Just got a tahoe ppv. What do you recommend for shock absorbers?

[peterkay]

Hello,
First time poster! I purchased a 2013 Tahoe PPV that was used by a local city hall/fire department. The truck only has 92K and overall is in good shape with a thick folder of maintenance records. The only issue is that the ride is harsh and the rear is bouncy. I've gone through the forum and placed an order for 4 new Kumho 275/45-22 tires. I also think of replacing all four shock absorbers while it is in the tire shop. What is the overall consensus? I would like to keep the original ride height and a bit of harshness is not a big deal. Should I get the OEM shocks or should I consider aftermarket alternatives?

 

[tooleyondeck]

assuming you put the 22s on it? If not, that city hall/FD was WILD lol

 

[Marky Dissod]

Bilstein 4600, not 5100.
275/45R22 will ride more harshly than 275/55R20.

 

[RichardCranium]

assuming you put the 22s on it? If not, that city hall/FD was WILD lol

Right? Pics or GTFO!

Give us some base to your current wheel/tire combo. The majority of the 'harsh' ride from a PPV comes from the Goodyear RSAs that come from the factory. Lower profile and speed rating are what give the RSA's a bad ride, its push/shove for what the tire does. You could go with a taller profile and more of a mileage tire on the factory 17's, I went through 2 different brands/sizes before I went to 22's. I loved the ride on both.

265/70 Continental

Sooooooo, I bought a PPV ...

Real nice, I bet it rides like a Caddy DeVille. If I wasn't so cheap I might do something like that to my hoe. I would also keep them black wheels ! I figured I was going to drive this thing until it can't be driven any further, so might as well bring the suspension back to life. And the plan...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

255/65 Michelin

Sooooooo, I bought a PPV ...

Nope, even better know there are like minded individuals down here Up here too... ;)

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

As for the shocks, you are going to get a variety of opinions, there probably isn't a wrong one. Personally, I don't mind a little bit of a stiff/sporty feel, so I went with a full Belltech suspension setup to actually lower the truck 2"/3". It replaced everything except the front springs. It still has a lot of road feedback in the feel/steering, feels like I could take a corner at speed without a lot of body roll, but overall its a huge difference in the ride over the factory/worn shocks. I've gotta be somewhere around 30k/40k miles on the Belltech now, and have zero regrets.

 

[peterkay]

Thanks for all the replies. So Bilstein 4600 for the rear? Or should I do all four corners?

 

[Marky Dissod]

Thanks for all the replies. So Bilstein 4600 for the rear? Or should I do all four corners?

I'd recommend all 4. Bilstein shocks have a very nice compromise that would tend to impress Goldilocks -
better control yet not too stiff.
If 4600 turns out to not be stiff enough to control the heavy 22s, 5100 have more control, and are not too much stiffer.

 

[RichardCranium]

Assuming you don't want to put a full suspension kit on there, but FWIW the Belltech Performance struts for the front have been fantastic. No matter what path you choose, I'd absolutely get rid of those stock front struts!

 

[peterkay]

Hmm, I like that idea. I mainly purchased it because my wife complaints that localized flooding in south texas makes her worried. She drives a mercedes coupe. I want this truck to drive well.

 

[peterkay]

I'd recommend all 4. Bilstein shocks have a very nice compromise that would tend to impress Goldilocks -
better control yet not too stiff.
If 4600 turns out to not be stiff enough to control the heavy 22s, 5100 have more control, and are not too much stiffer.

Ok, let me consult with the local suspension job. Right now I am leaning towards the whole struts/shocks replacement.

 

[fozzi58]

Assuming you don't want to put a full suspension kit on there, but FWIW the Belltech Performance struts for the front have been fantastic. No matter what path you choose, I'd absolutely get rid of those stock front struts!

Have to agree. I have the Belltechs as well.

Decide what you want out of the PPV. Its it going to be a pavment pounder or are you planning on going up. Belltech makes adjustable shocks to so you can change the dampening configuration. I should have went that route but didn't.

 

[Jimgeorge]

Right? Pics or GTFO!

Give us some base to your current wheel/tire combo. The majority of the 'harsh' ride from a PPV comes from the Goodyear RSAs that come from the factory. Lower profile and speed rating are what give the RSA's a bad ride, its push/shove for what the tire does. You could go with a taller profile and more of a mileage tire on the factory 17's, I went through 2 different brands/sizes before I went to 22's. I loved the ride on both.

265/70 Continental

Sooooooo, I bought a PPV ...

Real nice, I bet it rides like a Caddy DeVille. If I wasn't so cheap I might do something like that to my hoe. I would also keep them black wheels ! I figured I was going to drive this thing until it can't be driven any further, so might as well bring the suspension back to life. And the plan...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

255/65 Michelin

Sooooooo, I bought a PPV ...

