Yes, good shocks will smooth out the ride at higher speeds. It only helps the seats and steering wheel, though. Your hubs, bearings, and steering gear are being torn apart.

I put a Carli Backcountry 3 inch on my 06 Dodge 2500 for running the haul road. If you get the add apack spring rather than full deavers you won't lose load capacity. I've put over 300k on this system and couldn't be happier.

Man if you can figure out how to get a 3/4 ton truck to not beat you to death on rough washboard gravel roads please share. I rode a 17 mile stretch of bad washboard in my buddies 2018 Longhorn 2500 a couple months back and it was absolute torture. But it’s not much better in a half ton either, and absolutely disastrous in a Tacoma.

the Carli is the ticket.

Cooper tires are GARBAGE. I have the Discoverer on my 07 Cummins and whenever I get back from an off-road adventure, they look like went through WWIII, Ive also replaced two with tread seperation. Absolute garbage tire.

Thanks, all. I spoke to a local shop about the project and they were very receptive. Carli's package is basically the cadillac system, they offered a couple lesser options as well. With 70k on the rig I need to check it out for anything ticking before I sink that kind of money in it, but I think Carli where I'm headed. They recommended Nitto Ridge Grappler tires and I'll have to pick out some new wheels as well. This is new territory for a stock truck guy. I've never had the urge for flashy rims, I hope there are some subtle options out there...a giant lift, shiny women on the mud flaps, and balls hanging from the hitch are not really my style! Thanks again, everyone, hopefully I'll have a good report later this year.

Dave, I put Vision Manx wheels on Whitey last year....

I have the ridge grapplers on mine and am very pleased with them.

How do those Kenda's hold up?

dunno yet, but the local oilfield guys are using the AP's and I haven't heard any griping about them.

Very nice!

Use that other pedal next to the accelerator.

Find a friend with a similar year 3500 (with leaf springs). Drive it a few miles. After that, you’ll think that 2500 is a Cadillac.....

I ended up putting Bilsteins on my 3500. It did help (some). I didn’t have good luck with Cooper ST maxx’s. They were worn out at 30k. The Falken AT3’s I’ve got now seem to be doing much better (and are smoother/quieter).....

Before we bought our Dodge 2500, we test drove a 3500. I thought they saved money when they built the 3500 by leaving out the springs and bolting the axles directly to the frame.

Doesn't the Cooper ST Max have stiffer sidewalls which would give a harder ride? I used them on my 98 Dodge for years because they didn't role on curves when I was loaded down running about 17K pounds with truck,trailer stock and gear. I had about 20K on them when I sold the truck and they were about 1/2 worn. I had Duratracks before that and although they rode better,the side walls were too soft.Onthos2019 Chevy 2500HD, There are Firestones on it. They suck.Ride hard,although I have to run 80PSI in them. They are noisy as all get out and have soft sidewalls