Z71 Suspension Question

[x219c]

Dash is soft vinyl, so that issue should be eliminated. The frame wax is the same as 2011, so keep an eye on it.

My LT z71 is hard plastic. Might be an ltz thing.


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[Eddie 70]

The suspension option z60 will be a stiffer ride. You should look at the RPO codes, listed in the glovebox and see what you have bought.

[ShotgunZ71]

Since 1999, I've purchased 4 trucks, and all of them had an "off-road" package. Not by choice, just that the rest of the options on the truck were what I was looking for. Z71, Z71, Z71 and now an FX4. The shielding underneath may help some, but the ride difference in a standard suspension and "off-road" suspension in a factory truck is negligible in most cases compared to the others I've been in .

[Boardmember]

I had a '16 Z71 CC and now have a '16 2WD Z60 CC and disagree with the prior statement saying the Z60 is stiffer.   It is not.   I like it a lot.  

 

At parking lot speeds, I'd go over a speed bump in the Z71 and it felt as if both front wheels hopped off the ground.   Z60 handles like every other truck I've owned.  

[Sour_Squirrel]

On 2017-10-12 at 7:46 PM, 2017SierraSLT said:

The aftermarket, real Rancho RS5000's will be an improvement over any GM OEM "Rancho" shocks, which are a tarted up Tenneco shock.

The RS5000 shocks that Rancho sells will not work with your truck if it's stock.   The shocks they have listed in their catalogue is only for lifted trucks.  

I know because I ordered them and when I got them they were about 5" too long.  I called them and they said the shock is meant for lifted trucks. 

[2017SierraSLT]

Rancho sells RS5000's in different lengths to accommodate lifts. I had them on my stock 2013. Here is the stock height set:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rancho-RS5000-Hydro-Shock-Strut-Set-2014-2016-Chevrolet-Silverado-1500-2WD-4WD-/332069044909?fits=Model%3ASilverado+1500&epid=1085429022&hash=item4d50db82ad:g:7E8AAOSwOyJX3Hwc&vxp=mtr

[Donstar]

I went from a 09  Z71 CC SLE to a  15 non-Z71  CC SLE.  I also have a very sensitive back and found no significant difference in ride once I put Michelin tires on my 15.  Tires make a big difference in ride.  I also had 17" wheels on both trucks so lots of sidewall!

[malibuman]

On 10/12/2017 at 9:50 PM, 2017SierraSLT said:

Dash is soft vinyl, so that issue should be eliminated. The frame wax is the same as 2011, so keep an eye on it.

Since you are so up on the specs for these trucks, what year did GM change the spring rates ? 

I went to the dealer yesterday (in my '11),  drove the truck, back felt like crap, so I walked away from the deal. I think I'll just look for a truck close to mine in year but with less mileage. In 15 minutes I found trucks online between 2010 and 2013 with mileage as low as 6K under $30K. If I could sell my '11 for what the dealer offered me on a trade it wouldnt be a bad hit cash wise. 

[malibuman]

2 hours ago, Donstar said:

I went from a 09  Z71 CC SLE to a  15 non-Z71  CC SLE.  I also have a very sensitive back and found no significant difference in ride once I put Michelin tires on my 15.  Tires make a big difference in ride.  I also had 17" wheels on both trucks so lots of sidewall!

Over the past 8 years Ive found many things can screw up my back and neck. Even things as simple as a pair of shoes. I took a ride up my road in my friends Mustang GT and I could barely walk when I got out of it. This getting old crap is starting to suck. LOL

[2017SierraSLT]

2 hours ago, malibuman said:

Since you are so up on the specs for these trucks, what year did GM change the spring rates ? 

I went to the dealer yesterday (in my '11),  drove the truck, back felt like crap, so I walked away from the deal. I think I'll just look for a truck close to mine in year but with less mileage. In 15 minutes I found trucks online between 2010 and 2013 with mileage as low as 6K under $30K. If I could sell my '11 for what the dealer offered me on a trade it wouldnt be a bad hit cash wise. 

