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New setup looks great @oops
Do I recall you getting Sulastic Shackles awhile back? If so, do you have them installed with this configuration??
We advise against the sulastics on our packs but i've had customers swear by them when paired with our Add-a-pack (on the factory springs). That said, i HAVE been in a couple trucks with them and i didn't notice any difference in small bump compliance.
I now have 12,000 miles on my 3.5" E-Venture - with full spring pack, Carli Torsion sway bar, high and low mount steering stabilizers and radius arms, with Toyo AT3's in 37 x 12.5x18 on Method HD wheels. Running pressures of 45/40 Front/rear.My basic impression of my Carli setup in the first thousand miles, when on-road, is that it's slightly less harsh (jarring) than stock, but equally uncomfortable on rough pavement. However the handling of the truck is drastically improved. The Carli setup seems to trade harshness for stiffness. It feels a bit more like driving a sport-tuned SUV in sport-mode. That does leave me wondering if the Sulastic's might actually improve on-road ride comfort, but maybe at the expense of handling (or off-road capability), which is why they're not recommended by Carli. I'm just speculating here…
I'll run the bags at 0 psi, and reduce rear tires from 40 psi to 35 psi and report back on impressions.
I do wonder how much of the feel I’m observing is a result of NRGs. I intentionally meant to avoid these tires as I’ve read a lot of complaints about them here from a “stiffness” perspective. Ended up with them due to unfortunate circumstances. May just swap them out so I don’t have to ask what if…Toyo AT3's
I don't find the Carli system to be uncomfortable on the road, even on rough pavement, for a one ton truck
This is an interesting caveat as I haven’t had much opportunity to go fast with it yet other than on the highway.The faster you go the better it is than OEM.
That’s nice wordsmithing and I’d agree.I agree that it is no longer harsh like OEM, but I would use the term "firm" not the term "stiff" and I would also add compliant for Carli versus soft for OEM.
Hopefully with some time to refine all the pieces you will dial it in to a great overall set up for all your needs. No question air bags have some impact in the rear - but if you tow like I do, it is just part of the equation!I do wonder how much of the feel I’m observing is a result of NRGs. I intentionally meant to avoid these tires as I’ve read a lot of complaints about them here from a “stiffness” perspective. Ended up with them due to unfortunate circumstances. May just swap them out so I don’t have to ask what if…
Also this is my first experience on hybrid tires versus ATs. So there’s something to that.
Yeah I wouldn’t have meant to imply it’s uncomfortable. Just not much more comfortable than stock on rough low speed roads, IMO.
Which is fine, it is an 8000# truck. I’m actually impressed with how well it handles given that reality.
This is an interesting caveat as I haven’t had much opportunity to go fast with it yet other than on the highway.
Excited to get out to more open spaces.
That’s nice wordsmithing and I’d agree.
It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting though and most reviews aren’t this precise.
Not mad at it. Really impressed with the handling and control, and removing the harshness makes it all worth it in certain scenarios.
But I was expecting more on road comfort though based on how the system is generally described.
The only characteristic that I’m not impressed with is oscillation on low-speed washboards. This feels worse than stock to me. But also still unsure if that’s just my bag setup…
Your airbag set up has the 1 inch spacer. I found that the 1 inch spacer was not quite enough to make the airbags work properly. I am using a 2 inch spacer and I pull it out when I’m not towing. It is literally one bolt and takes me about five minutes to swap them out on each side. I remove the cradle and the spacer and it gives me approximately 3 inches before it will hit the airbags. The bump stop will hit before the airbag does. It gives my truck the ride Carli designed it to have. I can tow at the capacity the truck was made for by just putting the cradles and spacer back in.@BLACKCHERRY appreciate your thoughtful replies. There's a lot of insight there that I have yet to see in hundreds of threads on these topics or on any manufacturer/supplier websites. Going to take some time to process and figure out what questions this leaves me with. In the interim, I'll run the bags at 0 psi, and reduce rear tires from 40 psi to 35 psi and report back on impressions.
And here's the photos of the rear-end from other angles that were requested earlier:
View attachment 110773View attachment 110774View attachment 110776View attachment 110775
Your airbag set up has the 1 inch spacer. I found that the 1 inch spacer was not quite enough to make the airbags work properly. I am using a 2 inch spacer and I pull it out when I’m not towing. It is literally one bolt and takes me about five minutes to swap them out on each side. I remove the cradle and the spacer and it gives me approximately 3 inches before it will hit the airbags. The bump stop will hit before the airbag does. It gives my truck the ride Carli designed it to have. I can tow at the capacity the truck was made for by just putting the cradles and spacer back in.
I ordered mine on Amazon. Just look up 2 inch airbag spacer. I can’t remember if it’s an actual fire stone part or an air lift part but it does the exact same thing.Whoa, that's super useful. All of this hidden tribal knowledge is wild.
