GM 04 Z71 Suspension / Shocks Upgrade?

[tmoore41]

First time posting outside the 80 series forum....

I have an 04 Chevy 1500 Z71 extended cab with 190K. Shocks are pretty much shot. Any suggestions on new shocks and/or OEM suspension upgrade? wish OME made a stock hieght kit for this truck.....

Any help appreciated..

Thanks

 

[PAToyota]

Hard to go wrong with Bilstein shocks. As for suspension upgrades, what are you looking for? Improved stock setup? Lift?

 

[tmoore41]

Just improved stock - I could handle an inch or so lift, but really want it to look pretty much stock. Putting new front brakes and rotors, control arm bushings, and changing all fluid today. Probably just stick with some good shocks that I can get locally from auto parts store - unless you have a good reccomendation for improved stock suspenion.....

 

[PAToyota]

As I say, the Bilsteins will give you a good improvement over basic shocks. I just replaced the rear leaf springs on the K2500 with stock replacements. I would not have said that they were a problem, but man are the new ones stiffer!

 

[tmoore41]

Thanks for the feedback. Only Bilsteins in town were $100 plus a piece. I found some Rancho5000's locally for $50 a piece. I had heard mixed reviews but figured I'd give a try. They feel pretty good after driving to work today. On the down side - find out I had a bad wheel hub on the driver side - spend all day trying to free up the bolts on the backside of the knuckle, before rounding the top one off so bad that now I have to cut it off. I had to put it all back together until I get some time to go back to work on it. All in all - got the shocks, rotation, brake disc and rotor, and oil change. BUT, the upper control arms, alignment, CV boot (which I cracket trying to get the bolts free), and a new wheel hub are in store for next weekend. Ready to get this crap done so I can go back to work on the LC! Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[PAToyota]

You can get B6s online for $70~$80 each. You’ll likely replace the Ranchos at least twice before you’d replace the Bilsteins.

 

[crashn]

I know this is old but Bilsteins 5100 series are night and day over Rancho. I have used Rancho on different 4x4's for at least 40 years. I did Bilsteins on my wife's FJ Cruiser and they were awesome. I just put some on our 2000 Silverado 4x4 with 75 K miles on it. They are great.