07-12 Escalade Lowered Suspension Swap

[Top Heavy]

Initially I had started a thread over on Cadillac Owners Forum, and I have had almost zero response - what I have had didn't really help.

I will copy a few of my posts from my thread in hope that there is someone on here with experience with the removal of the factory air shocks in the Escalade and Denali..............

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...um-2007/281311-07-12-strut-shock-options.html


Thanks!

---------- Post added at 08:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:18 AM ----------

I'm looking to get rid if the factory struts/shocks, as they leave me wanting something with a better feel and reaction.

Essentially the rear air levelling and front/rear valving are not to my liking.

Is there an option to move to a B6 Bilstein version for a Tahoe and disable the factory inputs?

Or are there any other options that you know of the make this vehicle have a more positive feel?

---------- Post added at 08:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:19 AM ----------

Nothing is wrong with my truck suspension, I just don't like the ride. I find the shocks/struts dont control the suspension or road as well as they should. I have had a few SRT8 vehicles, and I really liked the ride they had, my SRT8 Jeep has Bilstein's and I like them, I dont expect the Escalade to handle or feel like a Jeep SRT8 but something that reacts better and has a more positive feel would be nice.

---------- Post added at 08:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:20 AM ----------

http://www.belltech.com/products/bel...-kits-121.html


Anyone have experience with this kit?

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http://www.mcgaughystore.com/mcgaugh...it-part-30009/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ei...model/escalade

Or a combination of these with Bilstein B6 Shocks?

As stated previously, I'm really wanting to upgrade the feel and increase the the performance of the shocks.

Another option would be to get information on the front/rear shocks at full extension, full compression, and static load - then use that data to find a suitable replacement.

The nice think about the Magaughy's kit is I believe there is no need to modify the shock length, am I correct?

---------- Post added at 08:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:20 AM ----------

I show that there is a B6 shock for a 2008 GMC Yukon (same frame/components full size SUV as our Escalade), I can dig and double check the numbers/sizing- though will this work for a conversion?

Front - #24-186926
Rear - #24-186933

Does anyone have any clue how to obtain the Arnott Bilstein shock specs for comparison to these?

Essentially as mentioned previously - extended, compressed and static.........

Getting closer to ordering, just need info back from MaGaughy's then I'll order the drop kit, and Eibach Anti-Roll bars. The only pressing items then are better dampers and the Arnott module.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

Ive driven a few srt8 jeeps are you looking for a Firmer suspension? I thought the Srt8 was stiff IMHO

 

[NORCAL SS]

arnotts front and rear shocks are good id go with those.

Endlinks id get the rear djms have them on my escalade.

Im running this kit on my escalade and corners great im very happy with it and tows perfectly fine
http://www.tbssowners.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=180

Any questions just holler back and ive done the above kit on a few customers trucks with the arnott replacements the new bilstein version they have is stiffer than oem

 

[Top Heavy]

I know the Escalade will never handle like my Jeep SRT8, though I want more feed back and a positive feel. I hate the way the Cadillac feels on the high way, it sort of floats.

The SRT8 vehicles may seem "stiff" or ""harsh" to some, but I like it. To me they feel positive and nimble considering the heft of them. I only want a significantly better feel with far less body roll in my Escalade.

My big worry about going to a conversion "kit" is my demands and expectations as a driver are much different than those of most drivers - a kit is meant to appease 90% +/- of the populace and I know what I want is in the leftover 10% +/-.

I don't want to do this 3 times until it's right.

Has anyone worked with Arnott, would they be opposed to substituting the standard shocks to the B6 if there was the ability to do so?

 

[NORCAL SS]

wait I'm lost is your truck a autoride right now? If not you can do the stiff hd front/rear shocks and call it good. Also the rear spohn kit which replaces all the rubber in the back with poly bushings which people here liked a lot

http://www.tbssowners.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=194

 

[Top Heavy]

wait I'm lost is your truck a autoride right now? If not you can do the stiff hd front/rear shocks and call it good. Also the rear spohn kit which replaces all the rubber in the back with poly bushings which people here liked a lot

http://www.tbssowners.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=194

Yes, my Escalade is an autoride air suspension, which I would like to delete.

 

[NORCAL SS]

no prob hd front/rear shocks bilsteins will make it stiffer and then use the resistors to block out the dash light and your done.

 

[Goodinblack]

B6 are stiffer then HDs.

I feel the stock Z are stiffer than HDs

 

[Top Heavy]

So will my proposed combination work?

 

[Top Heavy]

Will this package install easily, and effectively change the characteristics of the handling of my Escalade?

Arnott
Suspension Control Module Override

Bilstein B6 Shocks
Front - #24-186926
Rear - #24-186933

TBSSOwners.com
07 UP 2/3-4 Lowering/Cornering Package for Autoride
Front Belltech 2" drop spindles
Rear Belltech 4 inch springs
Rear Belltech Autoride links
Rear Belltech 1 inch spacers
Rear DJM Endlink kit
Rear DJM bumpstops
Front/Rear DJM Swaybars


Is there anything missing that I should be taking into account, as I use my vehicle daily and cannot afford to be without it Monday-Friday.

Does anyone have a similar set up that could chime in and offer information on their experience?

I should probably add that I have 26" wheels on the truck in the summer, which only moderately increases the feel - though I find the factory suspension has difficulty in being able to accurately control the wheels vs. factory wheels.

 

[NORCAL SS]

offset looks off on the wheels can you take a sideview of them?? front looks like it sticks out if you go to low will hit fenderlips. Maybe just angle of pic? and what your doing is fine as for parts i just really want to take a look of how the wheel sit compared to fenderlips

 

[Top Heavy]

The front wheels do not tuck. They are actually proud about 3/4" from the front fender, though are inset slightly in the rear.

This is a normal GM problem, where the actual functioning offset front to rear is different.

I don't want to go too low, only 2" in the front at a maximum.

I cannot take a pic of the wheels installed at the current moment as its still winter here and the wheels are sitting in the shop not on the truck.

I could always have 3/8" or so removed from the rear mounting pad on the wheels to help a little?

I think the best thing I could do is actually install the wheels an measure everything exactly.

 

[NORCAL SS]

I know that I sve a big brake kit on my esky just glad didnt push out more. Id get the wheels on before you procede just to be safe before you buy anything. You might only need one inch in front and I can mill the shocks for that

 

[Top Heavy]

As shown with the factory wheels with the stock suspension, there is definitely no tucking that will happen. The rears are fine. I'll get the summer wheels on this weekend for reference.

There is quite a large gap though even in front, I don't know if 2" will be that big of a difference?

Sorry she's so dirty - it's spring here.

 

[NORCAL SS]

you can always do my front strut mod for more of a drop.


BTW what does your truck measure from ground to fenderlip all around?? mine on stock 22s was at 38.5 and front 36 3/4 now with spindles and my strut mod 33 7/8 and 34.5 rear