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shocks for reg cab-shortbed-4wd z71

abager2

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abager2 Enthusiast

abager2

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ok...1st i know this is another shock topic...2nd...i know that if you want a good ride then a short wheelbase truck isnt the best answer....but, its what i wanted, and after about 6 months searching i came on a deal for a black 2014 z71 thats optioned out nicely...i really like the truck a lot, but i know i can improve the ride somewhat...it is bone stock..no leveling kit, and yes it has the old man rake...even though its 4wd, im thinking about dropping the rear, instead of raising the front with a leveling kit...so, my question is what shocks will give me the smoothest, softest ride...give me opinions on with it left at stock heighth and if i drop the rear.....thanks!!

abager2 Enthusiast

abager2

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4 replies..4 different answers...aint variety great!!! Thinkin im going with 5100's...only question is after i remove the rear blocks, do i still stick with the factory length shock, or a little shorter one...

GTD Enthusiast

GTD

Posted
Posted

ok...1st i know this is another shock topic...2nd...i know that if you want a good ride then a short wheelbase truck isnt the best answer....but, its what i wanted, and after about 6 months searching i came on a deal for a black 2014 z71 thats optioned out nicely...i really like the truck a lot, but i know i can improve the ride somewhat...it is bone stock..no leveling kit, and yes it has the old man rake...even though its 4wd, im thinking about dropping the rear, instead of raising the front with a leveling kit...so, my question is what shocks will give me the smoothest, softest ride...give me opinions on with it left at stock heighth and if i drop the rear.....thanks!!

 

Please explain "it has the old man rake." Is that where the owner doesn't level the truck as some do because they thinks it looks better, rear end sits taller?

GTD Enthusiast

GTD

Posted
Posted

ok...1st i know this is another shock topic...2nd...i know that if you want a good ride then a short wheelbase truck isnt the best answer....but, its what i wanted, and after about 6 months searching i came on a deal for a black 2014 z71 thats optioned out nicely...i really like the truck a lot, but i know i can improve the ride somewhat...it is bone stock..no leveling kit, and yes it has the old man rake...even though its 4wd, im thinking about dropping the rear, instead of raising the front with a leveling kit...so, my question is what shocks will give me the smoothest, softest ride...give me opinions on with it left at stock heighth and if i drop the rear.....thanks!!

Please explain "it has the old man rake." Is this when one leaves the ride height alone, doesn't lift the front or lower the back to give the truck a more car-like appearance?

abager2 Enthusiast

abager2

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Yeah...term all the whippersnappers use to describe my truck....seems they all think it should be 30" in the air and sportin at least 20" wheels with mud terrains on it.....i just smile and tell em "been there,done that" and drive off in my nice ridin, easy to get in and out of old man truck! Back in the late 60's and up thru the 80's only truck to have was a shortbed...then when extended and crews came along that became the rage...ive had them all..kids are grown and i have a tahoe, a lifted jeep unlimited on 33's and an extended cab truck....so i searched a long time to find a reg cab shortbed with all the options i wanted...soon as i found the one i wanted, i traded my loaded gmc crew slt for it....its fun to drive again...old man or not.

quail hound Enthusiast

quail hound

Posted
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I leveled mine with Bilstein 5100s on the highest setting in front and it rides better than the stock ranchos imo. If you did the Bilstein's on the lowest setting (stock height) and billies out back with the block removed it should ride pretty good. You can get a shock mount extender for the back if the shock bottoms out on bumps but I doubt it would dropped only 2", Bilstein may even make one for a lowered application. Everyone has a different style, preference, and need for their truck.

 

0109161441_zpsynv4drq7.jpg

abager2 Enthusiast

abager2

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Glad to hear it..i appreciate your post and your truck looks great!!! Most posts are about ext or crew cab models on here and the weight-balance ratio on the reg cab shortbeds are different...so i am glad to hear you had success with your shocks in the highest setting...most think they ride to rough in that position....i should have my front and rear shocks here this week and am thinking i will remove rear spacers to drop the back a bit and then install the fronts in the 2nd from highest position and see what rake i get....hopefully close to level.. Any input on this is appreciated....i will do the backs myself but ive never done the fronts so may have a shop do them....

quail hound Enthusiast

quail hound

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Posted

Once you do the backs you will be able to see how much, if any, you need to raise the front. It will probably be very close with just the block removed. I would let a shop do the Front if you don't have a coil compressor. I had a tire/ alignment shop do my fronts, $195 otd installed and aligned.

SMiller Senior Enthusiast

SMiller

Posted
Posted

The rear shocks will be just fine with removing the block. Install the front on the 2nd or 3rd setting depending on if you want a slight rake or perfectly level.

 

You will be very happy with this setup!

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