My Z71 seems lower than it should

[Dustin Jackson]

Hey guys I picked up a 08 Z71 and it seems like it sits lower to the ground than others I have seen on here.

Maybe its just the wheel/tire combo that makes it seem lower?

It feels like the shocks in the rear might be due for replacement, would that cause the rear to sag a bit?

does anyone have stock axle to wheelwell measurements for a stock 08 Z71?

Any input would be great, thanks!

 

[Big Mama]

Does it have auto leveling out back? Do you hear. Compressor running more than a few seconds? If shocks are ok I’d guess the PO put lowering springs. 2-3” would be my guess

 

[swathdiver]

Hey guys I picked up a 08 Z71 and it seems like it sits lower to the ground than others I have seen on here.

Maybe its just the wheel/tire combo that makes it seem lower?

It feels like the shocks in the rear might be due for replacement, would that cause the rear to sag a bit?

does anyone have stock axle to wheelwell measurements for a stock 08 Z71?

Any input would be great, thanks!

View attachment 241842

I can look up specs but need your GVWR, your suspension's RPO code and whether or not you have RPO AS3. Oh, and the wheel and tire sizes.

 

[GreyStone]

Hey guys I picked up a 08 Z71 and it seems like it sits lower to the ground than others I have seen on here.

Maybe its just the wheel/tire combo that makes it seem lower?

It feels like the shocks in the rear might be due for replacement, would that cause the rear to sag a bit?

does anyone have stock axle to wheelwell measurements for a stock 08 Z71?

Any input would be great, thanks!

View attachment 241842

Remember... a lot of the trucks on this site have leveling kits or cut inner fender wells to run bigger tires, Yours does not seem that low to me. What size tire do you currently have?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Does it have auto leveling out back? Do you hear. Compressor running more than a few seconds? If shocks are ok I’d guess the PO put lowering springs. 2-3” would be my guess

As far as I know the suspension is stock, it has the Z71 suspension just just basic springs and shocks.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

I can look up specs but need your GVWR, your suspension's RPO code and whether or not you have RPO AS3. Oh, and the wheel and tire sizes.

I think they're 275/55/r20 on 20 inch wheels.

 

[swathdiver]

I think they're 275/55/r20 on 20 inch wheels.

View attachment 241885

She looks lowered, especially with an actual Z71 suspension. Probably a 2-3 drop. What do you think Chris? @iamdub

Ok, your GVWR is 7300 LBS and this model with those wheels and tires has a base curb weight of 5450 LBS. If you take the cargo weight capacity on the Tire and Loading Information and subtract it from your GVWR you get the actual curb weight of your truck with a fuel tank of fuel as delivered from the factory. So if your over 5450, the numbers I'm about to give you will be somewhat different.

Datum Hole. This is an oblong hole in the frame behind the front wheels. The height from the ground to the Datum Hole will be anywhere from 15.4 inches to 13.4 inches. The low number is if your truck was at its maximum weight of 7300 pounds. Make sense?

Next point is the Step Point at the rear of the front doors. Range is 22.6 to 20.7. Step Point 2, the bottom of the rear doors is 23 to 21.1 inches.

Next you have your rear cargo load height, 26.3 to 23.4 inches and finally the height of the frame at the back of the truck, 15.8 or 13.9 inches.

GM doesn't use fenderwell measurements. These numbers come from an Upfitter's Manual called Vehicle and Frame Height Charts, the 2008 edition.

 

[iamdub]

It really looks like how mine ('08 2WD non-Z71) sat when stock except yours is a little higher in the front. I don't recall the measurements, but I thought the Z71s were about 1.25" higher. If yours was lowered, then it was very minimally, like maybe non-Z71 springs were swapped in. Them datum hole measurements that James listed would be your best bet. My guess is that it's 100% stock and your viewing point and/or the angle of the pic makes the fender gap look smaller. Are you a tall guy?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

It really looks like how mine ('08 2WD non-Z71) sat when stock except yours is a little higher in the front. I don't recall the measurements, but I thought the Z71s were about 1.25" higher. If yours was lowered, then it was very minimally, like maybe non-Z71 springs were swapped in. Them datum hole measurements that James listed would be your best bet. My guess is that it's 100% stock and your viewing point and/or the angle of the pic makes the fender gap look smaller. Are you a tall guy?

I looked today and I see that my rear springs are blue, is that factory Z71?

 

[iamdub]

I looked today and I see that my rear springs are blue, is that factory Z71?

This is interesting. I've never known of any factory coil to be any color other than black.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

This is interesting. I've never known of any factory coil to be any color other than black.

After looking online it looks like a company called ground force makes blue lowering springs for the Tahoe. Now I just need to figure out what has been to the front...

 

[Doubeleive]

Does it have auto leveling out back? Do you hear. Compressor running more than a few seconds? If shocks are ok I’d guess the PO put lowering springs. 2-3” would be my guess

for future reference z71 does not have air ride

 

[Big Mama]

You may find nothing has been done up front. Looks like the PO wanted to level it so rather that raising the front they dropped the back.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

You may find nothing has been done up front. Looks like the PO wanted to level it so rather that raising the front they dropped the back.

I hope so. I can't believe I didn't realize it was lowered before I bought it, I guess the 20 inch wheels threw me off. Then I got to thinking "isn't the Z71 supposed to be a little higher than other tahoes?" I was wanting to add an inch or 2 of lift but it looks like I'll have to address these springs also, hopefully nothing else has been done to it.

Any recommendations on where I could find Z71 springs for the rear?

 

[Phildirt]

I'd leave it, looks great. Lowering the rear is so much smarter than leveling the front to achieve the same stance from a wear/tear and ride quality perspective.

 

[swathdiver]

Any recommendations on where I could find Z71 springs for the rear?

Amazon, Ebay, RockAuto, GMPartsDirect, GMPartsGiant, etc.

 

[Big Mama]

Might even look at the classifieds here but go to GMpartsdirect.com to get the right part number. James, is there a noticeable difference between the Z71 spring vs non?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Might even look at the classifieds here but go to GMpartsdirect.com to get the right part number. James, is there a noticeable difference between the Z71 spring vs non?

That would be great to know, I want to make sure I'm getting the proper Z71 spring, that's the only reason I bought this truck was because of the Z71 package only to find out someone lowered it...

 

[Big Mama]

Try this pn 25978750. I got it from gmpartsdirect.com the only thing I’m unsure of is the label. It says for off road but doesn’t say z71. @PNW VietVet?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Try this pn 25978750. I got it from gmpartsdirect.com the only thing I’m unsure of is the label. It says for off road but doesn’t say z71. @PNW VietVet?

Thank you for that. I see what you mean, it says offroad but doesn't explicitly say Z71.