2016 Sierra HD denali, make it smoother.

[brwk]

You can try different shocks (bilstein seem to be most recommended.)

 

Make sure your tires are properly inflated (many dealerships inflate to max (80psi) to avoid flat spots when the trucks are sitting at the dealer.

I'd run 55 or so all around unless towing/hauling.

 

I'm gonna try some sulastic shackels. Google them. they are about $375, very easy to install, and seem to have good reviews.

 

So 55 psi all around will not show any abnormal tire wear when running empty?

[Adamrg]

 

Do they make the silastic for the 2015-2016 models?

Yes

http://www.sulastic.com/truck-shackle-suspension-sa-06

I had/have plans to run them as well, though the urgency has gone since I actually got the truck- the ride is not near as bad as I had been lead on to believe from reading.

If I do them, it will be in part an attempt to lower the rear a bit, as I have read drop shackles do affect ride quality negatively. I think I've read sulastics drop about 1.5" once settled.

[matt123]

Yes

http://www.sulastic.com/truck-shackle-suspension-sa-06

I had/have plans to run them as well, though the urgency has gone since I actually got the truck- the ride is not near as bad as I had been lead on to believe from reading.

If I do them, it will be in part an attempt to lower the rear a bit, as I have read drop shackles do affect ride quality negatively. I think I've read sulastics drop about 1.5" once settled.

I think the truck rides okay for a truck but the roads here suck if they improve the ride any its worth a couple hundred. I too would like to lower my truck about a inch in the rear. The sell a thing that gains you a inch or inch and half for those of you that dont want to lower it.

[matt123]

 

So 55 psi all around will not show any abnormal tire wear when running empty?

Shouldn't. It didnt on my old duramax.

[Adamrg]

I think the truck rides okay for a truck but the roads here suck if they improve the ride any its worth a couple hundred. I too would like to lower my truck about a inch in the rear. The sell a thing that gains you a inch or inch and half for those of you that dont want to lower it.

It rides better than my '96 S10 and my dads '99 1500. I'm not phased at all by the ride quality after lowering my tire psi. Our roads Aren't the greatest around here either. In fact I live on a one lane rd that I swear they've done got their money's worth out of and just won't quit doing patch jobs instead of re-paving.

Had to take my mom to do some errands last week and she said 'this truck is awesome, and it rides so nice!' Surprised the hell out of me, she's picky as all hell.

Shouldn't. It didnt on my old duramax.

I'm at 55 in the front, 50 in the rear, so far no problems except the tpms light

[SMiller]

A word on the Bilstein shock and shackles.

 

The shackles are hit or miss on if they make a difference and worse yet some have had bushing failure (ripped/torn rubber) causing them to fail, these also require to cut the bed seam to get them installed.

 

Bilstein shocks are awesome and I highly recommend them BUT they actually make small bumps and imperfections worse as they are a stiffer shock unlike the junk stock ones that will eat small bumps as they seem to have no gas in them.

 

At the end of the day I am afraid the OP will not be happy with the shackles or the shocks, I would recommend a few sand bags near the tailgate and lowering tire pressure just as much as possible.

 

I enjoy the stiff chassis on these trucks but do understand some are not a fan, when I drive a half ton it feels like the suspension is maxed out on large bumps.

[matt123]

I'm at 55 in the front, 50 in the rear, so far no problems except the tpms light

I'm at 52 front 56 rear cold comes up to about 55/60 after driving and I have no light. I will probably let a few out of the rear to even them all up.

 

A word on the Bilstein shock and shackles.

 

The shackles are hit or miss on if they make a difference and worse yet some have had bushing failure (ripped/torn rubber) causing them to fail, these also require to cut the bed seam to get them installed.

 

Bilstein shocks are awesome and I highly recommend them BUT they actually make small bumps and imperfections worse as they are a stiffer shock unlike the junk stock ones that will eat small bumps as they seem to have no gas in them.

 

At the end of the day I am afraid the OP will not be happy with the shackles or the shocks, I would recommend a few sand bags near the tailgate and lowering tire pressure just as much as possible.

 

I enjoy the stiff chassis on these trucks but do understand some are not a fan, when I drive a half ton it feels like the suspension is maxed out on large bumps.

Ever negative post I have seen about sulastics was several years old. It seems like everything less then 3 years old were all happy reviews. I think they offer a satisfaction guarantee. I have not seen anything about having to modify the truck to install them either. Are you sure that applies to the current generation gm hds?

Where I live the speed limit is 80 and there are big dips, potholes, and expansion joints that will jar you pretty good. When I get the money I will definitely be trying the sulastics and posting a review.

[SMiller]

I'm at 52 front 56 rear cold comes up to about 55/60 after driving and I have no light. I will probably let a few out of the rear to even them all up.

