Carli Spec Dodge Backcountry 2.0 System

Carli Spec Backcountry 3" Dodge Ram Suspension System 

A great system for the street and venturing into the "Backcountry"

After many years of success with the original Backcountry system being their most popular system, Carli has refused to rest on it laurels.

Utilizing Carli SPEC 2.0″ Diameter, Remote Reservoir shocks, we’ve developed a tune that delivers all around comfort and ride quality designed for on-road, in town, highway, towing/hauling as well as slow to mid speed off road use. The remote reservoir Carli SPEC 2.0 boasts 6063 Aluminum construction, anodized body for corrosion resistance, 5/8″ hardened steel chrome plated shaft, full serviceability & rebuildability and are built with 1-peice bushings in the 6061 billet rod-ends. These shocks are spec’d with a premium 5WT oil to balance lubricity, consistent damping and the widest available range in temperature variation. We back these with a 1-year warranty, serviced by Carli. More details on these shocks can be found HERE.

The Details: Your truck will sit 2.5”-3” higher in the front (year/cab configuration dependent) with 50% more suspension travel than the factory platform thanks to the taller, lighter rate coil springs. The rear is lifted 1”-2” via the customer’s choice of a Progressive Add-A-Pack or Full Progressive Leaf Pack. The Progressive Add-A-Pack replaces the factory overload with a 5-Leaf, progressive pack that changes the final rate of the spring pack keeping the rear planted while increasing traction and predictability. The optional Full Progressive Leaf Pack replaces the entire factory leaf spring assembly increasing travel and drastically increasing comfort throughout the entire usable travel stroke at the cost of a 15% payload reduction from a standard 2500. This payload reduction can be supplemented back to factory 3500 SRW capacity with the addition of the Long Travel Airbags for the best of both worlds; ride quality and payload capacity/load control.

When pairing added down-travel with the taller ride height, the position of the factory, front sway bar will need to be altered as well. For this, we offer two options (unless 1994-2002, then there’s only one); extended, Sway Bar End Links or the replacement Torsion Sway Bar. The End links are equipped with ½” FK Rod-Ends and in-house machined 17-4 stainless bodies that are extended over stock to reset the sway bar engagement points. Factory pillow-bushings are re-used to assemble the sway bar to the lengthened link. 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 (in close competition with the full progressive leaf spring upgrade).

When lifting the front end of a straight axle truck, the front axle is pulled off-center unless the proper linkages are addressed. Three inches of front lift equates to an axle shifted toward the driver’s side ¾” and back toward the cab ½”. This system includes an Adjustable Track Bar (03-12 versions) to push the axle back toward the passenger side and provide a stronger link with less deflection for the lifted application. We also recommend the purchase of a set of extended control arms to shift the axle forward to its new center of travel.

Wheels and Tires

This system will fit up to a 37” tire with our High Clearance Control Arms and Full Progressive Leaf Springs on wheels no more than 9” wide with 5.75” of backspacing. If running factory control arms or wheels; we recommend an All Terrain 35” tire. The more rubber, the better the small bump compliance will be at proper inflation pressures. The ride will firm up as you go larger in wheel diameter. For more details, see our article on wheel and tire selection and tire pressures: HERE

FEATURES:

• Custom Carli Spec 2.0 Remote Reservoir Shocks
• Multi-Rate Coil Springs for 2003-2009
• Linear-Rate Coil Springs for 2010+ Diesel
• Zinc Plated U-Bolts
• Limit Straps
• Adjustable Track Bar (03-12 trucks only)
• Reservoir Mounts

DODGE RAM FITMENT GUIDE

• 94 - 02 2500 / 3500 4x4 Diesel
• 03 - 09 2500 / 3500 4x4 Diesel
• 10 - 12 2500 / 3500 4x4 Diesel
• Due to the sealed shocks there are no applications for this kit.

Part Numbers

• CS-D3-BC-CS-94-D | 1994-2002 2500/3500 4x4 Diesel
• CS-D3-BC-CS-03-D | 2003-2009 2500/3500 4x4 Diesel
• CS-D3-BC-CS-10-D | 2010-2012 2500/3500 4x4 Diesel

Notes for 2010+ trucks:

Some of the 2010+ trucks use larger 12mm threaded hardware as opposed to the 10mm threaded hardware on most trucks. You will need to confirm what version your truck uses by checking the hex nut size on the top of your factory end link. If it uses an 18mm socket then you have the 12mm version. If the nut is a smaller 15 or 16mm nut then you will need the standard 2010+ end links.

