15' Ram 2500 - Carli vs AEV vs Misc

[WhoteRicket]

I dont think you will be disappointed with any of the lifts you are looking at so what I would do is call each company up and tell them about your truck, how it will be used, and what you expect. Everyone is biased so just go with what ever rep is able to answer or explain why their kit will work better for you. My only experience is w/ an AEV equipped jeep and it was great but I have heard very positive reviews about thuren and carli. All of the companies you listed have done their homework.

 

[why3zx]

I chose to do KORE over carli because of the FOX 2.0 shocks offered, however I believe carli has a better spring. That being said, I used carli control arms, track bar, and end links and they are top notch! This truck handles much, much better than it did with stock components. And I do believe that a good portion of the cost difference is in the shocks as well. I am more than pleased with the FOX 2.0 remote shocks, they are flat out awesome. The carli guys have always prided themselves in having perfectly custom tuned shocks, and I cannot see how stock springs and Bilstein 5100s could compare in ride to a set of progressive coils and custom valved FOXs

 

[nick325i]

Well, I'm getting closer to a purchase so I called the Tech Dept at Carli.

They told me they don't offer a lift for the 14+ gas trucks and wouldn't recommend their diesel kit. As I suspected, they said it would be way too stiff due to the weight difference. In a nutshell he told me they sell kits custom engineered for an exact application and it would be a waste of money for me.

I actually respect that he told me the truth. Their kits aren't cheap as we all know. He said they have been getting a lot of calls for more gas kits but it would be at least a couple more months (but probably longer) before they have time to develop the gas kit.

I'm considering switching to a BDS leveling kit (their spacers seem like they have more engineering.....indexed for a better spring angle) and they offer a Fox shock option. I'm trying to be patient but I drive a lot so if this kit or just better shocks makes a difference I might do it for now.

 

[Clean1]

Pure Performance suspension

I had the same response from Carli on my 2016 Ram 3500 SRW 6.4 Hemi, nothing available. I found these guys http://www.pure-performance.biz/Dodge-Suspension-Lift-s-s/1898.htm and will be having this http://www.pure-performance.biz/category-s/2095.htm stage 3 kit installed hopefully this week. I had a 2015 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel with a Carli kit and it was
legit. I'm looking forward to the comparison between lifts. If nothing else another option for you to check out. Good luck in your search.

 

[chet6.7]

Are you going to add a big front bumper and winch?
If so, add the weight of those accessories and compare it to weight on the front axle of a stock diesel truck.

From Thuren's site;

• We have heard of people installing these on the Hemi and Power Wagon, but we are not suggesting until further assessment.
• 100% made in the USA.
• Each 5160 alloy spring is fully CNC computer formed and tested, using the most high-tech manufacturing processes.
• 26% softer than the ultra-stiff OEM coils, while designed to still use factory compression/bump travel. No bump drops needed.

 

[nick325i]

Are you going to add a big front bumper and winch?
If so, add the weight of those accessories and compare it to weight on the front axle of a stock diesel truck.

From Thuren's site;

• We have heard of people installing these on the Hemi and Power Wagon, but we are not suggesting until further assessment.
• 100% made in the USA.
• Each 5160 alloy spring is fully CNC computer formed and tested, using the most high-tech manufacturing processes.
• 26% softer than the ultra-stiff OEM coils, while designed to still use factory compression/bump travel. No bump drops needed.

Good information. I guess that is 26% softer than the OEM diesel coils? If so that might still be firmer than OEM 6.4 coils.....

I might end up with a AEV bumper or winch down the road, but the diesel is still like 700lbs ( give or take ) more than the gas. If I add a winch I will probably stick with a Power Wagon style hidden option. I'm trying to not add more than I need. This truck with never be a rock crawler.

 

[nick325i]

I had the same response from Carli on my 2016 Ram 3500 SRW 6.4 Hemi, nothing available. I found these guys http://www.pure-performance.biz/Dodge-Suspension-Lift-s-s/1898.htm and will be having this http://www.pure-performance.biz/category-s/2095.htm stage 3 kit installed hopefully this week. I had a 2015 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel with a Carli kit and it was
legit. I'm looking forward to the comparison between lifts. If nothing else another option for you to check out. Good luck in your search.

Let me know how that ends up. I have seen Pure Performance online but I don't know much about it.

