New Shocks for my Z71

marko · June 10, 2006

Okay, so I'm a little tired of my new-ish 05 z71 ext cab riding like a boat. It wafts around on the highway, and there is some rear end chop also, especially around bumpy curves.

I had a 93 K1500 and put Monroe Gasmatics on it and the ride was great. The truck was dead stable at 100mph. But the ride wasn't all that refined, it was harsh on the logging roads.

Seems these stock "red" Z71 shocks are spongy in regular driving, and rubbery over the harsh stuff. There's just no refinement to them.

I have been considering the Edelbrock IAS shocks just because they seem to say all the right things in their ad, but I've never used them. I know nothing about Bilsteins, and I don't think I'm ready for Ranchos or Foxes because of the price.

I do highway driving and some off-highway along logging roads, with the occasional really bumpy road seriously off-road road to a campsite. I could take my K1500 along such roads at 60mph in 4 hi and second gear, and it was awesome.

Let me know what shocks you have that you are happy with, and why. Also, I have cranked up my torsion bars and added height to the back, so I'm concerned with getting a shock that handles the travel. I noticed Edelbrock makes a shock for a 6" lift but I am a little concerned about driving around all the time with the first couple of inches of travel compressed in those shocks.

I really appreciate your opinions. Please help me out in my decision.

Thanks!

Marko in Fernie, BC

Elwood 2000 · June 10, 2006

I put Bilsteins on a few thousand miles ago. Very precise ride, not spongy like the old red shocks. I really like the results. You feel more of the road it seems like and on a tar and chipped road that has a lot of minor imperfections, you do feel them, but it not a bad feeling, if you can follow what I am saying.

I really like them and would buy them again.

marko · June 10, 2006

I put Bilsteins on a few thousand miles ago. Very precise ride, not spongy like the old red shocks. I really like the results. You feel more of the road it seems like and on a tar and chipped road that has a lot of minor imperfections, you do feel them, but it not a bad feeling, if you can follow what I am saying.

I really like them and would buy them again.

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How are they on really rough potholed dirt roads? Nimble, or chunky? And on the highway, around a tight bend, are they really firm, or spongy like the stock red shocks?

Let me know what the model or part number is also.

Thanks!!!

Marko in Fernie, BC

Elwood 2000 · June 10, 2006

They are fine on potholed roads. They are a pretty nimble, but any shock will get a bit out of line on too many close potholes or washboards.

On curves, they are very precise. I really like them.

Mine are the stock ones for my truck. At the time I ordered, Bilstein was going from two different part numbers for half ton trucks and half ton Suburbans to one shock and one part number. These are the ones I have.

BE5-6500 HO and BE5-6082 HO. I talked with several sales reps from different companies and this is what they came up with for my truck. In the Bilstein web site, it now says my rears are for a 1500 HD truck. At any rate, I really like them, whichever truck they are really for.

rmreid · June 10, 2006

Monroe Reflex Shocks are my choice

2000 Z71 · June 10, 2006

Summit usually has Pro Comps on sale, ES9000 are very similar to Rancho RSXs. Towed a 5000lb trailer with them, much more control than factory shocks. Firm on the road and softer for better travel off road. They also allow more travel when front keys are adjusted (2-3 inches)...

http://www.explorerprocomp.com/shocks_es.php

C & A s Dad · June 10, 2006

I would strongly urge you to take a good look at KYB MonoMAX shocks. These are very high quality mono tube shocks meaning the Oil and Gas is contained in separate tubes in the shock. This keeps the shock more stable no matter what kind of beating it is taking. KYB does some other things that some others do not. They use solid one piece loop mounts and seemless tubing where others have welded seams. The chrome rod is triple chrome plated and is much smoother than many others leading to better sealing and seal life.

I do not work for KYB but the Auto Parts chain I work for sells them and they are very high quality.

I do not want to pick on any other brands, but some companies are wonderful at marketing their product but not so good at engineering and R & D.

robot225 · June 10, 2006

Just put a set of Monroe Reflex Monotubes on mine, I'm happy with them. Ride is much more stable, rear end chop is improved, & spongy-ness is gone. Haven't had it off road, but it handles dips/humps/holes on pavement much, much better.

rjirvine · June 10, 2006

I second (or third) the monroe reflexes. My truck feels how I think my truck should feel. Not TOO expensive either.

marko · June 12, 2006

Okay, I have another question for you.

Got this from the Tokico website:

Q. Which is better high-pressure monotube shocks or twin-tube low-pressure shocks?

A. The difference in pressure is a function of design and it is no measure of shock function per-se. Monotube units must run high pressure or they will not work properly. Generally speaking well designed twin-tube low-pressure shocks will give a better quality ride for a given level of control than a comparable monotube shock. However a low quality twin-tube unit should never be chosen over a quality monotube shock.

Well, that's confusing. Monotube shocks are about 20 bucks more a corner than twin-tube shocks, is all I know. Why the difference? I am thinking of going the Monroe Reflex, or the Bilstein HD, but I can't figure out if I go the Monroe route, whether I ought to get the Reflex Twintube (cheaper) or the Monotube (more money). I don't think it's a size/girth issue b/c the 2005 truck, unlike a Ford, has lotsa clearance for the shocks.

Any advice on the twin/mono issue?

Thanks guys,

nitro882 · June 13, 2006

Marko

Check this link out, i think it might answer your question about twin vs monotube.

page about shocks.....

robot225 · June 13, 2006

Marko
Check this link out, i think it might answer your question about twin vs monotube.

page about shocks.....

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good article

Shaners · June 13, 2006

I ran the Edelbrock shocks on a LD F250 I had in the late '90s. They had just come out with them, and I was very impressed over the stock F*rd shocks. The truck was totally different and very hard to describe. I had heard of some people have leakage with theirs back then (warranty) but I never had problems with mine.

I'll be shopping for shocks for my current truck pretty soon, because the stockers on the HD's are terrible.