Somewhere in the DIRT Nation -
Facing the publishing deadlines, racing across states to off-road
events stretched from the East Coast to the West Coast and trekking
into the Baja Peninsula for the ultimate off-road adventures, the
Desert Limo is slowly in the process of the upgrading process. So
many people continually ask the proverbial question, "What does the
Desert Limo have on it now?"
The Desert Limo was put into our fleet of vehicles
for one purpose and one purpose only. That was to tote that 40'
race hauler across the nation to off-road events everywhere. Big
heavy loads that require us to be there in record time through
rain, sleet, wind or snow. To conquer that tall task we selected
the ultimate in Dodge Ram technology. The Dodge Ram 4WD Cummins
Turbo Diesel truck utilizes the Cummins Turbo Diesel 24-valve motor
and we upgraded to the best transmission technology available using
a ATS Diesel Performance torque converter and top rated ATS Diesel
transmission components.
Finally, we finished off this first project with the
smooth riding, bump absorbing world-class suspension by KORE
Performance.
And so, this month we are featuring nothing other
than the KORE Performance Race Suspension System.
Featuring the most technologically advanced reservoir shocks in the
universe, FOX Racing Shox, and the best engineered aftermarket
solid axle Dodge suspension every presented to the motoring public
and you have one hell of a suspension system for a OEM truck.
We happen to have a little bit of experience with the
brains and brawn behind the operation at KORE Performance (Kent
Kroeker) and we do know that this system indeed does do the job
based on over 100,000 miles of experience.
Our off-road truck, The Desert Tank, was fitted with
the KORE Performance Race System back in August 2003, when KORE
Performance was then T-Rex Engineering. Although, T-Rex Engineering
no longer exists, KORE Performance has taken off where they left
off and pushed the envelope even further in the design and
engineering of a tremendous aftermarket suspension system.
Throughout the 2004 off-road season we beat, battered
and abused the KORE Performance Race Suspension system as much as
we could. We crashed the fully loaded truck into a deep gully
weighing some 9500 pounds, and a few months later we blasted down
the Baja 1000 race course ending in La Paz awaiting the arrival of
the world's best off-road racers.
So it was no novelty that we hooked up with KORE
Founder/CEO, Kent Kroeker, in January 2005 to discuss what was
available for the new Desert Limo. Knowing that we wouldn't be
taking the Desert Limo off-road for a few years, but utilizing this
powerful truck package to tow the roads of America and beyond,
Kroeker suggested we go forward with the KORE Performance Race
Suspension System.
Sooner than you knew it we were down at Carli
Suspension for the installation process. Carli Suspension has long
been the regional installation expert and regularly has first hand
experience with those of us abusing parts in the real world. Carli
Suspension is noted for their customer service and ability to get
the job done correct at a fast pace. Their attention to detail is
what has drawn me back to Carli Suspension time-and-time again.
They get it right every time! In the world we live today, how often
does that happen.
It wasn't long before we peeled the box apart that
KORE Performance had shipped out to Carli Suspension and got into
ripping the bubble wrap of the beautiful FOX Racing Shox. The FOX
Shox that comes with this the KORE Performance Race Suspension
System is a 2.5" steel-bodied nitrogen charged FOX Reservoir Shock
featuring a 7/8" inch shaft. Each shock mounts with a permanently
lubricated, nearly indestructible heim joint on each end.
Next to grace our eyes was the newly developed KORE
Performance billet shock tower CNC-machined from 6061 sold
billet.
And finally are the KORE Performance designed coil
springs using the latest in advanced technology identified as
hot-wind and de-carb techniques were unveiled from the box.
Sage, owner of Carli Suspension said, "Let's do it
Desertbull."
The Desert Limo had less than 1000 miles when Carli
Suspension installed the KORE Performance Suspension System,
therefore the under carriage and truck were almost spotless.
The Desert Limo was
hoisted into the air for the out patient surgery as the doctor from
Carli Suspension put on his surgeon's gloves to tackle the
installation of the KORE Performance Race Suspension System. Visit
this link here for all the details to install your own KORE Performance Suspension
System. |
With the OEM tires removed from the wheels the
removal of the plastic splash guard was the first thing to get to.
Sage used a marker and pattern to have me cut out the plastic
splash guard to my specifications. (Being in the off-road industry
I often work like you do on your own truck and it was this special
occasion that Sage allowed me in his shop to actually help him with
this installation. And yes, he charged me double for being in his
way throughout the process) Reason being is the Desert Limo attends
many off-road shows and events and we want to show the off-road
motoring public the latest in advanced off-road technology and
certainly the KORE Performance Suspension System.
Before I turned around the front tie rods were
removed and shortly thereafter the upper shock mounts were clanging
on the floor and I saw Sage fiddling with the new coil spring.
Hmmmm, did I just miss something?