 

Ever negative post I have seen about sulastics was several years old. It seems like everything less then 3 years old were all happy reviews. I think they offer a satisfaction guarantee. I have not seen anything about having to modify the truck to install them either. Are you sure that applies to the current generation gm hds?

Where I live the speed limit is 80 and there are big dips, potholes, and expansion joints that will jar you pretty good. When I get the money I will definitely be trying the sulastics and posting a review.

Any and all shackle removal/install require the bed seem to cut.

 

If you are going to install the shackles you might consider the 1in. lowering piece that can be added to the Sulastics, if you do not see any info on it be sure to ask them.

 

I have not reviewed them in the last year and it would be great if they changed the rubber to make it longer lasting, it is a good product that does help, just understand they are a pain to install and you will not be happy if you cannot feel a difference or the rubber rips after a year.

[Gryphon762mm]

I guess this answers my question on whether MRC is available on the Denali HD. I've been thinking of going with a 2500 for the next truck but not at the expense of comfort. I don't really need a 2500.

 

I do a fair amount of traveling for work and have rented several brands of vehicles - Audis, Infinitis, Nissans, Fords. At the end of the day I wished I was back in my Denali. You don't really know how good the MRC is until you don't have it anymore!

[CRApex]

I guess this answers my question on whether MRC is available on the Denali HD. I've been thinking of going with a 2500 for the next truck but not at the expense of comfort. I don't really need a 2500.

 

I do a fair amount of traveling for work and have rented several brands of vehicles - Audis, Infinitis, Nissans, Fords. At the end of the day I wished I was back in my Denali. You don't really know how good the MRC is until you don't have it anymore!

I just made the switch. I have driven HD diesel trucks for the past several years due to plowing my business lot. I finally got tired of the harsh ride and traded the 2015 3500 SRW LTZ Duramax for a 2016 Sierra Denali 1500 6.2. All I can say is no comparison in ride. The Dmax will cleary out tow the 1500 but my boat and trailers don't need a 3500 and the 6.2 empty will flat out blow away the Dmax 0-60 (hookup a heavy trailer and it goes back to the Duramax) but if you tow infrequently like I did, no need for the heavy truck. Loving the 1500 denali 6.2 so far. Still need to update my avatar pic..

[Cowpie]

I am the opposite. I had a 1500 for just under 2 years and like the 2500 much better. So does the wife. Got the back lowered 2" and run roughly 55 PSI all the way around unless I am going to be really loading the pickup down. I rarely tow, but I haul more than a 1500 is comfortable doing frequently. Even then, there are many other reasons I had for preferring the 2500 over the 1500 and still do. One of the biggest mistakes I made was getting a 1500. First time I got a 1/2 ton since my 1966 C-10 back in the day. Lesson learned, but a lot of new swear words along the way. My only beef with my 2500 is the stock Michelin LTX AT2 tires that came on it really sucked for my needs and situations. But all being said, still not as fond of this one as I was my 1998 2500.

[CRApex]

I am the opposite. I had a 1500 for just under 2 years and like the 2500 much better. So does the wife. Got the back lowered 2" and run roughly 55 PSI all the way around unless I am going to be really loading the pickup down. I rarely tow, but I haul more than a 1500 is comfortable doing frequently. Even then, there are many other reasons I had for preferring the 2500 over the 1500 and still do. One of the biggest mistakes I made was getting a 1500. First time I got a 1/2 ton since my 1966 C-10 back in the day. Lesson learned, but a lot of new swear words along the way. My only beef with my 2500 is the stock Michelin LTX AT2 tires that came on it really sucked for my needs and situations. But all being said, still not as fond of this one as I was my 1998 2500.

 

Agreed..Certainly a place for both trucks. I really enjoyed the 3500's with the Dmax I think I just finally hit the point where a smooth ride was trumping my decision process. I don't know if its the MRC or simply that I'm driving a 1500..either way the Denali drives great..Oh and the power of the 6.2 is impressive. I'll drive this one for a couple years and see if I still feel the same..

[LakeSpeed]

I view the rough ride as a trade off. When I'm driving mine, I don't think its too bad and I love the capability. However, when I ride with my brother in law in his 1500, I feel like a am driving in a luxury sedan and I wish I still had my 1500. When it's all said and done, I will take the added capability over the more car like ride

[Cowpie]

And the rural gravel roads, off road, and old two lanes I run up and down, even a 1500 with a smoother suspension is still a rough riding thing at times. I would have my previous 1500 bottoming out occasionally going thru things on the property. The 2500 does much nicer in off road use. I didn't want to jack my 1500 up when the stock 2500 is fine. It really comes down to what a pickup is used for. For the average person that primarily is on hard roads, in town, etc, a strong case can be made for the 1500 ride. For those that put a little more demand on their pickups on a daily basis, capability and such vs smooth ride becomes more of a factor. Each situation is different. Hey! That is why there are so many choices available!