New owner: help me buy stuff

[Ron_Swanson]

Hey guys. Picked up a used 2016 Sierra 1500 crew cab with Z71 suspension. Want to get some stuff for it and not sure where to start. 

 

Forst i I need some side steps. What do y’all recommend? 

 

Then I want to put on a leveling kit/mild lift to for 33s. The stock Rancho shocks are pretty rough. Was thinking about this kit but then it just jacks the rear up even more so thoughts?

 

https://www.americantrucks.com/excel-suspension-025-front-1-rear-suspension-system-w-bilstein-shocks-0718-gmc.html

 

Pic of truck. 

 

 

 

[2018GMC]

Bilstein 5100 shocks front and rear. You can lift front up to 2.25" with bilstein. I did 1.75" and left rear alone, just replaced shocks. Rides a lot better, no more floaty boaty feel on bumps. Expansion joints are more noticeable and the 5100's ride stiffer than OEM but ride is much more controlled.

 

If you were near me, I would sell you my premium plus 6" chromed oval running boards as I don't really need them with a slight level,  my wife and 8 year old would disagree. 

 

I recommend cutting out stock muffler and flapper and installing flowmaster or magnaflow muffler. I had shop weld in the 14909 and now I can hear cold starts and truck sounds like a V8 above 2.5k rpm.

 

Denali cluster mod is nice but expensive at $200 - $350 for cluster and $300 programming.

 

Lots with Cold Air Intake but they are mostly cosmetic and increase intake noise. Several brands publish small hp and tq gains, there are plenty of threads with who likes what.

[2018GMC]

You can get all 4 Bilstein for $330 - $380 shipped. Rears are easy install, Fronts require a Saturday and a spring compressor. 

[Ron_Swanson]

I looked in to the 5100s a bit. I see that you can jack the front up but it pre-compresses the shock so you lose travel and gain harshness in the process. 

 

And they say the rear shocks are non-adjustable but raise the back up to an 1”.  So to compensate for that and then add more to the front to level it a bit I’m not sure I’d want to do that. Can I put leveling blocks in the front combined with the 5100s?

[TXGREEK]

If you’re going to keep this truck for a long time then I’d go with CST or KING Coil Over Shocks, either one offers 2-3” height adjustability but “WILL” require new UCA’s. Overall ride quality in Coil Overs is superior to Bilsteins or any other standard shock.

You’ve got a 16 with stamped steel uca’s which will cause rubbing with anything bigger than stock. Keeping your front suspension stock will allow one size up going to 275/60/20’s with no rubbing. If you choose this route you’ll still be able to go with Bilstein 4600’s (yellow in color) which are identical to 5100’s struts without raising front and not having aluminum look.

CST & KING Coil Over, You dial them at the height you want and even swap out of your stock coils and struts along with new UCA’s will 100% give you a far superior riding suspension capable of doing much more articulation.


Sent from above

[Likarok]

Welcome to the website Ron!

 

Very dangerous letting these guys spend your cash! hahahah

 

Great looking Truck!

[Ron_Swanson]

^^^ Lol. 

 

Thanks guys. Very helpful. 

[emeryz28]

Amp Power steps!

[Jimmyc!]

I got my nerf bars line-x'd. Love 'em!