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GMC Sierra AT4 Off Roading Video

Sierra Dan

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PhantomSierra16 Enthusiast

PhantomSierra16

Posted
Posted

Just replace them with those then? You probably know this but they probably have a certain contract with GM to provide these shocks, Hence why you don't see any different offload shocks offered on GM's except the ones currently on the ZR2 and Camaro. 

 

I do agree though that it sucks, but hey at least they are moving in the right direction as far as offering a 2 inch lift factory warranty backed option. Clearly, they're starting to listen to the customer base, its one small step but im interested what they can conjure up in the next few years as the Raptor and TRX start pulling in the market share even more.

magnum74 Enthusiast

magnum74

Posted
Posted

I'm hardly a fan of Rancho shocks but I don't think Car Queston is the go to source for off-road testing. 

 

Having said this, it would be nice if they used a high quality shock on the AT4 and Trailboss. 

Sierra Dan Senior Enthusiast

Sierra Dan

Posted
  • Author
Posted
5 hours ago, magnum74 said:

I'm hardly a fan of Rancho shocks but I don't think Car Queston is the go to source for off-road testing. 

 

Having said this, it would be nice if they used a high quality shock on the AT4 and Trailboss. 

My Thoughts exactly. Should have used a high quality shock!

For crying out loud, an AT4 sierra with a 6.2 is 64,000 dollars. If you are going to push a 2inch factory lift, at least use Coilovers and reservoir shocks. That is not too much to ask for.

Factory "Ranchos" are Not true ranchos. They are made by Tenneco and branded as Rancho by decals only.

This has been heavily discussed in the Bilstein thread.VVL9h7i.thumb.jpg.6574d3ecc4d8ca047051542f2d15c5ce.jpg

t5TXDrH.jpg

rkj__ Enthusiast

rkj__

Posted
Posted

I’ve been watching a lot of ZR2 videos lately, so naturally, in comparison, this truck looks bloated and out of control.

I still think it is a smart offering by GM though.

Lots of buyers instal a 2” levelling kit for appearance only, and don’t do any demanding off road driving.


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chevy2tuff2006 Enthusiast

chevy2tuff2006

Posted
Posted
12 hours ago, Sierra Dan said:

My Thoughts exactly. Should have used a high quality shock!

For crying out loud, an AT4 sierra with a 6.2 is 64,000 dollars. If you are going to push a 2inch factory lift, at least use Coilovers and reservoir shocks. That is not too much to ask for.

Factory "Ranchos" are Not true ranchos. They are made by Tenneco and branded as Rancho by decals only.

This has been heavily discussed in the Bilstein thread.VVL9h7i.thumb.jpg.6574d3ecc4d8ca047051542f2d15c5ce.jpg

t5TXDrH.jpg

Tenneco is the parent company that makes rancho's...FYI

amxguy1970 Senior Enthusiast

amxguy1970

Posted
Posted

^ This, they try and make it sound like it is a re-branded shock, no it is made by Rancho and Tenneco is the parent company (kind of like how bell helicopters and ez-go golf carts are under the parent company Textron). Rancho wouldn't let some random sub par company put their name on a shock that isn't theirs and throw their reputation, so people can stop trying to spread false rumors. Would you let another company risk your name on a product? Everyone makes a base model and isn't as good or nice as their top end model

 

You want Bilstein's go buy them, they aren't going to put the top of the line Rancho on the truck for it to go run around a field (it wasn't designed for desert running or they would have ran a high quality shock). Remote reservoirs haha come on get out out of here with that, these are mostly street trucks with maybe 5% taking them in a field or fire road, zero reason to have a shock like that other than looks and to drive up the cost even more. BTW, any other truck outside of the Raptor or ZR2 will act in a similar way (bouncy) as it wasn't designed for that...

 

Tyler

Sierra Dan Senior Enthusiast

Sierra Dan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

And i have seen Raptors that are never dirty or taken off road.

