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Upgrades for a smoother ride?

osscie3

By osscie3
in Modifications & Accessories

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osscie3 Enthusiast

osscie3

Posted
Posted

Hey all, 

 

Recently joined to Chevy club a couple of weeks ago so go easy on me! I come from Jeep and Toyota land. I'm looking into some potential upgrades to help make a smoother ride. I know I bought a truck haha but it's also my family's travel vehicle. We have an 11 month old that we try to let sleep when we travel at night so that's more what I'm thinking about, just to give you some context. I've tried to do as much research as I can before I started another post about it. Trying to figure out if it's worth changing wheel size or replacing stock shocks and springs with better aftermarket. Or if there are other options, I'm all ears.

 

I'll give you my stats -

-2015 Silverado High Country 5.3

-20 inch wheels

-Tires are BFG K02's

-Everything is stock

-Minimal towing

-Minimal off-road

-Don't want to lift it any

 

What are some good options for me? Also, I'm happy to answer any additional questions to help formulate the best suggestions. Thanks guys.

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TXGREEK Senior Enthusiast

TXGREEK

Posted
Posted
Hey all, 
 
Recently joined to Chevy club a couple of weeks ago so go easy on me! I come from Jeep and Toyota land. I'm looking into some potential upgrades to help make a smoother ride. I know I bought a truck haha but it's also my family's travel vehicle. We have an 11 month old that we try to let sleep when we travel at night so that's more what I'm thinking about, just to give you some context. I've tried to do as much research as I can before I started another post about it. Trying to figure out if it's worth changing wheel size or replacing stock shocks and springs with better aftermarket. Or if there are other options, I'm all ears.
 
I'll give you my stats -
-2015 Silverado High Country 5.3
-20 inch wheels
-Tires are BFG K02's
-Everything is stock
-Minimal towing
-Minimal off-road
-Don't want to lift it any
 
What are some good options for me? Also, I'm happy to answer any additional questions to help formulate the best suggestions. Thanks guys.

Hello and welcome and congratulations. Being that you’re stock, get rid of the KO2’s and put on some lighter P rated tires. You’re pretty much stuck with your 20’s unless you go 18’s as well. Truth is, stock suspension is the best riding as everyone compares their mods to stock. Go P rated tires and if your shocks are original then you’ll want to switch them out to Bilstein 4600’s. 5100’s are for leveled or lifted suspensions, leave it at that cause take it from someone with three growing kids, you’ll run out of space in your throw up buckets! Leave it stock
newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted

Those KO2 tires are probably a D load or E load tire.  That alone will stiffen the ride up.  You can try and play with tire pressures a bit, but a P load tire as TXGREEK suggested might be a good place to start.

osscie3 Enthusiast

osscie3

Posted
  • Author
Posted
4 minutes ago, TXGREEK said:


Hello and welcome and congratulations. Being that you’re stock, get rid of the KO2’s and put on some lighter P rated tires. You’re pretty much stuck with your 20’s unless you go 18’s as well. Truth is, stock suspension is the best riding as everyone compares their mods to stock. Go P rated tires and if your shocks are original then you’ll want to switch them out to Bilstein 4600’s. 5100’s are for leveled or lifted suspensions, leave it at that cause take it from someone with three growing kids, you’ll run out of space in your throw up buckets! Leave it stock

Haha I was afraid someone was going to suggest replacing the K02's! I love how they look. I guess I need to think about how much I love them vs. getting a smoother ride. Good to know. Pretty sure I have original shocks so I'll definitely entertain the Bilstein's.  Thanks for your input!

TXGREEK Senior Enthusiast

TXGREEK

Posted
Posted

2f56b4ba9ca81f76213c8a3ee6b79c37.jpg

 

This was mine stock with BFG KO2’s on it, instant harsher ride just by switching stock P rated tires to D or E rated.

 

1f69c2ab4c00570f1a68443661c8890b.jpg

 

This is leveled, switching out new custom wheels and tires.

