How Can I Soften Suspension on PPV Tahoe

[iamdub]

Let's simplify this by starting here:

Do you want your Tahoe to be the same height as it is now or do you want it to be lower or do you care if it is a little higher?

 

[A123]

Let's simplify this by starting here:

Do you want your Tahoe to be the same height as it is now or do you want it to be lower or do you care if it is a little higher?

I won't mind if it is higher or as how it is right now. But for sure not lower.

If I keep the height as it is now would it ride stiffer than a stock Civilian Tahoe height?

 

[A123]

Does changing rear springs to stock springs make a difference in ride? Which one are the best ones to buy?

What stock springs? You want to change your stock PPV springs for stock "regular" Tahoe springs? Different springs will always ride differently.

Yes, stock spring from a Civilian Tahoe. Which civilian Tahoe springs ride the best?[/QUOTE]

 

[iamdub]

I won't mind if it is higher or as how it is right now. But for sure not lower.

If I keep the height as it is now would it ride stiffer than a stock Civilian Tahoe height?

In short, yes.

Yes, stock spring from a Civilian Tahoe. Which civilian Tahoe springs ride the best?

[/QUOTE]


Ok, NOW I'm getting what you're after here. A Tahoe, Yukon or Escalade with RPO ZW7 has the best riding springs. Couple these with the Bilstein 4600 shocks and struts and you'll have a much softer but still controlled ride. Installing these springs will lift your Tahoe about 1.5" to the height of a civilian Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade. I'd try to find someone that lowered their Yukon or Escalade and get their stock springs.

 

[A123]

In short, yes.

Ok, NOW I'm getting what you're after here. A Tahoe, Yukon or Escalade with RPO ZW7 has the best riding springs. Couple these with the Bilstein 4600 shocks and struts and you'll have a much softer but still controlled ride. Installing these springs will lift your Tahoe about 1.5" to the height of a civilian Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade. I'd try to find someone that lowered their Yukon or Escalade and get their stock springs.

Ah, Ok I see, so I don't mind if it raises 1.5". I found the Bilstien 4600 shocks and struts. I'd appreciate if I can get the part number for RPO ZW7 springs.

Will the RPO ZW7 springs fit on the Bilstien 4600?

Thanks

 

[iamdub]

Ah, Ok I see, so I don't mind if it raises 1.5". I found the Bilstien 4600 shocks and struts. I'd appreciate if I can get the part number for RPO ZW7 springs.

Will the RPO ZW7 springs fit on the Bilstien 4600?

Thanks

ZW7 is the RPO code for GM's "Smooth Ride" suspension. Many vehicles came with this suspension package. If you're a salvage yard digger, look for an Escalade or, more likely, an upper-scale Yukon. Check the white sticker on the back of the glove box lid for the code "ZW7". If you need or want to get them new, maybe @swathdiver would have the GM part number in his database.

The springs will fit the Bilstein struts just fine. They're a stock coil.

 

[A123]

ZW7 is the RPO code for GM's "Smooth Ride" suspension. Many vehicles came with this suspension package. If you're a salvage yard digger, look for an Escalade or, more likely, an upper-scale Yukon. Check the white sticker on the back of the glove box lid for the code "ZW7". If you need or want to get them new, maybe @swathdiver would have the GM part number in his database.

The springs will fit the Bilstein struts just fine. They're a stock coil.

Whats my next best choice under ZW7 which will give me a smooth ride because those can be pricey..

 

[A123]

Will it be smooth if I just go with Bilstien 4600 and regular civilian Tahoe springs?

 

[iamdub]

Whats my next best choice under ZW7 which will give me a smooth ride because those can be pricey..

I'd say the Z55 springs would be comparably close. It's a more common suspension setup found on Yukons and Tahoes.

 

[A123]

I'd say the Z55 springs would be comparably close. It's a more common suspension setup found on Yukons and Tahoes.

Ok, Thanks I'll look around..

 

[A123]

I'd say the Z55 springs would be comparably close. It's a more common suspension setup found on Yukons and Tahoes.

Will part# 19255625 fit with Bilstien 4600?

 

[iamdub]

Will part# 19255625 fit with Bilstien 4600?

4600 is not the part number, it's Bilstein's series. Bilstein makes their 4600 series shocks for a multitude of vehicles. When searching for the Bilstein 4600 shock or strut that fits your Tahoe, use the part numbers I posted earlier.

The part number 19255625 shows to be a rear coil spring. The shock is separate from the coil in the rear. They do not "fit" together. You install them separately. That coil spring of part number 19255625 will fit your Tahoe, but I don't know if it's the Z55 or ZW7 spring or what it is.

The Bilstein struts, in the part numbers I listed earlier, are made to be a direct fit for these vehicles, including the springs that are in these vehicles.

 

[A123]

4600 is not the part number, it's Bilstein's series. Bilstein makes their 4600 series shocks for a multitude of vehicles. When searching for the Bilstein 4600 shock or strut that fits your Tahoe, use the part numbers I posted earlier.

