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Mostly Thuren 2.75" vs Mostly Carli 3.25" - Thoughts ?

joshuaeb09

joshuaeb09

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Medina County, TX
Getting ready to start buying stuff for my lift on the '22, but I'm torn on which way I want to go here so looking for some input from you guys running various setups. I usually have my weatherguard fairly loaded, but after my last toolbox break in I'm probably going to swap to a DiamondBack with one of their toolbox inserts. I'd also prefer to keep some rake/towing ability for when I need to move around the tractor or animals when the main farm truck is unavailable so the Thuren rear coils are out for me after talking to them as well as some folks I know. This has me narrowing down rear springs to the Carli R2's as highlighted in the linked Youtube video. Outside of that I'm open to options, but I've got my two current competing options listed out below.

In the past I've had trucks with Kings and all the goodies to go do dumb fun stuff, but this CTD ain't gonna be one of those trucks. It's mostly a highway cruiser, gravel roads from time to time to get out to the property/go camping, and the occasional tow rig for heavier bumper pull stuff like the tractor or moving a few animals around. My main priority is going to be better highway ride/handling, better performance(comfort lol) with the very light off roading it sees, and of course looking better with it up in the air a little. For tires I have zero plans to run anything super aggressive and will likely run AT3's no matter which way I go. I'm also more inclined to stay with ~35" so I can keep a functional spare stuffed under the truck for those longer trips without losing any space in the bed.

Lemme know what you guys think!

Video Comparing Thuren to Carli R2 Rear Springs :

Customized 3.25" Setup - Thinking 37x12.5R18 on MR701HDs

Carli Parts :
CS-DLRC-14-D - Front Springs
CS-DBC20-1419-D-R2 - Rear R2 Springs
CS-DATB-1419 - Front Trackbar
CS-DFBD-1 - Front Bump Drops
CS-DEL-R-14 - Rear Swaybar Links
CS-DRBD-AL - Rear Bump Drops
A.) CS-DBC20SPKG-14-D - Backcountry Shock Package
or
B.) CS-DC20SPKG-14-D - Commuter Shock Package

Thuren Parts :
TF-RLR2500-TBK - Rear Trackbar
TF-FSWBK-13UHC - Front Swaybar
TF-EBCBLRG-14U - E-Brake Cable Bracket

Zone Parts :
https://zoneoffroad.com/products/hd-radius-arm-upgrade-kit?variant=39994678018136 - Radius Arms

Sumosprings Parts :
SSF-302-40 - Front Bumps (Blue Foam)
SSR-312-47 - Rear Bumps (Black Foam)

OR

2.75" Thuren 5100 Setup - Thinking 295/65R20 on Stock 20"s

Carli Parts :
CS-DBC20-1419-D-R2 - Rear R2 Springs
CS-DEL-R-14 - Rear Swaybar Links

Thuren Parts :
5100FK-RARAM-RAFC25 - Front 2.75" Springs/Trackbar/5100s
TF-EBCBLRG-14U - E-Break Cable Bracket
BIL-24-464 - Rear 5100s
TF-RLR2500-TBK - Rear Trackbar
TF-FSWBK-13UHC - Front Swaybar

Sumosprings Parts :
SSF-302-40 - Front Bumps (Blue Foam)
SSR-312-47 - Rear Bumps (Black Foam)
 
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Carli lifts don't change the load capacity. Go with the commuter package if you don't plan on running it hard in the dirt. The ride dramatically improves over stock

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns
 
Option A is similar to what i went with so i vote that, except i have a 3500 and went with the Thuren track bar, and backcountry shocks (more of a want than a need at this point.)

Also am running the Zone radius arms as i didnt want to use drop brackets.
 
After talking to the guys at CJC I'm doing what I'm calling the compromise build in stages. I've already got my Synergy box brace and Thuren front swaybar ready to install once I have some free time and this rain goes away. That should let me run 295/65R20's before doing anything else in-case we decide to take a holiday trip up somewhere I'll want real tires. Next step will be getting the Thuren rear trackbar on there to get rid of that ass end wiggle these trucks have, but I wont order it until I know I'll have the time to install it after I tackle the brace/swaybar as well as the magnaflow DPF back I have sitting in the garage.

