Reason not to order Z71 on 2014 Denali?

sh00ter · November 10, 2013

I've decided I want to trade into a loaded Denali with the 6.2 & pretty much all the other goodies. My local dealer has a several on order but none have the Z71 suspension. I was told by someone there that the Z71 never been available on the Denali line before but I don't know if that's accurate.

This raises some questions:

1) Is there a reason to not order the Z71 package on a Denali?

2) How much will it effect the ride? (I've owned previous trucks that all had Z71 but none without it)

3) I really won't be doing anything that requires the Z71, but is that something that most will expect when I get ready to sell or trade it? It seems that almost every 4WD I see around here has that option.

Chris · November 10, 2013

Zu1 was only previously available on the Denali HD's. The ride I am not sure. I have only ridden in 2014's with z60 I believe

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clayp · November 10, 2013

well some folks here have experienced premature shock/strut failure with the new Z71 suspension. That really reflects more on Rancho than GM though.

6Sixathome · November 10, 2013

My next truck will more than likely NOT have the Z71 suspension. I don't need Z71 either so a better truck ride would be fine by me.

bearman95 · November 10, 2013

I don't know if this helps or not. My wife has a 2014 Silverado Texas edition LTZ 4x4. I have a 2014 Silverado LTZ Z71 suspension 4x4. There is not any noticeable difference in the ride on paved roads. Both have a very good ride.

crushNchowda · November 10, 2013

I had a 2014 SLT well equipped crew cab 4x4 no Z71 package and drove it 5200 miles, but I swapped it out for a new 2014 all terrain (reason for swapping was I wanted all Terran and 3.42 gears) that I've put 3600 miles on thus far.

The ride may be "better" in the non z71 but it sacrifices some handling (not much) prowess and doesn't handle rough pavement as confidently. I prefer the Z71 because of this. The Z71 gives it a more "truck" ride vs the nonz71 suspension which is more like a luxury cars.

Hope that helps. I will add that the first truck had 18"s and the all terrain I now have rides on 20s

sh00ter · November 10, 2013

Thanks for your replies. This makes me feel like the non-Z71 will work fine. I no longer get into situations where I'm really going through the bad stuff but still need 4WD on occasion. I've been driving a 4WD Suburban that doesn't have Z71 & making it just fine.

Looks like they might have a Denali soon that will work for me!

redwngr · November 10, 2013

I had a 2014 SLT well equipped crew cab 4x4 no Z71 package and drove it 5200 miles, but I swapped it out for a new 2014 all terrain (reason for swapping was I wanted all Terran and 3.42 gears) that I've put 3600 miles on thus far.

The ride may be "better" in the non z71 but it sacrifices some handling (not much) prowess and doesn't handle rough pavement as confidently. I prefer the Z71 because of this. The Z71 gives it a more "truck" ride vs the nonz71 suspension which is more like a luxury cars.

Hope that helps. I will add that the first truck had 18"s and the all terrain I now have rides on 20s

Was the first truck a 3.08?

Have you had a change in fuel economy?

I had a 2014 SLT well equipped crew cab 4x4 no Z71 package and drove it 5200 miles, but I swapped it out for a new 2014 all terrain (reason for swapping was I wanted all Terran and 3.42 gears) that I've put 3600 miles on thus far.

The ride may be "better" in the non z71 but it sacrifices some handling (not much) prowess and doesn't handle rough pavement as confidently. I prefer the Z71 because of this. The Z71 gives it a more "truck" ride vs the nonz71 suspension which is more like a luxury cars.

Hope that helps. I will add that the first truck had 18"s and the all terrain I now have rides on 20s

Was the first truck a 3.08?

Have you had a change in fuel economy?