about to buy bilstein's, but....

[brndns_hoe]

shops keep telling me i have autoride in the rear.....but i'm pretty sure i don't, i just have those big thick-ass shocks that have internal autoleveling stuff, never hear a compressor, don't see lines going to them. i think i would notice, i've sat on the tailgate of vehicles with autoride, and you feel it lift back up, mine doesn't. so it shouldn't be a problem right? putting bilsteins in the rear?

 

[brndns_hoe]

wow...anybody?

 

[swtz71]

don't autoride have wires coming out of the shocks? or even a compressor?

 

[brndns_hoe]

nop...didn't see any fuse that could be for it either. i thought blueflamed had these same type before and swapped them for bilsteins, but haven't heard back from him yet...trying to buy these tomorrow and get installed monday. i'm pretty sure I'm good, just wanted to confirmation before i buy them

 

[swtz71]

The old Lincolns had the air suspension and I used to switch them out for normal shocks due to the air ones were crazy money to replace. I honestly think you would be ok, besides your low now wouldn't the truck be trying to level out all the time?

 

[brndns_hoe]

makes sense.....and ya, the shocks i have are expensive! oreilly's told me over $300 each for those rears!

 

[bottomline2000]

makes sense.....and ya, the shocks i have are expensive! oreilly's told me over $300 each for those rears!

yeah, you have the Nivomats is what I think they are called. G65 auto level control ride. The shocks seem to support the weight of the truck themselves. I had to get Bilstein springs since the stock springs were too soft but I wanted stock height. Theres no compressor or anything, just those heavy as shocks.

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6505

 

[BlackDenali]

Even if you have auto-ride all you need to do is install the Bilsteins, disconnect the battery, and pull the RTD fuse under the hood and your good to go. Thats what I did and I've never had an issue. I would really recommend shock extenders and doing the free travel mod while you have everything apart.

 

[brndns_hoe]

sounds good....shock extenders are already in. went to autozone, o'reilly's and pep boys today, nobody had bilsteins in stock! so guess I'll just order them online, probably find them cheaper that way anyway. was just hoping to get them installed tomorrow or Tuesday, now I'll have to wait almost 2 weeks before I'll have the chance...oh well

thanks for the advice guys.....black denali!! haven't run into ya in a while....it's hard for me to be on here as much as before when i had a work computer...

 

[blueflamed03]

are they 'self leveling' or autoride with air line to them?

 

[brndns_hoe]

no autoride...just those nivomat shocks that keep the truck more level with more weight...hey i didn't realize you've been out of the country blue, just saw that thread

 

[blueflamed03]

no prob bro, if just the big black factory, yes, you can pull those and your golden.

 

[brndns_hoe]

awesome, and from what I've heard and read, it should drop the rear another inch or so, which is good cuz right now it's sitting 2" higher than the front

 

[blueflamed03]

yes, it will be at least another 1"...

 

[ScottyBoy]

I have the Nivomat shocks as well. They REALLY help when towing. You can swap out the Nivomat shocks, but you should swap the springs as well. The springs have a different weight ratio compared to the springs on a Tahoe with regular shocks, they are much more soft or "spongy". If you are gonna lower it with lowering springs, then you have nothing to worry about. Also, if your Nivomat shocks are still good, could I get them from you when you remove them? Just PM me and let me know what you'd want for them.

 

[blueflamed03]

Scott, I think he has the DJM lowering kit, with springs. Just the Nivomat shocks, even with shock relocators, hold the truck up one extra inch.

 

[ScottyBoy]

Scott, I think he has the DJM lowering kit, with springs. Just the Nivomat shocks, even with shock relocators, hold the truck up one extra inch.

If the springs have already been replaced, then there should be no issues replacing the Nivomat shock with a different setup.

 

[BlackDenali]

sounds good....shock extenders are already in. went to autozone, o'reilly's and pep boys today, nobody had bilsteins in stock! so guess I'll just order them online, probably find them cheaper that way anyway. was just hoping to get them installed tomorrow or Tuesday, now I'll have to wait almost 2 weeks before I'll have the chance...oh well

thanks for the advice guys.....black denali!! haven't run into ya in a while....it's hard for me to be on here as much as before when i had a work computer...

I've been M.I.A. aswell!! Busy has shit starting a new business. Glad I could help

 

[brndns_hoe]

I have the Nivomat shocks as well. They REALLY help when towing. You can swap out the Nivomat shocks, but you should swap the springs as well. The springs have a different weight ratio compared to the springs on a Tahoe with regular shocks, they are much more soft or "spongy". If you are gonna lower it with lowering springs, then you have nothing to worry about. Also, if your Nivomat shocks are still good, could I get them from you when you remove them? Just PM me and let me know what you'd want for them.

ya man, I'd be glad to send them to you...they are the originals with 78,000 miles...but I've heard the nivomats last a long time...if you're still interested let me know, and make an offer