Can y'all school me on new shocks/suspension components?

Knightfall · May 25, 2017

I'm getting my wheels and tires installed tomorrow, which means now I'm looking at new ways to spend money on my truck. My truck currently has the completely stock (no level or lift at all) Z60 factory suspension setup. For those who don't know, that's the sport/performance suspension, and my intent is for the truck to be a workhorse with moderate off-road capabilities (it's a 4x2 with the G80). I've been looking at my next upgrade being upgrading the shocks, or possibly other suspension components (not positive if Z71/Z60/Z85 refers to just the shocks or anything else). I like the look of red or other colored off road shock absorbers as well. Also, I'm not really a huge fan of lifted trucks, so I really don't want to lift or level it any time soon. So tell me what you guys know. What brands should I look at? Should I just price out stock GM Z71 or Z85 (Pretty sure that's the WT/base LT suspension code) shocks and use those? Thanks guys.

SuperSierra · May 25, 2017

I'm getting my wheels and tires installed tomorrow, which means now I'm looking at new ways to spend money on my truck. My truck currently has the completely stock (no level or lift at all) Z60 factory suspension setup. For those who don't know, that's the sport/performance suspension, and my intent is for the truck to be a workhorse with moderate off-road capabilities (it's a 4x2 with the G80). I've been looking at my next upgrade being upgrading the shocks, or possibly other suspension components (not positive if Z71/Z60/Z85 refers to just the shocks or anything else). I like the look of red or other colored off road shock absorbers as well. Also, I'm not really a huge fan of lifted trucks, so I really don't want to lift or level it any time soon. So tell me what you guys know. What brands should I look at? Should I just price out stock GM Z71 or Z85 (Pretty sure that's the WT/base LT suspension code) shocks and use those? Thanks guys.

In a order (that is debatable) of last to best when it comes to named brands of shocks for your truck

1. Rough country

2. Pro comp

3. Rancho

4. Fox

Stay with one of these names and you'll be good.

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SuperSierra · May 25, 2017

I'm getting my wheels and tires installed tomorrow, which means now I'm looking at new ways to spend money on my truck. My truck currently has the completely stock (no level or lift at all) Z60 factory suspension setup. For those who don't know, that's the sport/performance suspension, and my intent is for the truck to be a workhorse with moderate off-road capabilities (it's a 4x2 with the G80). I've been looking at my next upgrade being upgrading the shocks, or possibly other suspension components (not positive if Z71/Z60/Z85 refers to just the shocks or anything else). I like the look of red or other colored off road shock absorbers as well. Also, I'm not really a huge fan of lifted trucks, so I really don't want to lift or level it any time soon. So tell me what you guys know. What brands should I look at? Should I just price out stock GM Z71 or Z85 (Pretty sure that's the WT/base LT suspension code) shocks and use those? Thanks guys.

I recommend these shocks if you aren't looking to lift http://m.ebay.com/itm/Rancho-RS9000XL-Adj-Strut-Shock-Set-14-17-Chevrolet-Silverado-1500-2WD-4WD-/331973294021?fits=Year%3A2016%7CModel%3ASilverado+1500&hash=item4d4b2677c5%3Ag%3A88sAAOSwmLlX3Hwf&_trkparms=pageci%253A0b2a1f0f-419d-11e7-9bfd-74dbd180b0ea%257Cparentrq%253A41d1177015c0aca4b4ab045cffffaf32%257Ciid%253A3

They have a dial to choose what terrain you are on.

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michigan2500hd · May 26, 2017

You could do the Bilstein 5100 adjustable set on stock heigth that way in the future if you wanted to go up you could just move the snap ring location. I believe the shock would have to be removed to do that though.

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Knightfall · May 26, 2017

I've been looking around ans do far I like the Ranchos. I am not an expert on suspension parts and nomenclature; are struts exclusively the "shocks" on the front and shocks exclusively on the rear? Would the only parts that I would require actually just be 2 struts and 2 shocks, including if I were to level the truck?

