What Ftermarket Shocks Will Improve Street Ride Quality For An '09

[Black.is]

2009 1500 Silverado Crew Cab LTZ with Z85 Handling/Trailering Suspension

 

 

First of all I really do like the current ride quality, so don't take this topic the wrong way.......

 

Does anyone know what type of aftermarket shocks OR other suspension components would go a long way in improving the ALREADY smooth ride of my Silverado?

 

SO. For my wallet's sake let's hope there is no room for improvement But let me know what input you all have on this as well as any suggestions. Thanks ahead of time!.

 

 

 

 

 

 

***EDIT***

I know this is completely irrelevant, but, check out the shine on those tires in the first picture...niiice haha

[Matt_]

I noticed a BIG change when i went from my 18s to 20s.... So maybe consider some aftermarket 18" wheels?

 

Also check to make sure your tire pressure is set to what the door sticker says, NOT the max on the sidewall.

 

Other than that... not sure how much smoother you can make the stock suspension feel.....

[Black.is]

I noticed a BIG change when i went from my 18s to 20s.... So maybe consider some aftermarket 18" wheels?

 

Also check to make sure your tire pressure is set to what the door sticker says, NOT the max on the sidewall.

 

Other than that... not sure how much smoother you can make the stock suspension feel.....

 

I keep all 4 tires at 30psi cold. But switching to 18's, I wouldn't be all for that, I would want to stick with the same wheel size should I ever be in need of a quick and temporary replacement of my aftermarket wheels or tires.

 

But you make a good point, my previous car was a lexus IS250. It had stock 17's on it and I put 19's on it and the ride sucked because of the rubber band tires

[VMax2007]

I noticed a BIG change when i went from my 18s to 20s.... So maybe consider some aftermarket 18" wheels?

 

Also check to make sure your tire pressure is set to what the door sticker says, NOT the max on the sidewall.

 

Other than that... not sure how much smoother you can make the stock suspension feel.....

 

+1

 

I went from OEM 20's with the GoodYear LS2's to 18's with Load E range Nittos and my ride STILL improved.

 

Have I mentioned lately that 20's suck and do not belong on a truck?

[Stevens03]

The 20's are the biggest difference whether you want to hear that or not. I had 17's and went to 20's. The 17's offered a little better ride. But... personally I won't change my wheels out either. I like them.

 

I don't think any shock will improve your ride. Softer tires, and more rubber is about the only thing you can change to improve the ride. btw, the photo's look great.

[spikesputnik]

Tire choice is also a big factor here. OEM tires are spec'd for maximum fuel economy and longevity, neither of which help with ride characteristics. So regardless of rim size, make sure the tire you have is the most compliant, balanced with longevity rating.

FWIW, my current General Grabber HTS's blow away the stock Goodyear AS2's ride quality wise; yes they may only last 50K instead of 60K+, but the ride quality will be appreciated every single day untill then.

So if I were in your shoes, I'd be looking at getting out of/selling your stock tires while they probably have very low miles and look good and replace with aftermarket grade tires. Someone will probable buy your tires, thinking "ooooooh, OEM- must be good"....

[Black.is]

I will most certainly agree that I would have a much better ride should I switch to 18" wheels. I really like the look of the 20's, but considering the price difference with 18" wheels and tires, I may be persuaded. As far as the shocks are concerned, I was just putting the question out there, I am in now way serious about trying to replace them....I was just curious if anything could be improved with the already awesome ride quality

[alaska511]

Blah, blah, blah The Bilstein 5100 shocks will help.

[txab]

+1

[Black.is]

Blah, blah, blah The Bilstein 5100 shocks will help.

 

 

 

OK....but what is the reason behind them being able to help? what differs between them and the stocks?

[alaska511]

Blah, blah, blah The Bilstein 5100 shocks will help.

 

 

 

OK....but what is the reason behind them being able to help? what differs between them and the stocks?

 

 

 

I didn't design them, so I am not sure how to answer that.

 

I have yet to see a stock GM strut or shock that didn't have a superior aftermarket replacement.

 

My reason for going Bilstein was largely based on the leveling system they offered, and the front strut was part of it. I ordered the new style longer shocks at the same time.

 

Hitting potholes, washboard roads, and driving offroad was improved. You asked about improved road ride, and that was the biggest improvement I noticed; expansion joints, road imperfections, things like that.

[hossmp2500]

I rode in a 2008 with bilsteins the other day. It was just leveled. It rode much better. it was the same truck as mine. It was a great comparison because we have the same size wheels and the same exact tires.

 

If you are looking for tires, I have 20"s and I am running the Cooper Zeon LTZ and its very good. I thought they would ride worse than the factory tires and they dont in fact they are the same and just make a little more noise.

 

Try the Bilsteins. I know I will be installing them soon!

[crepitus]

i have 20s on my truck and put 17s on for the winter. i actually like the 20s. handling is much more crisp and responsive. as for ride quality i didnt notice much of a difference between the 2.

[bigdogxx]

Bilstein is the way to go imo, gas charged shocks that handle the bumps much better then these garabge oil tenco shocks or what ever they are called that now come in gm trucks. They use to equip them with bilsteins, my 95 zr2 had em and also my old 89 s10 baja also came with them. Was bummed when i found out the z71 went to these save gm 10 bucks a shock tencos which are horrible imo, im very soon going to be switching them out to bilsteins.

 

And expect to pay about 65 a shock, and you will most likely have to order them online as most places do not carry them over the counter.

[HawkeyeOC]

Bilstein is the way to go imo, gas charged shocks that handle the bumps much better then these garabge oil tenco shocks or what ever they are called that now come in gm trucks. They use to equip them with bilsteins, my 95 zr2 had em and also my old 89 s10 baja also came with them. Was bummed when i found out the z71 went to these save gm 10 bucks a shock tencos which are horrible imo, im very soon going to be switching them out to bilsteins.

 

And expect to pay about 65 a shock, and you will most likely have to order them online as most places do not carry them over the counter.

 

+1 on the Bilsteins at least in that era. We got over 200k on an '89 S-15 with them