the truck late march or early april ish. Hopefully haha.

You?

Nice!

I have a estimated ship date of 4/4 I ordered Jan 15.

 

[Brewbud]

Good morning yall,

I currently have a 2022 Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab HO 4x4 on order and should be here the first week of April. I want to upgrade the suspension for strictly improving ride quality. This truck will be my daily and my driving will be 80% highway 20% city with hardly any off road however, I live in Houston,Tx and work in the Port of Houston area so the roads are a bit rough to say the least. I also plan on purchasing a 5th wheel. I will tow about 2 times a month.

My current game plan is the Carli Pintop Kind 2.5 Leveling System with the torsion sway bar, low mount steering stabilizer, and Firestone air bags. I plan to get Nitto ridge grapplers 37x13.5 with 20" Trail ready Wheels (the CJC edition).

So, I have a 2 questions

1. How is the ride quality of the pintop leveling system on a 3500 compared to the stock suspension
2. Is it worth upgrading to a backcountry 3.25 kit? Is it that much of a difference compared to the Pintop king 2.5 leveling system? I was trying to avoid the backcountry kit just to not drill into my frame but if it drastically improves the ride quality compared to the pintop king 2.5 leveling system then I would be more inclined to purchase the backcountry kit.

Let me know yalls thoughts

Sounds like the Backcountry would be better for your use. The kits are not overly difficult to DIY unless you go Dominator. Those require some welding.