Shocks for a plusher ride?

[edved796]

Hi folks,

First post here. Apologies up front if this has been addressed elsewhere; if it has, I haven't been able to find it.

Any suggestions for shocks (and springs?) that could make the ride softer on my 2017 Tahoe LT with ZW7 suspension code (73K miles)? The ride is horrible to me; harsh and jarring in town (but fine on the highway). Speed humps send me into a different dimension. I had an '04 Tahoe LT that was smooth and plush; it just floated over bumps and speed humps. I'm trying to get closer to that ride. Mind-boggling to me how much worse my current Tahoe's ride is.

I realize tires and tire size can impact the ride. My '04 had the stock 17s, but my '17 has the with 18s. Seems like this could explain some difference, but not this much. Tires are Michelin Defender LTX M/S.

Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

Have you had the shocks checked out to see what condition they are in? That is the first place that I would look, before doing anything else.

I don't think that 18" vs. 17" wheels would make a significant difference, and the Michelin Defender tires are an excellent tire. What tire size are you running?

 

[edved796]

Thanks for your reply, and I do hope to participate!

Attached the only pic I have at the moment, but can get you pics of the suspension later, if that's what you want to see.

I did have the suspension checked by my long-time shop, and they said it all checked out fine. Tire size is 265/65/18.

Thanks again!

 

[edved796]

Here are some pics of the suspension. Hope these are helpful to anyone who might be willing to offer some guidance.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Your 275/65x18 tire has enough sidewall to provide some cushioning on the road, and I'm not sure how a higher profile tire, like a 70 profile tire, would fit without rubbing.

From what I can see, the shocks are not leaking oil, and that is good. One of your end links to the front sway bar has a rubber isolator that looks about shot, so I'd look at getting new end links for the front sway bar.

 

[Bigburb3500]

Hello, so I just replaced my factory shocks on my 2018 (70k-ish miles) and 3 of the 4 shocks were toast. Similar ride to what you described.
I agree that the shocks don’t look bad visually but neither did mine. When I took them off the rears were basically frozen and the front puked oil all over me when I removed them.

I went with Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks. Probably will never change them but I have the ability to do so. Find the RockAuto discount codes that are posted here and order a set ($350 or something). I almost guarantee it’s the shocks.

 

[mp5pdw]

It's the shocks unless you're riding on 32" wheels

 

[Doubeleive]

get some bilstein's 4600 or 5100, I wouldn't even look sideways at the rancho's even if they were free, same garbage gm put on the Z71 pickups

 

[Bigburb3500]

get some bilstein's 4600 or 5100, I wouldn't even look sideways at the rancho's even if they were free, same garbage gm put on the Z71 pickups

Ouch… rough crowd on the Ranchos lol.

I thought the Ranchos were different than the factory OEM? The ones I just bought seemed very nice and they really made a difference in ride. Life time warranty also is a big plus. Only time will tell…

 

[Doubeleive]

Ouch… rough crowd on the Ranchos lol.

I thought the Ranchos were different than the factory OEM? The ones I just bought seemed very nice and they really made a difference in ride. Life time warranty also is a big plus. Only time will tell…

The 9000'S may be a better build quality than what gm used for oem, but I personally have never been impressed with them, many find them to be too stiff and gm already has a reputation for the oem shocks going bad and causing a rough ride, putting rancho's on them is like icing on the cake.

 

[Bigburb3500]

Ahhh ok that makes sense. I was very impressed with the overall quality of the 9k. The factory ones are garbage. These felt nicer and look much better once installed - at the price they are even better. I will be updating my 3500 thread as I put some miles on them but I agree with you that I would not have bought the lower end Ranchos just simply as they looked like “basic” replacements. If replacing, replace with something better than factory.

 

[gtrslngrchris]

The 9000'S may be a better build quality than what gm used for oem, but I personally have never been impressed with them, many find them to be too stiff and gm already has a reputation for the oem shocks going bad and causing a rough ride, putting rancho's on them is like icing on the cake.

I will throw Rancho under the bus for my durability concerns every day of the week but the 9000XLs ride smooth AF.

