The deed is done. Took out autoride, 2" lift, Bilstein 5100's and z71 coils

[owl_93]

So I finally got all my suspension parts put in my Hoe and got a new set of tires and wheels. I downsized my 20x8's to 16x8's and sized up my 275/55 AT tires to 285/75 MT tires.

2.5" front lift from new keys, and 2+" rear lift from z71 coils and 1.5" coil spacers. I couldn't be happier with the look and more importantly the ride.

Before:

After:

 

[Big Buttons]

Looks great!

 

[SRTH8R]

Looks tough. Thinking of pulling the trigger keys and spacers myself.

 

[Mr.Jack]

How much more does those Z71 coils lift than the ordinary ones?

 

[Red_Raider]

It definitely has a different look. I like it! I've for my 5100s and z71 springs just laying in the garage waiting for me to install.

 

[01TX_Tahoe]

Wow! What a difference it makes. Looks good!

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Very nice! Looks mean now!

I didnt realize you were going with 16" wheels, I guess you didn't do the NNBS brake upgrade? IIRC those require 17" wheels

 

[owl_93]

Very nice! Looks mean now!

I didnt realize you were going with 16" wheels, I guess you didn't do the NNBS brake upgrade? IIRC those require 17" wheels

Yeah I didn't either until I was in the shop haha. Sizing down to 16's saved me about $100 on wheels and got me a little more sidewall and also knocked about $20 off of each tire. The guys at the shop recommended I stick with the NBS brakes because the added benefit of a little more surface area might not be worth the risk of the master cylinder not putting out an ample amount of pressure for the calipers. Oh well. The ride is a million times better than the blown autoride. Why the hell I didn't do this sooner I have no clue.

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[Mr.Jack]

Nobody knows?

 

[owl_93]

How much more does those Z71 coils lift than the ordinary ones?

Sorry missed this post on mobile. I believe the Z71 coils will lift the rear about another .5" maybe more. It was hard for me to tell due to replacing shocks and coils simultaneously and my coils being worn out. In any case, totally worth it

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[Mr.Jack]

LT to the left and Z71 to the right.

 

[owl_93]

LT to the left and Z71 to the right.

Oh damn! no wonder it made such a huge difference in height and ride quality. My LT coils had 173k and trailering with no support from blown autorides when I took them out.

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[Mr.Jack]

The Z71 coils looks slimmer though. Was it just "plug and play"?

 

[owl_93]

The Z71 coils looks slimmer though. Was it just "plug and play"?

Sure was. The width doesn't have much to do with spring rate. Despite the LT coils having a wider diameter, the actual spring strength is a separate factor. With the z71 coils being taller and firmer, they more than overcompensate for the LT coils diameter. It really comes down to the temper of the spring steel and coil length. So in the end, the coil diameter doesnt have much to contribute to spring rate or overall beefiness.

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[Mr.Jack]

Thank you Stephen.

Do you feel the ride to be any stiffer with the Z71 coils?

 

[owl_93]

Thank you Stephen.

Do you feel the ride to be any stiffer with the Z71 coils?

Hmmmm. I'm not sure that "stiffer" is the right word. In short, yes, but I think a better description would be "firmer", because stiff implies "harsh", and the ride is far from harsh.

It is for sure firmer, and in a good way. Just today I left a parking lot that I frequent that has a bad dip where it meets the road, and the back end used to drop and Id hear that squeak sort of sound and then it would raise back up. Now, with the new coils, it doesn't travel down as far and so its less of an overall up/down motion which makes it feel smoother, despite being firmer. (A lot of this could also have to do with going from blown autorides to bilsteins)

I'ts hard to describe really. All I can say is if you have coils and Bilsteins, put 'em in ASAP.

 

[No Rush]

Spring PN

Hello,
What is the part number for the Z71 spring you are using?
I have a deleted the autoride in my Denali and installed a leveling kit.
My stock springs are not cutting it. They are PN 15182560.

 

[owl_93]

Hello,
What is the part number for the Z71 spring you are using?
I have a deleted the autoride in my Denali and installed a leveling kit.
My stock springs are not cutting it. They are PN 15182560.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00498ZR7A...e=df0&creative=395097&creativeASIN=B00498ZR7A

These are the ones I put in

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[Chevy305]

I love the look of your Tahoe. Where'd you get your roof rack?

Also your front skid plate, it that a steel piece? I can't find anyone that makes them for non-lifted trucks.

 

[Mr.Jack]

I found this:
http://www.amazon.com/2003-2006-Chevy-Tahoe-Spring-Bilstein/dp/B00QOGDHUO/ref=cm_cd_ql_qh_dp_t
Says Z71 but looks different from the Moog.