Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

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!!!!!

My truck rides the same way. I have 5100s on the front on third setting and stock black shocks on the rear that replaces the ranchos. I have 20 inch tires and I believe thats why I feel every little bump in the road at low speed 20 to 40 in town. Tar strips are the worst. When its times for tires going to look at going to 18s.

Posted
Posted

Good info to help clear any questions up...

 

6112

http://www.bilsteinus.com/uploads/tx_templavoila/BILSTEIN_B8_6112_Flyer_2016_WEB.pdf

 

5100

http://www.bilsteinus.com/uploads/tx_templavoila/BILSTEIN_B8_5100RHA_Flyer_2016_WEB.pdf

 

Also i see that Ram 1500 6112 are available for pre order!

 

Thanks for these links. Great info spelled out.. Says for the 6112 ride height for a GM pick up is 1.8" and the 5100s has a lift height if 1.85".

 

I was hoping to get a little more height out of these long awaited 6112s. So now I'm left with a spacer like kit......or risking a divorce after my wife sees the credit card statement after buying fox or kings .

  • Like 1
Posted

My truck has the Z60 and was hoping to make it through this thread with something definitive that would make it ride a little better over rough pavement. There are a several places in the pavement of the roads, on my way to work, where the pavement overlaps and makes a line that rattles the whole truck.

 

I do like the idea of a spring rate change. I bet that would help most of the jarring that is occuring. It seems its mostly the front suspension that is stiffest to me.

 

I use my truck to mostly haul small loads a few times a summer. I pull a small lawn trailer around a few times a summer also. So I do not use mine as a truck as often as some. I do however put about 25k miles a year on it, so I do spend a lot of time in the truck would like it to be less jarring for me.

  • Like 1
Posted

My truck has the Z60 and was hoping to make it through this thread with something definitive that would make it ride a little better over rough pavement. There are a several places in the pavement of the roads, on my way to work, where the pavement overlaps and makes a line that rattles the whole truck.

 

I do like the idea of a spring rate change. I bet that would help most of the jarring that is occuring. It seems its mostly the front suspension that is stiffest to me.

 

I use my truck to mostly haul small loads a few times a summer. I pull a small lawn trailer around a few times a summer also. So I do not use mine as a truck as often as some. I do however put about 25k miles a year on it, so I do spend a lot of time in the truck would like it to be less jarring for me.

IMO good tires not the stock goodyears, air pressure 32-33, and 5100's on the lowest or one up from the lowest(which is where I have it) should make for a better ride at least it has for me.
  • Like 1
Posted

I have a RC 2.5 level, with the included rear block installed. I'm thinking of going to a 3 inch rear block to get some rake. what rear Bilsteins would be best for my setup? thanks.

Posted

IMO good tires not the stock goodyears, air pressure 32-33, and 5100's on the lowest or one up from the lowest(which is where I have it) should make for a better ride at least it has for me.

 

 

Thanks for the tip. I just got my annual bonus. If I have any left over I may look into a set of 5100. A new house and there are a few things that we need still so just maybe I can swing a set.

Posted

Is there a model of rear shock i need for a 4.5 zone lift? (2.75" higher in the rear than stock)

 

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Posted

Is there a model of rear shock i need for a 4.5 zone lift? (2.75" higher in the rear than stock)

 

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

 

Yes, we have one for you. With or with out resi? Is your truck equipped with the Z60?

Posted

Anyone know off-hand how much the GM front shock top hats cost? I'm wondering if you were to buy the top hats along with the 6112s, maybe the vendor could assemble them so they're ready for install when they arrive and won't require the buyer to either have a spring compressor or pay to have them assembled elsewhere. I'm wondering which would be cheaper, buying the top hats or paying shop labor. Around here, labor prices are pretty high.

  • Like 1
Posted

 

 

Yes, we have one for you. With or with out resi? Is your truck equipped with the Z60?

Which is better, and what would be the price difference?

 

I have an LT, not sure if it has the z60, although i think its just the standard suspension. It has the zone hydro shocks from the 4.5" lift kit.

 

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

  • Like 1
Posted

 

If the top hats are purchased along with the 6112s, will you assemble the units before shipping? At this point, assembled 6112s are the direction I'm leaning.

 

By the time the 6112 is released, our full service shop will be open. If so, then yes we can offer assembly.

 

 

Which is better, and what would be the price difference?

