Caster cams and ReadyLIFT Stage 3

Ice Cream Sammich · Jan 10, 2015

I had fully planned on getting a Carli 2.5" Commuter, but have decided to go the budget route. I have decided to get a ReadyLIFT Stage 3 kit and believe that I will need some caster cams. I found ICON's caster cams for sale and they are set for the same height (2.5"). Would these two go well together?

I had a good coupon to AutoAnything and will be able to get the Stage 3 kit and 4 Fox shocks for $940. The cams are another $100, so total is $1050. Well under the $2100 for the Commuter, but not as plush of a ride.

(this is a street only truck that only tows a few times a year)

charles henson · Jan 10, 2015

This is essentially the exact same route i'm going and not sure why you need these caster cams,maybe i'm missing something. :-/

Ice Cream Sammich · Jan 10, 2015

Each inch you go up, it kicks the tire out of alignment 1*. A 4 link or 3 link fixes this but cost a pretty penny too. Any good leveling kit (Carli, Bds, Icon) come with the cams already.

I ordered them anyways. I'd rather have them and not need them...

charles henson · Jan 11, 2015

Well i'll be,i know that things like this are required when lowering a mustang but never heard about it on lifted trucks,good luck with yours and keep us posted as i'm going the same route and have heard of others happy with this setup.

Jd4455 · Jan 11, 2015

I ran a 2.5 in tuff country leveling kit on my 08 for 6 years and 40000 mi without having it aligned and my bfg ko s never wore uneven. They were a plastic top of spring spacer, don't know much about the two you are talking about ,but I'm assuming they're pretty similar.

Ice Cream Sammich · Jan 11, 2015

JD, there are dozens, if not more, leveling kits that do not include the caster cams. I am sure that many of them run fine and have minimal issues for many miles. However, it cannot be denied that the best quality and best riding leveling kits for our trucks include the cams. Icon and Carli are spring lifts, but BDS is a spacer kit that still includes the cams.

I am still at half the cost of a decent Carli kit including the cams so it was an easy decision to add to my shopping cart.

Charles, my changes will be the following:
ReadyLIFT Stage 3 2.5"F 2.0R
4 - FOX 2.0 Performance Series Smooth Body IFP Shocks (all appropriate height)
Carli High Mount Steering Stabilizer
Icon Caster Cams

I hope that I can run 295/60/20 Trails with this setup. I suspect that they will be too small and opt for 295/65/20 AT/IIs.

Jd4455 · Jan 11, 2015

I don't think you made a bad decision, I was just stating my scenario.

Jd4455 · Jan 11, 2015

I ran 315/70/17 on a 9 inch wheel with no rubbing

Ice Cream Sammich · Jan 11, 2015

Thats about what the 295/60/20 Trails are, just a bit narrower. Ill install the leveling kit in a few weeks and then decide on tires. I will be using stock rims regardless of tire though.

charles henson · Jan 11, 2015

I'm thinking the readylift 3.5"front & 3"rear kit is the kit for me,still looking forward to how yours turns out,i really like the ease of install+quick uninstall incase i trade off the truck for the new budlight beer can edition in 16 lol.

Ice Cream Sammich · Jan 11, 2015

I think that it will be 2017 until you see the new body style. That is the exact reason that I am going with the budget lift too. I will spend the money on a Carli when I get my 2017 250. Especially if they have what Im hearing, a King Cab.