They changed them every year, and they are different depending if the truck has Z60, Z71, or Z82 packages. The newer ones are a bit stiffer because:

 

• new suspensions are firmer than a truck that is 7 years old and high mileage
• higher payload and towing ratings

 

[Donstar]

2 hours ago, malibuman said:

Over the past 8 years Ive found many things can screw up my back and neck. Even things as simple as a pair of shoes. I took a ride up my road in my friends Mustang GT and I could barely walk when I got out of it. This getting old crap is starting to suck. LOL

I hear what you're saying, but the other option to getting old is far less desirable, imo.  The 2007 - 13 trucks are great but I still prefer the 2014+.  The interior  and engines are much nicer and more efficient.  I loved my last truck but bought my '15 because of the high mileage and fuel consumption of my '09.  I've had it for two years and still look forward to getting behind the wheel everyday!  It has been trouble free and I make less visits to the gas pumps!

[MaverickZ71]

Prior to about 2013 some of the manufacturers generally fudged on their payload and towing numbers, for marketing purposes, in an effort to sell more trucks. And few owners ever use their vehicles to max capacity; those who do generally modify their trucks, which made it easier for dealers to deny warranty claims. 

 

Then a new SAE standard was put in place, which resulted in instrumented, strenuous Davis Dam and Ike Gauntlet type tests being run, and suddenly suspensions were upgraded to meet the same payload and towing numbers that had been previously advertised.  Hence some stiffer suspensions. 

 

In a GM truck, you will want a 2WD Colorado or Canyon, or 1500 Silverado or Sierra with the Z85 ‘ride’ suspension.  A 4WD Z71 ‘off-road’will be a little stiffer, and a Z60 ‘super sport handling’ will be a little stiffer than a Z71. That’s a fact, but each human perceives things differently. Some say cloth seats are softer than leather. And some have said the heated/cooled seats are stiffer because of the added internal hard parts. 

 

You would want 17 inch wheels for your back condition, as 18s ride rougher, and 20-22s rougher than the 18s. But unfortunately, the upscale interior trim packages you seem to favor generally come stock with 20 inch wheels.  A taller rubber tire sidewall generally cushions the blow of potholes, bumps, cracks, ridges, etc.  

 

A number of people have removed the factory stock tires as well, in favor of installing Michelin highway tires, which are generally perceived to ride smoother/softer.  

 

Personally, if I were you, seeking a soft ride and good fuel mileage, I would be shopping for a Ram ecodiesel with air suspension. Very capable truck, with a soft ride and close to 30mpg on the highway in a full-sized truck. 

[malibuman]

Thanks for all this info and advice guys. Ive been kicking ideas around for the past couple of days. Ive thought about keeping my truck since I bought it new but after spending a few hours looking online Im finding really low mile trucks for sale all over the place. More extended cabs than crew so it looks like it might take a little time to find the right truck. Its not like Im in a rush though. 

[malibuman]

Thought you folks would like an update. Took a long ride yesterday to pick this up. 2013, one owner, no warranty repairs or paint work and a little over 21K miles. I got $17K for my truck for the trade in and this one was a little over $30K. 

I was hoping to find a truck locally but in the end I drove over 350 miles and back to pick this up. It was a long day. 

 

BTW, the vent shades and bug shield are gone. Love the truck but they werent my style. LOL

[Obscenejesster]

Thought you folks would like an update. Took a long ride yesterday to pick this up. 2013, one owner, no warranty repairs or paint work and a little over 21K miles. I got $17K for my truck for the trade in and this one was a little over $30K. 
I was hoping to find a truck locally but in the end I drove over 350 miles and back to pick this up. It was a long day. 
 
BTW, the vent shades and bug shield are gone. Love the truck but they werent my style. LOL

Not to be an ass or anything but I didn't think a 2013 crew cab would still be selling for 30k. I understand it has low miles but.... Is that a good price?

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