Severado · May 26, 2017

I've been looking around ans do far I like the Ranchos. I am not an expert on suspension parts and nomenclature; are struts exclusively the "shocks" on the front and shocks exclusively on the rear? Would the only parts that I would require actually just be 2 struts and 2 shocks, including if I were to level the truck?

Ok buddy. Let's get to it. You want to level your truck. In my mind there are 3 main questions. Budget? Purpose? Installation?

Budget is self explanatory. Parts and labor. Struts or spacers. Spacers are cheap and easy to have installed. Struts are more expensive.

Purpose has been stated. Level with light off-road capability.

Installation. Do you have a shop already? Or are you doing the work?

Fox, Bilstein, Pro Comp, Rancho, and HaloLifts all have leveling struts for the front. Fox and HaloLifts tend to be pricey, but are fully loaded leveling struts. Rancho also has a fully loaded leveling strut. Bilstein and Pro Comp will require more labor to swap out the coil springs. Others will chime in to add in whatever I missed.

Avinad · May 26, 2017

Get King/Fox coilovers with matching rear shocks and call it a day!

SuperSierra · May 26, 2017

Ok buddy. Let's get to it. You want to level your truck. In my mind there are 3 main questions. Budget? Purpose? Installation?

Budget is self explanatory. Parts and labor. Struts or spacers. Spacers are cheap and easy to have installed. Struts are more expensive.

Purpose has been stated. Level with light off-road capability.

Installation. Do you have a shop already? Or are you doing the work?

Fox, Bilstein, Pro Comp, Rancho, and HaloLifts all have leveling struts for the front. Fox and HaloLifts tend to be pricey, but are fully loaded leveling struts. Rancho also has a fully loaded leveling strut. Bilstein and Pro Comp will require more labor to swap out the coil springs. Others will chime in to add in whatever I missed.

He doesn't want to level or lift. He uses it for work

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Severado · May 26, 2017

He doesn't want to level or lift. He uses it for work

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His second post asks about what is needed IF he wanted to level. I just gave the OP options. If he just wants stock height struts and shocks. Bilstein 4600 comes to mind.

SuperSierra · May 26, 2017

His second post asks about what is needed IF he wanted to level. I just gave the OP options. If he just wants stock height struts and shocks. Bilstein 4600 comes to mind.

Sorry I didn't see that, I don't personally see a point in leveling or lift a vehicle that pulls/Hauls heavy things on a regular basis.

But everyone has what thing they like.

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Knightfall · May 26, 2017

I can go either/or on leveling since my tires rub a tad but really don't want to lift. My main goal is for a ride and suspension setup more geared to rough gravel and dirt roads. I'm sure the Z60 suspension tune or setup I have is durable but as it's a street suspension doesn't have the best ride when the truck is working. So I'm just exploring what to get into. About how much does it cost on average for suspension components plus install?

jimmyboy8301 · May 26, 2017

Get King/Fox coilovers with matching rear shocks and call it a day!

this

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SuperSierra · May 26, 2017

I can go either/or on leveling since my tires rub a tad but really don't want to lift. My main goal is for a ride and suspension setup more geared to rough gravel and dirt roads. I'm sure the Z60 suspension tune or setup I have is durable but as it's a street suspension doesn't have the best ride when the truck is working. So I'm just exploring what to get into. About how much does it cost on average for suspension components plus install?

The problem you are going to run into is leveling kits don't always work with upgraded shocks, and what size tires are you running now?

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Knightfall · May 26, 2017

Just got 285/70/17's installed today. Since they ended up fitting fine, I wouldn't want to level at all. Just a shocks for a truck that was bought to be a workhorse, as I said. It won't be recreation ally rock crawling or up to the doors in mud intentionally, but it's about as far from a street queen as you can get.

Severado · May 26, 2017

Just got 285/70/17's installed today. Since they ended up fitting fine, I wouldn't want to level at all. Just a shocks for a truck that was bought to be a workhorse, as I said. It won't be recreation ally rock crawling or up to the doors in mud intentionally, but it's about as far from a street queen as you can get.

Good to hear. Well, you can always get Bilstein 5100(set on stock height) or 4600. I read Eibach has a pro truck series too.