Rough Country 349.24 User Manual
923494000
2011-12 2500/3500 Dodge 5” X-Series
.Thank you for choosing Rough Country Suspension for your Off Road needs.
Rough Country recommends a certified technician installs this system. In addition to these instructions, professional
knowledge of disassemble/reassembly procedures as well as post installation checks must be known. Attempts to
install this system without this knowledge and expertise may jeopardize the integrity and/or operating safety of the vehicle. Average professional install time for this kit is 4-6 hours.
Please read all the instructions before beginning the installation. Check the kit hardware against the kit contents list on
the last page. Be sure you have all the needed parts and understand where they go.
Product Use Information
As a general rule, the taller a vehicle is the easier it will roll. We strongly recommend, because of rollover possibility,
that the vehicle be equipped with a functional roll-bar and cage system. Seat belts and should harnesses should be
worn at all times. Avoid situations where a side rollover may occur.
Also check the steering stabilizer. It is a good idea when adding larger than stock tires to go with a larger bore steering
stabilizer or a dual unit for tires 35” and above. Inspect the stabilizer and replace as necessary.
Braking performance and capability are decreased when significantly large/heavier tires and wheels are used. Take
this into consideration while driving.
Do not add, alter, or fabricate any factory or after-market parts which increase vehicle height over the intended height
of the Rough Country product purchased. Mixing component brands, lifts, and/or combining body lift with suspension
lifts voids all warranties. Rough Country makes no claims regarding lifting devices and excludes any and all implied
claims. We will not be responsible for any product that is altered.
This suspension system was developed for 37x12.50 tire on an aftermarket 17” x 9” or 20” wheels with a minimum of
5” back spacer. When larger tires are installed, speedometer recalibration is necessary. Due to ride height inconsistencies from the factory you may need to slightly trim the front plastic valance for proper tire clearance.
This kit can also be used a 3500 single rear wheel truck. Use of this kit on a dual rear wheel pickup is not recommended. Block and u-bolt combinations may vary with 3500 models.
On vehicles equipped with a two piece driveshaft & carrier bearing as on the Mega Cab, there is the potential
for take off vibration, depending on the severity this can be corrected with shimming down the carrier bearing.
Carrier bearing drop kit Part # 1110 is available from Rough Country. Also 2500/3500 trucks with factory overload springs the overload will have to be removed for new block and u-bolt installation.
Notice to Dealer and Vehicle Owner
Any vehicle equipped with any Rough country product must have the “Warning to Driver” decal installed on the sun
visor or dash. The decal is to act as a constant reminder for whoever is operating the vehicle of its unique handling
characteristics. INSTALLING DEALER—It is your responsibility to install the warning decal and to forward
these installation instructions to the vehicle owner for review and to be kept in the vehicle for its service life.
Tools and Supplies Needed to Install Kit
1. Torque Wrenches 8. Pitman Arm Puller
2. ½” Drive Ratchet and Sockets 9. Hammers
3. Assorted Combination Wrenches 10. C-Clamps
4. Heavy Duty Jack Stands 11. Center Punch
5. Hydraulic Floor Jacks 12. Rubbing Alcohol
6. Channel Locks 13. Safety Glasses
7. Anti-Seize Compound 14. Non- Water Soluble Grease
FRONT SUSPENSION INSTALLATION
1. Secure and block the rear tires of the vehicle on a level concrete or asphalt surface
2. Open the hood and remove the shock nuts, retaining washers and rubber bushings from both upper shock mounts
located inside the engine compartment. The shocks will be removed when the coils are removed.
3. Raise the front of the vehicle and support the frame with jack stands. Remove the front wheels and tires and set
aside. Position a hydraulic jack under the front axle and raise the jack until the front suspension begins to compress
4. On both sides of the vehicle, scribe alignment marks on the adjustment cam and axle bracket at the lower link to
axle attachment point for later reference. See Photo 1.
5. Unbolt the brake line brackets from the control arm mount on the axle using a 13mm wrench to ensure brake line
free play during the suspension system installation.
6. Loosen the stock front upper sway bar links on the sway bar as shown in Photo 2 using a 15mm wrench.
Photo 1
7. Remove the track bar from its upper mounting point on the frame using a 24mm wrench and rest it on the axle. It
may be helpful to loosen the lower track bar bolt on the axle. Retain hardware for reuse.
8. Remove the cotter pin, and castle nut from the drag link where it connects to the pitman arm. A pitman arm tool
may be needed to separate the drag link from the pitman arm. Remove the stock nut, and lock washer from the
sector shaft on the steering box. Save hardware for later installation. Using a pitman arm puller carefully remove
the stock pitman arm.
9. The new lower control arms will be installed first on both sides of the vehicle. This is done to make it easier to remove the hardware from the arms and to not cause bind in the front suspension. Remove the lower suspension
arm nut, cam, and cam bolt from the axle. Refer to Photo 1. Remove the nut and bolt from the frame attachment
point and remove the lower suspension arm from the vehicle. Repeat this step for the opposite side of the vehicle.
Retain hardware for reuse.
Photo 2
Photo 2
10. Adjust the arms to a length of 20” from center to center of the eye. Note: The arms may need to be readjusted for
the alignment. This measurement is a starting point.
11. Install the new Rough Country lower suspension arms in place of the stock lower suspension arms. See PHOTO 3 &
4. Slight prying of the mounts apart may be necessary for arm installation. Install the original rear suspension arm
bolt and slightly tighten the nut. Install the original front suspension arm bolt and slightly tighten the nut. Refer to the
reference mark on the cam bolt and the axle when installing the cam bolt. Repeat on the other side of the vehicle.
Photo 3
Photo 3
12. Remove the upper suspension arm nut and bolt at the axle. Remove the nut and bolt at the frame and remove the
upper suspension arm. Repeat this step for the opposite side of the vehicle. Note: If your truck has a diesel en-
gine it may be necessary to unbolt the exhaust from the turbo to allow for clearance to remove the upper
front bolt. Retain hardware for reuse.
13. Adjust the arm to a length of 18-5/16 from center to center of the eye. Note: The arms may need to be readjusted
for the alignment. This measurement is a starting point.
14. Install the upper suspension arms in place of the stock upper suspension arms. See PHOTO 5 & 6. Slight prying of
the mounts may be necessary for arm installation. Install the original front and rear suspension arm bolt and slightly
tighten the nuts. Note: Raising the axle to ride height and rotating the lower arm cam adjusters will facilitate
insertion of the upper suspension arms. Repeat steps for the opposite side of the vehicle.
Photo 4
Photo 4
Photo 5
15. Remove the lower shock bolts on the axle, and save for later installation. The shock absorbers will be removed from
the vehicle at the same time the coils are removed from the vehicle.
16. Carefully lower the jack until the coil springs are free (the upper suspension arm will be contacting the axle bracket)
Remove the coil springs and shocks from the vehicle. Note: use of a coil spring compressor may be required for
spring removal.
17. Locate shock absorbers part #658732 or 2.2 upgrade part #660574, and push in sleeves in lower shock mount.
18. Install the Rough Country coil springs and shock absorber in the stock mounts by sliding the shock through the middle of the coil. The use of a coil spring compressor may be required for installation
19. Lower the axle until the spring can be seated in the mount. Check to be sure the wrap on the coil spring in relation to
the lower mount properly seats the spring by turning the coil spring until it seats.
20. Remove the coil spring compressor at this time.
Photo 6
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