Softer ride

brians09 · February 22, 2017

I'm asking here for opinions on which option I should go with for a better/softer ride. I currently have oem 22" rims on the Bridgestone tires, non-z71. I think it rides rough because the low profile tires..

Option 1 - go with fox 2.0 shocks all around and keep the oem 22" wheels and tires.

Option 2 - go with some new 18" wheels and some slightly larger tires, maybe 33's. Keep the oem shocks.

Don't reply "do both" unless you're going to pay for one! Thanks.

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Chevor · February 22, 2017

Dump the oem shocks.

Go test drive a 2500 if you think that rides rough.

wayles · February 22, 2017

A low profile tire will never ride as smooth as one with a taller sidewall. That taller sidewall acts as a spring to help soak up bumps. Conversely, a taller sidewall tire will not have the crisp handling dynamics of a low profile tire, again because of the springiness of the sidewall. Unfortunately, you can't have both.

If you are looking for a smoother ride, I would switch the tires first. When you get more money, switching to better shocks will help even more, but I believe your best bang for the buck right now is the tires.

Sierra706 · February 22, 2017

I'm asking here for opinions on which option I should go with for a better/softer ride. I currently have oem 22" rims on the Bridgestone tires, non-z71. I think it rides rough because the low profile tires..

Option 1 - go with fox 2.0 shocks all around and keep the oem 22" wheels and tires.

Option 2 - go with some new 18" wheels and some slightly larger tires, maybe 33's. Keep the oem shocks.

Don't reply "do both" unless you're going to pay for one! Thanks.

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I'll let you know in a few weeks how option 1 works out for me

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brians09 · February 22, 2017

Dump the oem shocks.

Go test drive a 2500 if you think that rides rough.

I actually did go test drive one the other day when I was in for an oil change and didn't mind it. Mine road rougher due to my 22" low profile wheels/tires! Why would gm decide low profile tires on a truck was a good idea (except they do look nice)

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redwngr · February 22, 2017

I actually did go test drive one the other day when I was in for an oil change and didn't mind it. Mine road rougher due to my 22" low profile wheels/tires! Why would gm decide low profile tires on a truck was a good idea (except they do look nice)

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Fuel economy.

Severado · February 22, 2017

18s and tall sidewalls. That's been working for me after dropping the OEM 20s. 275/65r18 is a 32. 265/70r18 and 285/65r18 (wider) is 32.6. 275/70r18 is a 33. All will provide better cushioning.

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Sierra706 · February 22, 2017

Fuel economy.

22s will have lower fuel economy. They are heavier and carry more unsprung weight.

Yes it's purely for aesthetics.

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Dana Mills · February 22, 2017

Funny, i was dealing with the same dilemma for my Z71. I drove a couple trucks with smaller wheels/higher profile tires and honestly could not really distinguish differences in ride quality. So, I opted to change out the shocks, went with the Bilsetin 5100, no where near the price of FOx but an excellent product IMO - my only regret is that I did not change shocks SOONER, as I can't get over the difference in ride quality. I have since changed out my tires and went with the 285/55 22 Nitto Terra Grappler G2 - A little higher profile tires, looks awesome.

Changing out the shocks to something like the Bilsteins is not all that expensive. They are a significant upgrade over the OEM Ranchos. You won't regret it

Steve52 · February 22, 2017

Have a '14 Sierra 4x4 with non-Z71 suspension w/255-70-17 tires. I thought the ride could be smoother (jounce was way to sharp for my liking). I replaced all 4 shocks with Bilstein 4600 's. Cost was about $300.00 or so. Well worth it. Ride is MUCH improved. Even the wife noticed it.

CRApex · February 22, 2017

I actually did go test drive one the other day when I was in for an oil change and didn't mind it. Mine road rougher due to my 22" low profile wheels/tires! Why would gm decide low profile tires on a truck was a good idea (except they do look nice)

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If your 1500 rode rougher than a 2500HD you might need to look a little deeper. What air pressure are your tires at?

TxTruckMan · February 22, 2017

I'd say switch out your wheels if you want a better ride. Shocks will only make a little difference if you keep the 22's on. You could probably sell the 22's and pick up a set of factory take off 20's or 18's and pocket some cash.

I've been riding 22's on my rides for many years and have tried many different shocks. They don't make much difference with all that extra weight. And when they do help, I find that they only last so long before they need to be replaced again - like 12k miles. The one exception are the MRC shocks that come on the Denali. I had a 2014 Sierra with 20's and standard shocks and now a 2015 Denali with 22's and MRC. The 2015 Denali with MRC rides better. I was shocked - pun intended!

Krusty · February 22, 2017

I'd say switch out your wheels if you want a better ride. Shocks will only make a little difference if you keep the 22's on. You could probably sell the 22's and pick up a set of factory take off 20's or 18's and pocket some cash.

I've been riding 22's on my rides for many years and have tried many different shocks. They don't make much difference with all that extra weight. And when they do help, I find that they only last so long before they need to be replaced again - like 12k miles. The one exception are the MRC shocks that come on the Denali. I had a 2014 Sierra with 20's and standard shocks and now a 2015 Denali with 22's and MRC. The 2015 Denali with MRC rides better. I was shocked - pun intended!

Have you ever tried Bilstein's - they are a cut above the rest and lifetime warrantied. I put them on my 2007.5 2500HD Duramax at 20,000 miles and it stopped the sideways jounce over rough railroad tracks etc. That rig had 18" 10 ply tires I ran 50/55 psi unloaded.

http://www.bilsteinus.com/

But true - there is no cure for 22" wheels and a rough ride - they can go hand in hand.......

TxTruckMan · February 22, 2017

Have you ever tried Bilstein's - they are a cut above the rest and lifetime warrantied. I put them on my 2007.5 2500HD Duramax at 20,000 miles and it stopped the sideways jounce over rough railroad tracks etc. That rig had 18" 10 ply tires I ran 50/55 psi unloaded.

http://www.bilsteinus.com/

But true - there is no cure for 22" wheels and a rough ride - they can go hand in hand.......

Yep, used them on my Yukon with 22's. Worked well at first, but they also wore out fast. Warranty is only for manufacturing defects, not normal wear. Honestly, the best aftermarket shocks I used were the Monroe Reflex shocks. I tried many shocks on that vehicle because I liked the look but hated the ride.

Krusty · February 22, 2017

Yep, used them on my Yukon with 22's. Worked well at first, but they also wore out fast. Warranty is only for manufacturing defects, not normal wear. Honestly, the best aftermarket shocks I used were the Monroe Reflex shocks. I tried many shocks on that vehicle because I liked the look but hated the ride.

Well I just looked and Bilstein has no app for the 2017 6.2L max tow I have on order..........