After that I'll get with one of the local shops I usually use to see who will be the most cost effective on getting the basic setup done below since I don't have it in me to deal with springs/shocks right now and the drive to an alignment rack is a bit of a ways (I really don't feel like doing a country boy alignment to get it servicable enough to get there lol) :

Thuren 2.75" Front kit with his Fox 2.0s
Carli R2 Rear springs with their Fox 2.0s + Thuren brakeline bracket + longer swaybar links
Front Sumos (Thuren suggested black ones)
Rear Black Sumos inleu of Carli bump drops (I'll thread on some yellows when towing heavy stuff which is rare)

I'll probably end up ordering some custom valved king 2.5"s like I've done with past trucks, but I don't have much appetite for that right now. Also as much as I love how these trucks look with 37"s I can't justify that one either since most of my driving is highway and I want a workable spare that doesn't take up bedspace or require me to run a tire carrier.
 
Before you go any further, I'd ask what you really want out of your truck. You're doing a lot of piecemeal parts, which is fine but I'm not sure what you're attempting to accomplish by doing such.

I think that the Carli kit with 35s is going to look really goofy to be honest. Looks may not be on the top of your list, but if it's important there it is.

Can I ask what your goals for the truck are?
 
Looking forward to see where this goes. Thuren 2.75" / Carli R2 with some 2.5 kings sounds like a great option!!!
 
Figured I'd update the tread since I talked to the guys at CJC and finally ordered up everything. As the truck sits now, without any of the new goodies - I have the Thuren front sway bar, Synergy Box Brace, my 18x9's with 315/70R18 Toyos which are pretty much a 36x13, and my ass end has the DiamondBack HD with a good complement of minor recovery gear being out in a rural area, basic tools, and I'll probably do a bed mounted full sized spare at some point.

I really don't do any harder off road stuff that needs King's like past trucks so I waited on doing anything beyond basic fox 2.0 w/resi's for now. For my longer highway drives, decently maintained gravel roads, and the occasional camping trip I just couldn't justify getting Kings. Maybe later I'll do Thuren 3.0's up front and once Thuren has their rear control arm/3.0 setup out I'll go that route if I get the itch for the big boy shocks.... Who am I kidding the truck will probably have kings on it in a couple of years like my past trucks lololol - The tempation of custom valved 3.0's will eventually get me unless the Fox 2.0s with this setup just perform that good...

What I ordered up :

Front :
- Thuren 2.75" Diesel Coils
- Thuren Fox 2.0 w/Resi, Added Thuren Boots since I've always run boots on my kings with the crushed granite gravel roads here in South Texas to save the shafts.
- Carli Resi mounts since I don't like the Thuren Mounts
- Thuren Track Bar
- Fox Factory Race ATS Stabilizer to give me adjust-ability since I got the usual Toyo pull and I like heavier steering.
- Sumosprings Black Bump Replacements, Thuren sells these in place of their Full Boogie Bumps for '19+ Trucks and I imagine I'll probably do a full bumper replacement in the future. If that wasn't in the card's I'd have gone blue for a softer long bump stop. Also if I sag enough with a bumper I'll toss in the the Traxda 1" spacers with Carli radius arms/drops at that time to get the front back up. Custom valving can overcome that spring preload so that would be another reason to eventually get Kings.
- Powerwagon Spring Isolators, Just can't justify the Carli weld-in's for the sort of terrain the truck will see, but like the idea of a beefed up spring seat. If I ever end up going with Kings in the future I'll probably break out the welder and get the Carli supports with stock isolators.

Rear :
- Carli R2 Springs, With my Diamondback and the usual tools, etc I carry the Thuren springs were a no go for me.
- Carli BackCountry 2.0 w/Resi to match the Carli Springs, CJC happened to have a set of the rears on the shelf so it was perfect timing getting the Thuren fronts and Carli rears to match each spring.
- CJC Shock Guards for 2.0's
- Thuren Resi Armor to supplement the CJC guards, See gravel roads comment above.
- Thuren Track Bar
- Thuren Sway Bar links
- Both Thuren Brakeline Brackets
- Black Sumo Kit and Blue Sumo's to thread onto them, I'll keep the black sumos in my Diamondback toolbox for when I tow heavier while running the Blue Sumos for daily empty/light towing/static weight bumps. I may end up cutting them down as I've done on other trucks, but that remains to be seen. Doing this in place of a 1" bump drop as needed for the Carli R2 springs/shocks to kill a few birds with one stone while staying away from bags.

I've also got the 5100 powerhop shock, Powerwagon Axle Bracket, and bolts saved, but I haven't decided if I want them yet. In softer gravel at an incline I can get the ass end to powerhop, but it's not common enough occurance for me to pull the trigger yet.

