2017 Denali Ultimate - Rides rough and want to change shocks??

RailroadAG93 · February 16, 2017

First time on this board. Have always been a Ford guy and just changed to a new GMC. I bought this back in December and still upset with the ride. I do want to say first and foremost that the dealership did upon my request put the ProComp 2.5 leveling kit on the truck. My buddy has the exact truck and his rides like a caddy and mine rides like a tank! Not sure what I can do, but the dealership says its fine. Its hard to explain, but when I go slow over bumps is when I notice it the most. The compression down feels ok, but it feels like when it extends up that its "loose" or something just doesn't feel tight. I've been doing research and it looks like the stupid magnetic ride stuff won't let me put on any other shocks, than what's standard? I heard the Bilstein 5100's (adjustable ones) can adjust up to a 2.25 level and I can remove the spacer and the ride is perfect. Problem is Bilstein says these are not to be used on the 17's or anything with the magnetic ride.

Any suggestions??? I don't want to take the level off, but I'm not sure what else to do...

Horacio · February 16, 2017

Myself and another member were just talking about this today. The Magnetic Ride on these trucks is less than desired. With 20" wheels it's not so bad. 22" makes it worse. We discussed how the old Escalade EXT with mag ride rode so much better. To answer your question, I don't think there's anything you can do about it. About the only thing I can suggest is to make sure the Pro Comp kit is mag ride specific. If the sensors weren't adjusted correctly via adding the proper spacer, you may experience some undesired effects.

Ffkomo · February 16, 2017

Make sure your level kit has adapter plates to relocate the magnetic ride sensor. I did a level in my 17 Denali and the ride didn't change one bit. I'd hope your dealer knew to do this but then again, they mess up too

I bought a suspension max kit, look on their website and you can see what a adapter should look like, so you know what to look for.

Ffkomo · February 16, 2017

Should look something like this

Pic was taken from the top

RailroadAG93 · February 17, 2017

Thanks so much...I'll ask them tomorrow. Hope this helps...

O_J_Simpson · February 17, 2017

You created the problem by installing the leveling kit. Choose one. You want a nice ride or level truck? You can't have both.

Ffkomo · February 17, 2017

A leveled Denali should ride pretty close to the same with a proper level kit, mine rides exactly the same after 1.5, no change whatsoever.

CounterMeasure · February 17, 2017

I've often wondered if there was a way to adjust the arm so that shock provides a bit more dampening effect. All the arm is doing is adjusting a potentiometer that engages the electromagnets that act on the fluid in the shock. The stronger the field they create, the more viscous the fluid, and the stiffer the ride. If the arm could be positioned in such a way to not generate such a strong field, then maybe some of the bed jumping I get on concrete highways around here could be lessened.

Lincoln30 · February 18, 2017

A leveled Denali should ride pretty close to the same with a proper level kit, mine rides exactly the same after 1.5, no change whatsoever.

Any pics of the truck before and after? I have the same leveling kit, not installed yet and I'm trying to decide between 1.5 and 2".

L86 All Terrain · February 18, 2017

Are you still on the stock P rated tires? My truck rode very rough with 20" wheels and the factory tires. I went to a 33x12.5 E load tire and the sidewalls are stiffer and offer a good ride on choppy pavement. Probably about 30lbs heavier per corner so say good bye to 24mpg. The Car tires these trucks come with are absolute garbage.

Ffkomo · February 19, 2017

After 1.5

Might go to 2 at some point with the shims

Lincoln30 · February 20, 2017

After 1.5

Might go to 2 at some point with the shims

Thank you.

TxTruckMan · February 20, 2017

Are you still on the stock P rated tires? My truck rode very rough with 20" wheels and the factory tires. I went to a 33x12.5 E load tire and the sidewalls are stiffer and offer a good ride on choppy pavement. Probably about 30lbs heavier per corner so say good bye to 24mpg. The Car tires these trucks come with are absolute garbage.

You might be the only person on the planet that thinks E load LT tires ride softer than P rated tires. That makes absolutely no sense.

moconnor72 · February 21, 2017

The tires are the issue as well.

RailroadAG93 · February 22, 2017

Thanks for all the posts...come to find out the dealership has said that there is a problem (which said there wasn't before) and are now looking to fabricate the bracket that comes with the Suspension Maxx kit. Apparently that one is the best because the bracket connects to the magnetic ride to let it know that it's extended further therefore the ride shocks need to extend with it. There is only one shop in Fort Worth that carries that brand and as soon as I walked in and told him my issues he knew exactly. Now we will see how my dealership handles it. I told them to just take mine off, refund me, and let me go over to this other place and have them install it. They said they can fabricate this bracket so I'll give them a shot...I'm not out of the woods yet, but we will see.

And yes I have the Ultimate which comes with the 22's