Carli - Pintop Leveling System - 3.25” Lift - 2013-2024 RAM 3500 4X4 Diesel - CS-DPT25-1319-D

PINTOP LIFT SYSTEM - IN DEPTH

The Pintop is the Backcountry kit 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. It was tuned and rides best with our Full Progressive Leaf Springs and 18” wheels with 37” tires. Both of the aforementioned are recommended.

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.

The Details: Your truck will sit 3”-3.5” higher in the front (cab configuration dependent) with 50% more suspension travel than the factory platform thanks to the taller, lighter rate coil springs.

Rear Spring Options Explained: The rear is lifted 1” to 2” via the customer’s choice of a Progressive Add-A-Pack, Full Progressive Leaf Spring Kit, or HD Constant Load Leaf Springs.  We will rate these options by comfort level vs. load capacity:

The GOOD option for heavy duty capacity: The Progressive Add-A-Pack maintains load capacity and 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.  It gives you the lift & level required for the kit but rides like you would expect a heavy duty truck would. Definitely better than stock but still a bit jarring when unloaded. The Add-A-Pack kit will either include or not include a 1" block, depending upon which year break your truck falls into, to reach level or slightly rear high when unloaded.

The GOOD option for ride comfort:  The Full Progressive Leaf Spring Kit replaces the entire factory leaf spring assembly increasing travel and drastically increasing comfort throughout the entire usable travel stroke at the cost of a payload reduction to a little better than 1500 lbs.  This is a great option for those that only ever do some light towing and wish their truck would ride better on rough roads.

BEST option when you need both: For those wanting the best of both worlds, pair the Full Progressive Leaf Springs with a matching set of Long-Travel Air-Bags.  This way you can regain your load capacity when you need it and have the comfortable ride when you don't!

XHD & XXHD Springs:  These springs are for those that have a constant load requirement.  This is NOT a leaf spring pack designed to run unloaded, it requires the respective 2,000lbs or 3,500lbs load to sit at the intended height and properly function. They have a far heavier spring rate than our standard leaf spring AND designed to operate with a much higher center of gravity. The XHD is designed with pop-up campers and heavy tool boxes in mind, while the XXHD was designed for full cab-over campers, though they will function great for any constant load at their intended load.

No Rear Spring Selection:  Only select this option if you already have a way to achieve your lift/level required for this kit or plan on using the XHD or XXHD for 2019+ 3500 with larger 4.25 rear axle.

Worth Mentioning:  An excellent "bang for your buck" optional part would have to be the Fabricated Rear Leaf-Spring Shackles.  You wouldn't think it, but much of the jarring ride of the 3500 rear can be attributed to the factory vulcanized bushings in the leaf spring pack and shackle. The factory shackle is very strong BUT the design is not conducive to a smooth ride. The Carli shackle is constructed of 1/4″ American cold-rolled steel. The mid-length gusset ensures no deflection while the serviceable bushings offer a far superior ride to the bind of the factory bushings.  

Sway Bar Options:  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; Billet Sway Bar Drop Brackets or the replacement Torsion Sway Bar. The Billet Drop Blocks shift the sway bar down and forward to ensure the factory end links cycle properly throughout the entire extended travel range. 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 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, in the radius arm equipped Rams, lightened caster and slight rearward axle shift. This system includes an Adjustable Track Bar to push the axle back toward the passenger side and provide a stronger link with less deflection for the lifted application. We also include Radius Arm Drop Brackets to re-center your caster adjustment and shift the axle forward to its new center of travel. Everything is included to support flawless operation of all components.

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 an 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: