Load Adjuster Rear Shocks On 1500 Z71

hoorders · May 6, 2007

Does anyone have, or have you tried those load adjuster shocks on your 1500 4x4?..............I need to replace my shocks and I might be able to get a decent deal on a pair of gabriel load adjusters...............they have the coil spring right on the shock.

What im wondering is if the ride is going to be really harsh with these or if they act like regular shocks but give extra suppport when loaded?...........right now my rear end kicks out all over the place over bumps on the highway.

Thanks..................

Drunken Sailor · May 6, 2007

I put a set of these on my dad's S10 along with 3 extra leafs on each side (he caries way too much weight for that thing, but doesn't want to buy a "big truck") and they've been great. The shock inside is very stiff because now it needs to control the stock springs plus the coil spring too. No bounce at all, even with 7 leafs on each side. The ride is no different when you're unloaded because the spring is hardly compressed and the shock itself is very good. When you load it up, things get a little bumpier. Good product, IMO.

C & A s Dad · May 7, 2007

Ron, one more option you have is to buy a good set of KYB Mono Max or Bilstiens and add a set of AirLift Air bags. I have a set on my Yukon XL and this may have been the best money I have ever spent on an accessory. I run them at 10 PSI when not towing and 25 PSI when my camper is hooked up. They added a lot of stability to my truck when I was towing.

I am adjusting my manually but you can even add a compressor and controller so you can control the pres from the cab.

AirLift is a quality product and well respected in the RV community.

Just a thought.

hoorders · May 7, 2007

Ron, one more option you have is to buy a good set of KYB Mono Max or Bilstiens and add a set of AirLift Air bags. I have a set on my Yukon XL and this may have been the best money I have ever spent on an accessory. I run them at 10 PSI when not towing and 25 PSI when my camper is hooked up. They added a lot of stability to my truck when I was towing.

I am adjusting my manually but you can even add a compressor and controller so you can control the pres from the cab.

AirLift is a quality product and well respected in the RV community.

Just a thought.

That sounds like a pretty good set up but I bet its far more $$$$ than just a set of shocks.

jjrobo · May 9, 2007

I think the air bags are the way to go. I've used them on several work trucks until they bought me a Dmax. I will be putting them on my personal 1500 4x4 soon. It doesn't take much to pump them up, so I carry a small 12v compressor under the seat. The bags will last a long time, so you will most likely be able to put them on the next truck down the road with new brackets.

C & A s Dad · May 10, 2007

Ron, I paid about $75.00 for my airbags but they did not require any brackets because they are installed inside my coil springs.

We sold load leveler shocks for years and for the most part had good luck with them. On occasion you would see one come apart or break a mounting loop due to the increased presure of the spring. The ones that came apart were likely abused.

One great thing about the airbags is the abilty you have to adjust the ride and hauling capacity at any time by simply changing the air pres.

DayUSeX · May 10, 2007

these sound inetersting, do they work for the 2wd model

also how hard is it to add a leaf?

C & A s Dad · May 10, 2007

The airbags can be used on a 2wd with no problem. I have never added a leaf to anything but there are specialty shops out there that focus no nothing but suspension upgrades such as this.