I keep deciding to just wait for the Carli kit then every Monday when I head out for work I'm determined to change something about half way through my drive.

 

[kojackJKU]

The thing I think people are forgetting about AEV is that they worked for dodge/jeep designing the JK. IF I was trusting anyone out of the groups mentioned it would be AEV. No one knows how those suspensions work better than the people who helped design them. I am sure they had a hand in the Dodge suspension setups on the new ones as well.

 

[*TRD*]

Be careful of the off-brand shocks. Anyone can machine shock parts, but few people know how to properly design and test them to provide long term durability and consistency.

For a vehicle seeing a lot of miles I would choose Fox.

 

[jmoney]

I'm stuck on this same issue. What is it about the Carli kit that actually makes it worth the increased $$? Will the bilstein shocks that come with the AEV kit simply not hold up to the same abuse? Does one have to stick to a pretty slow speed with the AEV kit in order to prevent damage to the vehicle? If it is just the difference in shocks, couldn't you add 2.5 kings to the AEV kit at a later date?

 

[Regcabguy]

I chose to do KORE over carli because of the FOX 2.0 shocks offered, however I believe carli has a better spring. That being said, I used carli control arms, track bar, and end links and they are top notch! This truck handles much, much better than it did with stock components. And I do believe that a good portion of the cost difference is in the shocks as well. I am more than pleased with the FOX 2.0 remote shocks, they are flat out awesome. The carli guys have always prided themselves in having perfectly custom tuned shocks, and I cannot see how stock springs and Bilstein 5100s could compare in ride to a set of progressive coils and custom valved FOXs

Thuren's got a fantastic linear rate coil. I had it for awhile but the rate proved too soft with the mass and leverage of my popup. If I ever chuck the camper his coils are waiting in the shed for remounting.
I use Kore's simply because of their stiff rate and combined with Thuren valved Kings yields a pretty good riding truck. Carli minipaks are on the rear.
The Carli progressives I've see on unladen trucks have the coils touching one another on the lower winds.

 

[EMS WJ 2000]

The lower coils on Carli progressive suppose to touch. I have a full Carli pin top 2.5 on my truck and love it. I can hit 70 mph down any fire road and the ride is great.

 

[KSL22]

I have Synergy progressive coils on my diesel and the first coils just about touch as well. This is by design. I have the off the shelf 2.0 FOX IFP shocks and while they are good, I think they could be much better.

If i was to start over I would have spent the money and bought the Carli kit from the start. The money would be worth the amount of tuning he does. With the bumper and winch you would probably be getting fairly close to the right weight up front.

 

[jmoney]

I have Synergy progressive coils on my diesel and the first coils just about touch as well. This is by design. I have the off the shelf 2.0 FOX IFP shocks and while they are good, I think they could be much better.

If i was to start over I would have spent the money and bought the Carli kit from the start. The money would be worth the amount of tuning he does. With the bumper and winch you would probably be getting fairly close to the right weight up front.

why carli over thuren? I keep trying to compare the two.

 

[KSL22]

why carli over thuren? I keep trying to compare the two.

Sorry for the thread hijack as this has little to do with late model 2500's.

Carli seems to have more levels of performance to choose from and "to me" seems more refined. I know he puts a lot of time in the tuning of the shock packages he offers both off road and on the highway. I like the how the Carli arms are built over the competing brands at least for the non radius arm trucks. I also like the fact that it would be all designed by one shop to function together. rather than my muti manufacture front end. I would be in the Performance 2.0 or the Pin-top 2.5 level if I was starting from scratch.

You could possibly get a lot more personalized product from Thuren as his product seems not as "manufactured" and he seems more like a one man operation. I could be way off on this assumption. Don't take my view / opinion as gold.

I try to support Poly Performance which is Synergy as much as possible. That is why I started with their coils and track bar. I should have done better shocks but I didn't foresee switching my truck over from tow pig to tow pig / trail truck. They have a option for FOX 2.5 /3.0 shocks as well but I do not know how much time they spent tuning them. They also have a new steering system which would be a fantastic option for someone that still has Y-steering. I wish they had it to market when I upgraded to the '09 and up factory T-style.

Really and truly if you have a leaf spring truck and don't do something with the rear spring you will be less than satisfied with what ever you do for shocks and front springs. I love that I would have to work real hard to see the front bump stops, but the highway ride is fairly close to stock feeling (crappy).