Shock Question

[Black02Silverado]

Does anyone know when the Blistein shocks no longer came stock on the Z71's?  They where Yellow in color right, with a blue boot? The red ones we have now are Monroe correct?  Is there a major difference in the ride quality between the to shocks?

 

[RyanbabZ71]

i added bilstein HDs and they are much better.  Not soft like the stock monroe (tenneco) shocks

 

They stopped bilsteins in the 99+ trucks.  Why???

 

The bilstein HDS are well worth the $216 price tage (for 4)

[cowboy02]

Hey ryan, excuse me for being stupid but........

 

Wouldn't you want your shocks to be alittle "Soft" for a nice ride?

 

I would think firmer shocks would make your ride a little stiff......... Maybe that is just my opinion..

[RyanbabZ71]

I like the firmer ride.  I like it to feel like a truck not a camry.  Also when hauling stuff it feels more solid now not so bouncy.  I didnt by my truck for it to ride like a car (caddy).  

 

[cowboy02]

TRUE............

However if I wanted to be thrown around I would've bought a dodge    

[RyanbabZ71]

its not like driving with square wheels.  It isnt that rough just feels more solid.  It doesnt throw me around

 

Trust me change your shocks (to anything) and they will be much better than the stock ones  

 

Or if you plan on going with the same ones (red tennecos) i have a set with like 10K miles packed up in a box

[RyanbabZ71]

oh yea also do you notice when you are braking the truck nose diving?  Bilsteins eliminate that so braking is more controled and you dont nose dive

 

[Black02Silverado]

Great. Thanks for the response. I found the Bilsteins at Auto Zone for $46.95 Ea. Not a bad price considering I did a far amount of surfing online and the prices on there where all $56.95. Now to get them before the price goes up.

 

Thanks again.

 

[RyanbabZ71]

Not bad at all.  Autozone had em for $49.99 when i was buying however the drivers side was backordered (yr and a half ago).  SO i ordered from http://www.offroadwarehouse.com

 

Same price and with shipping and no tax i got em a few dollars cheaper (fronts were backordered for a month)

[MattDewalt]

I was going to get the Bilsteins back in November, but the fronts were on back order until early 2003.  I couldn't wait, so I ended up going with Edelbrock's.  They're more expensive, but I needed shocks really bad.  While changing them, I found out that my L/F was totally seized.  I put it in a shop press and couldn't get it to collapse all the way.  I ended up bending it trying to.  Anyway, the Edelbrocks now have about 5k on them and I love them.  A great improvement over stock.

[cowboy02]

oh yea also do you notice when you are braking the truck nose diving?  Bilsteins eliminate that so braking is more controled and you dont nose dive

 

Thought maybe that was cause I was trying to improve my 60-0 times  :thumb:

 

Maybe I will have to try to stop like a human and see if I notice

[bigkite]

I tossed out the factory red shocks on my Z71 during the first month I had it.  Terrible ride and very bouncy.  Switch over to Reflex which are similiar to the Ranchos but cost less.  The ride was a lot better; not great but a lot more tolerable than the stock ones.

[99silveradoz71]

You guys have it all covered on the Bilstein HD's.  I tried Autozone as well, but they were backordered.  I ended up going with OffRoad Warehouse at Ryan's suggestion and was quite pleased with the service.  The stock Tenneco's were on my truck until 36k.  They were fairly smooth when the truck was new, but the Bilsteins are more solid over freeway expansions, etc.  The truck doesn't ride bouncy or anything either- more controlled if anything.  Between those and the Revo's she rides like new...except for the potholes on these lovely Cleveland area roads.

[cyrylyn]

Why'd you buy a z71 truck if you're gonna replace the shocks anyways?  I saved a few bucks by not getting that option, since I knew I'd swap it out anyways.  My ranchos can be soft or firm, and the firm is much prefered.  makes it smooth, instead of bouncy - I get compliments on the way it rides  Doesn't throw me around at all.

[cowboy02]

The Z71 packages includes more then just shocks :thumb:

 

I believe it has some skid plates and a larger air filter box (not sure on that one) and possibly some better springs.....  Been a while since I checked all the specs but all in all that's what It has.....

 

Why buy a truck that has crappy tires on it when you know your going to replace them???  Because the dealer and GM can't make every vehicle special for each individual...

Hence......... That is why checker/auto zone/parts america are still in buisness :thumb: