Installed bilstein 5100s and rear Z71 springs

[Dustin Jackson]

Working on dialing in this 2015 Suburban

Went with bilstein 5100s, using the factory height setting in the front combined with a little lift block the previous owner put on.

In the rear I went away from the air leveling shocks and used Z71 suburban springs in the rear with the bilstein 5100s. Seemed to give about an inch of lift over the air leveling system but I don't mind the rake and it will settle some. Part number 23154235

Very happy with the results

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I'm glad that you completed your project to your satisfaction.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Just realized I put this in the lifted section, should we move it?

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

Just realized I put this in the lifted section, should we move it?

No way, keep it here - you've got the new springs; that should give you increased ride height. Lifted or leveled baby! Nice choice, I liked my Bilsteins in the rear

 

[Fifty]

Can you measure from the center of your wheel to the fender lip so we can compare to stock and other springs?

This way of measuring eliminates tire size differences

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Fifty Looking like about 23.4 inches

 

[15burban]

How's the ride compared to before with the rear air?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@15burban coming from bilstein 5100s on my last vehicle I wasn’t impressed by the air ride. I’m not sure if the shocks were working correctly or not but I wasn’t about to buy new air shocks and still be disappointed. That’s why I went with new springs and shocks.

The 5100s are great. The ride is no longer boaty and body roll is non existent. Soaks up bumps and dips in the road without any drama.

 

[15burban]

Thanks. This is probably going to be the route I take with our 15. I replaced the rear air shocks with oem last year when one puked out. The stock passive struts are original at 93k and more then likely will need attention soon although they still pass the "rebound test". The air compressor has recently started sounding like a bag or marbles so when that craps the bed....

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@15burban Yup, you replace one part of it and then another part breaks. Keep it simple! Hardest part is swapping the springs over to the front 5100s but once you’ve done it before it’s no drama. I use a Maddox 2 rod spring compressor set from harbor freight works no problem

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Here are some better pictures

 

[15burban]

Did you have to do anything, resistors or anything to trick the computer for the air compressor?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@15burban No I just disconnected the air lines and left them hanging. No dashboard lights or anything. The compressor does come on for like 2 seconds when starting the Suburban but doesn’t seem to run other than that.

I’m sure there is something more I’m supposed to do but information is inconsistent and it’s working fine enough as is.

 

[15burban]

Like I said it's my wife's rig and she already thinks I spend too much time out in the shop lol. She mentioned hearing the compressor run is annoying so I might just wait til it burns up. I know if I put a conventional rear suspension on it and if she still hears it even for a second then I'll be the one hearing it from her lol.

I've been trying to find a bypass or whatever it's called to plug in to keep the computer happy when the compressor is removed but I'm not having any luck. If a guy even needs one.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@15burban Let me see if I can figure that out how to completely disable the air compressor on mine since I'm on bilsteins already and I will let you know what I find out

 

[15burban]

That would be awesome and much appreciated!

 

[Cryptothedog]

Hmmm, I didn't realize the z71 spring was longer...this has me thinking. I may switch out my springs. I have a 3 or 3 1/2 inch puck in the back and then a puck in the front that lifts it 3" but my front is just a little higher than my rear end (probably like 1/2 to 1") I bet if I put these springs on that would fix that issue (if my brake lines are long enough to handle it) they are already about as tight as they can be.