Z71vs regular 4x4 Silverado

[A.J._Langholff]

My dad has a 2014 GMC Z71 and I have a 2015 silverado 4x4.

I think my truck rides way better!

My truck has the plastic skid plates...

[sailor9908]

Z71 has auto locking rear differential, trailering package, hill descent control, high capacity air cleaner, underbody transfer case shield and chevy lists the following under the Z71 appearance package:

 

• 46mm high-pressure gas-charged shocks
• A 36mm front stabilizer bar
• Off-road jounce bumpers to absorb large suspension inputs
• Under body transfer case shield
• High-capacity air cleaner
• Z71 badge and decals
• Unique gauge cluster, lower bumper appearance, interior trim plates and grill design
• Brushed metal Z71 door sill plate
• Hill descent control
• Recovery hooks (2WD models)
• Trailering Package, locking differential and 17” Bright Machined wheels on LT
• 18” Bright Machined wheels on LTZ

[HondaHawkGT]

 

I call BS on the "high capacity air cleaner." When I went to get replacement filters for my truck it was the same part number across models and engines.

 

Also the "underbody shield" consists of a small metal plate covering the transfer case and flimsy plastic under the engine which is pretty worthless for anything worse than tall grass. One guy posted on this site a picture of his plastic shield ripped down after driving through some hardened snow. A metal plate would have never done that.

 

The Rancho shocks are garbage as well. Not much else to say about these. I've owned Bilstein, Rancho, and Tennoco over the years and Rancho are by far the worst. I'd rather have the black Tennoco's on the 4x4's than the Rancho's on the Z71's. Bilstien is the best and should be installed on any model truck.

 

In my opinion, the only things worth getting with the Z71 package are the better looking 8" rims, the hill descent control, the better looking front grille, and the better looking instrument gauge cluster in the dash.

 

There's a huge difference between "Rancho branded" OEM shocks in the Z71 and the upper end Ranchos such as the RS9000's. GM doesn't buy off-the-shelf Ranchos and slap them on these trucks. They sign a contract with Rancho (Tennoco) to supply a few 100k shocks for an agreed upon, and likely low-ball, price. They're built to a price that's cheap for GM yet profitable for Tennoco; that doesn't leave much for the consumer. Bilstein's are great but they aren't the end all be all. Definitely an upgrade over any of the factory options (other than the magne-ride's).

 

Overall the Z71 package is a complete waste. It's devolved into nothing more than a sticker and trim package. If GM gave a shit, the Z71 package would atleast provide 'good' shocks and more ground clearance vs a standard Silverado/Sierra.