Silverado 1500 bumpy ride

Method2Madness · February 3, 2023

8 minutes ago, luke1333 said:

5100s here and Michelin LTX for summer wheels and the ride is like butter. 10x better then ranchos and the truck is actually stable over RR tracks or washboard areas. Sounds like your tires and inflation is off.

I am curious what the MultiMatic DSSV ride like though, heard nothing but good things about them

Same tire/same pressures before an after. Deductive logic would indicate the shocks and their digressive damping would be the culprit.

Again. 5100s are NOT the shock to choose if you want a more comfortable ride. They are more stable, and less "floaty", yes. But not more comfortable.

That being said, it's a truck. It's not going to ride like an S-class regardless of shock choice.

luke1333 · February 4, 2023

17 hours ago, Method2Madness said:

Same tire/same pressures before an after. Deductive logic would indicate the shocks and their digressive damping would be the culprit.

Again. 5100s are NOT the shock to choose if you want a more comfortable ride. They are more stable, and less "floaty", yes. But not more comfortable.

That being said, it's a truck. It's not going to ride like an S-class regardless of shock choice.

I personally thought the truck road like a brick with tire pressures at manufacture recommended pressures no matter the shock combo. Very true if you want comfy ride you go get a yukon with air ride. Those just float on a cloud down the road!

dgstarr63 · February 5, 2023

It is unfortunate that you purchased a truck with 20 inch wheels. Big wheels and short sidewalls give a hard ride. 20 inch wheels belong on sports cars. My Z71 with 18 inch wheels rides very well.

Stiffler · February 9, 2023

I have the 5100s on my rst with the 20 inch wheels and to me the ride is stiffer. I feel more road imperfections than with the ranchos but i think the handling is more stable imo. when i would go down the backroad I live on with the rachos it felt like the backend was getting a little loose. I dont have that with 5100s

fondupot · February 9, 2023

I've been contemplating upgrading the shocks on my 2022 custom. I notice my rear end gets really squirrelly sometimes at highway speeds when i go over bumps. I was thinking Bilstein 5100's

MrLeadFoot · April 2, 2023

On 2/2/2023 at 1:03 PM, Jus Cruisin said:

I've had a 2019 Ram Limited 4X4 then a 2021 F150 Platinum 4X4 and now a 2023 Denali Ultimate 4X4. The Ram had the best ride with the air suspension. The F150 had the worst (I think the light weight contributed). And the Denali is pretty close to the Ram. I have magnetic ride and it rides really smoothly even with the 22's.

Unless I missing something, I'pretty sure that, like my Denali, your shocks' valves are electronically controlled, but your do not have magnetic ride control, which used to involve electrically charged shock fluid.

Edited April 2, 2023 by MrLeadFoot

Mike Duhaime · April 3, 2023

What kind of tires? Big wheels, less tire sidewall equals rough ride. My son's performance 18' wheels/tires are rough as hell...and noisy. When his 16' wheels are put on fro winter...smooth as hell. The brand makes a difference too. Before spending on shocks, it would be nice swap wheels and tires with another truck. The dealer should be able to do this as you're new truck is not right. As a lifelong mechanic, I was always amazed how certain brands of tires changed a vehicle ride completely.

dgstarr63 · April 4, 2023

Don't expect Bilstein shocks to improve your ride quality as they are very firm. The 20 inch tires are the issue. Replace them with the Z71 18 inch wheels and Michelin Defender tires.

Mike Duhaime · April 5, 2023

On 4/4/2023 at 12:35 PM, dgstarr63 said:

Don't expect Bilstein shocks to improve your ride quality as they are very firm. The 20 inch tires are the issue. Replace them with the Z71 18 inch wheels and Michelin Defender tires.

Exactly!

SergeM · April 21, 2023

On my 2014 LTZ Z71, I replaced the ranch’s with bilsteins and riding is stiffer but after years of riding on them, I am thinking of replacing it all with some fox shocks. I am wondering if anyone has any comments on this? Cheaper option is to use the fox 2.0 shocks or spend way more and get the fox 2,5 adjustable shocks. My repair shop is getting told that these shock’s don’t work as well in colder climates. I do ride on 20 but I think going with e expensive way is still cheaper than a new vehicle. The adjustments will allow me to change the ride and tons of new vehicle use the same shocks like fox and even the zr2 Colorado and Silverado so they must work in all climates.

SilverMak · April 21, 2023

I put the fox 2.0 on my 2020 Z71 and raised the front 2 inches and the back 1 1/2 with blocks. The floating feeling is gone and the truck is smoother on rough roads than it was with the ranchos. I have 20 inch wheels so the ride is still a little rough but much better than before. My friends that have full size trucks all comment on how much better mine rides than their truck. The highway multiple bouncy thing and actually rocking when sitting still and other cars went by was unbearable.

Edited April 21, 2023 by SilverMak

repairman54 · April 24, 2023

20's on my old '11 Tahoe w/electronic shocks, not magna, and it rode good with the factory 20's. Not AT or LT tires though and that's the difference.

20's on my LTZ Z71 but those stock tires are not LT's or beefy AT tires so it rides good for a light in the rear pickup.

20's on my Traverse High Country and it rides great.

There is more to it other than just the 20's. Sidewall height and flex are the big part of it also.

Edited April 24, 2023 by repairman54
none

Perk B · June 29, 2024

Any suggestions for a better suspension ride. I guess struts and shocks on a 2019 chevy silverado custom. Leveled. No lift kit but 33x12.5x20 tires

Offset -13

lennybg · July 10, 2024

On 1/30/2023 at 7:10 AM, newdude said:

Put 200lbs in the bed. Its a truck. Empty ride is never as soft as a ride with a load.

Soft my ass My truck rear bounces like a hoopty when pulling my boat. Its not even that heavy-3K lbs.

asilverblazer · July 10, 2024

On 1/30/2023 at 2:03 PM, asilverblazer said:

The Bilstein shock absorbers are valved slightly more aggressively than factory to more aggressively dampen suspension motions.

This can do two things. An impact from a bump might feel more severe initially because a more aggressive shock absorber won't allow the suspension to compress as much or as quickly. This impact will get transferred to the passenger compartment - you.

Second, there will be less bounces from the same impact. While the initial impact might seem more severe, there will be fewer subsequent bounces, because the shock absorber already limited or slowed the motion.

These two conditions make describing the effects of the shocks confusing. The ride may seem rougher from the impact but also less bouncy at the same time or smoother... Each individual will have different preferences to these two sensations.