Sierra 1500 Suspension Questions

[dleepenn]

My wife is complaining about the ride and we are both aware that its getting a bit rough. I was pressing down on the front bumper and got the front going up and down. When I stopped, it still went up and down for a short while. When new, the up/down motion would stop once I stopped. To me, this means that the shocks are close to toast. Its a Sierra 1500 with the RIDE CONTROL option with 72,000 miles on it. We use it to haul a small 5th wheel trailer.

 

I would like to install some very high quality shocks in hopes of improving the ride. It might be good to have the type that you can add air in order to get better handling when hauling the trailer.

 

Suggestions???

 

Thanks.

 

Lee

[MS3DALE]

Well personally since you have the "Ride Control" suspension I would put the same O.E. shocks on it,but you probably don't want to spend the money for them (I'd have to look them up tomorrow at work but I don't think there cheap)

So my next suggestion would be a set of Bilstein's,At around $50.00 each you can't go wrong,They are one of the best,if not the best,shocks you can buy.

And by the way,It definetly sounds like your O.E. shocks are toast!

Also,Welcome aboard

[dleepenn]

Well personally since you have the "Ride Control" suspension I would put the same O.E. shocks on it,but you probably don't want to spend the money for them (I'd have to look them up tomorrow at work but I don't think there cheap)

So my next suggestion would be a set of Bilstein's,At around $50.00 each you can't go wrong,They are one of the best,if not the best,shocks you can buy.

And by the way,It definetly sounds like your O.E. shocks are toast!

Also,Welcome aboard

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I was trying to find information about the Ride Control option. I suspect that it is tied into the shocks but don't know for sure. I tried to look up RIDE CONTROL and GMC and got nothing back from Google. Am wondering if this option is no longer offered. Would also indicate that I may not lose a lot if I choose another brand of shock absorber tho would bet that it will make the RIDE CONTROL feature non-functional if I do.

 

The other brand of shock that I saw was Rancho? Any information about that brand?

 

Thanks for the friendly welcome. Lee

[pwall]

Welcome to GM-Trucks.com!

 

MS3DALE: would the 'ride control' be only for the back shocks? I don't know at all...which is why I ask. ;)

[dleepenn]

Welcome to GM-Trucks.com!

 

MS3DALE: would the 'ride control' be only for the back shocks? I don't know at all...which is why I ask.  ;)

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I just got a quote from the GMC Dealer to replace the shocks!!!

 

It was a SHOCK too!!! $250/shock for a total of $1,239 installed!!!!!

 

I'd recommend folk NOT get the ride control option in the future. It is NOT worth the price.

 

I'll be looking further into Belstein Shocks.

[Frozen001]

Did you get the part numbers... you may be able to get the shocks from a supporting vendor cheaper (i.e. partszone or gm parts direct).... they are shocks how hard can they be to replace yourself...

[MS3DALE]

Welcome to GM-Trucks.com!

 

MS3DALE: would the 'ride control' be only for the back shocks? I don't know at all...which is why I ask.  ;)

 

 

 

 

 

No,Its tied into all four shocks.

[MS3DALE]

Well personally since you have the "Ride Control" suspension I would put the same O.E. shocks on it,but you probably don't want to spend the money for them (I'd have to look them up tomorrow at work but I don't think there cheap)

So my next suggestion would be a set of Bilstein's,At around $50.00 each you can't go wrong,They are one of the best,if not the best,shocks you can buy.

And by the way,It definetly sounds like your O.E. shocks are toast!

Also,Welcome aboard

 

 

 

 

 

I was trying to find information about the Ride Control option. I suspect that it is tied into the shocks but don't know for sure. I tried to look up RIDE CONTROL and GMC and got nothing back from Google. Am wondering if this option is no longer offered. Would also indicate that I may not lose a lot if I choose another brand of shock absorber tho would bet that it will make the RIDE CONTROL feature non-functional if I do.

 

The other brand of shock that I saw was Rancho? Any information about that brand?

 

Thanks for the friendly welcome. Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

The "Ride Control" option is tied into the shocks,If you look you will see a wiring harness going into the top of each shock.

This option is still available,and has been since these style trucks came out in '99.

It was a required option on the "Quadrasteer" trucks,And its now standard on the '06 "VortecMax" equipped trucks.

 

Rancho shocks also have a good reputation,but I'd still go with the Bilstein's.

I think the Rancho's will ride a little rougher but I've never owned any Rancho's to compare them to anything else.

Maybe someone else can chime in.

[diverlloyd]

Well personally since you have the "Ride Control" suspension I would put the same O.E. shocks on it,but you probably don't want to spend the money for them (I'd have to look them up tomorrow at work but I don't think there cheap)

So my next suggestion would be a set of Bilstein's,At around $50.00 each you can't go wrong,They are one of the best,if not the best,shocks you can buy.

And by the way,It definetly sounds like your O.E. shocks are toast!

Also,Welcome aboard

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I was trying to find information about the Ride Control option. I suspect that it is tied into the shocks but don't know for sure. I tried to look up RIDE CONTROL and GMC and got nothing back from Google. Am wondering if this option is no longer offered. Would also indicate that I may not lose a lot if I choose another brand of shock absorber tho would bet that it will make the RIDE CONTROL feature non-functional if I do.

 

The other brand of shock that I saw was Rancho? Any information about that brand?

 

Thanks for the friendly welcome. Lee

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

The "Ride Control" option is tied into the shocks,If you look you will see a wiring harness going into the top of each shock.

This option is still available,and has been since these style trucks came out in '99.

It was a required option on the "Quadrasteer" trucks,And its now standard on the '06 "VortecMax" equipped trucks.

 

Rancho shocks also have a good reputation,but I'd still go with the Bilstein's.

I think the Rancho's will ride a little rougher but I've never owned any Rancho's to compare them to anything else.

Maybe someone else can chime in.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Rancho, Monroe and Tenneco are from the same company and perform the same. Tenneco shocks were stock on both of my Z71s and they are a little rougher than comparable Bilsteins.