Lost and CONFUSED

[Ret Grunt]

So, got my 2017 Redline 4x4 with almost all the bells and whistles in June for my 61st  birthday. Kept my 2010 Grand Sport Corvette (couldn't make my money back with the upgrades anyway) and traded away my 2005 Yukon Denali for some work I needed around the house.  I had convinced myself that TRUCKS ride rough and not to worry about the ride, heck I was use to riding low and rough roads are part of life. Only mod I wanted was slightly larger tires and maybe level it, as of now my only mods are:the 

1.Borla Catback with Black Tips

2.K&N Blackhawk

3. Tinted (30 degrees) front windows  (where I live in Va, they play games about tint)

Sooooo as I  crossed over a bridge yesterday I had to curse. I decided to stop lying to myself, the ride SUCKS! 60g's invested and I avoid certain  roads because of bumps, pot holes and ripples. I have read about the Bilstein 6112s and was thinking about going that way, but I might not live long enough for them to come to market, plus from my reading they are more off road oriented than I need, and I blew enough  $$$$ on Vette mods. I don't want tires larger than 32s because from my understanding that's the largest I can put on my stock rims nor do I want the noise of a mudder,  I just want a smoother ride!!!! 

WHAT DO I DO!!!!???

[RyanbabZ71]

drop some sand tubes (weight) in the bed.  Remember these are trucks not luxury cars.  

[O_J_Simpson]

Many of us here gave up on the Bilstein 6112 shocks. The promise that never happened. The 5100 shocks are sent from heaven just for our trucks. If you craw under your truck and you discover Rancho shocks, you found your problem.

 

[redwngr]

Tire pressure? 

Assuming you are on factory tire size are they at they pressure recommended on the door sticker?

Does it have 20's on it? 

 

Do carry weight in truck?  Recommended pressure on door sticker is cold pressure at full load. 

Unloaded less pressure is required and will provide a smoother ride.

 

Factory 18's or 17's will have the same OD, so as rim size decreases the side wall height increases.

On my 2016 SLT CC had factory 20's.  I also purchased a set of factory (aluminum  takeoff) 17's that I installed winter tires on. On rough roads, the ride was noticeably softer on the 'winter' setup.

 

[Grumpy Bear]

How much are you willing to spend? This conversation gets short when expectations are high and the wallet is flat. 

[Ret Grunt]

Yes, I have 20s. The 1st thing that caught my eye on the Redline was the rims. My Vette is Black (so is the Redline) with the red fender stripe, and the red & black interior) the red hooks and red/black letters sold me.

The only thing I have in the bed is a spare collapsible dog crate and dog bed (so if I happen to go somewhere and I'm forced to use it, it there) a Styrofoam cooler I use to carry wax, cleaners, ect, and a driver side fold out tool box for the few tools I may in an emergency. I may have to do the sand bag thing.

I do keep up with my tire pressure. I learned that dealing with the Run flat, summer tires on the vette.

I know it's not a luxury car. I also know part of the road experience is because of the piss-poor job done by the people responsible for road upkeep! Here in central Va, it sucks. I don't drive my Vette on i95 thru richmond. There is SERIOUS road upkeep/replacement needed here, and what is done, is done poorly. In the city and on the interstate. 

If they sold the "same" rim in a 17-18 I could consider that. That way my wife would only fuss about tires ? she'd spot new rims before I could back in the driveway.

I've dropped some big $$$  on the vette, and it couldn't be hidden (I'm still hearing about it?)

Whatever I do, I have to be $$$ smart. Doesn't make sense spending all my $$$ on mods, and not having any $$ left to ride and enjoy them.

 

Meet You On The High Ground 

[Enough]

Key here is we all bought TRUCKS. Stiff hydroformed ladder frame with leaf rear suspension built to carry weight. Some more than others. Add weight and the ride quality increases dramatically up to load capacity. Drive empty over certain roads and you may have to check your fillings. It's a TRUCK.

