If it ain't broke...

lrymal · January 24, 2005

This '05 Crew Cab, being five weeks old, has so far been a "near-perfect" vehicle with no warranty take-backs or complaints from me. Indeed, of all the trucks I have had, this one has been the most pleasing.

So, here we go. It has on it two items which I have always removed / replaced from the git-go on a new truck: the OEM tires and the OEM shocks.

I want to install the Dueler Revos

I want to remove the factory shocks and replace them with blah blah.

Why? Because I always have before. "Usually", the factory tires ride crummy, corner dangerously, and hydroplane. The factory shocks "usually" pogo yo-yo and don't do well on jiggly expansion joints. No so with this truck. And finally, the OEM tire / shock combo usually is lousy on muddy pasture roads and hard bumps. But again, not so with this '05. Replacing the tires and shocks has always been a no brainer but not so now.

Well, this truck... No jiggy nibbly bounces on the expansion joints. Acceptable hydroplaning issues, even on really bad puddles. The tires are Bridgestone 693 II tires--that is a " II "". I don't know anything about these other than the reviews actually seem a bit positive at TireRack.

Anyway, if it ain't broke don't fix it, right? I dunno. Have the Tenneco shocks been replaced with something better by the factory? Are these 693 II tires actually somewhat decent???? Sorta bewildering in a way. If this truck continues riding and performing as it is now, though, I think I'm leaving things along.

I don't even know why I'm typing all of this but so far, I've very pleased.

71GMC_3/4T · January 25, 2005

Heck, I'd leave it alone.

The P.O. of mine put Michelin LTX tires on it when it was almost new. He said the firestoners rode like crap.

However, my truck pogos on certain bumps. I can't decide if it's the tires or shocks, but something is boingy-boingy. What air pressure(s) are you running? I'm running 45 on all 4 on a 2500HD, which might be part of my problem.

lrymal · January 25, 2005

Heck, I'd leave it alone.
The P.O. of mine put Michelin LTX tires on it when it was almost new. He said the firestoners rode like crap.

However, my truck pogos on certain bumps. I can't decide if it's the tires or shocks, but something is boingy-boingy. What air pressure(s) are you running? I'm running 45 on all 4 on a 2500HD, which might be part of my problem.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I'm probably going to just leave it alone. Heck, several thousand miles down the road when the tires and shocks need replacement, I'll at least know what brand to use for tire replacement. I mean, no doubt about it: Dueler Revo Bridgestones. Shocks are another story but I'll fool around with that issue in about 36k. ;>

Tire pressue. I'm using EXACTLY what the door post sez, 35 pounds. This is a half ton so my pressure would be less than what your 3/4 has on it. I think with this being a crew cab with a shorter bed has a lot to do with the improved ride. On your HD, I'd bet if you were willing to get Velvet Ride Shackles, your ride would improve considerably. I used those on my '03 and the ride improvement was simply remarkable.

99silveradoz71 · January 25, 2005

About 40k on my Revos and Bilstein HD's. Great ride combo, well recommended.

black&grayHD · January 25, 2005

You got a new truck?

Supurban · January 25, 2005

Leave them in and run them out. Save your money for other things you want buy for or do things with your truck. Later on when stuff needs to be replaced, you can try different tires/shocks. You might as well enjoy your rig the way it is if it already feels right (looks like a great truck! ).

lrymal · January 25, 2005

You got a new truck?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh The .sig looks like the '03, doesn't it? Except this one is a crew cab and it has REAL honest-to-the-good-Lord BRAKES---that WORK! Imagine that, brakes that realy work!

You might as well enjoy your rig the way it is if it already feels right (looks like a great truck! ).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh yes, that is exactly what I'm going to do. I think what really convinced me was the lack of hydroplaning during the recent rains. That surprised me became my '03 had some terrible issues with that until I replaced the POS tires with Dueler Revos. I also immediately replaced the rear shackles with Velvet Ride Shackles to stop the jiggly ride. But this '05 truck doesn't have the jiggly ride. Something that surprised me.

