Replacing rear shocks in a ZW7 & G65 Yukon

[Skydmark]

I've done a fair amount of searching and looking around but I'm still on the fence on what to do here. I just picked up an 06 Yukon with 200k miles. It needs some love but I got it cheap. I just need it as a commuter basically and if the truck seems otherwise solid come spring I'll consider upgrades.

That being said, a previous owner replaced the rear Nivomat shocks with standard Pro Comp shocks and they've been there a little while by the looks of them. This thing doesn't ride or handle that well as a result. I don't want to replace the springs at this point. This is also being done on a budget. So as I see it I have 3 options

1. Buy a used pair of Nivomats ($350 shipped)
2. Buy some Monroe MA830 air shocks and AK29 manual air kit ($120 or so)
3. Buy some Monroe 58639 Coil assisted shocks (idk if that's the proper term) $200

I'm NOT looking for a cushy ride, in fact I'd almost prefer a slightly stiffer ride. I also don't plan to tow much with this, perhaps a utility trailer now and then nothing major. I'm leaning towards Option 3 for ease of install and reasonable cost but I can't find anyone that's gone this route and returned to say if the vehicle handled ok after.

Thanks in advance for any help! And whatever route I go, I'll try and report back here for future reference.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I've done a fair amount of searching and looking around but I'm still on the fence on what to do here. I just picked up an 06 Yukon with 200k miles. It needs some love but I got it cheap. I just need it as a commuter basically and if the truck seems otherwise solid come spring I'll consider upgrades.

That being said, a previous owner replaced the rear Nivomat shocks with standard Pro Comp shocks and they've been there a little while by the looks of them. This thing doesn't ride or handle that well as a result. I don't want to replace the springs at this point. This is also being done on a budget. So as I see it I have 3 options

1. Buy a used pair of Nivomats ($350 shipped)
2. Buy some Monroe MA830 air shocks and AK29 manual air kit ($120 or so)
3. Buy some Monroe 58639 Coil assisted shocks (idk if that's the proper term) $200

I'm NOT looking for a cushy ride, in fact I'd almost prefer a slightly stiffer ride. I also don't plan to tow much with this, perhaps a utility trailer now and then nothing major. I'm leaning towards Option 3 for ease of install and reasonable cost but I can't find anyone that's gone this route and returned to say if the vehicle handled ok after.

Thanks in advance for any help! And whatever route I go, I'll try and report back here for future reference.

The Nimovats, while expensive, were the design preference for this truck, and the suspension was built to use their characteristics. My suggestion is to go with the Nimovats, but in full transparency, other folks have replaced them with other shocks.

 

[treehan77]

The Nivomats ride the best and perform great. If swapped to regular or Bilsteins, make sure the coil springs have already been replaced with the z71 type springs or replace them

 

[Double J]

Always had Bilsteins on the previous Tahoes and Suburbans then picked up current Yukon with the ZW7 RPO …was too soft initially so tried severlal configurations:

Installed lowering springs in the rear to level out the rake and Bilstein 4600 series with Nolathane front and rear sway bars… handling great, ride was too rough

Kept the 4600s and went back to stock ZW7 springs and sway bar…front great…rear felt like it was swishing around..pretty bizzaro

Today, installed a new set of Nivomats in the rear now paired with the original springs and stock sway bars so we’ll see. Seems many like the ride and I’m ready for a little less road ride drama (Edit: definitely smoother and added the Nolathane sway bar back in the rear to tighten it up a bit…ride is a nice compromise now)

If after awhile the ride still feels lame, it will be back to the Bilsteins and z71 springs …like old times