You traded in the vehicle built for ride quality for one with a load capacity. I think Grumpy Bear is over $4000.00 in quest for the perfect ride. How much are you willing to spend to modify your truck to ride like an SUV ?  General Motors spent millions and their answer was to produce two separate vehicles. Trucks and SUVs.

 

[Ret Grunt]

40 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

How much are you willing to spend? This conversation gets short when expectations are high and the wallet is flat. 

I'm hoping to stay at 4gs or less....5 tops

[Ret Grunt]

I guess I'm just blowing steam, because I allowed myself to rush into something out of fear without checking it out first. No it's not the worst road riding vehicle I've owned (vette is) I wasn't getting a vehicle this year, I was getting a Platinum Escalade  for my birthday next year, but on Friday Jan 13th, I was told a i numerous blood clots in my right lung, and I got scared I wouldn't be around to see next year. In 2000, I had a mild stroke, 2002 top left lung removed for cancer, got severe copd  in the top right, emphysema also. Throw in bad knees shoulder, back and a couple other problems I'm the "Walking Dead" ? The blood clots were the shocker. Wife's health isn't much better, plus she likes Chevys, especially the TRUCKS!

Thanks for reading my rant, the truck ain't so bad, wanted to raise it from the minute I ordered it, just not sure how I want to do it. The health issuse, well sometimes I forget that I've lived a BLESSED life (not many have survived lung cancer this long) and I give myself a "PITY PARTY"...... I APOLOGIZE.

Now back to the truck.... how about Bilstein 5100s and Discover tires

[Likarok]

Yes, if you changed the suspension putting bigger tires on it you will change the ride. That is a given! How big did you go? 

[Ret Grunt]

1 minute ago, Likarok said:

Yes, if you changed the suspension putting bigger tires on it you will change the ride. That is a given! How big did you go? 

Haven't done anything yet, gotta do research.

[Grumpy Bear]

44 minutes ago, Enough said:

I think Grumpy Bear is over $4000.00 in quest for the perfect ride. How much are you willing to spend to modify your truck to ride like an SUV ?  General Motors spent millions and their answer was to produce two separate vehicles. Trucks and SUVs.

True and good point. I'm about one spring rate change from perfect. (front). Starting about page 18 of my build thread if you interested. 

[Likarok]

Well if you are disappointed in the ride now you will be really pissed if you change it to much.

 

Sounds to me that you should leave it stock and just put some smother riding tires on it like Michelins! You are right though the stock Rancho shocks suck! Changing those  would help too!

[Largely Unknown]

I feel your pain.  I looked up the Redline and its a Z71.  

 

Could be the seats as well (hard as a rock on the upper trim levels).  Go figure! You spend more $ on that dream truck and get worse seats than the basic models.  Mine is a 2WD, which isn't bad - no jolting at all really, so I'm going to spend a limited amount on upgrading the foam in the drivers seat (the dealer said they would help with this, as its not the first time its been brought up to them), and when my OEM tires wear out - change to 17 or 18 inch wheels and michelins.  

 

Good luck - don't listen to those who say "its a truck stupid", thats a cheap shot.  Every truck I have had needed some type of mod in one area or another.  

[Ret Grunt]

10 minutes ago, Largely Unknown said:

I feel your pain.  I looked up the Redline and its a Z71.  

 

Could be the seats as well (hard as a rock on the upper trim levels).  Go figure! You spend more $ on that dream truck and get worse seats than the basic models.  Mine is a 2WD, which isn't bad - no jolting at all really, so I'm going to spend a limited amount on upgrading the foam in the drivers seat (the dealer said they would help with this, as its not the first time its been brought up to them), and when my OEM tires wear out - change to 17 or 18 inch wheels and michelins.  

 

Good luck - don't listen to those who say "its a truck stupid", thats a cheap shot.  Every truck I have had needed some type of mod in one area or another.  

The seats don't bother me to much. I keep the heat on mid to high year round, and I don't drive longer than 2-3 hours non-stop  between breaks