The Pintop is the Backcountry on steroids, take the description for the Backcountry and throw an exponent on it. This system is our Jack-of-all-trades system from which every Ram owner would benefit. Raising the Ram platform then adding the 2.5” diameter shocks will support the argument that these trucks should come equipped with 2.5” shocks from the factory. This system is our most popular, all around suspension system.

 

The Details: This system boasts Carli specific, blueprinted, King 2.5” shocks on all four corners. In an effort to provide customers with the best product, we designed a custom piston to determine proper base flow rates to ensure the shock works well in the heavy duty truck platform; we then tuned the shocks around the custom pistons based on the only thing that matters to us, seat-of-the-pants feel. We round off ALL our King shocks with shafts machined and polished from a solid piece of 17-4 Stainless. Unlike King’s standard shafts, there is no coating to wear off, weather is far less likely to hurt them and if there is a small chip, you can round the edges with emery cloth to ensure the seal housing isn’t damaged as they’re not brittle like the stock, hardened shafts. The shocks are finished with King oil good to -55° F. Note that all King shocks are built with a plated steel body. If subjected to inclement weather for extended periods, we recommend wrapping your shocks in 3M to provide a moisture barrier that’s replaceable.

Your truck will sit 2” higher in the front with more suspension travel than the factory platform thanks to the taller, lighter rate coil springs. We offer two base kits separated ONLY by the rear coil springs with which they’re spec’d:

 

Option 1, R1 coils:

0.5″-1″ lift, reduced capacity soft-ride coils – Max 1,500lb. bed load. Below, you’ll find pictures of the springs Unloaded, +500lbs, +1,000lbs, and +1,500lbs where we consider these springs maxed:

Option 2, R2 coils:

2”-3” lift. These coils maintain the factory payload. The 2” lift below is shown on the heaviest Ram configuration – a Limited, Diesel Mega-Cab. If you have a shorter cab length or less optioned truck they’ll sit taller than pictured. Through our testing (up to 2,500lbs), we spec them as a factory capacity spring capable of 800lbs. constant payload (or more on lighter trucks) to level to 3.25″ front lift. Below, you’ll find pictures of the springs Unloaded, +500lbs, +1,000lbs, and +1,500lbs, +2,000lbs, +2,500lbs where topped the payload of the average Ram 2500 without having maxed the coils:

 

The Factory Sway Bar Disconnect with which the Power Wagons are equipped works great for those wanting the two ends of the spectrum, rigid or flexy. For those wanting to land in the middle of the spectrum between these two end points, Carli’s optional Torsion sway bar removes the entire factory sway bar assembly replacing it with a torsion bar supported by fabricated drop brackets and delrin bushings. Fabricated sway bar arms and dual 5/8” FK heim end links round off the package. This is the single best bang for the buck, ride-quality upgrade offered by Carli Suspension when compared to the locked, factory sway bar. The Carli Sway Bar allows nearly bind-free articulation in low-speed applications; when things heat up, it allows the Carli Shocks and springs to breath while engaging progressively to provide control in high-speed cornering situations.

 

The additional front lift and off-road oriented application call for a better track bar to handle the new-found increased off-road abilities. This system includes an Adjustable Track Bar to recenter the axle and provide a stronger link with less deflection for the lifted application. Also included are Carli’s Radius Arm Drop Brackets to drop the pivot point of the dual pivot Power Wagon arms, alleviate diagonal spring pressures (ensure no bow in the coil springs) and allow full adjustment of the factory caster bolt.

 

Everything is included to support flawless operation of all components. We include bump stop drops to ensure the shocks are cycling in their designed travel range as well as our rear track bar drop bracket to minimize the rear yaw as much as is possible with the short factory track bar or our Carli Extended Rear Track Bar. The Extended Rear Track Bar offers a massive increase in length, and reduction in angle, to effectively eliminate this yaw, resulting in far more composed and predictable handling to minimizing the rear end “wag” associated with opposing track bar suspension design.

 

Wheel and Tire: This system will fit up to a 37” tire when utilizing wheels that are no more than 9” wide with 5.75-6” of backspacing. A 12.5” wide should fit with no rubbing on the factory radius arm and only minor trimming required, while a 13.5” will require more trimming and slightly more offset to fit properly. 35” tires will fit with VERY minimal, if any trimming. We Recommend running a 17”/18” diameter wheel for optimal ride quality (more rubber = better small bump compliance) on a 35”-37” E-rated tire running 45psi front, 40psi rear when unloaded. For more details, see our article on wheel and tire selection and tire pressures.