In the future I may add a hellwig sway bar after I tow a few times with it as I have had on past trucks, but I'll wait and see how see how she does 1st. IMO I ended up with the exact compromise I was looking for. Just about anything I tow is just over what one might be able to safely tow with a goldielocks max towing/payload half-ton, but isn't pushing the full limits of a 2500. I also carry a bit of static weight under my Diamondback most days and just need to be able to hook up and go with the smaller trailers without worrying about saggin ass with soft springs. When I do tow one of the heavier trailers I can quickly thread on the black sumos to bust squat and deal with that compromise.
 
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joshuaeb09 said:
Figured I'd update the tread since I talked to the guys at CJC and finally ordered up everything. As the truck sits now, without any of the new goodies - I have the Thuren front sway bar, Synergy Box Brace, my 18x9's with 315/70R18 Toyos which are pretty much a 36x13, and my ass end has the DiamondBack HD with a good complement of minor recovery gear being out in a rural area, basic tools, and I'll probably do a bed mounted full sized spare at some point.

I really don't do any harder off road stuff that needs King's like past trucks so I waited on doing anything beyond basic fox 2.0 w/resi's for now. For my longer highway drives, decently maintained gravel roads, and the occasional camping trip I just couldn't justify getting Kings. Maybe later I'll do Thuren 3.0's up front and once Thuren has their rear control arm/3.0 setup out I'll go that route if I get the itch for the big boy shocks.... Who am I kidding the truck will probably have kings on it in a couple of years like my past trucks lololol - The tempation of custom valved 3.0's will eventually get me unless the Fox 2.0s with this setup just perform that good...

What I ordered up :

Front :
- Thuren 2.75" Diesel Coils
- Thuren Fox 2.0 w/Resi, Added Thuren Boots since I've always run boots on my kings with the crushed granite gravel roads here in South Texas to save the shafts.
- Carli Resi mounts since I don't like the Thuren Mounts
- Thuren Track Bar
- Fox Factory Race ATS Stabilizer to give me adjust-ability since I got the usual Toyo pull and I like heavier steering.
- Sumosprings Black Bump Replacements, Thuren sells these in place of their Full Boogie Bumps for '19+ Trucks and I imagine I'll probably do a full bumper replacement in the future. If that wasn't in the card's I'd have gone blue for a softer long bump stop. Also if I sag enough with a bumper I'll toss in the the Traxda 1" spacers with Carli radius arms/drops at that time to get the front back up. Custom valving can overcome that spring preload so that would be another reason to eventually get Kings.
- Powerwagon Spring Isolators, Just can't justify the Carli weld-in's for the sort of terrain the truck will see, but like the idea of a beefed up spring seat. If I ever end up going with Kings in the future I'll probably break out the welder and get the Carli supports with stock isolators.

Rear :
- Carli R2 Springs, With my Diamondback and the usual tools, etc I carry the Thuren springs were a no go for me.
- Carli BackCountry 2.0 w/Resi to match the Carli Springs, CJC happened to have a set of the rears on the shelf so it was perfect timing getting the Thuren fronts and Carli rears to match each spring.
- CJC Shock Guards for 2.0's
- Thuren Resi Armor to supplement the CJC guards, See gravel roads comment above.
- Thuren Track Bar
- Thuren Sway Bar links
- Both Thuren Brakeline Brackets
- Black Sumo Kit and Blue Sumo's to thread onto them, I'll keep the black sumos in my Diamondback toolbox for when I tow heavier while running the Blue Sumos for daily empty/light towing/static weight bumps. I may end up cutting them down as I've done on other trucks, but that remains to be seen. Doing this in place of a 1" bump drop as needed for the Carli R2 springs/shocks to kill a few birds with one stone while staying away from bags.

I've also got the 5100 powerhop shock, Powerwagon Axle Bracket, and bolts saved, but I haven't decided if I want them yet. In softer gravel at an incline I can get the ass end to powerhop, but it's not common enough occurance for me to pull the trigger yet.

In the future I may add a hellwig sway bar after I tow a few times with it as I have had on past trucks, but I'll wait and see how see how she does 1st. IMO I ended up with the exact compromise I was looking for. Just about anything I tow is just over what one might be able to safely tow with a goldielocks max towing/payload half-ton, but isn't pushing the full limits of a 2500. I also carry a bit of static weight under my Diamondback most days and just need to be able to hook up and go with the smaller trailers without worrying about saggin ass with soft springs. When I do tow one of the heavier trailers I can quickly thread on the black sumos to bust squat and deal with that compromise.
Click to expand...
Any pictures?
 
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