Struts with lift? Or OEM size with spacer?

[Cryptothedog]

I have a 3 inch lift. I just put new rough country shocks on the rear. I still have oem shocks on the front with a top and bottom spacer. I'm going to replace the struts with new ones and saw that rough country has an already lifted strut. Is it better to go with an already lifted strut or an oem size strut with spacers? Does it make any difference?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Good question. @Trey Hardy may be able to provide you with some perspectives on your question.

 

[swathdiver]

I think the top spacers look hokey and have longer struts (Zone 6.5") on my lifted Sierra. But if you're on a budget, you're on a budget. To each, his own.

 

[Cryptothedog]

I think the top spacers look hokey and have longer struts (Zone 6.5") on my lifted Sierra. But if you're on a budget, you're on a budget. To each, his own.

Im willing to pay more for the longer struts without the spacers if there is an advantage (better ride quality/handling, better off-road performance, etc.) in doing so. If it makes no difference I’m not gonna pay more because I already have the spacers on my truck currently.

 

[swathdiver]

Im willing to pay more for the longer struts without the spacers if there is an advantage (better ride quality/handling, better off-road performance, etc.) in doing so. If it makes no difference I’m not gonna pay more because I already have the spacers on my truck currently.

Couldn't tell you. I do know that the ride with a 6 1/2" lift running on 35" mud tires on the highway was just as pleasant as the stock zero-timed suspension of my Yukon XL, well, almost.

We've not hesitated to drive it across country as it still delivers a comfortable ride.

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

I would suggest looking at the following front coilover options, Rough Country being one of the last companies I would prefer to use. If you are looking at RC, then perhaps consider upgrading to their remote reservoir Vertex coilover. Several lifted height options available.

Otherwise, I suggest looking at Fox 2.0 coilovers, Eibach Pro Lift coilovers, Bilstein 6112 assembled strut & spring, Freedom Off-Road 1-4" adj. coilovers

If the $ amount IS the issue, I would suggest giving the Freedom Off-Road a chance before trying RC. So far, all of my experiences with RC products have been a let down. Certainly lower quality product; it's true, you get what you pay for with RC...

The lifted strut/adjustable coilover is going to ride better than the strut spacers. The spacers are limiting travel of the front shocks on your setup.


Safe Travels - keep us posted!

 

[Cryptothedog]

I would suggest looking at the following front coilover options, Rough Country being one of the last companies I would prefer to use. If you are looking at RC, then perhaps consider upgrading to their remote reservoir Vertex coilover. Several lifted height options available.

Otherwise, I suggest looking at Fox 2.0 coilovers, Eibach Pro Lift coilovers, Bilstein 6112 assembled strut & spring, Freedom Off-Road 1-4" adj. coilovers

If the $ amount IS the issue, I would suggest giving the Freedom Off-Road a chance before trying RC. So far, all of my experiences with RC products have been a let down. Certainly lower quality product; it's true, you get what you pay for with RC...

The lifted strut/adjustable coilover is going to ride better than the strut spacers. The spacers are limiting travel of the front shocks on your setup.


Safe Travels - keep us posted!

Thanks for the advice! That gives me a lot to look at. I had no idea you could replace the front struts with coilovers.

 

[swathdiver]

Thanks for the advice! That gives me a lot to look at. I had no idea you could replace the front struts with coilovers.

Many guys change them back after experiencing coil overs, at least with the 900s.

 

[Cryptothedog]

Many guys change them back after experiencing coil overs, at least with the 900s.

Do you mean they change back to the struts after trying coilovers? Or keep the coilovers after switching?

 

[swathdiver]

Do you mean they change back to the struts after trying coilovers? Or keep the coilovers after switching?

Yes, they change back to struts because of the ride and quality, coilovers don't last.

 

[Cryptothedog]

Yes, they change back to struts because of the ride and quality, coilovers don't last.

Good to know. I’ll probably just stick with struts then

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Yes, they change back to struts because of the ride and quality, coilovers don't last.

Agree with @swathdiver, as I believe that the OEM suspension is better. Full disclosure: Many folks do prefer aftermarket suspension systems. Personal preference.

 

[tratpop]

Longer struts theoretically should be cleaner, easier, etc. But mechanically would be no different in function than spacer. If they are designed for the same spring as stock, then it is just shifting the mounting point.

Not sure how these trucks respond to it, but a lot of times you can cut off the first nub of the bump stops and gain a little more free travel before the bump stops engage and drive your spring rate up.

I also found that the aftermarket assembled strut kits seem to have a taller/stiffer spring than stock. At least than a stock Tahoe spring. I wonder if these aftermarket guys find a close enough spring that works across all models and trims of GM trucks, and use it for everything. But my truck rides 1 1/2” taller than stock in front.

 

[fredcook]

I have a 4" lift on a 2008. Originally, I went with original shocks and coil overs. When they wore out, I replaced them with longer shocks. I didn't notice any difference. When those shocks wore out, I went back to stock shocks and the spacers. Again, I didn't detect any difference. The reason I went back to stock spec shocks is simplicity. When I need shocks, I just get stock spec shocks.

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

I had mentioned Freedom Off-Road as an option to take a look at for the coilovers.
I was just poking around their website and Freedom is now offering lifted strut/coil options for our trucks!
They even have lifted strut/coil combo for Magnaride!
This could be a game changer for people with z95 z55 suspension codes.
Anyways, figured I would drop it in here.
Reasonably priced too...

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

@Cryptothedog -> any updates? Did you make any decisions?

 

[Cryptothedog]

@Cryptothedog -> any updates? Did you make any decisions?

I’m going to go the lifted strut direction and not coils. I’ve gotta stop spending money on hunting so that I can get them replaced. Every time I take my truck out hunting the struts scream at me and remind me that they would rather be dead then spend another second attached to my truck.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

IMO the best 0-3 inch lift strut is a bilstein 5100 with a lift block.

The options in this area are limited to cheap lift struts or expensive coilovers.

So if I had to choose between a rough country lifted strut or a bilstein 5100 with a 2 inch spacer.. I’m going with the bilsteins every time.

 

[olyelr]

IMO the best 0-3 inch lift strut is a bilstein 5100 with a lift block.

The options in this area are limited to cheap lift struts or expensive coilovers.

So if I had to choose between a rough country lifted strut or a bilstein 5100 with a 2 inch spacer.. I’m going with the bilsteins every time.

Shouldnt need a spacer with the bills…they are height adjustable. I think up to 2.8” or so.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@olyelr The bilstein 5100s are good up to 1.5 inches of lift using the adjustable spring perches but in this case since he already has the spacers, it will be easiest to replicate his existing height by swapping the spacers over to bilsteins set to factory height. In understand the stigma with spacers but tuning ride height sucks! Keep it simple.