Z71: From lowered to stock

[Dustin Jackson]

Hey guys I purchased a Z71 and didn't realize it but it has a lowering kit on it. I am researching putting it back to stock height but I wanted to see if you guys can tell me what kind of lowering components might have been used to lower it.

So far all I can tell is that the rear springs are blue and probably lowering springs, there are no rear shock lowering brackets so the rear shocks mounts are stock. I looked up front and the front shocks are red. I cannot tell if there are lowering knuckles.

Here I have attached a picture of my white lowered Tahoe on 20 inch wheels as well as a stock z71 with 20 inch wheels for reference.

 

[kbuskill]

Hey guys I purchased a Z71 and didn't realize it but it has a lowering kit on it. I am researching putting it back to stock height but I wanted to see if you guys can tell me what kind of lowering components might have been used to lower it.

So far all I can tell is that the rear springs are blue and probably lowering springs, there are no rear shock lowering brackets so the rear shocks mounts are stock. I looked up front and the front shocks are red. I cannot tell if there are lowering knuckles.

Here I have attached a picture of my white lowered Tahoe on 20 inch wheels as well as a stock z71 with 20 inch wheels for reference.

View attachment 242584 View attachment 242585

Some pics of the suspension would be the easiest way to tell you what's going on with it.

There are too many options for lowering these trucks to give you a definitive answer without seeing the undercarriage.

 

[1lowhoe04]

Pictures of wheels off and looking at suspension would help! swapping these trucks are stupid easy! My DenaliXL has a 4.5 inch lift and 35s last week now is 4/6 drop on 22s super easy

 

[Doubeleive]

Pictures of wheels off and looking at suspension would help! swapping these trucks are stupid easy! My DenaliXL has a 4.5 inch lift and 35s last week now is 4/6 drop on 22s super easy

View attachment 242617 View attachment 242618

what exhaust tips do you have on there?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Pictures of wheels off and looking at suspension would help! swapping these trucks are stupid easy! My DenaliXL has a 4.5 inch lift and 35s last week now is 4/6 drop on 22s super easy

View attachment 242617 View attachment 242618

I will take pictures when the weather clears up. Did you have to swap your steering knuckles? I'm guessing that will be the most expensive part of swapping back to stock.

 

[1lowhoe04]

I will take pictures when the weather clears up. Did you have to swap your steering knuckles? I'm guessing that will be the most expensive part of swapping back to stock.

Just depends how it is lowered

 

[1lowhoe04]

what exhaust tips do you have on there?

Corsa tips powdercoated satin blck

 

[swathdiver]

Hey guys I purchased a Z71 and didn't realize it but it has a lowering kit on it. I am researching putting it back to stock height but I wanted to see if you guys can tell me what kind of lowering components might have been used to lower it.

So far all I can tell is that the rear springs are blue and probably lowering springs, there are no rear shock lowering brackets so the rear shocks mounts are stock. I looked up front and the front shocks are red. I cannot tell if there are lowering knuckles.

Z71s have Rancho shocks all around and they are Red/Orange. Springs are GM and black.

 

[91RS]

The white Tahoe just looks like the rear was dropped to be level with the front to me. The black Tahoe definitely looks lifted, they do not have that much fender gap stock.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Z71s have Rancho shocks all around and they are Red/Orange. Springs are GM and black.

@swathdiver The front shocks are orange\red but the back ones are black. Front springs are black and the rear are blue. I have been meaning to get pictures for you guys but it has been raining all week.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

The white Tahoe just looks like the rear was dropped to be level with the front to me. The black Tahoe definitely looks lifted, they do not have that much fender gap stock.

@91RS That makes me feel a little better, the owner of the black one said it was stock.

 

[91RS]

This one is stock. I’m wanting to say the red front shocks may be stock but it’s been a while since I’ve seen a Z71 in person.

 

[swathdiver]

@swathdiver The front shocks are orange\red but the back ones are black. Front springs are black and the rear are blue. I have been meaning to get pictures for you guys but it has been raining all week.

Rain? Why is that stoppin' ya? LOL

 

[swathdiver]

This one is stock. I’m wanting to say the red front shocks may be stock but it’s been a while since I’ve seen a Z71 in person.

View attachment 242760

Rear:

Front:

Springs are all black.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Rear:

Front:

Springs are all black.

Based on what I can tell from you good people is that the front is stock and the rear has been lowered with lowering springs and shorter rear shocks. I will take some pictures today.

 

[swathdiver]

Based on what I can tell from you good people is that the front is stock and the rear has been lowered with lowering springs and shorter rear shocks. I will take some pictures today.

Yep, that's what I'm thinking too. Easy peasy to get it back up in the air. There are only two rear pairs of orange shocks for Z71 Tahoes. Those with and without 4WD. Rear springs are the HD variety, both with and without 4WD.

 

[massivespl]

Just wonder why you want to raise it back up? That white Tahoe in first post looks good. Stock height with Rake is soo ugly. The back leveled like you have it now is perfect. Not sure why you would want to change it?

 

[91RS]

I was wondering the same thing, it looks great leveled by dropping the rear. It’ll drive much better than using one of those stupid strut spacers that ruins the suspension angles to make the front level with the rear.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@91RS @massivespl Thanks It does look great but it doesn't ride well, whatever they put in the rear feels clapped out. In my town there are a lot of dips and bumps and I want to avoid bottoming out my rig, I want good wheel travel so I can mob around without worrying about hitting a dip too hard. I got the Z71 offroad package for a reason but It might as well be a escalade at this point. I am hoping that with the lift the bilstein 5100 offers in the front will let me level the front without hurting the ride too much.

 

[91RS]

I would just change the shocks first to something better. Mine has a 2/3 drop and I have no worries whatsoever when I go over any dips or bumps.