 

44996c865c7395556b9b528c782c8fcd.jpg

 

Finished level, wheels, tires that ride harsh compared to the top of the line lift, 4.5” CST

 

5c6789a9f48aff373eb0f7eb9edc4238.jpg

 

This is now, many many thousands later, rides slightly harsher than stock but a ton better than leveled. Good luck, God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving [emoji884]

 

 

osscie3 Enthusiast

osscie3

Posted
  • Author
Posted
5 minutes ago, newdude said:

Those KO2 tires are probably a D load or E load tire.  That alone will stiffen the ride up.  You can try and play with tire pressures a bit, but a P load tire as TXGREEK suggested might be a good place to start.

Roger that. Ok quick question. After some searching on the interwebs, I'm not able to find any P rated tires for that size (20 inch wheel). Is there another rating I should look at?

TXGREEK Senior Enthusiast

TXGREEK

Posted
Posted
Haha I was afraid someone was going to suggest replacing the K02's! I love how they look. I guess I need to think about how much I love them vs. getting a smoother ride. Good to know. Pretty sure I have original shocks so I'll definitely entertain the Bilstein's.  Thanks for your input!


Been in your same shoes, years ago, bought my wife a Range Rover and had custom work done to it with added original KO’s. Even did it to a couple her Yukon’s (I’m addicted) AND It was a nightmare! Flew everywhere with the babies or else non stop throw up, yuck....it’s still embedded in my mind so many years later ha.
TXGREEK Senior Enthusiast

TXGREEK

Posted
Posted
Roger that. Ok quick question. After some searching on the interwebs, I'm not able to find any P rated tires for that size (20 inch wheel). Is there another rating I should look at?

c1ab6d7ce5564a72de0cd478cb38125e.jpg
TXGREEK Senior Enthusiast

TXGREEK

Posted
Posted

If you’re looking for a bit tough looking with a smoother ride than KO2’s try a slight taller wall look at these7455e8c1a2be147d3957af61d1b117a6.jpg

osscie3 Enthusiast

osscie3

Posted
  • Author
Posted
2 minutes ago, TXGREEK said:

If you’re looking for a bit tough looking with a smoother ride than KO2’s try a slight taller wall look at these7455e8c1a2be147d3957af61d1b117a6.jpg

Ahh thanks. Learning all kinds of things today. 

TXGREEK Senior Enthusiast

TXGREEK

Posted
Posted
Ahh thanks. Learning all kinds of things today. 


I’m all about quality, you can not get any better or safer when it comes to your families safety/future. Besides, you’ll get at least a couple years out of either one of them and then when your baby gets a bit older (unless you do what I did start a baby factory) you can start doing mods.
pronstar Enthusiast

pronstar

Posted
Posted

What tire pressure are you currently running?

And what’s your budget.

 

A Cadillac ride that’s much better than stock is possible, but it ain’t cheap.

 

For a reasonable budget, going to 17s or 18’s, with P-Rated all season tires, will net the best return for your money IMHO.

 

Also make sure your factory shocks are ok. I would guess that they’re getting tired.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted
31 minutes ago, osscie3 said:

Roger that. Ok quick question. After some searching on the interwebs, I'm not able to find any P rated tires for that size (20 inch wheel). Is there another rating I should look at?

 

275/55/20 is the stock tire size.  Lots of P load in that size. 

michigan2500hd Senior Enthusiast

michigan2500hd

Posted
Posted

Ditch the 20" wheels. Go for 17 or 18"  stock wheels and stock size tire that's rated the same as it left the factory. I've found the Goodyear SR-A's to ride the best and if you don't off-road then they're not as bad as you hear about. I wouldn't do Bilsteins as they will definitely firm up the ride and you're going to feel every seam and tiny imperfection in the road. Stick with the black factory shocks. 

 

dcarl Enthusiast

dcarl

Posted
Posted

I’ll add to what some have already said but provide my experience. I have the Bilstein 5100’s at the stock setting with a Zone 2” Level Kit. The Bilsteins ride much better than the Rancho’s that came on my Z71. 

 

When I went from a P metric tire (P275/60R20) to a LT285/60R20, the ride is noticeably harsher.  Nitto Grappler G2 is also available in a P metric size for certain sizes.  

 

I’m debating about going with a CST lift and 35” tires, or taking out the Zone Level kit and raise the 5100 up to max lift and then going with Nitto Grappler G2 305/55R20 XLS which is a P rated tire. 

 

Rim diameter and tire weight play a significant factor in ride quality.

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