Who actually supplies the spacer? Is this a Daystar part or Firestone or? i.e. Where can I buy the 2 inch spacer you're using?
you have the full progressive leaf pack and remove the spacer and the daystar cradle when not towing or hauling? @oops did your ride ever improve CJC told me the Firestone setup doesn't impact travel at all, but wondering if you are still feeling it at the recommended 5psi? Does everyone else go to 0psi with no load?Your airbag set up has the 1 inch spacer. I found that the 1 inch spacer was not quite enough to make the airbags work properly. I am using a 2 inch spacer and I pull it out when I’m not towing. It is literally one bolt and takes me about five minutes to swap them out on each side. I remove the cradle and the spacer and it gives me approximately 3 inches before it will hit the airbags. The bump stop will hit before the airbag does. It gives my truck the ride Carli designed it to have. I can tow at the capacity the truck was made for by just putting the cradles and spacer back in.
If you have the Airlift onboard controller, which works with Airlift and Firestone airbags, the lowest setting you can use is 5 psi. Airlift recommends this to avoid damaging the airbags, even if you have the 5000 lb Ultimates which have internal jounce bumpers.you have the full progressive leaf pack and remove the spacer and the daystar cradle when not towing or hauling? @oops did your ride ever improve CJC told me the Firestone setup doesn't impact travel at all, but wondering if you are still feeling it at the recommended 5psi? Does everyone else go to 0psi with no load?
CJC installed my airbags and I would agree that it probably does not interfere with the travel at all. But I found that the airbags were not very effective because they do not put a spacer in there and there is a 2 inch gap between the bottom of the airbag and where it comes in contact with daystar cradle. That 2 inch gap allows the suspension to travel without interfering but I had to put 75 + psi just to get my truck back to level. I installed a 2 inch spacer and it puts the airbags the distance the airbag manual recommended for the airbag to work properly. With that setup I only need 25 psi to get level with the same load. So it actually rides better when towing since the airbag is not maxed out. When doing that I could see that there will be interference with the travel of the suspension so for that reason I remove it when I am not towing or hauling.you have the full progressive leaf pack and remove the spacer and the daystar cradle when not towing or hauling? @oops did your ride ever improve CJC told me the Firestone setup doesn't impact travel at all, but wondering if you are still feeling it at the recommended 5psi? Does everyone else go to 0psi with no load?
so you just remove that two inch spacer, not the cradle? The pictures on CJC's website show a huge gap that doesn't look like it could be filled with that bag but on here it looks like peoples bags are almost touching.CJC installed my airbags and I would agree that it probably does not interfere with the travel at all. But I found that the airbags were not very effective because they do not put a spacer in there and there is a 2 inch gap between the bottom of the airbag and where it comes in contact with daystar cradle. That 2 inch gap allows the suspension to travel without interfering but I had to put 75 + psi just to get my truck back to level. I installed a 2 inch spacer and it puts the airbags the distance the airbag manual recommended for the airbag to work properly. With that setup I only need 25 psi to get level with the same load. So it actually rides better when towing since the airbag is not maxed out. When doing that I could see that there will be interference with the travel of the suspension so for that reason I remove it when I am not towing or hauling.
I remove the spacer and the cradle. Here are pictures with it installed and with it removed. You can see in the picture that the bump stop will come in contact with the axle before the airbags hit. I know it may seem like a lot to some but I like the way the truck rides without the airbags interfering with the suspension. But I still like to be able to use my vehicle as a tow vehicle and it’s no different than hooking up my weight distribution hitch and changing the tire pressure every single time I tow, this is just one extra step I do. you can see my trucks sits perfectly level loaded down with my dirt bike, firewood, extra propane, tools, a 37 inch spare tucked into a Carli hitch and a 60 gallon fuel tank. I have the full Progressive rear leaf springs. And only 25 psi in my airbags.so you just remove that two inch spacer, not the cradle? The pictures on CJC's website show a huge gap that doesn't look like it could be filled with that bag but on here it looks like peoples bags are almost touching.
Do you have the sticker on your rear springs? Mine does not have the gap yours has. I think mine are different.I remove the spacer and the cradle. Here are pictures with it installed and with it removed. You can see in the picture that the bump stop will come in contact with the axle before the airbags hit. I know it may seem like a lot to some but I like the way the truck rides without the airbags interfering with the suspension. But I still like to be able to use my vehicle as a tow vehicle and it’s no different than hooking up my weight distribution hitch and changing the tire pressure every single time I tow, this is just one extra step I do. you can see my trucks sits perfectly level loaded down with my dirt bike, firewood, extra propane, tools, a 37 inch spare tucked into a Carli hitch and a 60 gallon fuel tank. I have the full Progressive rear leaf springs. And only 25 psi in my airbags.
Yes, here it is.Do you have the sticker on your rear springs? Mine does not have the gap yours has. I think mine are different.
My sticker has same Deaver part number as yours. But my sticker was pre "Carli" part number. His sticker has same Carli part number as yours - so seems both are the same.