Thanks for the input...

az'03Silverado · January 25, 2005

That's the only drawback of a new truck. Nothing needs to be fixed. At about 12,000 miles I was just itching to 'fix' something so I got a set of Monroe Reflex shocks and stuck them on. Very nice. I also put on my K&N FIPK II and B&M supercooler. I'll probably leave it alone for a while.

lrymal · January 25, 2005

That's the only drawback of a new truck. Nothing needs to be fixed. ...... I'll probably leave it alone for a while.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, that is a VERY good point. However on my '03, I was so happy with it and then began noticing things, made BEST FRIENDS with this web site's SEARCH ENGINE and the wallet drain began.

On this truck, nearly everything I PAID to do on the '03 was already done by the factory on my '05, i.e.: better ride, BETTER brakes, better economy, ELECTRIC COOLANT FANS--drool!

Man, what they did to these brakes.... As soon as I rotate my tires, I'm going to take an image and web-mount it of my '03's front factory rotors, and this '05's. The difference will be amazing.

lisak421 · January 27, 2005

Irymal nice looking ride I think you are just so excited about this truck you just had to tell everybody Rightfully so. I'm with ya on "just enjoy it for now" and do your changes down the road. Maybe GM is starting to listen to their customers. How do you like your XM Satellite radio?

lrymal · January 27, 2005

Irymal nice looking ride I think you are just so excited about this truck you just had to tell everybody Rightfully so. I'm with ya on "just enjoy it for now" and do your changes down the road. Maybe GM is starting to listen to their customers. How do you like your XM Satellite radio?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Heh, excitement doesn't begin to describe things, and I have had several vehicles in past years.

XM satellite.... I have had it since about month #1 of its inception. Here in Huntsville, Texas, all we have is static - static - static on the FM bands. 70 miles from Houston and too far from Dallas. So, there's nothing here. The local Huntsville area stations are either Hispanic or country western. I'm neither. So, for me, the FM station choice was near zero.

XM came on-line and WOW! Hawg heaven. Music, sports, news. Old classic radio. I love it.

Regarding the GM XM receiver. Primitive. Only an 8 character-wide display. Ah well, that's ok. I don't drive with my eyes glued to the radio's display. Ironically, I have a gorgeous Pioneer 7600 that I could install, but doubt if I will. For some reason, I'm weary of all the aftermarket bling! bling!

TJake · January 27, 2005

I would leave em on there if the ride is that nice and everything else is perfect. I swapped out the front shocks on my 03 for some Monroe Sensatracs and I like the ride much better, but then again I think mine were shot. I have the Bridgesone Dueler 693 II's as well and with 23,000 miles on them I can say from my experience that I like them a lot and they are wearing like champions. Will replace with Revo's when wore out though.

I know what you mean by nice on the 2005's. Had to take my truck in for steering shaft replacement last Friday and my salesman saw fit to get a red leather Z71 crew out to let me go drive around a bit. That XM radio thing is pretty neat. Never thought I would say that. Nice driving and roomy truck but I like the one below so much I'll have to keep her awhile.

TJake

lrymal · January 28, 2005

I would leave em on there if the ride is that nice and everything else is perfect. ....
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your letter made me smile. Good message and thanks for the comments on the 693s. I think these tires are very underrated.

Your truck is a sweet looking machine. Good job.

Matt99Z71 · January 28, 2005

Whats the difference in the 05 Brakes? They that much better?

lrymal · January 28, 2005

Whats the difference in the 05 Brakes? They that much better?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh yes. Total redesign, bigger rotors in the front designed by Bosch, and likewise a Bosch beefy drum system in the back. This is for the 1/2 ton only. HDs and up are still on the 4-disk system.

Only a light and controlled press on the brake pedal will bring the truck to a stop. No more pedal burying itself to the floor and mushy feelings. Skeptical? Read this URL:

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_gm_pickups_brake/index.htm