The part number 19255625 shows to be a rear coil spring. The shock is separate from the coil in the rear. They do not "fit" together. You install them separately. That coil spring of part number 19255625 will fit your Tahoe, but I don't know if it's the Z55 or ZW7 spring or what it is.

The Bilstein struts, in the part numbers I listed earlier, are made to be a direct fit for these vehicles, including the springs that are in these vehicles.

Yea, I used the part# u had posted and found the right price ones. Part# 19255625 is ACDelco Professional Rear coils.

The front Bilstien shock u posted does not have a coil/spring on it. Do I need a coil/spring to make it Civil Tahoe ride quality?

 

[kbuskill]

Just for the record...

The PPV uses stock height coil springs in the front... same as a civilian model.

The PPV has springs in the rear that are about 2" lower than a civilian model.

The rear shocks and front struts are what make the biggest difference in ride quality between the two models.

The PPVs run a shocks/struts with firmer dampening for a more performance oriented (read better handling) ride.

It's like the difference in the suspension of a '96 Impala SS versus a '96 Caprice Classic.

The Caprice rides like a big 'ol boat and the Impala SS was made to handle the corners due to the beefed up suspension and bigger sway bars.


Anyway... if you just want a softer/smoother ride (that doesn't handle as well) then just swap to the stock shocks and struts. Just have the parts store look up the parts for a non-PPV Tahoe.

 

[A123]

Just for the record...

The PPV uses stock height coil springs in the front... same as a civilian model.

The PPV has springs in the rear that are about 2" lower than a civilian model.

The rear shocks and front struts are what make the biggest difference in ride quality between the two models.

The PPVs run a shocks/struts with firmer dampening for a more performance oriented (read better handling) ride.

It's like the difference in the suspension of a '96 Impala SS versus a '96 Caprice Classic.

The Caprice rides like a big 'ol boat and the Impala SS was made to handle the corners due to the beefed up suspension and bigger sway bars.


Anyway... if you just want a softer/smoother ride (that doesn't handle as well) then just swap to the stock shocks and struts. Just have the parts store look up the parts for a non-PPV Tahoe.

Is there a lot of ride quality difference between Stock Civilian Tahoe ACDelco Shock and Bilstien 4600 Series with Stock height etc.?

 

[swathdiver]

The springs for the ZW7 suspension without the G65 self-leveling shocks are the 45H2164 / 19255624. These numbers come from AC Delco and the Rock Auto websites. My truck's application calls for the former ACDelco number and the actual number on my rear coils is 25783733. But note, I have an XL/Suburban if that makes a difference. Doesn't seem to in the other fitment charts. The folks posting reviews love them as replacements. The 45H2165 seems to be a direct replacement for those with Z55 with G69 or ZW7 with G65.

I seem to remember that we recently were talking to a guy on here with a Tahoe equipped with a basic ZW7 suspension like mine. If we can get his VIN and run it through ACDelco...

https://parts-catalog.acdelco.com/catalog/catalog_search.php

 

[A123]

Is there a lot of difference between Stock Civilian Tahoe ACDelco Shock and Bilstien 4600 Series with Stock height etc.?

The springs for the ZW7 suspension without the G65 self-leveling shocks are the 45H2164 / 19255624. These numbers come from AC Delco and the Rock Auto websites. My truck's application calls for the former ACDelco number and the actual number on my rear coils is 25783733. But note, I have an XL/Suburban if that makes a difference. Doesn't seem to in the other fitment charts. The folks posting reviews love them as replacements. The 45H2165 seems to be a direct replacement for those with Z55 with G69 or ZW7 with G65.

I seem to remember that we recently were talking to a guy on here with a Tahoe equipped with a basic ZW7 suspension like mine. If we can get his VIN and run it through ACDelco...

https://parts-catalog.acdelco.com/catalog/catalog_search.php

Is ur suburban 4WD? Does that make a difference?

What is the difference between 19255624 and 19255625 both I found on Rockauto?..

 

[kbuskill]

Is there a lot of ride quality difference between Stock Civilian Tahoe ACDelco Shock and Bilstien 4600 Series with Stock height etc.?

No clue... never ran the Bilstein's... I have Rancho 9 way adjustable struts up front on my 4/6 dropped Burb because the Belltech struts were too soft for my liking.

 

[swathdiver]

Is ur suburban 4WD? Does that make a difference?

What is the difference between 19255624 and 19255625 both I found on Rockauto?..

I believe that the 19255625 / 45H1265 are the springs for use with the Nivomat (ZW7/G65) and Z55/G69 air shocks.

Yes, my truck is a 4x4.

 

[A123]

I believe that the 19255625 / 45H1265 are the springs for use with the Nivomat (ZW7/G65) and Z55/G69 air shocks.

Yes, my truck is a 4x4.

Ok, Thanks