2014 Silverado Z71 Package

BringTheRain403 · September 8, 2013

I wonder how much difference you would notice in ride quaility with the Z71 vrs regular suspension?I am also in the market for a 2014 gmc sierra cc and found one with all the options I want. It also has the off road suspension package. I wouldn't have checked that box. I doubt I'd ever have this truck off road other than maybe pasture. So, on regular highway driving would I be able to tell the difference? Will the gas charged shocks make the ride a little better or ?? Hate to pay for an option that I probably won't use, but if the ride would be noticeably better, then the $430 option will be ok. Since I see lots of discussion about tire sizes as it relates to the off road package, this truck has the 20" wheels with P275/55R20 All-terrain blackwall tires.

In my opinion the hill decent on the Z-71 is worth the money!

Highway will be the same. Over bumps the Z71 is a little stiffer. I'm sure the 2014 Z71 still rides better than any 2013. I have the "worst" possible ride set up for a 2014 ( Z71, All-terrain, 20 in wheels, 275 tires) and this things rides like a damn cadillac.

I'll one up you there my friend. 22" wheels, Z-71, and 285/45/22 tires :DSent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

DRS 95 Silverado · September 8, 2013

They ship vehicles on the auto carriers with high tire pressure to prevent flat spotting and to a degree control vehicle movement when tied down. Whoever did the PDI missed reducing the tire pressures.

I know, I've checked new vehicles in myself. About thirty something years ago.

crushNchowda · September 8, 2013

I drive a lot of gravel and off-road and I really dislike the idea of having 20" wheels but ever larger diameter rims are certainly the trend in light-duty trucks (city folks apparently love 'em). I suspect that if I buy a well-equipped GMC SLT or Denali as I'm planning, I'm going to be forced to get the 20" rims. Is it common for dealers to agree to swap out new factory 20" wheels/tires for 18" ones?

I have a heavily equipped ($50,000) SLT w/ the polished 18"s - I drove a 2013 Denali w/ 22"s, a 2014 all terrain w/ 20"s, and preferred the ride of the 18"s- all 3 trucks were within $1000 of each other. I would say the ride difference in the Denali was more from the rims and awd while the all terrain 14 was probably the shocks rather than the 20s

I'd rather go w/ a bigger tire and leveling shocks on my 18"s than have the exact same ride height on 20s or 22s- I imagine putting the bisltein adjustables on the 20 or 22 you'd notice more difference in ride quality, and a block style leveling kit would be much worse.

My plan is to throw michelins on as well having done some research, 275/70/18 w/ the bisltein 5100s leveled- will look badass, better for off roading, and comfort will be better as well. A "truck" is supposed to handle some dirty work & absorb the bumpy stuff, a 20 or 22 is not conducive to that end.

When it comes to my vehicles I'm usually a function over form guy- for instance my G8 and GTO would looks stock but each had nearly 400rwhp

BringTheRain403 · September 8, 2013

Has anyone else noticed that this dude has to mention his G8 in almost every post he makes? Seriously I don't care about your G8 dude. We're here to talk about our trucks...

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Daryl LBZ · September 8, 2013

Has anyone else noticed that this dude has to mention his G8 in almost every post he makes? Seriously I don't care about your G8 dude. We're here to talk about our trucks...

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Can't we just all get along?

crushNchowda · September 9, 2013

Has anyone else noticed that this dude has to mention his G8 in almost every post he makes? Seriously I don't care about your G8 dude. We're here to talk about our trucks...

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Just got rid of it for various reasons, thing was badass, had it thoroughly worked over & learned a lot about LSx motors in the process (building from my prior vehicles including an '04 GTO and '07 Chevy silverado LTZ - we can talk about those if you'd like too). Sorry if I have it on my mind bud apparently don't have the same level of gear head/car enthusiasm on this forum as I experienced on others.

Not to mention, these are all brand new trucks gotta talk about something seems like no one knows squat about these much yet anyhow.

coachrider · September 9, 2013

I am also in the market for a 2014 gmc sierra cc and found one with all the options I want. It also has the off road suspension package. I wouldn't have checked that box. I doubt I'd ever have this truck off road other than maybe pasture. So, on regular highway driving would I be able to tell the difference? Will the gas charged shocks make the ride a little better or ?? Hate to pay for an option that I probably won't use, but if the ride would be noticeably better, then the $430 option will be ok. Since I see lots of discussion about tire sizes as it relates to the off road package, this truck has the 20" wheels with P275/55R20 All-terrain blackwall tires.

