Dilemma time: 16 3500 CCLB...suspension/tires or tune/delete

Hello all, I figured I had a noob question and this is my third post so why not here. As I solidify this dilemma, I will post follow on questions in the correct parts of the forums.

I just purchased a 2016 3500 CCLB Laramie 4x4 with 48re trans. It came with the 5thwheel trailer group, air rear suspension, 220 alternator, and lots of other factory options. It has 125,000 miles on it and right now is being stored in Texas. It was super clean from top to bottom to include underneath and the engine compartment. Not like purposely detailed to be spotless, just not beaten to death on Texas dirt roads or drill roads. I also had my cousin go look at it and drive it and he said it drove great. Tight, fast for its size, and it rode well. He did the oil cap test and videoed the truck so I felt good buying it sight unseen since the dealer posted 57 pictures of it and he had all recalls (3 I think) completed at the dealer, changed the oil and filter, air filter, all the fuel filters, CCV filter and he showed me all of the receipts (all done at the Ram dealer).

I have have been looking through vendor websites and putting together my wish list for next year (I am military stationed overseas). My old 2011 3500 was deleted and rode pretty rough at times so I wanted to focus on my suspension and delete if it. So here is what I am looking at:

Delete wise, it seems everyone loves DRD and his MM3. I like his reasoning for using that tuner and it has lots of features I want all rolled into one device. I would likely do a TB 5” exhaust with muffler since that was what was on my old truck and I liked it along with tossing the EGR. I don’t want high performance. Just reliability and better pulling power.

Suspension wise, I am leaning towards a Thuren “build a kit” with the track bar, steering dampener, 2.0 king shocks and either 0.5” front springs or 1.75” front springs and 1” air suspension sensor extensions. It should be noted I will never go above a 35” tall tire and will likely stay close to stock since I will be towing a 15,000 5th wheel some day.

Here are my questions:
1. Is my delete plan good, is it advisable to get the multiple tune option (why not have the ability for a little fun)?

2. Will I even notice a difference between the front springs as far as height (given tire choice) and I assume all noted above is compatible with rear air?

3. Given that these truck typically don’t see the same mpg improvements like I did with my 2011, does it make more sense to do the suspension work first or delete it first?

4. Lastly, is there anything else I need to think about doing first? Like add a Cat fuel filter, swap fluids, clean the grid heater (and/or delete it), one piece aluminum drive shaft, etc...

thanks in advance,
Scott

My 17 3500 is new and I have 10k miles on it. Have had DRD egr-lessemission compliant tune now for 5kish miles. I have 34.5 inch tires and my freeway MPG is now 20-21
I will be doing Thuren’s Suspension soon. Have used his stuff prior on other dodgegenerations. I have new components andsteering and I felt honestly that for me my suspension itch can wait because I wasn’tin
A situation making me fix worn or questionable parts. So I did DRD tuning. If you are planning on putting on differentaftermarket wheels , look under tech section on Thuren’s website , he gives alot of good info on best offset and a ton of other suspension related info ondodge/ram trucks.
How is your suspension components right now with that amountof Miles on truck. if nothing is bad andyou feel safe driving it. Get the tuning and delete so you can start lettingthat truck breathe and not suck in its own ***. I will be going with a 1.75 coils . I like the nose just a bit higher plus thiswill help when it comes time for a bumper.
Check out the vendors on IGOT for the suspension goods. If you are not look at becoming a Lifetimemember and get a good discount with the vendors on here.
Good luck

If it has a 48re trans then it must already have some tuning done tho.

Check out @Dude's Diesel Performance
He's helped me a bunch with my sons '01.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 4kids2dogs&RV

Check out @Dude's Diesel Performance
He's helped me a bunch with my sons '01.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

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Thank ya sir! Very much appreciated!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Schoolbus

Hello all, I figured I had a noob question and this is my third post so why not here. As I solidify this dilemma, I will post follow on questions in the correct parts of the forums.

I just purchased a 2016 3500 CCLB Laramie 4x4 with 48re trans. It came with the 5thwheel trailer group, air rear suspension, 220 alternator, and lots of other factory options. It has 125,000 miles on it and right now is being stored in Texas. It was super clean from top to bottom to include underneath and the engine compartment. Not like purposely detailed to be spotless, just not beaten to death on Texas dirt roads or drill roads. I also had my cousin go look at it and drive it and he said it drove great. Tight, fast for its size, and it rode well. He did the oil cap test and videoed the truck so I felt good buying it sight unseen since the dealer posted 57 pictures of it and he had all recalls (3 I think) completed at the dealer, changed the oil and filter, air filter, all the fuel filters, CCV filter and he showed me all of the receipts (all done at the Ram dealer).

I have have been looking through vendor websites and putting together my wish list for next year (I am military stationed overseas). My old 2011 3500 was deleted and rode pretty rough at times so I wanted to focus on my suspension and delete if it. So here is what I am looking at:

Delete wise, it seems everyone loves DRD and his MM3. I like his reasoning for using that tuner and it has lots of features I want all rolled into one device. I would likely do a TB 5” exhaust with muffler since that was what was on my old truck and I liked it along with tossing the EGR. I don’t want high performance. Just reliability and better pulling power.

Suspension wise, I am leaning towards a Thuren “build a kit” with the track bar, steering dampener, 2.0 king shocks and either 0.5” front springs or 1.75” front springs and 1” air suspension sensor extensions. It should be noted I will never go above a 35” tall tire and will likely stay close to stock since I will be towing a 15,000 5th wheel some day.

Here are my questions:
1. Is my delete plan good, is it advisable to get the multiple tune option (why not have the ability for a little fun)?

2. Will I even notice a difference between the front springs as far as height (given tire choice) and I assume all noted above is compatible with rear air?

3. Given that these truck typically don’t see the same mpg improvements like I did with my 2011, does it make more sense to do the suspension work first or delete it first?

4. Lastly, is there anything else I need to think about doing first? Like add a Cat fuel filter, swap fluids, clean the grid heater (and/or delete it), one piece aluminum drive shaft, etc...

thanks in advance,
Scott

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Highly recommend @Dude's Diesel Performance

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Originally Posted by cumminsdieselfreak

Highly recommend @Dude's Diesel Performance

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I second that, great to do business with.

Lets see a picture of the truck first??

My 2018 3500 looked like something my grandpa would drive when I bought it new from the dealer so I did my suspension and tires first.
I installed DRD Lite tuning at 12,000 miles. NO REGRETS!!

Yes , dudes diesel performance, is great to do business with. I third that!!