03-09 RAM 2500/3500 3" PERFORMANCE 2.5 LONG ARM SYSTEM, BASE, DIESEL

The Performance 2.5” is a jack-of-all-trades long arm system. While the Pintop rules the bang-for-the-buck, converting these trucks to long arms opens a whole new world of ride quality and corrected geometry. Pair the balanced suspension travel (6” up and 6” down) with a 2.5” King shock—developed with a long-arm specific piston and tuning profile—and you’ll wonder how you ever lived with short arms. This is a very balanced on-road system that will slay any trail. If you’re not seeing daylight under your tires daily, this is the perfect kit.

The Details

With the release of the 3″ Long Arm comes the Long-Arm equipped Systems. The short-arm variation of the Performance 2.5″ has been discontinued in favor of this extended-travel version. Customers must cut off the factory control arm mounts in favor of Carli Drop Brackets, which house our internally gusseted, fully fabricated Long Arm System. These arms are 50% longer than factory, built from 3/16” material with internal gusseting for extended travel, more linear stroke, and improved ride quality.

To maximize the Long Arm’s potential, a 6.25” tall slide-over shock tower is included to accommodate 12” travel shocks. A 1” front bump stop drop and limit straps ensure safe, full utilization of King 2.5” shocks. Compared to short-arm setups (7” up / 3” down), this long-arm system shifts travel for a balanced 6” up and 6” down—maintaining contact over rough terrain.

Carli-specific, blueprinted Long-Travel King 2.5” shocks are spec’d at all four corners. A custom 5-Port piston increases bottom-out control while providing a predictable, comfortable street ride. Shafts are machined and polished from solid 17-4 Stainless—no coating to wear off and highly weather-resistant. Finished with King oil rated to -55°F, these plated steel-bodied shocks benefit from 3M wrap for long-term inclement weather exposure.

Your truck will sit 3”-3.25” higher in the front (year/cab dependent) with 70% more suspension travel than stock, thanks to taller linear-rate coil springs. Multi-rate coils were too short to achieve this extended droop potential.

This is a no-compromise, high-performance system. It includes the Carli Torsion Sway Bar and Full Progressive Leaf Springs (no option for end links or add-a-packs). The torsion sway bar replaces the entire factory assembly with fabricated drop brackets, Delrin bushings, fabricated arms, and dual 5/8” FK heim end links.

The Full Progressive Leaf Pack lifts the rear 1.5”-2”, replacing the entire factory spring assembly. This drastically increases comfort and travel at the cost of ~15% payload reduction from a 2500 standard. Payload can be restored to 3500 SRW capacity with optional Long Travel Airbags, offering the best of both worlds—ride quality and load control.

A 3” lift shifts the front axle ¾” toward the driver and ½” back toward the cab. This system includes an Adjustable Track Bar to re-center the axle and provide a stronger, less deflective link for lifted applications.

Wheel & Tire

• Fits up to a 37”x12.5” tire on 17”-18” wheels with 5”-5.25” backspacing.
• With fiberglass fenders: 37”x13.5” tires on 9” wheels with 4.5” backspacing.
• Tuned with 17” wheels, 37” Toyo M/T at 40F/35R.
• More rubber improves small-bump compliance; ride firms as wheel diameter increases.