 

[Bigburb3500]

I will throw Rancho under the bus for my durability concerns every day of the week but the 9000XLs ride smooth AF.

I agree so far. Had them set to a 1 just to see how “soft” they could go… it was literally like being on a boat to the point it felt unsteady. Both front and rears at 5 and it’s real nice.

 

[TxVet33]

Hello, so I just replaced my factory shocks on my 2018 (70k-ish miles) and 3 of the 4 shocks were toast. Similar ride to what you described.
I agree that the shocks don’t look bad visually but neither did mine. When I took them off the rears were basically frozen and the front puked oil all over me when I removed them.

I went with Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks. Probably will never change them but I have the ability to do so. Find the RockAuto discount codes that are posted here and order a set ($350 or something). I almost guarantee it’s the shocks.

When I purchased my XL SLT it had 18" tires and original {looked original} shocks. I bought some 20" Wheels/Tires {Pirelli Scorpions} & put new Rancho 9000's on the rear, much better ride and quieter tires. Getting ready to do the front shocks...

 

[Bigburb3500]

When I purchased my XL SLT it had 18" tires and original {looked original} shocks. I bought some 20" Wheels/Tires {Pirelli Scorpions} & put new Rancho 9000's on the rear, much better ride and quieter tires. Getting ready to do the front shocks...

Check RockAuto before you buy. There are discount codes posted by several members on here too. They are hard to beat cost wise.

 

[BMPNUGLS]

I recently put passive Arnott struts and shocks all the way around my 16 Denali XL…the original front struts had locked up….the Arnotts are INCREDIBLE in terms of ride and seem to get better as they get a few more miles on them (likely the springs setting in). I highly recommend the Arnotts to replace/get rid of magneride struts/shocks…plug and play! The cheapest place to get them is through Rockauto.com.

 

[petethepug]

Arnott are great but the OP didn’t state the truck had GM’s active z55 / AutoRide from the factory.

If you’re getting the hoopty on speed bumps and the local shop says they’re fine, my first question is … did the shop go take some speed bumps in your truck?

Bilstein has race, street as well as well as cross over loyalty to heavy luxury European cars. Like the OEM z55, Bilstein are guaranteed for life and have a 140+ year history.

Rancho show a 3-12 Mo warranty (online) with a truck only following. Rancho was sold to Tenneco in ‘90 who had also acquired Federal - Mogul, Monroe & Walker. The RS9000 does have a lifetime Warr but reviews show issues

Rancho Quicklift leveling Struts+Rear Shocks Kit compatible with 07-13 Tahoe

https://a.co/d/hW73lPB

I’d stick with @Doubelieve referral. The B8/5100 are height adjustable for leveling. 4600/B6 are the highline, high press gas charged optimal for towing / off-road to limit cavitation and fade.

 

[Bigburb3500]

Arnott are great but the OP didn’t state the truck had GM’s active z55 / AutoRide from the factory.

If you’re getting the hoopty on speed bumps and the local shop says they’re fine, my first question is … did the shop go take some speed bumps in your truck?

Bilstein has race, street as well as well as cross over loyalty to heavy luxury European cars. Like the OEM z55, Bilstein are guaranteed for life and have a 140+ year history.

Rancho show a 3-12 Mo warranty (online) with a truck only following. Rancho was sold to Tenneco in ‘90 who had also acquired Federal - Mogul, Monroe & Walker. The RS9000 does have a lifetime Warr but reviews show issues

Rancho Quicklift leveling Struts+Rear Shocks Kit compatible with 07-13 Tahoe

https://a.co/d/hW73lPB

I’d stick with @Doubelieve referral. The B8/5100 are height adjustable for leveling. 4600/B6 are the highline, high press gas charged optimal for towing / off-road to limit cavitation and fade.

I have not seen an issues so far with my Ranchos… the lifetime warranty made me comfortable with them and based on the price, I can ride them for a year or two then put something else on and not feel overly guilty. Bilsteins were still a bit more expensive.

 

[petethepug]

Rancho are NOT bad shocks. Just different and newer in the shock game.

Bilstein vs Rancho Shocks - Comparisons and Real World Advice

The Debate Continues We cover the

www.shocksurplus.com