Escalade/Denali upgrade/ replace suspension system

[Denaliz]

Who has gone thru this process and is there a package or parts list anyone would recommend?

I am the original owner of a 2011 Yukon Denali. It's at the point where the suspension badly needs to be replaced as well as the air ride shocks and compressor are shot. I want to upgrade over the OEM since I plan on keeping this truck long term.

I'm thinking I may as well do a 2/4 drop and upgrade the cornering on it. Looking for recommendations from others who have gone thru this.

Thanks in advance for any help and info.

 

[avalonandl]

What do u mean by workout?

All it takes is money

 

[kbuskill]

For clarification, are you wanting to upgrade the suspension while maintaining the Autoride and Auto leveling features or just keep the Auto leveling or get rid of all that and install "Dumb" shocks/struts???

 

[Denaliz]

What do u mean by workout?

All it takes is money

‍ I have no idea what you are asking? I’m not seeing anywhere my post says work out?

 

[Denaliz]

For clarification, are you wanting to upgrade the suspension while maintaining the Autoride and Auto leveling features or just keep the Auto leveling or get rid of all that and install "Dumb" shocks/struts???

Hey guys- I need to replace air ride shocks and compressor. I’ll keep the air ride unless there’s a better option that doesn’t downgrade the ride quality vs eom air ride.

I also plan on doing a 2/4 drop with Cornering upgrades(add on’s besides 2/4 drop normal items). The original front end suspension is pretty much toast at this point and I planned on a 2/4 drop so wanting to streamline this on my end.

I’m asking for any packages others have used to upgrade suspension and the 2/4 drop. I see the tony guys stuff in vendors section but wanting info from others who have been thru this before. Thanks in advance guys.

 

[gooffeyguy]

‍[emoji3603] I have no idea what you are asking? I’m not seeing anywhere my post says work out?

The title of the post has workout and is a bit confusing

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[91RS]

I replaced my front and rear shocks with OEM. I bought the truck with mag/auto ride for a reason. I also replaced all four control arms with new OEM because 3 of the ball joints had play and I replaced the front springs since they had sagged about 3/4” from new.

You don’t want a 2/4 drop or the rear will look lower than the front because of the slope of the roof. I used the Belltech 2/3 kit but you’ll want to use McGaughy’s rear shock extenders. The Belltech ones don’t extend the shock that much and the air shocks don’t like that. With the McGaughy’s extenders the shocks only wound up being about 0.5” shorter than at the stock height. The Belltech kit comes with new shorter links for the ride height sensors and shorter bump stops. I also used the Eibach sway bars. Everyone who’s driven my truck has commented on how great it rides.

 

[petethepug]

You don’t want a 2/4 drop or the rear will look lower than the front because of the slope of the roof. I used the Belltech 2/3 kit but you’ll want to use McGaughy’s rear shock extenders. The Belltech ones don’t extend the shock that much and the air shocks don’t like that. With the McGaughy’s extenders the shocks only wound up being about 0.5” shorter than at the stock height. The Belltech kit comes with new shorter links for the ride height sensors and shorter bump stops. I also used the Eibach sway bars. Everyone who’s driven my truck has commented on how great it rides.

Good info here [emoji106]


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[Denaliz]

I’m an idiot/ I see the title to my thread was a victim of auto correct. That’s on me sorry ‍

 

[cmatt]

I replaced my front and rear shocks with OEM. I bought the truck with mag/auto ride for a reason. I also replaced all four control arms with new OEM because 3 of the ball joints had play and I replaced the front springs since they had sagged about 3/4” from new.

You don’t want a 2/4 drop or the rear will look lower than the front because of the slope of the roof. I used the Belltech 2/3 kit but you’ll want to use McGaughy’s rear shock extenders. The Belltech ones don’t extend the shock that much and the air shocks don’t like that. With the McGaughy’s extenders the shocks only wound up being about 0.5” shorter than at the stock height. The Belltech kit comes with new shorter links for the ride height sensors and shorter bump stops. I also used the Eibach sway bars. Everyone who’s driven my truck has commented on how great it rides.

Regarding replacing the springs, outside of comparing the old & new springs next to each other, how did you know they had sagged? Also, is there an approx. age/mileage they would be replaced?


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[91RS]

After I lowered it the ride height looked too low in the front and I just had a suspicion. They will always sag over time, there isn't anything that can be done about that (that's why alignment should be checked yearly because the sagging will change the toe). In my case, it seemed mileage did more wear than age because my 08 with 145k was sagged 3/4" but the 12 with 180k was sagged 1".

 

[cmatt]

After I lowered it the ride height looked too low in the front and I just had a suspicion. They will always sag over time, there isn't anything that can be done about that (that's why alignment should be checked yearly because the sagging will change the toe). In my case, it seemed mileage did more wear than age because my 08 with 145k was sagged 3/4" but the 12 with 180k was sagged 1".

I see. What about the Z55 shocks? Any mileage/age limitations on them? The ones on my 2012 Suburban look like they’re original and have 135k on them. I don’t see any leaks and the rear seem to be holding air. This is the first set of “smart” shocks I’ve had experience with.


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[91RS]

Because of the way they work, they’re not supposed to wear out over time like regular passive shocks do. As long as they’re not leaking, they should be fine. I replaced them on my 08 just because but I didn’t replace them on my 12 and they ride about the same.