Just got my Carli 2.5 *commuter i know, shut up about the pintop kings* done yesterday, figured I'd put up this thread as a running: how does it compare, kind of thing.
My last truck had a BDS 4-link 4" lift with full deaver rears *loves those leaf packs* and fox 2.0's, so that and stock ride is what I'm comparing this lift to.
First off instal: My first lift was done by a shop, since the 4-Link bracket had to go where the original radius arm bracket was, thus it involved cutting those brackets from the frame, not something I felt I wanted to deal with.
That being said I have no real comparison on the 6.7 platform in regards to how easy this lift was to instal. The last lift I did was on a 7.3 and it was a breeze. The front was easy, but I mean all it was was dropping the axle, and putting coils, springs and a track bar in, not exactly rocket science.
The rear was... just a pain in the ass. Even with 2 other guys, those deavers are just all sorts of fun to wrestle into place. As far as removal, the only real pain was the front bolts on both sides for the leaf packs, and a torch helped with that. The other thing is, if you're using an impact wrench for the rears, the space is very limited so you have to get creative with getting the impact wrench in there.
Estimated hours: 6 hours, with 2 guys helping. Most of this was because I didn't have the right size deep well impact sockets and had to run to home depot to get metrics. EVERYTHING IS METRIC!!! And sadly my Toolbox is 90% standard *sigh* So make sure you have: deepwell's in the 20-30mm range. The front leaf spring bolts are 30MM, most of the rest of the rear is 22-24MM, and yes you will need deep wells.
A 30MM open/box end wrench.
2 guys are recommended if you're doing full replacement deavers instead of add a leaf, due to the sheer weight of those bad boys. I think they weigh close to 120lbs each, although I'm pretty sure it's closer 2 tons, if I were to guesstimate...
Also: if you don't have a torch, get one. I have a propane one, worked just fine. Spots I needed it on: Front Track bar bolts *upper and lower*, be careful with heat on the lower due to the rubber boot on top. Rear leaf spring front bolts: only way to get them off for me.
Some 30" height capable jack stands makes this very very easy also. I used 12 ton ones from harbor freight, worked like a champ.
Floor jack to control the axle heights, and just a regular bottle jack to put it on jack stands.
So yeah, instal is pretty easy, I only referenced the instructions once, to make damn sure the left over bolts I had were for the steering stabilizer that has yet to arrive, lol.
Finished product with the stock suspension in the foreground. The Carli and 35's really make it sit higher than I anticipated, more close to 3 inches of lift, so it almost looks like a 4" lift according to everyone who's asked about it, lol.
Shot of the front coils and fox 2.0's, again, super easy instal, nothing of note.
Rear deavers, Fox 2.0's and bump stop brackets. Deavers are freaking heavy, I had 2 other guys helping me and even then we all looked like we'd just given birth after getting just one side in...
A better look at those beef monster leaf packs. Damn things ripped my brand new line-x too, lmao.
So the real reason anyone's reading this: The Ride! There's the age old saying: You get what you pay for, and in this case, it holds up. I honestly am glad I went with the Fox 2.0's to start out with because it lets my mind go wild with thoughts of: Wow if the Fox's are this good, those Kings must be amazing!
So compared to stock, well there is no comparison. The tire shop put the tire pressure at 65psi on all four corners, and even with rock hard tires it still rode 10x better than stock. Once I got it home I aired down to 45F/40R and took her back out, good god, it's insane.
The truck feels solid, yet very very forgiving of bumps/dips on road. I've yet to really take it off road at any good clip, but I will say the little slow bit I've done, it really handles it's self smoothly. My 2012's 4-Link wasn't as smooth, and didn't like sharp bumps/dips, the Carli seems to love everything you throw at it. Keep in mind too that this is just the Fox 2.0's, no remote reservoirs, nothing special, so that speaks volumes about Carli's set up and tuning.
I plan on getting it up to speed on some washboard and nasty roads this weekend so I can keep y'all updated on how well the Commuter package does with some moderate off roading.
I will say that this truck for now will spend most of it's life on the road, because I plan on getting the 2017 Raptor for most of my desert shenanigans, however I still wanted a platform that was capable of some offroad ass kicking if the need arises. I may or may not upgrade to the King's later on down the road, but I feel the info I get out of the Fox 2.0's will help a lot of guys on here who are looking for more than just a leveling kit, yet don't need a high dollar desert setup. The commuter setup with upgraded deavers and a steering stabilizer is, I feel, well within reach for the average owner.
As I've said numerous times, the ride is just way more than I hoped for, it's awesome. Carli's number 1 for a reason! I really feel like I paid way less for what I got, and I know that sounds dumb for people who have looked at the pricing for Carli stuff, lol, but trust me, it's soooooooooooooooo worth it!!!
