Carli VS Tremor

Kgorman

Tremor Fanatic
Joined
Feb 6, 2020
Messages
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Location
Texas
Current Ride
2020 F250 Lariat Tremor 7.3
CJC calls tremor an appearance package and slaps 10k of parts on it..
My opinion is the Tremor package is very similar to the backcountry package in real life. Except considering what you get for the Tremor package it’s a better financial deal *if* you stop there.

I previously owned a 2006 CC LB 6.0 with 35” Toyo’s and had the commuter plus rear shocks. Essentially the backcountry kit. Comparing the ride between that and the tremor on road and off they are very similar. We thrashed both trucks hard. Tested both empty (sans camp gear) and towing 5k in a rough off-road scenario. Mud, dirt, fire roads, steep, ruts, etc.

The decision to get the carli pkg I chose came down to not wantIng to compromise payload. I wanted to use the truck as a truck not an off-road empty play toy. Carli advised this package. I bought it from CjC. Local Austin shop installed (AB&T)

The tremor nails its intended use case - Get some off-road manners and not compromise payload/towing.

Would 5k of carli improve the tremor? If you use it as a truck - no. If you use it as a off-road toy - yes. Would 10k? Yes rear leaf Changes with airbags and you are starting to be able to do it all.

Should you upgrade your tremor to carli? Not if you care about payload/tow. You already paid for a good upgrade - roughly the backcountry level of carli.

Is Carli better than Tremor? Ymmv but not until a very high price point is Carli better. Call it 10k (plus install).

With Tremor or Backcountry Carli - If you are empty and the rear is harsh, put 500# in the bed. You will laugh how much it helps.

Also moving from 33” tires to 35” tires on the 6.0 itself made a huge ride difference, then further playing with pressures.

It also appears some folks are getting a bit of luck dampening using sumo springs in the front. I have not tried them.

Just to be clear, yes, I am comparing a 6.0 LB to 7.3 SB tremor. But I did get to test essentially back to back. The ride and overall handling is very similar. My brother has a Ram with full Carli with airbags and yeah that’s amazing and 12k of suspension.

I hope this helps frame carli vs tremor thinking just a bit. The vendors get aggressive and sometimes real world experience and neutral options can help.
 
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Thank you for this. While I'd love to upgrade everything, I don't want to compromise the truck in any way that I may regret later in terms of usage or warranty.
 
I saw this today, I had seen it before and wanted to post it here because it’s a great detailed exam of the unique features of the tremor suspension from Ford stock.


That was an interesting read. Pretty helpful actually.
 
I saw this today, I had seen it before and wanted to post it here because it’s a great detailed exam of the unique features of the tremor suspension from Ford stock.

Its been posted in the suspension fourm for a while.
 
Its been posted in the suspension fourm for a while.

sorry for the repost!
 
No worries, not trying to wag my finger. It's an interesting article.

Yes it is. First time I read it I was impressed how detail and in-depth it was.
 
Here's my 2 cents on the Tremor's suspension after doing the Steering Stabilizer:

It looks like a jungle gym under there!.......but with that article, at least I know what all them bars are called. :LOL:
 
I think the Carli kits are nice, but I can't lift my truck. I barely fit in the parking garage at work as it is!
 
I saw this today, I had seen it before and wanted to post it here because it’s a great detailed exam of the unique features of the tremor suspension from Ford stock.

That was a good read, thanks for posting. Btw, I have the 7.3 and absolutely love this engine. I just came off a GMC with a Duramax. I will never buy another diesel.
 
That was a good read, thanks for posting. Btw, I have the 7.3 and absolutely love this engine. I just came off a GMC with a Duramax. I will never buy another diesel.

Yeah, I am pretty smitten as well.
 
I went with the Carli Backcountry leveling kit, stabilizer, radius arms and 37’s. It was done by CJC and the truck rides much better then it did stock even though I’m running the diesel kit on a 7.3L. The gas kit won’t be out until September sometime. On the fence to switch out the springs and shocks when the gas kit comes out.
 

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I went with the Carli Backcountry leveling kit, stabilizer, radius arms and 37’s. It was done by CJC and the truck rides much better then it did stock even though I’m running the diesel kit on a 7.3L. The gas kit won’t be out until September sometime. On the fence to switch out the springs and shocks when the gas kit comes out.
Very nice! I have the 7.3 too and I'm waiting for the gas kit. Can you post some pictures of the side and front?
 
Very nice! I have the 7.3 too and I'm waiting for the gas kit. Can you post some pictures of the side and front?
When you buy your kit make sure you get the full sway bar set up. That’s where most of the smoother ride comes from. I have the radius arms to. They change the front end by 1 degree in angle. After having my truck serviced and tires rotated they adjusted my tire pressure. That really changed the ride. After a 3 hour ride to the river I had 83lbs in the back and 63lbs in the front. According to CJC mine should be drivers side 47, passenger 45 because the nitto’s naturally pull you the right and the back should be 54lbs. When I did lower them the ride home was 10x’s better. Just some advice I learned and passing it on.
 
When you buy your kit make sure you get the full sway bar set up. That’s where most of the smoother ride comes from. I have the radius arms to. They change the front end by 1 degree in angle. After having my truck serviced and tires rotated they adjusted my tire pressure. That really changed the ride. After a 3 hour ride to the river I had 83lbs in the back and 63lbs in the front. According to CJC mine should be drivers side 47, passenger 45 because the nitto’s naturally pull you the right and the back should be 54lbs. When I did lower them the ride home was 10x’s better. Just some advice I learned and passing it on.
True, lower pressure makes a huge difference. I'm running 56 f / 47 r with the duratracks.

I'm going to keep the stock wheels and install 35x12.5x18 BFGs or Kenda klevers.
 
When you buy your kit make sure you get the full sway bar set up. That’s where most of the smoother ride comes from. I have the radius arms to. They change the front end by 1 degree in angle. After having my truck serviced and tires rotated they adjusted my tire pressure. That really changed the ride. After a 3 hour ride to the river I had 83lbs in the back and 63lbs in the front. According to CJC mine should be drivers side 47, passenger 45 because the nitto’s naturally pull you the right and the back should be 54lbs. When I did lower them the ride home was 10x’s better. Just some advice I learned and passing it on.
Did you install the add-a packs in the rear?
 
No the rear is stock still. Not sure if I want to put the full progressive spring pack yet.

I am thinking that I will, but still have to do a bit more math. I believe it limits the payload to 2000 lbs. While I don’t think I’ll ever have 2000 lbs, fully loaded with trailer hooked up I could see it hitting 1200-1500 lbs.. I wonder how bad it would sag at that level.. I know that the long travel airbags only work on the Carli 4.5” (5.5” for 2020’s). I believe firestone ride rites would work with the leveling kit, but you’d lose some wheel travel..
 
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