Hello, I'm not new to the forum but I just joined and figured I'd contribute to the community.
2016 Silverado 1500 "Z71" removed rancho's and swapped with Bilstein 5100's all around. So after doing a ton of research on this topic I decided to leave the Bilstien front struts at the factory setting and use a RC 2" (Lower Strut Spacer) to level my truck. Now before you say anything, I traded my 15 GMC Sierra 1500 Z71 in for this truck and I had put the Bilsteins on the front at the highest setting 1.77". After experiencing the ride with both leveling kits I honestly cannot tell the difference in the ride up front.
Here's my opinion on Bilsteins and the ride:
Positive: truck handles better in corners "not as much body roll" and bumps at high speeds you just glide over. I haven't taken the truck off the pavement yet but I'd bet you can take bumps and potholes at higher speeds with the Billy's. Installed the rears myself in the garage before I had the fronts done and noticed a little softer and smoother in the rear.
Negative: When you live in the city and drive under 45 mph you feel every bump in the road aka "Same as the ranchos."
Outcome: I believe that if you are truly looking for that Tahoe/Escalade/Denali ride out of these trucks with the stiffer Z71 pkg. than we need to look elsewhere. Does anyone or has anyone ever thought about changing out the front springs for an aftermarket "progressive rate coil spring" in these trucks? I have read info on the Fox 2.0/2.5's Icon & King coil-over replacements and I'm sure if you spend $800 + for these that they will no doubt make the truck ride softer on the pavement and off road. My question is instead of everyone worrying about shocks, I believe that changing the front springs out to a progressive rate coil spring with a softer spring rate is what would really impact how the truck rides/feels in the front. I have been looking into this and the only spring company I found that looks like it manufactures aftermarket replacement springs for our truck is moog. I have not found much info on the topic? Anyone else have any info on this topic please post. Lets get this figured out so we can enjoy our $$$ trucks that ride like a buckboard!!!!!