Here are my observations on this subject: When I was trying to determine which tire and wheel combination I wanted, the dealer told me the 20 inch tires were cheaper than the 18's. He was right. I went online and looked up the Goodyear followed by Michelin relative- sized tires. I don't understand how they are cheaper to order when replacing them in the future, but it was the case.

As far as the ride, a dealership employee and I took out two similar vehicles, only one was equipped as an All Terrain package and the other was the Z71. ( We were having trouble finding a Z71 for which we could dealer trade, so I was seeing if I could take the one like he had found as a substitute out of town without the option I wanted). The test consisted of the same route which included city streets with manhole covers in place and other inundations... also drove a section at the same speeds each time in each vehicle over a series of railroad tracks. Without either of us commenting verbally at the time, we then at the conclusion of the test compared notes. Mind you, each of us had a preconceived guess that the non Z71 truck would be a softer or more compliant ride. We were totally in agreement that the opposite was the case. The Z71 truck was all around quieter and a better ride.

The dealer thought that this was not always the case in past years. There is something about this 2014 that really hit the mark. For me, it was back to searching for the Z71 package which we eventually found. ( I was way too impatient to order and wait; I had some use for a vehicle in the near present time) Whether logical or not as to the ride difference, this was my experience.

GMC-AT · September 9, 2013

I can't tell by reading above if you do .. or do not know... but the All Terrain package includes Z71....

Anyway... I never compared the 2.. but I'm loving the ride from my All Terrain.

roadblock · September 9, 2013

All Terrain has Z71 suspension, you took the same truck out twice....

On that note I actually did drive a regular suspension 2014 Sierra and then the All Terrain with Z71. Ended up buying the All Terrain, it does ride better.

kstruckcountry · September 9, 2013

But won't fit stock. I'm not leveling my truck and anyone who tows shouldn't either.

Mike, you and I have to be the only members without a lift or level. I like my factory ride and handling and even wear and ease getting in etc.

Get a real bumper and you don't need to worry about tearing it off. I've only managed to ground mine once and it wasn't a problem.

MikeNH · September 9, 2013

Mike, you and I have to be the only members without a lift or level. I like my factory ride and handling and even wear and ease getting in etc. Get a real bumper and you don't need to worry about tearing it off. I've only managed to ground mine once and it wasn't a problem.

A level reduces ride quality. The rake may not look pretty but it's there for a reason when the truck is used as such. Function comes first and I won't do something that reduces that. Saying the spacer lifts or t-bar cranks/key changes don't change ride is physically impossible, period.

I'm not sure I follow on the bumper?

kstruckcountry · September 9, 2013

Somebody commented that a level would reduce the risk of your bumper getting torn off offroading. Not an issue for me.

And you're right about the ride, even riding on the stiffer 5100's my truck is smoother than most.

GMC-AT · September 9, 2013

Maybe it's just me... but I don't think the 2014 double cab trucks need the level

crushNchowda · September 9, 2013

A level reduces ride quality. The rake may not look pretty but it's there for a reason when the truck is used as such. Function comes first and I won't do something that reduces that. Saying the spacer lifts or t-bar cranks/key changes don't change ride is physically impossible, period.

I'm not sure I follow on the bumper?

You can level the truck without sacrificing ride quality or usefullness AND while improving handling/ride quality to a degree. The bilstein 5100 leveling shocks accomplish this. Since I would inevitably end up upgrading tires/suspension components in any truck I got (Z71 or otherwise) it made no difference to me what I got as long as it was SLT w/ options, the hill descent feature would be nice to hav ethough

coachrider · September 9, 2013

All Terrain has Z71 suspension, you took the same truck out twice....

On that note I actually did drive a regular suspension 2014 Sierra and then the All Terrain with Z71. Ended up buying the All Terrain, it does ride better.

Actually I misspoke, the dealer had it right. I called the first Sierra we drove an" All Terrain" model when it was not. It was not equipped with the Z71 package. The second one had it. My bad, but the ride was perceptible in feel; I am sure either would be good, however.