Z71 Suspension (Rancho) Characteristcs

Oldbay · August 22, 2016

Hey Folks,

I've read through quite a few threads about the OEM 2014+ Z71 suspension (Rancho shocks) and am wondering how many of you classify the overall ride. Is the ride more on the stiff/rigid side or soft/bouncy? Yes, I know the Bilstein 5100s are the good alternative down the road. But, I'm curious how the Z71 is out of the box.

My 2017 Z71 (with the 18" DuraTracs) comes in next week and I'm wondering if it is going to be really bouncy. I drove a 2016 Z71 (with the 18" DuraTracs) in June but only had it for a couple hours. Not really enough time to form an opinion. What I wasn't able to tell was if the OEM Z71 mixed with the DuraTracs was going to be a really bouncy ride on a day to day basis.

Sorry if this has been covered before.

Regards,

John

TheTunaHunter · August 23, 2016

We basically drive the same truck. I do have a 2" level and run 275/70/18 E-Rated DuraTracs. I'm about to hit 35,000 miles. I actually have had few complaints with driving it as is, running 40Psi at all 4 corners as I consistently have about anywhere from 300-500lbs of cargo on board. That said, having read all of the reviews here and spending plenty of seat time in all scenarios, I know there is something better. I'll be switching to 5100's at all 4 corners within the next 2 weeks.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · August 23, 2016

Tire psi can have a lot to do with it. At fist I would only run 40 psi and it would bounce a little more than I thought it should, but wasn't a big deal. I put about 50 psi in them and it doesn't bounce more than it should, but of course it's a little stiffer ride. So now I run about 45-48 and that seems to be a good balance for me. I also have 18s by the way. So lower psi with a lot of sidewall will make it bounce more than normal.

Oldbay · August 23, 2016

Thanks guys. I plan to run 40 psi to start and then increase to 45 psi in small increments. I had DuraTracs on my Jeep Wranglers, but they didn't have the weight. I've heard good things about the Bilsteins, but want to put some mileage on the truck before I start messing with stuff.

Regards,

John

15 Z71 · August 23, 2016

I think the z71 rides stiff. My buddy has just the 4x4 and it rides way softer and smother then mine. Not that its a bad ride just feels stiff to me.

Rkaroll953 · August 23, 2016

i have that setup. 45 psi is way to much. i find 38 is the best ride/ even tread wear. it does ride alot stiffer than my friends Z71 with regular SRA tires. i dont think we can blame it all on the ranchos the duratracs are stiffer but thats expected.

tnchevy · August 23, 2016

You don't put in PSI based on how it rides, you set your psi based on the load requirements of the tire. Too low of a psi and your tires can overheat and cause a blowout. Most LT tires require about 45 psi on average to carry the same load as a P rated tire at 35 pounds.

b1gted · August 23, 2016

I run my duratrac's at 38 psi and I have no issues. i had a 2014 with 20" wheels and SRA's and my 18" with Duratrac's ride much better. but that is only my opinion. Wait until your truck arrives and judge for yourself. I think you will find that 18" wheels with the duratrac's is a very nice balance.

ChevyRoofer · August 23, 2016

I run my duratrac's at 38 psi and I have no issues. i had a 2014 with 20" wheels and SRA's and my 18" with Duratrac's ride much better. but that is only my opinion. Wait until your truck arrives and judge for yourself. I think you will find that 18" wheels with the duratrac's is a very nice balance.

X2 - had a 2014 with 20" wheels and SRA's as well.

I'm still planning on upgrading the shocks at 40k with bigger tires and tune. Run stock till it's time to upgrade.

No complaints on the shocks as a DD. Off-roading is a little more bouncy then I'd prefer, but still works just fine.

Oldbay · August 23, 2016

Thanks guys! Good feedback.

TJay74 · August 23, 2016

You don't put in PSI based on how it rides, you set your psi based on the load requirements of the tire. Too low of a psi and your tires can overheat and cause a blowout. Most LT tires require about 45 psi on average to carry the same load as a P rated tire at 35 pounds.

I think this is backwards. P metric tires are 4 ply, most LT tires are 6 ply or more which is why they can carry more weight when you compare size to size. The stock tires are listed at 35psi front/rear. I am running 275/55-R20 Nitto Terra Grappler's on my truck, I run them are 37psi front and 34psi for the rear. Tires wear smooth and evenly across the tread this way.

Best way is to watch you tires wear on the blocks and adjust the pressure that way. It does change if you haul stuff so you will need to change the air pressure when you tow/haul things.

TxTruckMan · August 23, 2016

And it's not the number of plys in the thread that affect ride so much as the sidewall. P rated tires generally only have nylon sidewall which is very soft. LT's usually have some (2) steel plys in the sidewall making them much stiffer. If you're running P tires, stick to approximately the PSI recommended by GM. I put those same wheels with Duratracs on my Denali and run 35 in front and 32 in back. Too much PSI and you will feel every single bump, rock, joint, etc. in the road. Not enough PSI and your tires will wear unevenly. Lower PSI will not make the ride bouncy. It will actually absorb more of the bumps.

tnchevy · August 23, 2016

I think this is backwards. P metric tires are 4 ply, most LT tires are 6 ply or more which is why they can carry more weight when you compare size to size. The stock tires are listed at 35psi front/rear. I am running 275/55-R20 Nitto Terra Grappler's on my truck, I run them are 37psi front and 34psi for the rear. Tires wear smooth and evenly across the tread this way.

Best way is to watch you tires wear on the blocks and adjust the pressure that way. It does change if you haul stuff so you will need to change the air pressure when you tow/haul things.

I know it may seem backwards but it is not. The stock P rated tires on most of our trucks are set to around 35 psi by GM and carry a certain amount of weight per tire. Going to an LT tire of the same size or bigger requires more pressure to carry that same amount of weight which is usually some where in the mid 40's in psi. The following link to Toyo's website will shed some light on it.

https://www.toyotires.com/tires-101/tire-load-and-inflation-tables

Refer to page 11 of the Load & Inflation guide

Running LT tires at to low of a pressure will generate excessive heat and could result in tire failure. That is why they put P rated tires on half ton trucks, the ride is not as firm.

TxTruckMan · August 23, 2016

I know it may seem backwards but it is not. The stock P rated tires on most of our trucks are set to around 35 psi by GM and carry a certain amount of weight per tire. Going to an LT tire of the same size or bigger requires more pressure to carry that same amount of weight which is usually some where in the mid 40's in psi. The following link to Toyo's website will shed some light on it.

https://www.toyotires.com/tires-101/tire-load-and-inflation-tables

Refer to page 11 of the Load & Inflation guide

Running LT tires at to low of a pressure will generate excessive heat and could result in tire failure. That is why they put P rated tires on half ton trucks, the ride is not as firm.

I don't think it's necessarily more pressure to carry the same amount of weight, it's more pressure to reduce the sidewall flex. I suspect that the steel belts don't like to flex as much as the standard nylon ones. You can carry more weight on an LT tire because the sidewall (and whole tire) is stronger.

fedmogul89 · August 23, 2016

I traded a 2016 Silverado LT for a 2016 Sierra SLE Z71 and personally i do notice a difference. With pot holes it seems to jar more, where the LT seemed to bounce more. But on highways where you have dips and "bounces" in the road the z71 seems mor controlled and balanced. The best way to describe the difference is the z71 is a little stiffer while the LT was mor bouncey.