Z-71 Factory Shocks

quackmaster · July 8, 2004

Are the red factory shocks on the new body style Bilsteins or some other brand? I wasn't aware that they made a red shock. If they aren't bilsteins, would ya'll replace with oem shocks or get the yellow bilstein's

ness5575 · July 8, 2004

i thought they were tennacos. i replaced with the bilsteins at about 75k. there was a definite improvement. but the tennacos were pretty worn out, so i may or may not have noticed the same difference had I replaced with new tennacos...

carguru · July 8, 2004

The stock red ones are Tennecos. They are a bit soft for my taste. GM has started to put these on the Z71 Tahoes. Needless to say, I'm probably going to swap them out on both of our trucks soon for Bilsteins or Ranchos.

AZ-Z71 · July 8, 2004

I may be wrong here so have at me if I am, but when I was looking for shocks I thought I saw that Tennaco were made by Rancho (or visa versa)???? I think it was stamped into the RSX's or I saw it on the Rancho site.

I ended up buying 4 Rancho RSX's to replace the red Tennacos. I ran the stock red ones to about 96,000 when I started to feel the back end jumping out around turns and when you hit the bridge expansion joints in the road. Other than that they seemed to be pretty solid.

I have run the RSX's for about 6,000 to 7,000 miles and they seemed to work fine both on and off road. I think I paid around $220 for them.

If anyone is interested in them I'm willing to let them go for $100, you pay shipping of your choice. I can't use them with my 6" suspension lift. They were on my 99 NBS, 1500 stock suspension. I think they will work on other year 1500's as well. I can check stock numbers if interested.

carguru · July 8, 2004

Tenneco Automotive owns Rancho and Monroe. The Rancho brand shocks are lightyears better than the stock Tennecos.

budhayes3 · July 10, 2004

I've heard good things about the Edelbrock IAS shocks, think I'm gonna go with them when the time comes...probably won't be until next summer though as I only have 38k on the truck now and I'm a little tapped since my recent purchases. Anybody else using these shocks?

therock · July 11, 2004

For 2005 Monroe will be the mfg of the larger diameter Z71 shocks.

I had 97k on a 92 Z71 and the bilstiens were still good to go.

I had the IAS units on a 97 Z71 and hated them. Buck Board Ride. No wonder they claimed less nose dive and body roll!

juicy · July 12, 2004

bilstein 5150's much <3 for them coust me about 250 for 2 shocks for the rear... but what a differnt ride

Tucson_02Silverado · July 12, 2004

Anyone try Monroe Reflex?

I've had Senstracs on the wagon, great shocks handling similar weight.

riverman · July 12, 2004

i just put the Monroe Reflex on my 97 Tahoe,not a bad shock,helps with the roll wen turning corners.

lrymal · July 12, 2004

Anyone try Monroe Reflex?

In my quest for the "perfect ride" and "hauling" machine, I bought some Reflexes when the truck had only 15,000 miles on it. I couldn't tell any difference...maybe a bit stiffer but not by much. Soooo, I took the Reflexes off and replaced with Rancho 9000s. Now, I'm happy.

These Ranchos have only about 2,000 miles on them. If anyone wants them, send PM to me. They would be stock-numbered for a 2003 Z71 extended cab.

quackmaster · July 12, 2004

Well I ended up going on ebay and buying some original z-71 shocks from some outfit that does lifts to chevy's. They pull off the factory shocks brand new and install a lift for the dealer. Shocks only have 5 miles or so on them and got all 4 for $50.00! I'll put them on friday.