 

I have an LT, not sure if it has the z60, although i think its just the standard suspension. It has the zone hydro shocks from the 4.5" lift kit.

 

 

Standard 5100 for zero lift, PN 33-238319 are the following.

Collapsed Length (IN): 16.18

Extended Length (IN): 25.79

Collapsed Length (MM): 411

Extended Length (MM): 655

 

Youll want one with an extended length of 4" or so longer

 

Go for PN 33-185569 (A Universal 5125)

Collapsed Length (IN): 17.91

Extended Length (IN): 29.7

Collapsed Length (MM): 455

Extended Length (MM): 754.5

 

or PN 24-067379 (Rear 4" shock for 99 1500)

Collapsed Length (IN): 17.28

Extended Length (IN): 28.29

Collapsed Length (MM): 439

Extended Length (MM): 718.5

 

Bilstien Universal 5160 with res (4" rear for 2500hd)

Part Number: 25-218206

Collapsed Length (IN): 18.17

Extended Length (IN): 31.26

 

  • Like 1

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    250.5k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts
  • Member Statistics

    342,974
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    Gilkey96
    Newest Member
    Gilkey96
    Joined
  • Who's Online   5 Members, 0 Anonymous, 788 Guests (See full list)


  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Replace the fuel pump with an OEM AC-Delco.
    • Hello, first time posting here. I have an 03 Chevy 1500HD with the 6 liter gas engine. The truck ran fine until the fuel pump died on me and had to get it towed. Replaced the fuel pump with a precision pump from O’rileys and changed the fuel filter while I was there. The truck will run and drive now but it wants to idle around 500 rpm when in drive and it tries to stall if you touch the gas. It drives fine though, just doesn’t want to idle. Put a fuel pressure gauge on the rail and only have 50 psi. I guess these trucks should have 55-62 psi to run right. I thought the regulator might be the issue because when I would unplug the vacuum hose it jumped to 56 psi. Replaced the regulator and no change. The only thing I can think of is that I was sold a faulty fuel pump. Any help would be appreciated because I’d rather not have to take the bed off again if I don’t have too. Thank you!
    • I've been wrenching on GM trucks for 17 years. And I need to get something off my chest because it's been weighing on me for a long time. After all that time, all those motors, all those people standing in my bay, I've figured out there are really only two kinds of owners. The ones who already know about this. And the ones who are about to find out the hard way. A guy came into my shop a few weeks back in a 2018 Silverado 5.3. Sharp guy, maybe 35. Knew his truck cold. He'd been on the forums, read the threads, done his homework. He only rolled in so I could double-check a little module he'd already plugged in himself. Wanted a second set of eyes on it. Ten minutes, in and out, drove off happy. Two days later, a completely different story walked through the same door. Older fella this time, in a 2016 Sierra. Gorgeous truck, clearly babied, not a scratch on it. Wedding ring. Looked like a guy who took care of his stuff. He was in because his engine had started knocking on the way to work. And by the time I got the valve cover off, I already knew it was too late. Lifter collapsed. Cylinder 5. Camshaft chewed up. The whole top end shot. Same kind of truck. Same motor. Same roads, probably the same dealer. The only thing separating those two men was information. I've been at this since 2008, and I've worked on everything GM puts out. Silverados. Sierras. Tahoes. Yukons. Suburbans. Escalades. The 5.3 and the 6.2. Doesn't matter which badge is on the tailgate. They all carry the same problem. So here's the information one of those guys had and the other one didn't. It's called Active Fuel Management. AFM. GM started building it into their V6s and V8s back in 2007 to squeeze out a little better mileage on the highway. Maybe a mile or two a gallon. All to hit government fuel economy numbers. The way it works, the motor quietly shuts down half its cylinders when you're just cruising along. And the little lifters that pull that off have a tiny pin inside them that's constantly clicking in and out. Lock, unlock, lock, unlock. Hundreds of times a drive. Thousands of times a week. Eventually one of those pins wears through. The lifter drops. And it starts grinding the camshaft down like a chisel on butter. And what nobody tells you is that the shudder you feel around 40 or 50 mph? That's the system cycling. Every single time. Here's what really gets me. The pre-2007 trucks, the ones without AFM, they're bulletproof. I've got customers still daily driving them with 260,000 miles on the odometer. Not a problem in the world. GM took a perfectly good motor that would have lasted a lifetime and bolted this system onto it. And it is wrecking engines that should have run forever. The guys who hang around the forums already know all of this. So do the techs. They handled this years ago. They didn't sit around waiting for the dealership to mail them a warning