Carli Suspension 2013-2025 Ram 3500 Auto Level Air Suspension Pathfinder System 3.25" Lift

The Pathfinder System is the newest solution for the air-assisted Ram 3500 and, for most customers on this platform, it’s the one to have.

Built around the Carli SPEC 2.5″ Pathfinder shocks and the lighter-rate Standard Full Progressive Leaf Spring Pack, the Pathfinder delivers the best-riding suspension available for the factory air-equipped 3500. The shock tune is compliance-focused while the rear springs are a softer spring rate (than the Pintop ALAS-Specific Pack). More compliant damping and softer spring rates combine for a noticeably more forgiving character in everyday driving, without sacrificing an ounce of control or load capacity.

Since Carli introduced the Pintop System in the mid-2010s, it’s been the only performance suspension option for the ALAS Ram 3500. The Pathfinder changes that. Same 2.5″ damper diameter and kit infrastructure, but with a fundamentally different philosophy at a lower price point.

What’s in the Kit

Both the Pathfinder and Pintop Systems share a common infrastructure designed to work seamlessly with the factory air system at the new lifted ride height.

The Pathfinder System includes:

Front:

• Carli SPEC 2.5″ Pathfinder Remote Reservoir Shocks — compliance-tuned, Carli-spec valving on all four corners
• Taller coil springs — 3.25“–3.5” of front lift depending on cab configuration; 50% more front suspension travel than stock
• Radius Arm Drop Brackets — restores proper caster geometry and recenters the axle in its travel arc after the lift
• Adjustable Track Bar — corrects lateral axle shift from the lift; stronger and more deflection-resistant than the factory unit
• Bump Stop Drop Brackets — Shifts the extended travel slightly lower to balance up vs. down travel with the new, extended stroke.

Rear:

• Full Progressive Leaf Spring Pack — lighter spring rate engineered for ride quality and compliance. This is the major difference; the ALAS specific packs in the Pintop System are a much higher spring rate than the standard, lighter rate leaf packs in the Pathfinder System.
• Custom Airbag Spacers — positions the factory bags correctly at the new ride height so travel is maximized and the air-spring transition is smooth.
• Ride Height Sensor Link — Specific to the Pathfinder system, this linkage repositions the factory sensor arm so the auto-leveling system reads and operates correctly at the lifted height for the standard progressive leaf spring pack.

How It Works

At ride height, the factory airbags are fully deflated. The truck rides on the progressive leaf springs providing maximum up-travel and a smooth, compliant feel before the air system engages. When weight is added, the bags inflate to maintain a level stance, exactly as Ram intended.

The lighter spring rate of the standard full progressive leaf springs means the airbags take on more pressure under load compared to our heavier ALAS-specific spring; thus, the air system supports the burden of the load management. For customers who have confidence in the factory air infrastructure, there is no downside to this arrangement at any load level. The Pathfinder system handles max rated payload without issue.

Why 2.5″ Dampers

The Ram 3500 ALAS carries up to 6,000 lbs. of payload — the highest rating of any Ram HD truck. A smaller diameter shock doesn’t have the fluid volume or piston area to control the forces this platform generates across its full weight range. The result is heat fade, inconsistent damping, and early failure. A 2.5″ damper is the floor for this application. Both the Pathfinder and Pintop systems run 2.5″ shocks on all four corners. Carli will not be tuning any 2.0” dampers for the ALAS application.

Pathfinder vs. Pintop — Which System Is Right for You?

Both systems lift the front 3.25“–3.5”, run 2.5″ dampers on all four corners, and include the complete air system hardware to make the factory ALAS work perfectly at the new ride height. The difference is in the shock tune and the rear spring rate — and that difference has a specific use-case logic behind it.

Choose the Pathfinder System if:

• You prioritize ride quality and want the best riding suspension available for this platform, loaded or unloaded.
• You have confidence in the factory air system — in all the years of Carli building these kits, they have not experienced or heard of a single factory airbag failure on this platform. There’s no reason not to trust the air system, but it’s worth mentioning as the lighter rate spring packs in this system would be a substantial payload reduction should the air system fail for any reason.
• Your use isn’t dominated by constant maximum payload — you tow and haul, but you’re not living at max weight every day
• You’re not regularly operating in remote terrain where physical airbag damage (trail debris, obstacles) is a realistic hazard
• You want meaningful cost savings: Pathfinder shocks are approximately $500 less than our King package, and the DFSP springs are a few hundred less than the ALAS-specific pack

Choose the Pintop System if:

• You’re regularly at or near max payload — fifth wheels, heavy campers, work trucks that are rarely unloaded
• You spend time in remote locations where an airbag failure (under load) could leave you stranded far from help
• You want a mechanical spring rate redundancy that can get you home loaded even if the air system fails
• The factory’s load-handling capability is a daily requirement, not an occasional one

Both systems are a significant upgrade over the factory platform. You’re not compromising with either choice — you’re choosing the character that fits how you use your truck.