Altered Vehicle Characteristics:

• 2.75" of front lift (varies slightly with different cab configurations)
• 1"of rear lift (varies slightly with different cab configurations and the amount of stock spacers installed)
• Level Ride

Shipping Info - If you are choosing the full leaf upgrade we will need you to provide an address that accepts freight truck deliveries as the kit will ship on a pallet.

System Notes:

• Wheels - Carli Recommends a 17"-18" Wheel, no more than 9" wide with 4.5" of Backspacing on 6" Systems
• Tires - 37", E-Rated Tire Fitment is Recommended. Recommended unloaded Tire Pressure 45F/40R
• Recommended Configuration - Carli Leveling Systems are Designed and Tested on Vehicles with 17"-18" Wheels with 35", E-Rated Tires. Stock wheels and tires or running a larger wheel diameter will result in a stiffer ride.
• Torsion Sway Bar - Selection of the Torsion Sway Bar Replacement will not Require size selection as the entire sway bar assembly is replaced.
• Fitting 37" Tires

Sway Bar Options

• Sway Bar End Links
  • Machined out of 17-4 Stainless Steel
  • FK Bearing, Chromoly Rod-End
  • Relocates and drops the front sway bar for fit and correct geometry
  • Eliminates End Link bind which could lead to premature failure
  • CS-DEL-94 | 1994-1998 Dodge Sway Bar End Links
  • CS-DEL-985 | 1998.5-2009 Dodge Sway Bar End Links
  • CS-DEL-10 | 2010-2013 Dodge 10mm End Links (15mm Nut Size)
  • CS-DEL-12 | 2010-2013 Dodge 12mm End Links (18mm Nut Size)

• OR

• 2003-2013 Torsion Sway Bar | CS-DTSB3-03
  • Easily the Best "Bang for the Buck" Upgrade for ride qualityy
  • Allows front suspension to move freely without giving up Control
  • Heavy duty chromoly arms and end links with 5/8 race series heim joints

Rear Lift Leaf Options

Although it is possible to order this kit with neither of these options, it is HIGHLY recommended that you do choose one of these options in order for this kit to perform as expected.

• Add-a-Packs
  • Replaces Rear, lower overload spring for increased ride quality
  • Provides 1.0" of lift
  • The O.E.M. load capacity is still maintained while improved ride is achieved
  • Diesel specific configuration (AAM 11.5 Axle)
  • CS-DPAP-94 | 1994-2002 Dodge Ram Add-A-Packs
  • CS-DPAP-03-D | 2003-2009 Dodge Ram Add-A-Packs

• OR

• Full Spring Pack
  • Softens initial spring rate at ride height
  • Minimizes Axle Wrap/Wheel Hop
  • Reduces Payload 15% From Stock 2500
  • Capable of 15" of Suspension Travel
  • CS-DFSP-94 | 1994-2002 Dodge Ram Full Spring Pack
  • CS-DFSP-03-D | 2003-2009 Dodge Ram Full Spring Pack
  • CS-DFSP-03-D-HD | 2003-2009 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Full Spring Pack (For Trucks with 1,500lbs. In the Bed at all times)
  • CS-DFSP-10-D | 2010-2013 Dodge Ram Full Spring Pack
  • CS-DFSP-10-D-HD | 2010-2013 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Full Spring Pack (For Trucks with 1,500lbs. In the Bed at all times)

Control Arm Options

• Extended Control Arms
  • Re-centers front axle on 3" Suspension Systems
  • Offset body for more tire clearance
  • CS-CA-MS14-94 | 1994-1998 Dodge Ram Control Arms with 12mm/14mm Joints
  • CS-CA-MS16-94 | 1994-1998 Dodge Ram Control Arms with 14mm/16mm Joints
  • CS-CA-MS-03 | 2003-2009 Dodge Ram Control Arms
  • CS-CA-MS-10 | 2010-2013 Dodge Ram Control Arms

• OR

• High Clearance Billet Extended Control Arms
  • Re-centers front axle on 3" Suspension Systems
  • Offset body more than Extended Control Arms for even more tire clearance!
  • CS-DBCA-03 | 2003-2009 Dodge Ram High Clearance Billet Control Arms
  • CS-DBCA-10 | 2010-2013 Dodge Ram High Clearance Billet Control Arms