Rear Shocks Recommendations For 2003 Z-71 Tahoe

[ChadJ55]

I have an '03 Tahoe Z-71 and am considering new rear shocks. I looked at GMPartsDirect.com and found the OEM shocks for around $300 EACH shipped. I was surprised to see that the price of the shocks if the truck has 3rd row seating was over twice as expensive than those without. My truck does have the rear seat, though I don't use it alot. I do, however, tow a 25' boat frequently. Can someone give me a good recommendation for rear shocks?

 

A little more to add to this... I am not looking for a super stiff, rough ride. I like how the truck rides now, but assume I need something somewhat strong for the towing, etc. (The ones I have now are squeaking and driving me nuts.) Also, how difficult is it to replace the rears on my own? Should I have a shop do it for me? I'm relatively mechanically inclined and do most work on my truck myself, but never suspension components.

 

Thank you,

 

-Chad

[ChadJ55]

Giving this one bump in hopes for a response, then I'll let it go. I did search the archives but didn't find much specific to the Z-71 with 3rd row seating.

 

TIA

[bossier62guy]

Giving this one bump in hopes for a response, then I'll let it go. I did search the archives but didn't find much specific to the Z-71 with 3rd row seating.

 

TIA

 

I'd definitely go aftermarket. I prefer the urethane bushings over rubber bushings as well. Changing them out shouldn't be a problem either if you have any mechanical knowledge at all.

[ChadJ55]

I figured it couldn't be all that difficult. But the guy at Tire Kingdom told me I'd need some crazy tool to compress the shock enough to get it back in. He also said if I'm not careful taking it off, it could go flying. Is it still true that I'd need an alighment after changing them?

[C & A s Dad]

Chad, I can help you but I need to know if your truck is equipped with the Premium Ride Suspension with Self Leveling Shocks. This is not the Auto Ride option which I assume you do not have. The Prem Ride Susp with Auto Leveling shocks has some rear shocks that look like logs under there. They are huge shocks and are very high pressure.

 

If this is what you have, you really need to go back with them. KYB is now offering this replacement shock but I have to tell you, they are made by the same mfg as the OE. Because there is only one part # and it fits only GM SUVs KYB elected to buy this shock out and not produce it. However, you can likely save some money by buying the KYB unit over the OE.

 

If you do not have the Prem Ride Susp with Auto Level, I would highly recommend KYB's Mono Max. It is a really great mono tube shock that is excellent for towing.

 

I am not sure where you are located, but we (CARQUEST) sell KYB and I will be happy to get you some part #s if you let me know which susp. you have.

[ChadJ55]

I'm 99.9% sure I've got the basic suspension set up. I don't have the autoride option to my knowledge, nor did I see anything abnormal looking at the rear suspension. Just the basic red shocks and coil springs further in. The rears are about the same diameter as the front shocks. More like branches than logs. I'm located in South Florida. If you have some part numbers, that would be helpful!

[Bish]

Bilstein HD. I DID have the huge auto-leveling shocks. So long as you replace the springs, you will be fine. I switched them without the springs and lost about 2" of ride height in back and it was worse when towing. I went with the springs ($50ea) and it resolved everything. Drove that way for 150K on two sets of Bilsteins. Slightly stiffer ride, much better handling. If you have the standard red shocks, you could really go with any brand you like.

[omegafiler]

Yep, gotta go with Bilstein. No point in spending all that $$$ for OEM when there are plenty of better aftermarket solutions.

[C & A s Dad]

Chad, I will get you our part # tomorrow on the KYB Mono Max. I will not take anything away from the Bilstiens but I beleve the Mono Max is just as good and possibly a better engineered shock. If you have the reg shocks on the back the Mono Max will be a direct replacement. I have them on the front of my Yuk XL and love them. Much better control than the OE.

 

I will get the part #s tomorrow for you if you want to look into them.

[C & A s Dad]

Chad, I had a chance to look at the KYB part #s and options for you Tahoe.

 

Part # 1944248 is the OE Performance Series and will look and ride as close to the OE shock as you can get. It is a Mono Tube shock which is what you want. The high pres gas and the oil is separated into their own areas and cannot mix no matter how much they are compressed and extended.

 

Part # 1924384 is the a more economical version of the above. It is a twin tube shock and not what I would recommend unsless your finances will not allow for the other 2 options.

 

Part # 1855103 is the OE Performance Plus Series better know as the Mono Max. This is a much more aggressive shock used for towing and off road. On a pick up, it will stiffen the ride but our experience is it will actrually offer a better ride than the OE Perf series due to the extra weight in the rear of a Tahoe or Suburban. This is a mono tube shock as well.

 

The first and last options are expensive and will be very close in price to each other. The #2 option will be much less if you need to look at them.

 

A couple of real quality points on KYB. This can likely be said for Bilstiens as well but I am not that familiar with thier mfg process.

 

KYB uses a triple chrome plated shaft that does not even compare with brands such as Gabriel or Monroe. This smoothness of this surface contributes to much longer seal wear and less gas leakage over time.

 

They also use drawn steel tubes with no seams at all. Other brands use a welded tube with the weld area smoothed out. Again, with no seam in the tube you get better seal wear and sealing.

 

KYB also uses solid mounts with no welds. The loops are a one piece design where others are a flat piece of steel that has been made into a loop and then welded. This was one of our biggest area of comebacks with our previous brand.

 

Again, Bilstiens have got to be a great product and likely equal to KYB because there are many guys on the forum that have them and love them.

 

BTW, We use an exclussive part # series for our CARQUEST/KYB products. I do not have access the KYB part # s but I am sure you can get them from their website if needed.

 

 

Hope this helps you in making your decision

[Starrman]

Bilstein HD. I DID have the huge auto-leveling shocks. So long as you replace the springs, you will be fine. I switched them without the springs and lost about 2" of ride height in back and it was worse when towing. I went with the springs ($50ea) and it resolved everything. Drove that way for 150K on two sets of Bilsteins. Slightly stiffer ride, much better handling. If you have the standard red shocks, you could really go with any brand you like.

 

where/what springs did you get to do the switch?

[Bish]

Bilstein HD. I DID have the huge auto-leveling shocks. So long as you replace the springs, you will be fine. I switched them without the springs and lost about 2" of ride height in back and it was worse when towing. I went with the springs ($50ea) and it resolved everything. Drove that way for 150K on two sets of Bilsteins. Slightly stiffer ride, much better handling. If you have the standard red shocks, you could really go with any brand you like.

 

where/what springs did you get to do the switch?

 

 

IIRC they were Bilstein springs as well. I remember reading a blurb from Bilstein stating that to keep the original ride height , switch the springs and they gave a part number. I'll check when I get home to see if I have any of the info from about 6 years ago

 

I think the part number is 199021 for the spring. Replacement was simple.

 

HERE is the info direct from the manufacturer. Look under the footnotes for Tahoe and it states the part numbers for the springs.