Feel free to PM me if you want to know my exact ending cost.
My last truck had a BDS 4-link 4" lift with full deaver rears *loves those leaf packs* and fox 2.0's, so that and stock ride is what I'm comparing this lift to.
First off instal: My first lift was done by a shop, since the 4-Link bracket had to go where the original radius arm bracket was, thus it involved cutting those brackets from the frame, not something I felt I wanted to deal with.
That being said I have no real comparison on the 6.7 platform in regards to how easy this lift was to instal. The last lift I did was on a 7.3 and it was a breeze. The front was easy, but I mean all it was was dropping the axle, and putting coils, springs and a track bar in, not exactly rocket science.
The rear was... just a pain in the ass. Even with 2 other guys, those deavers are just all sorts of fun to wrestle into place. As far as removal, the only real pain was the front bolts on both sides for the leaf packs, and a torch helped with that. The other thing is, if you're using an impact wrench for the rears, the space is very limited so you have to get creative with getting the impact wrench in there.
Estimated hours: 6 hours, with 2 guys helping. Most of this was because I didn't have the right size deep well impact sockets and had to run to home depot to get metrics. EVERYTHING IS METRIC!!! And sadly my Toolbox is 90% standard *sigh* So make sure you have: deepwell's in the 20-30mm range. The front leaf spring bolts are 30MM, most of the rest of the rear is 22-24MM, and yes you will need deep wells.
A 30MM open/box end wrench.
2 guys are recommended if you're doing full replacement deavers instead of add a leaf, due to the sheer weight of those bad boys. I think they weigh close to 120lbs each, although I'm pretty sure it's closer 2 tons, if I were to guesstimate...
Also: if you don't have a torch, get one. I have a propane one, worked just fine. Spots I needed it on: Front Track bar bolts *upper and lower*, be careful with heat on the lower due to the rubber boot on top. Rear leaf spring front bolts: only way to get them off for me.
Some 30" height capable jack stands makes this very very easy also. I used 12 ton ones from harbor freight, worked like a champ.
Floor jack to control the axle heights, and just a regular bottle jack to put it on jack stands.
So yeah, instal is pretty easy, I only referenced the instructions once, to make damn sure the left over bolts I had were for the steering stabilizer that has yet to arrive, lol.
Finished product with the stock suspension in the foreground. The Carli and 35's really make it sit higher than I anticipated, more close to 3 inches of lift, so it almost looks like a 4" lift according to everyone who's asked about it, lol.
Shot of the front coils and fox 2.0's, again, super easy instal, nothing of note.
Rear deavers, Fox 2.0's and bump stop brackets. Deavers are freaking heavy, I had 2 other guys helping me and even then we all looked like we'd just given birth after getting just one side in...
A better look at those beef monster leaf packs. Damn things ripped my brand new line-x too, lmao.
So the real reason anyone's reading this: The Ride! There's the age old saying: You get what you pay for, and in this case, it holds up. I honestly am glad I went with the Fox 2.0's to start out with because it lets my mind go wild with thoughts of: Wow if the Fox's are this good, those Kings must be amazing!
So compared to stock, well there is no comparison. The tire shop put the tire pressure at 65psi on all four corners, and even with rock hard tires it still rode 10x better than stock. Once I got it home I aired down to 45F/40R and took her back out, good god, it's insane.
The truck feels solid, yet very very forgiving of bumps/dips on road. I've yet to really take it off road at any good clip, but I will say the little slow bit I've done, it really handles it's self smoothly. My 2012's 4-Link wasn't as smooth, and didn't like sharp bumps/dips, the Carli seems to love everything you throw at it. Keep in mind too that this is just the Fox 2.0's, no remote reservoirs, nothing special, so that speaks volumes about Carli's set up and tuning.
I plan on getting it up to speed on some washboard and nasty roads this weekend so I can keep y'all updated on how well the Commuter package does with some moderate off roading.
I will say that this truck for now will spend most of it's life on the road, because I plan on getting the 2017 Raptor for most of my desert shenanigans, however I still wanted a platform that was capable of some offroad ass kicking if the need arises. I may or may not upgrade to the King's later on down the road, but I feel the info I get out of the Fox 2.0's will help a lot of guys on here who are looking for more than just a leveling kit, yet don't need a high dollar desert setup. The commuter setup with upgraded deavers and a steering stabilizer is, I feel, well within reach for the average owner.
As I've said numerous times, the ride is just way more than I hoped for, it's awesome. Carli's number 1 for a reason! I really feel like I paid way less for what I got, and I know that sounds dumb for people who have looked at the pricing for Carli stuff, lol, but trust me, it's soooooooooooooooo worth it!!!
Feel free to PM me if you want to know my exact ending cost.