In the photograph below
you can see that the OEM air box can be removed for easier access.
However, Sage, with all the installations he's done of the KORE
Performance Suspension System, he's able to finagle the top shock
mount without any issues. |
He grabbed a rear shock and had the rears installed
in less than a few moments only taking time to take a look at the
mounting position for the drivers side rear shock. Sage found KORE
Performance's suggested mounting location on the lower frame rail.
He used the same process on the opposite side and it was
complete.
We should mention that the only headache with this
entire system is dealing with the nitrogen re-charge. To properly
install the nitrogen-charge shocks, you must bleed the reservoirs
of the nitrogen. Once installed, it is required to re-charge the
shocks with 200 PSI of nitrogen. In the off-road racing world
that's not an issue, because off-road race teams always have
nitrogen bottles around for the same use, however in the world of
commuter driving and those boys living in East Texas, its not too
easy to find someone ready to nitrogen charge your shocks. You can
fill them with compressed air until your locate a shop capable of
nitrogen charging your shocks. However, H2o in the compressed air
can rust internal shock parts so make sure you have your shocks
charged by a qualified person as soon as possible.
The upper OEM rear shock
mount provides easy installation using the lubricated heim affixed
to the top of the FOX Racing Shock. Be sure to mount the shock with
the reservoir hose fitting directed to a mounting location as
directed in the KORE Performance installation instructions in order
for placement of the reservoir where you want
it. |
Sage was making quick work of this installation as
I shot photos of the rear shocks bolted up he moved back to the
front. First he simply placed the shock up through the side of the
spring bucket and placed it into position. He hand tighten the
bolts securing the tower from beneath the bucket with the Grade 8
7/16" bolts using blue LOKTITE. As you button up the front
installation remember to tighten these bolts on the tower to 35 FT
LBS.
Driver's side with the
KORE Performance Suspension all buttoned up. |
|
Desert Limo's passenger
side after installation. |
One issue that we
discovered during the installation process is the stretching of the
rubber bushing at the anti-sway bar mounting locations. The rubber
bushing was being pulled upwards and as seen here it appears to be
stretched to maximum limits. Sage at Carli Suspension indicated
that KORE Performance was already aware of this problem and they
were in the process of manufacturing an easy fix for this problem.
Visit KORE
Performance.com regularly as they are continually updating the
website with products. |
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No doubt that KORE Performance CEO - Kent
Kroeker utilized massive amounts of engineering wit when developing
the installation of this solid axle Dodge suspension. In talking
with Kroeker in the past he delved deep into the research and
development that he put into this suspension system before
releasing it to the off-road public.
With
an extensive knowledge of the Baja Peninsula, Kroeker selected one
of the most brutal tough dirt roads in all of the peninsula to
perform his R&D. He related once that he and his friends had
repaired and replaced the front suspension parts so many times on
the dirt roads of Baja that they could actually do it in complete
darkness at record speed.
Believe it or
not! And no this ain't no Ripley's stories! Back underneath the big new Dodge Ram truck was Sage finishing
up the last details of the installation. The installation of the front shock reservoir mounts is very
easy. With the plastic splash guard removed, it is easy to locate a
mounting point for the shock reservoir mounting bracket.
Positioning at the proper angle for the only reason of "looking
good." It's fairly easy to see that nothing impedes the mounting of
the shock reservoir, but check to verify that no electrical wires
have slipped behind the reservoir hoses or brackets. Provide
yourself with proper clearance for each reservoir hose to flex as
the suspension is cycled repetitively millions of times.
With the complete KORE Performance Suspension
System installed Sage charged the FOX Racing Shox with nitrogen and
we headed out for a test ride. The first of many miles that this
truck will negotiate with the KORE Performance Suspension. I
commented to Sage, "This is like driving an Cadillac! It's about as
smooth as a baby's butt!"
Seen here is the complete
KORE Performance Race Suspension System including the Mini-Paks
which we did not chose to install on the Desert Limo at this time.
The purchase of this system is a purchase that you will never
regret. That coming from a crew that abuses our off-road trucks on
the roughest terrain in off-road. |
Thanks to KORE Performance for their outstanding
development in a full suspension system that allows you perform an
easy installation as we did on the Desert Limo. A shade tree
mechanic can easily install the KORE Performance Suspension System
in his backyard, garage or driveway in a Saturday morning and still
have time to read the newspaper.
KORE Performance provides a full line of products
available to the Dodge Ram enthusiast. Visit them at
www.koreperformance.com for additional
information.
Thanks to Carli Suspension for the outstanding work
performed on the KORE Performance installation and as always, it's
good do business with them. They charge a very fair rate and
provide top quality customer service along with exquisite attention
to detail.
Stay tuned as we bring you a complete update in a few
months after motoring down the roads of America with KORE
Performance.
Dodge@Off-Road.com
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