Compared to our HD lines, the 1500s get very little love in our Media releases – it’s time to change that.
The guys at Motorsports Safety Solutions entrust us with one hell of a task – equip their rigs to go anywhere to which they’re dispatched on a moment’s notice. Usually, this translates to running a race course at speed – after all, they drive like someone’s life depends on it as it often does. We’ve now outfit their 2016 F350 Super Duty built with a General Truck Body Service Body with a full Custom 2.5″ Dominator System with Custom Deaver Springs and shock tune to match (Click Here to View This Build). Their 2017 Super Duty received the same treatment with King 2.5″ Shocks vs the 3.0″ in the 2016.
Their 2006 then received the same treatment as the 2017, full Pintop System.
Next up was this, their 1500. We’ve not been in the 1500s as long as we’ve been in the HD market but, after working with their HD counterparts, setting up the suspension on one of these lighter rigs felt like we’d warmed up with 2 bats before stepping to the plate. A set of King’s OEM front coilovers was fitted. Normally we spec extended travel over the King OEM but limitations on the CV axles and tie-rods meant we were more comfortable keeping them where they were. After all, you’re adding a TON of damping ability and still extending travel over stock, why get greedy on a truck that’s likely going to charging open desert in the middle of nowhere?
To round off the front end, we designed a boxed, fabricated upper control arm. Tube is cool but boxed steel is sexier and stronger when properly configured. The arm is camber-corrected to account for the 2.25″ front lift allowing you to re-center your camber adjustment at the lifted height. We finished the arm off with a grease fitting to access the serviceable hat bushings with grease flutes to ensure they’re serviceable on the truck at the frame connection. On the other end, a huge FK Bearing Uniball for the ultimate in reliability. Securing the Uniball to the spindle is our in-house machined, 2-piece stainless stud affixed with a heat-treated 12-point. Cap this assembly with our (again) in-house machined/knurled Uniball Cap and O-Ring for the ultimate in weather protection and you’re left wiht an arm that corrects geometry and is built to handle the Apocalypse.
Onto the rear, no CV Boots or tie-rod ends, GAME ON! We start with a lighter rate spring that lifts the rear 1/4″. Naturally, a spring that is lighter rate and sits higher loaded will be much longer unloaded. The longest shocks we could pair with these coils followed. The rear end cycling 13″ of suspension travel meant some pretty serious side to side axle movement thanks to the rear track bar so we made a bracket to drop the pivot point to minimize the rear yaw (wag) through the range of extended suspension travel. Last, the factory rear sway bar wasn’t down to party so we added some longer links to alleviate the stress at the new bottom of the suspension cycle and all was done.
Well, the easy part was done as the suspension cycled perfectly. Thousands of miles of on-road and off-road driving and what seemed like thousands of cycles of pulling & revalving shocks followed. The result was worth it. The Commuter Kit rode like a car on-road, railed corners and, unlike it’s HD counterpart, showed virtually no shock fade on rutted fire-trails. The Performance 2.5″ sets the bar for performance in a 1/2 ton. It’s by no means a replacement for cut and weld long-travel kits or bypass shocks but, considering you bolting in coilover, matching rear shocks and a couple brackets (granted, we have some magic inside those shocks), the Performance in the dirt is unreal!
Back to the MSS Build… John carries all sorts of first-responder goodies. The shell & stacked bedslide proved to me a bit much for our production rear springs. We started by adding some tuning to the rear which cleaned it up a ton while we waited for our custom HD rear coil springs. Once installed, this build came alive. Throwing that weight in the rear to balance the rear to the front made for amazing traction and stability when pairing with the new springs and shock tuning. Overall, we were happy to be able to get another one in the books for the Motorsports Safety Solutions crew – especially with their promise to long-term torture test whatever’s installed!
Looking-to-purchase-the-performance-package-for-the-2018-Ram-1500-with-control-arm…whats-the-lead-time-for-install-and-approx-total-cost?
Sean
Hey Sean – The lead time will depend on from whom you order. Our stocking retailers may have them on the shelf or be our a few weeks. You’re going to want to contact your installation facility to get an idea what it will cost you. We book that lift at a 4-6 hour install. Most shops are around $100/hr.
I have a 2018 Ram 1500 Eco Diesel. I’m considering the performance kit Y’all have but would consider going to the next level? What would the next level be and do Y’all offer it?
Hi Larry – the Performance Kit will be our Top of the Line.