letter, because that letter is never coming. It's the guys who figured somebody would've told them who end up on my lift. And I want to be clear, because this part matters. Maintenance has nothing to do with it. I've torn down motors with barely 30,000 miles on the clock. I pulled apart a Tahoe last summer with 24,000 on it. Practically a brand new truck. Owner had it less than a year. Spotless oil. Best synthetic money can buy, changed early every time. Made no difference. I've seen guys with full dealer records, every interval stamped. Made no difference. The oil changes were never the problem. The pin was. And no amount of babying that truck stops that pin from cycling every single time you drive. That's the part that eats at me. These are good motors. Take the AFM out of the equation and a 5.3 or a 6.2 will run 300,000 miles and never blink. So a few years ago I started telling every single owner who comes through my doors the exact same thing the smart guys already knew. Get yourself a FullForce disabler. It plugs right into the port under your dash. Couple of seconds and you're done. It just tells the computer to leave every cylinder running, full time. No more cycling. No more beating those lifters back and forth every time you turn the key. It doesn't reprogram anything. Doesn't touch your tune. And unplug it before a dealer visit and there's absolutely zero trace it was ever installed. I've had customers come back at 40,000, 60,000, 80,000 miles after I put one in. Zero issues. The trucks run smoother. And the lifters aren't getting beaten to death every single drive. I won't sit here and tell you it's magic. A lifter that's already damaged is a lifter that's already damaged, and this won't un-ring that bell. But it takes away the one thing causing all that wear in the first place. That's the whole game. You don't need a five-thousand-dollar delete. You don't need an expensive tune. You don't need to tear anything apart. You just need to stop the cycling. I'm not writing this for any company. I'm writing it because I'm tired of watching the guys who didn't know pay four and five figures for it. I'm tired of being the guy who has to break the news. I'm tired of knowing that the guys who did know fixed the whole thing for the price of a tank of gas, and the only difference was that somebody told them first. If you drive a Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Yukon, Suburban, or Escalade from 2007 or newer with a V6 or V8, you've got AFM. You've got those lifters, and they're cycling every single time you drive. So be the guy who already knew. Not the one I'm scraping metal out of next month. EDIT: A bunch of folks asked, so here it is. The one I put my faith in is FullForce. This is where to find it: https://www.tryfullforce.com/products/fullforce™-afm-dfm-disabler They back it with a 60-day guarantee too. I've handed out more than I can count and not one's ever come back to me. Not one. See less
    • Thanks for following along. I'm not author material, my tenses are all over the place and an editor would have a heck of a time cleaning up after me. Reading and writing is still a fun pastime though.   My new scanner came in yesterday, wow, where the heck has this thing been?! It connects right up to the Blazer, there's all kinds of bidirectional tests like EGR activation and percentage, toggle the fuel pump relay, EVAP purge valve, IAC control, AC relay, reset the transmission's adaptive learning, toggle shift solenoids and TCC lockup, and I can reset fuel trims with the click of a button...all things I could have used over the last 60 days!   It's also telling me there is a stored code in the ABS module for front left wheel sensor open and something about the brake switch. The ABS dash light works. It illuminates normally during the self-test at key on/ start and that's it. I cleared the codes and will see if they set when I take it out later. That, and I'm going to get (hopefully) real data on timing and cam ******. The PID's are there.   I connected the tool to my truck...holy smokes. Newer vehicles make early OBDII vehicles look like 8-bit, pixelated, early Nintendo stuff. This? This is like wearing 3D virtual reality goggles playing one of those elaborate, cinematic video games with seasons and plots in comparison. There are SO MANY modules and SO MANY tests and SO MUCH data. There's a scanner sequence for filling the coolant...   End of the day, it's a tool with way more power than I need, but the versatility to do old and new is there (and I need an adapter to connect it to my OBDI Camaro). It will allow me to do the first pass of diagnosis when out-of-warranty vehicles need help, and it will enable more DIY maintenance like brake system bleeding, ABS bleed, etc. I probably over-bought here, but, mission is accomplished.   Enjoy your Sunday...I need to shut this machine down and go get ready for the week ahead.
    • Not that I've read, after all the issues they've had in the past I'm pretty sure they learned their lesson. 
  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...