I am going to bring a little change to overlanding. Gonna prove you can have fun putting around at 10, or romping offroad at 70.Nice build and some impressive hardware. Those shocks look massive!!! I did not know "higher speeds" and "overlanding" could be used in the same sentence.
It feels really good. Nice and firm for a big truck. It is a little hard for me to tell because I had 4 blown pro comp shocks, so the truck handled like a boat on the ocean. But now it is really nice. I have taken it on 3 hour road trips, and all over downtown Los Angeles. It handles awesome on both.
I wouldnt say the valving REQUIRES more speed, but it can HANDLE more speed. I am not getting a huge amount of body lean. I want to say it is less than stock. Overall, it is stiffer than stock all around. Speed bumps are not an issue at any speed. Specially with the long arms. What is going to be your use for the truck? I was previously runing the 2.5's ok my old truck and they took as much as I could give them. They were also stage 6. Sounds like you would be good at a stage 4 valving. Stage 5 and 6 are for more high speed stuff. I would say, if you are doing regular overland stuff 4 should be fine. No matter what you get, Thuren's valving will always be an improvement.
It is a general purpose rig,forest service roads,beach,and of course back roads and interstate driving.I hope to get out to Death Valley this spring,so some washboard at 45 MPH.
Well, first of all, I wouldn't be mixing up shocks. Either go with all Kings from Don, or not. Also, if you outline the general purpose of your truck to Don, he will be able to set you up with sonething while still keeping the stock rear springs. A stage 2-4 should be good. Not sure exactly which one. Another option is to go all out, and get some timbrens for the rear. This, would put you at an overall 3" of lift. Not that high, and VERY versatile. I was overlanding and jumping in my old dodge with his 3" 2.5 set up. If you wanted to stay at 1", I would go with a lower level valving. But 3" is not that high, and it would allow for maximum suspension performance. Either way, try to keep all the shocks the same, as Don's valving is meant to work with all his parts (shocks, control arms, leaf springs).
I'd like to find some of Don's 3" used control arms.
I'd consider a rubber bed mat to go over your drop in liner. It would cushion your knees when in back and keep things from sliding around.
Look on DTX (Dodgetrucksxtreme), there are always guys upgrading and selling their old stuff.
I am actually looking to remove that and get a spray on liner. A rubber bed mat would still be a good idea after the fact. Right now I am trying to save up for front and rear lockers. Then eventually down the line, I may dovetail and shorten the wheelbase a foot. But that is way down the line.
I am loading mine up for a trip,I was wishing I had another foot.
