13 Metallic Tahoe Auto Rear Leveling Shocks

[13_Metallic]

Hey Guys, Since my last Post

i have added a few things to the Tahoe and have gotten a bit better of a ride, regarding the rear auto leveling shocks does anybody make extenders for the shocks? I really dont wanna lose the functionality of the shocks because i do pull trailers etc. but with a 3inch lift it does ride rough in the rear still and i have replaced the Rear Coils with the Moog 81069 to get a little bit stiffer of a ride

 

[Big Mama]

@iamdub may be able to help. If not @NORCAL SS should be able to.

 

[iamdub]

Hey Guys, Since my last PostView attachment 412253 i have added a few things to the Tahoe and have gotten a bit better of a ride, regarding the rear auto leveling shocks does anybody make extenders for the shocks? I really dont wanna lose the functionality of the shocks because i do pull trailers etc. but with a 3inch lift it does ride rough in the rear still and i have replaced the Rear Coils with the Moog 81069 to get a little bit stiffer of a ride

@Dustin Jackson fixed his over-extended rear shocks with extenders from Rough Country. Apparently, they're sold with their full kit unless you call them to order the extenders exclusively. Dustin also used sway bar end links from a Jeep Wrangler (JK, I think) to correct his rear sway bar geometry after the lift. Between the extenders, longer end links and adjustable panhard bar, his setup looks on point. He also has the same Moog coils as you.

Pertinent posts from his build thread:

Dustin Jacksons 2008 Chevy Tahoe Build Thread

I had some time this morning so I figured I would document the story of my Tahoe. In late 2019 I sold my civic that I was making payments on and bought a 96 Tahoe so that I wouldn't have a car payment and we needed a family car for car seats and strollers. I loved the size and ability of the...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Dustin Jacksons 2008 Chevy Tahoe Build Thread

I had some time this morning so I figured I would document the story of my Tahoe. In late 2019 I sold my civic that I was making payments on and bought a 96 Tahoe so that I wouldn't have a car payment and we needed a family car for car seats and strollers. I loved the size and ability of the...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Dustin Jacksons 2008 Chevy Tahoe Build Thread

I had some time this morning so I figured I would document the story of my Tahoe. In late 2019 I sold my civic that I was making payments on and bought a 96 Tahoe so that I wouldn't have a car payment and we needed a family car for car seats and strollers. I loved the size and ability of the...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Like @iamdub said I recommend doing all 3 of those things.

What exactly is your setup @13_Metallic ?

 

[13_Metallic]

Like @iamdub said I recommend doing all 3 of those things.

What exactly is your setup @13_Metallic ?

So i have spacers under front struts and spacers under rear springs, auto level in rear only. I have the moog coils in the rear and Forged UCA’s up front but besides that everything is factory which is my guess to why its still riding like crap. Trying to get the Geometry of everything fixed to hopefully get a better ride

 

[13_Metallic]

Like @iamdub said I recommend doing all 3 of those things.

What exactly is your setup @13_Metallic

Like @iamdub said I recommend doing all 3 of those things.

What exactly is your setup @13_Metallic ?

how exactly did you go about getting the shock extenders? And did they work for the auto level shocks?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@13_Metallic That sounds about right, do the recommendations and I think you will be very happy with it.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@13_Metallic You call Rough Country on the phone and tell them the part numbers that are in the links that @iamdub posted and they will help you out. The only thing after that is you will need to source some grade 8 bolts, washers, and nuts.

Basically what the shock extenders do is make it so that bottom shocks aren't extended as much.

Wait I might be missing something @iamdub where is the auto level sensor on the rear?

 

[iamdub]

@13_Metallic You call Rough Country on the phone and tell them the part numbers that are in the links that @iamdub posted and they will help you out. The only thing after that is you will need to source some grade 8 bolts, washers, and nuts.

Basically what the shock extenders do is make it so that bottom shocks aren't extended as much.

Wait I might be missing something @iamdub where is the auto level sensor on the rear?

It's on the frame, kinda parallel to the upper control arm and has a link rod to that upper arm. The link should be longer to put the sensor arm back as close as possible to its position before the lift. Longer links can be made from 10-24 all-thread rod. IIRC, they came two in a package, 6" each, stainless steel. It's available in other lengths and materials, but I think the #10 is what you need to adhere to for it to be a firm fit to screw the factory ball stud ends onto it. Trim as needed. Here's the shorter ones I made for my drop: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/growing-up-doesnt-have-to-suck.93510/post-1413884

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@iamdub Thank you, I knew I was missing something besides just the shock extension brackets. Those will fix the shocks from being overextended but now he will have to adjust the sensors to compensate for the shock extension brackets.

@13_Metallic are you set on keeping the auto level system?

 

[iamdub]

...Those will fix the shocks from being overextended but now he will have to adjust the sensors to compensate for the lift.

FYP

BTW, the sensor link rods need to be corrected front and rear.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@iamdub What is FYP? And for some reason I thought he only had the auto level in the rear. If he has auto level in the front and hasn't adjusted the ride height sensors he has even more ride quality to gain

 

[iamdub]

@iamdub What is FYP?

FYP = "Fixed Your Post". I changed the last part of your post for accuracy. You said he'd have to adjust the sensors to compensate for the shock extension brackets. The sensors measure the position of the arm to determine ride height, which was altered by the lift. So he'd have to adjust the sensors to compensate for the lift.

And for some reason I thought he only had the auto level in the rear. If he has auto level in the front and hasn't adjusted the ride height sensors he has even more ride quality to gain

The ride height sensors tell the controller how to adjust for both the AutoRide and the Auto Level Control systems. Yes, for ALC, getting the rear sensors set is most important. But, since it is lifted front and rear, the controller would be trying to adjust the front struts and maybe (likely) the rear shock valving, and erroneously, at that. So, not as critical. But, if you're fixing one pair, why not fix the other to keep the system as happy all around? It'd at least keep the front from bottoming out if he ever unloaded the front end.