Need new shocks - best recommendations

[03X2]

My Nivomats had around 250-260k on them when I took them off, and they were still working great. I couldn't even compress them by hand.

thanks. You replaced the rear with the nivomats?

 

[Tonyrodz]

thanks. You replaced the rear with the nivomats?

No, at 1st I used KYB Excels with the Nivomat springs. The stock springs were too soft and the KYB Excels are garbage. I had them on maybe a month, then literally threw them in the garbage. Bought some lowering springs and got some Bilstein 4600s from a fellow member. Rides way better.

 

[03X2]

No, at 1st I used KYB Excels with the Nivomat springs. The stock springs were too soft and the KYB Excels are garbage. I had them on maybe a month, then literally threw them in the garbage. Bought some lowering springs and got some Bilstein 4600s from a fellow member. Rides way better.

Thanks for the info. I looked through your build, incredible, especially the 6.0 swap!! Ive been giving some thought to lowering my ‘03 Tahoe 2WD that has the Nivomats. You mentioned purchasing an ‘inexpensive’, but couldn’t find what you used……

 

[Tonyrodz]

Thanks for the info. I looked through your build, incredible, especially the 6.0 swap!! Ive been giving some thought to lowering my ‘03 Tahoe 2WD that has the Nivomats. You mentioned purchasing an ‘inexpensive’, but couldn’t find what you used……

Thanks!
I bought a lowering setup from Crownsuspension.com. It came with lowering keys instead of spindles. It's not the best kit out there but I was on a budget, and it rides fine for me. Is this what you're referring to specifically? Or are you asking about shocks?

 

[03X2]

Thanks for the info. I looked through your build, incredible, especially the 6.0 swap!! Ive been giving some thought to lowering my ‘03 Tahoe 2WD that has the Nivomats. You mentioned purchasing an ‘inexpensive’, but couldn’t find what you used……

 

[03X2]

Thanks!
I bought a lowering setup from Crownsuspension.com. It came with lowering keys instead of spindles. It's not the best kit out there but I was on a budget, and it rides fine for me. Is this what you're referring to specifically? Or are you asking about shocks?

Both actually, also, did you do the install yourself?

 

[03X2]

Definitely on a budget

 

[03X2]

Thanks!
I bought a lowering setup from Crownsuspension.com. It came with lowering keys instead of spindles. It's not the best kit out there but I was on a budget, and it rides fine for me. Is this what you're referring to specifically? Or are you asking about shocks?

did you use the 2”, 3”, or 4” lowering kit?

 

[Tonyrodz]

Both actually, also, did you do the install yourself?

The 1st cheap shocks I bought were the KYB Excels. I used those with the original Nivomat springs--which are way too soft for non Nivomat shocks. At highway speeds the ride was actually scary. The back end would sway side to side. I wasn't the only one that had issues with those KYBs. Complete garbage! Don't waste your money. Iirc I went with the 2/3" drop from crownsuspension.com. came with rear lowering springs, rear shock relocation brackets and front keys. I had someone install it for me, but if your handy you could do it yourself, not very hard at all. You will need a special tool for the front keys iirc. It's been a few years and my memory is a little fuzzy, but it's pretty simple to do. Imo the best/budget shocks to use on these rigs are the Bilstein 4600s. Worth the money.
Nivomat next to the KYB Excel--huge difference.
Bilstein 4600s.
My rear setup now. You can see the rear shock extension bracket that comes with the lowering kit.
You can also see the rear Hellwig adjustable sway bar.

 

[Tonyrodz]

did you use the 2”, 3”, or 4” lowering kit?

Pretty sure it was the 2/3", as I didn't want to go too low.
BTW--Once you go lower you'll need to replace your jounce/bump stops, which is really easy AND cheap. Def makes a difference.