Technical question total measurement for 2.5 inch in the new ram 2019+
Front hight to 2.6 taking into consideration engine weight
Rear 1.5 inch
Is that correct ?
I’m not sure I understand your question… Please shoot us an email – Info@carlisuspension.com
How do i buy this set up for my 2019 ram 1500? King’s website sucks.
You cannot buy our products from King; our custom tuned King’s are only available from our retailer network. These systems should be on the website by the end of the year/early next!
Any ETA yet on the 2019+ kits? Ready to ditch my Rebel’s Bilsteins for something a little beefier!
Looking at the end of this year, hopefully!
Hey Britt, We just posted THIS today – should answer your questions!
What’s the price point on this awesome looking kit?
Hi Brent, it can be priced HERE
Still looking like the end of the year for the 5th gens?
Yes sir!
Hey Adam, We just posted THIS today – should answer your questions!
So any news on the kits for 2020 ram 1500… Dying to get mine leveled with some wheels and tires….
Hey Jeremy, Looking like end of the year before we start shipping!
What about 5th gen rams with stock air ride?
Nothing for the air-ride, sorry!
Hi, any update on the Ram 1500 5th generation kit?
Hi Eric, we’re trying out one more rear spring before hitting the “GO” button! Should be in the next month or two.
Can it work with a 19 rebel hemi and how much lift would it give. If so where to buy it?
Hey Andrew – We’ve not yet tested it on the Rebel. I’ll be sure to post an update when we do.
Looking forward to a 2020 Rebel kit that is somewhere between stock and mid travel.
Hey Guys,
2019 RAM 1500 Hemi 5.7 gasoline.
If Factory suspension to replace with king suspension, what package do you recommend and how much raise gonna come with it. It has no air suspensions.
Hi Jason, Not clear on the question – shoot us a call and we can chat! 888-992-2754
Does your king kit for the ram 1500 come with the adjusters on them? Pictures don’t show them nor in your description. Thanks
Hello John, The Performance Series system does not come with adjusters as we do not feel they perform well.
Wondering when the kit for the 5th gen 1500 is going to be available? This is the only setup I want!!
We have 1 last set of rear springs coming in to see if we can improve even more on the system we’ve developed. We should be releasing the systems later this year!
Is there anything that’s gonna be coming out for the 2019 and newer Ram 1500’s
Looking to properly replace the air ride in my 2016 rebel with a normal suspension that still has the same height just want to make sure I have all the correct parts to do it do you guys know what I would need to complete that?
Several customers have converted their air ride 1500s to coil spring using our system. The only one that reported back stated all that was needed was an upper coil spring isolator. We’re unable to confirm this as it was not performed in house.
Couple things…
Talked to Tyler yesterday: I want those HD springs!
Also, any idea what the front bumper is on the chase truck?
Well, we now know they work! I’m not sure on the bumper, unfortunately.
Are there plans to produce and sell the HD springs? I want to pick up a set with the commuter kit I plan to buy this summer.
Hi Cavan, if there’s enough interest, i don’t know why wouldn’t be able to do a small run…
Will you have the system for 5th gen ram?
Yup, we’ll have one in the next couple weeks to try out our new products.
got the Carli performance king suspension kit for my 2016 ram 1500 express. rides very well. it takes a few sprited drives off road to brake in the shocks. they are now a bit softer and have a great ride. i went with 3.5 offset dirty life DT-1 rims, and 34′ nitto ridge grappler’s. it handles great and absorbs bumps at high speed like they never existed. its basically a cheap version of a raptor at this point. definitely a buy
Thanks for your review, glad to hear you’re enjoying the system!
Hi are you making a kit for the 5th gen Rams?
Hi Rick,
The 2500 Systems are currently available for the 4×4, Diesel applications. We’re finishing up the 3500 kits and 2500 Hemi Systems.
What size tire is on this truck?
35×12.5”
How much trimming was required?
This truck had fiberglass fenders so none!
Hi, just wondering, would it be ok to use my factory 20” wheels after the Carli performance kit is installed on my Ram 1500 or would I need to get new wheels? If so what would you recommend size and type wise?
We recommend an 8.5″ Wide wheel with 4.5″ Backspace be utilized with a 33″ tire for best fitment and minimal trimming. Customers most commonly run 4.5″-4.75″ Backspace wheels with 35″ Tires requiring more trimming. If running Carli Control arms, 4.5″ Backspace is strongly recommended. We do not recommend factory wheels as they’re too offset to the inside.