They soak up some of the baddest potholes out there though! :thumbs:

The AT4 and Trail Boss are for intended audiences.

From what I have read in my short time here, that style of audience dumps the stock "Ranchos"

In favor of a look and performance that the Rancho cannot and does not offer.

My point being.....yes these two trim level offerings were smart.

But the bottom line on a cool lifted truck with meaty tires usually revolves around the suspension.

So offer it with Good suspension.

Would a ZR2 be cool with stock ranchos? No!

 

15 Z71 Senior Enthusiast

15 Z71

Posted
Posted

Maybe it just me but my friends 18 with the Ranchos seem to have a better ride then my 15 with them. Did they change them? 

Sierra Dan Senior Enthusiast

Sierra Dan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Not sure if they changed them or not.
From the outside they look identical.

Bottom line is that the factory Tenneco Rancho shocks do not hold up. Especially the front. They become pogo sticks.

So depending on how many miles you have on your '15, there is your answer.

A fresh brand new shock with low mileage is going to feel and perform better than one thousands of miles.

For those who are skeptical.... IF you have at least 30k-40k miles on your truck, Go unbolt/remove one of your rear factory ranchos. This can be done in 10 min or less.

Place it boot/protector up and push down on it. You will notice it immediately with little to no resistance goes down easily for about the first inch, then hits pressure or resistance.

This is what my ranchos did at about the 30k Mark. 

Go do the same with a brand new shock of your choice and you will be able to experience first hand why I and others here were happy to scrap out the ranchos.

Not to mention they rust and look bad early.

Unless the outer bodies are painted or protected better and the interior valving/components have been drastically beefed up, I suspect the AT4 and Trail Boss Rancho's are the same

as what we K2 owners have now or have had on our trucks.

You can tell by this video the way the AT4 is handling.

For a 64k plus truck this is disappointing.

 

magnum74 Enthusiast

magnum74

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, Sierra Dan said:

 

So offer it with Good suspension.

Would a ZR2 be cool with stock ranchos? No!

 

Shocks are such a simple upgrade even if they were optional as an added cost to the package. There's no downside to offering this from the factory. 

Sierra Dan Senior Enthusiast

Sierra Dan

Posted
  • Author
Posted
10 minutes ago, magnum74 said:

Shocks are such a simple upgrade even if they were optional as an added cost to the package. There's no downside to offering this from the factory. 

I guess I seem to be the minority here when it comes to thoughts on how these AT4 and Trail Boss packages should be equipped from the factory LOL

15 Z71 Senior Enthusiast

15 Z71

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Sierra Dan said:

Not sure if they changed them or not.
From the outside they look identical.

Bottom line is that the factory Tenneco Rancho shocks do not hold up. Especially the front. They become pogo sticks.

So depending on how many miles you have on your '15, there is your answer.

A fresh brand new shock with low mileage is going to feel and perform better than one thousands of miles.

For those who are skeptical.... IF you have at least 30k-40k miles on your truck, Go unbolt/remove one of your rear factory ranchos. This can be done in 10 min or less.

Place it boot/protector up and push down on it. You will notice it immediately with little to no resistance goes down easily for about the first inch, then hits pressure or resistance.

This is what my ranchos did at about the 30k Mark. 

Go do the same with a brand new shock of your choice and you will be able to experience first hand why I and others here were happy to scrap out the ranchos.

Not to mention they rust and look bad early.

Unless the outer bodies are painted or protected better and the interior valving/components have been drastically beefed up, I suspect the AT4 and Trail Boss Rancho's are the same

as what we K2 owners have now or have had on our trucks.

You can tell by this video the way the AT4 is handling.

For a 64k plus truck this is disappointing.

 

Maybe they changed some with the rebound and dampening. I'm at 37500 miles he has about 3000 and mine never felt as good as his. mine have always,and still are very stiff and ridged. Maybe they softened them up because so many people complained on here?

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