Nope, even better know there are like minded individuals down here Up here too... ;)

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

As for the shocks, you are going to get a variety of opinions, there probably isn't a wrong one. Personally, I don't mind a little bit of a stiff/sporty feel, so I went with a full Belltech suspension setup to actually lower the truck 2"/3". It replaced everything except the front springs. It still has a lot of road feedback in the feel/steering, feels like I could take a corner at speed without a lot of body roll, but overall its a huge difference in the ride over the factory/worn shocks. I've gotta be somewhere around 30k/40k miles on the Belltech now, and have zero regrets.

I lowered my 2011 2 and 2 with DMJ suspension parts. Then I replaced the back shocks with shorter DMJ shocks to compensate for the lowering. Ride is pretty harsh now especially on the back shocks. Did I do something wrong?

 

[RichardCranium]

I lowered my 2011 2 and 2 with DMJ suspension parts. Then I replaced the back shocks with shorter DMJ shocks to compensate for the lowering. Ride is pretty harsh now especially on the back shocks. Did I do something wrong?

Think you answered that one yourself, with the shorter shocks. That is going to be exponentially a stiffer shock if it has shorter travel.

 

[peterkay]

I spoke with the local suspension performance job. I used them in the past for my other cars. They were familiar with the ride quality issues for the PPV and said that they have used Belltech shock and strut kit in the past to resolve them. They are booked for the next two weeks, so I have scheduled for the last week of way.

 

[RichardCranium]

I spoke with the local suspension performance job. I used them in the past for my other cars. They were familiar with the ride quality issues for the PPV and said that they have used Belltech shock and strut kit in the past to resolve them. They are booked for the next two weeks, so I have scheduled for the last week of way.

In my personal experience, the biggest culrprit up front are the PPV tires. The worn suspension surely didn't help either, but dropping those RSA's and speed rated tires in general......and going with a taller sidewall, made a massive difference. It actually makes the PPV much more enjoyable to drive.

I sacrificed that newly discovered plush ride when I moved to 22" wheels, since I would rather have the look and revert some of the ride quality. Of course there are taller 22" tires out there, but I am about at the threshold where I am at a happy medium. Others may drive mine and think it has too much feedback in the steering (wider tire), but even with these heavy 22" steel wheels I have, I've relearned how to drive it again and I am good. I might even step up the sidewall height on my next round of tires, who knows?

It's really all in what you want out of it. Get your suspension where you know the baseline should be (which seems to be which direction you are going), then you can use the tires to get closer to your goals (if you want plush and comfy, or still want to be able to turn hard, or just want a certain look with an all around tire). There will be sacrifices no matter! Just need to really have goal and stick with it.

 

[peterkay]

In my personal experience, the biggest culrprit up front are the PPV tires. The worn suspension surely didn't help either, but dropping those RSA's and speed rated tires in general......and going with a taller sidewall, made a massive difference. It actually makes the PPV much more enjoyable to drive.

I sacrificed that newly discovered plush ride when I moved to 22" wheels, since I would rather have the look and revert some of the ride quality. Of course there are taller 22" tires out there, but I am about at the threshold where I am at a happy medium. Others may drive mine and think it has too much feedback in the steering (wider tire), but even with these heavy 22" steel wheels I have, I've relearned how to drive it again and I am good. I might even step up the sidewall height on my next round of tires, who knows?

It's really all in what you want out of it. Get your suspension where you know the baseline should be (which seems to be which direction you are going), then you can use the tires to get closer to your goals (if you want plush and comfy, or still want to be able to turn hard, or just want a certain look with an all around tire). There will be sacrifices no matter! Just need to really have goal and stick with it.

Oh I see. I have nearly new Good years 265/60R17 all around. Do you reckon they may be the culprit of the harsh ride?

 

[Marky Dissod]

Oh I see. I have nearly new GoodYear 265/60R17 all around.
Do you reckon they may be the culprit of the harsh ride?

Yes. Even the exact same GoodYear ... um, GoodYear, WHATs? ... in 265/70R17 would be less harsh.
But I'd go for either the Continental TerrainContact H/T for a great bang for the buck,
or the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 if you want to pay more for a better reputation.

If tires with more sidewall don't mellow out your ride enough,
look into replacing springs and/or shocks with NOT-PPV versions for a civilian 2013 Tahoe.

 

[RichardCranium]

Oh I see. I have nearly new Good years 265/60R17 all around. Do you reckon they may be the culprit of the harsh ride?

100% they are contributing to your ride harshness, just a tire change with the presumably old/worn suspension will make an enormous difference.

 

[Hoeston]

My Goodyear eagles are wearing their life down,(and riding rough as hell)about 35k on them which is more than others I've read. One has a 3" chunk/gouge and loses pressure.
I need Upper arms and shocks all the way around, rear stabilizer bushings and probably more @ 165k miles

Thanks for the info, Ill have to make some decisions soon....

 

[Marky Dissod]

GoodYear tires are Good ... for about a Year ... but better brands tend to last longer.

 

[eraserhead]

Bilstein 4600, not 5100.
275/45R22 will ride more harshly than 275/55R20.

Do you know exactly which one for the 4600s? Amazon says it not Tahoe compliant. 2013 for me, PPV