Bought Tahoe with TBs Cranked, How bad?

[Moresnowdays]

Bilstein 24-186643 - Wrong mount types for a GMT400, this one is for a NBS...

I've seen where some have said that a TB crank on my truck would benefit from a little bit longer shock than OEM, and I believe the 4600's are. Going with the 4-6inch 5100's that fit OBS will bottom out with out a lift kit.

 

[TARDIS]

Sounds like the ride quality is the nature of the beast. Curious, what shocks did you run on yours? Gonna have to order mine soon.

Just have to decide to keep the rake or tone it down, then time to align it.

I don't know if this helps but, I replaced the Bilsteins on my barn find, with a set that was suggested to me.

KYB Excel-G 344266


I also own a 96 ExtCab Silverado & the pickup's ride was much more comfortable until I switched to these on my 96 Yukon.

I really like them. they were a great price, and the truck is still tough, but a lot nicer for my back on long or short trips.

I had been running them on 265-75-16s. Then I tried them with 305 70 16.
I found the dampers had good ability with both the highway tire and the M/T.

I'll be mounting a 285 75 16 hybrid tire this weekend for a road trip with mixed driving. I think they'll do well.

 

[Moresnowdays]

Thanks for the heads up Tardis, I might have to look into the KYB's.

So here is my issue now. I installed the rear 5100's, no problem. Got the old shocks out of the front. I took the Bilstein 4600 for my front and put in the top bolt. When I went below to hook up the bottom I found that the shock was fully extended, and only needed to come up maybe a 1/2 inch to fit in the lower bracket. That is with my truck just sitting on the tires, not jacked up or anything.

I'm thinking there is no way I can run these 4600's (part# 24-104050). They will have to top out over just about every bump. What options do I have?

 

[east302]

Length-wise, how did they compare to the ones you removed, assuming those were the original Bilsteins.

It’s the same part number that I have on mine. I didn’t pay attention to how much slack it had in it before installing, though.


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[Moresnowdays]

Length-wise, how did they compare to the ones you removed, assuming those were the original Bilsteins.

It’s the same part number that I have on mine. I didn’t pay attention to how much slack it had in it before installing, though.


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They were exactly the same, I thought they would be a little longer. For downward travel, what shoul be the limiting factor? Metal on metal stop, or the shock?

I would think neither is a great idea, but maybe it's supposed to be the shock? I would think the socks wouldn't last long that way though.

I jacked up the frame till the upper control arm hit the stop. The frame didn't even go up an inch.

 

[east302]

I’d think that the bump stop on the LCA would be the limit with the tire going up, but not sure about it going down. I’d guess it’s the UCA hitting the bracket, but never have paid attention when jacking it up.

I have about an inch, maybe inch a and a quarter, clearance below the UCA and about the same from the bottom of the bump stop to a line across the top of the dimple that it would go into on the LCA.

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[Moresnowdays]

Thanks for the pics east302!

I'm gonna guess it's just the way it's supposed to be, I'm just cranked up to much to have much down travel left.

When set to factory z height there must be enough down travel that it would rarely hit the bottom end of the travel. At my current setting I think I will top it rather often.

 

[east302]

Z height on mine is 7”, it’s roughly leveled


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[fastpat]

Bilstein for the win. There is no question that they're the best shocks for our trucks available. It's my opinion that if Bilstein corporate gives advice, it's the rule.

I'll be checking my Bilsteins on my Z71 truck for fluid leaks and if I find that, I'll replace them by axle location.

 

[Moresnowdays]

Fastpat, Do you know what Bilstein model or part number your running on the front of your Yukon? How much crank on your TB's?

 

[gkohlberge]

Good luck with it I love my Tahoe

 

[Moresnowdays]

Well, I guess I'm doing both. I already have the Bilstein 5100's installed on the rear. I also swapped out the 2.5"blocks in the back and put in 1.5" blocks.

Here's a shot with the above done, uncranked six turns on the adjustment bolts. This gives me a Z height on the front of 6.5" (Stock being 6" - 6.4") Dropped the front just over an inch. No front shocks installed. You can see the level just under the truck that was on the ground on the other side.

I'm not sure if this is to much rake at the moment. Measures 36-1/4" at front wheel wells, and 38 at the rear. The rear wheel wells are an inch lower on the body, so that's 39 in the back. That leaves a 2.75" rake.

I went ahead and ordered the Rancho 7000's (RS7152) for the front. I'm convinced they should be the best for the front. I still have the Bilstein 4600's just so I can compare them before I return them. I'm also leaving the Bilstein 5100's in the rear, I find no real difference between them and the Rancho 7000's as far as the rear shocks go.

Hopefully I'll get the Rancho 7000's on the front Thursday and play a bit more with torsion bars before I get it aligned Friday. Not sure if the Rancho shocks will cause the front to lift just a bit, so I'll wait till their in to finalize the front height. I can't decide if I like the current rake, or going to crank back up one or two turns. I should be under 7" Z height reguardless, which is better than the 8" Z height I was at.

 

[Toomanyhobbies]

Bilstein for the win. There is no question that they're the best shocks for our trucks available. It's my opinion that if Bilstein corporate gives advice, it's the rule.

I'll be checking my Bilsteins on my Z71 truck for fluid leaks and if I find that, I'll replace them by axle location.

I don't think you will find fluid leaks on your Bilsteins because they are gas operated. If they have 50K miles on them, they probably need to be replaced.

 

[fastpat]

I don't think you will find fluid leaks on your Bilsteins because they are gas operated. If they have 50K miles on them, they probably need to be replaced.

Bilsteins have both oil and gas inside. There's a floating piston separating the gas from the oil, usually gas below and oil above the floating piston. The piston attached to the shaft has the valves in it. Unlike conventional shocks, Bilsteins add to your spring rate and without the factory temporary restraining strap they're shipped with, Bilsteins self extend to their maximum travel. The one's I've installed can be compressed but you really have to lean into them to move them.

The seal that the piston rod moves through will eventually wear out and leak oil, I've had them do that as well.

I removed the crap Rancho shocks on my 2004 F-350 and installed Bilsteins, I expect them to last beyond my life span, the truck hasn't broken 70k miles yet.