Which shocks to buy?

[diezelraccoon]

Needing new front and rear shocks on my 03 rear wheel drive Tahoe. I don’t really want to spend a tone on them. I saw a set of 4 ACdelco gas charged shocks for around $190. I tend to stay away from super cheap ones like Duralast. Just want something that’s gonna give me a comfortable ride like it was when it was new and not spend a time. I’m just a daily driver. Mostly decent roads, sometimes towing on occasion.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[OR VietVet]

You want your cake and eat it too. You get what you pay for. The higher priced ones give you a better feel and are more safe. They also allow the tires to wear longer. I chose KYB shocks on my 05 Z71 but I would have bought the Bilstein shocks. The better quality lasts longer and in the long run save you money.

 

[Fless]

Do your RPO codes include ZW7 and G65? If so, that's the Premium Smooth Ride suspension.

If no G65, then you don't have the self-leveling Nivomat shocks in the rear.

 

[mountie]

Do your RPO codes include ZW7 and G65? If so, that's the Premium Smooth Ride suspension.

If no G65, then you don't have the self-leveling Nivomat shocks in the rear.

On my '05 Yukon, I also have the ZW7 " Premium Smooth Ride" suspension.....
But there is a few versions of the" Premium Smooth Ride". I don't have the G67 RPO, for the self-leveling Nivomats ( also called Sachs shocks).
I don't have the air compressor version either..... Just the "Premium Shocks". ( Part # 540-433 ).
Not "self-leveling".
I searched for rear shocks, similar to the originals.... Bilstein describes their version of the #540-433, as " great for off-road, and this version is used on NASCAR race trucks" for better handling.....

That sounds like a very FIRM shock??

I'm getting the OEM shocks... I'm sure they will be fine, since mine have 175,000 miles ( and seem OK )
Took me about 3 months to decipher all the opinions & get the correct answers, on just "rear shocks", when you tell them the ZW7 - PSR. Who woulda known ??

 

[Fless]

I don't have the G67 RPO, for the self-leveling Nivomats ( also called Sachs shocks).

Please don't confuse people. G65 is for Nivomats. G67 is Auto, Air.

 

[mountie]

Please don't confuse people. G65 is for Nivomats. G67 is Auto, Air.

View attachment 431835

Sorry... I failed to say the other RPO code. My POINT was " ZW7" isn't necessarily NIVOMAT.
Even though, many people said, ZW7.... " Oh, that's NIVOMAT"...

 

[BattleTank]

Stay away from Rough Country.

 

[mountie]

Stay away from Rough Country.

.......... Florida = Bonneville Salt Flats... No prob...

 

[BattleTank]

.......... Florida = Bonneville Salt Flats... No prob...

No no no no...
Not rough country, the brand... Rough Country. They are worthless.

 

[mountie]

No no no no...
Not rough country, the brand... Rough Country. They are worthless.

Oh,,, crap.... I get it now..... I'm going with replacing with OEM..... After all these miles, and they feel pretty good, I'm going with same again.

 

[BattleTank]

Good deal

 

[Joseph Garcia]

As stated above in this thread, you get what you pay for, AT BEST.

 

[swathdiver]

Needing new front and rear shocks on my 03 rear wheel drive Tahoe. I don’t really want to spend a tone on them. I saw a set of 4 ACdelco gas charged shocks for around $190. I tend to stay away from super cheap ones like Duralast. Just want something that’s gonna give me a comfortable ride like it was when it was new and not spend a time. I’m just a daily driver. Mostly decent roads, sometimes towing on occasion.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Are those Delcos generic or specific to your vehicle? I always go with what was made for my truck and stay away from generic parts if possible. Better ride, longer lasting.

 

[mountie]

Are those Delcos generic or specific to your vehicle? I always go with what was made for my truck and stay away from generic parts if possible. Better ride, longer lasting.

AC Delco... specific to my Yukon.

 

[diezelraccoon]

Do your RPO codes include ZW7 and G65? If so, that's the Premium Smooth Ride suspension.

If no G65, then you don't have the self-leveling Nivomat shocks in the rear.

Looks like mine has both. So I need premium smooth ride suspension?

Do your RPO codes include ZW7 and G65? If so, that's the Premium Smooth Ride suspension.

If no G65, then you don't have the self-leveling Nivomat shocks in the rear.

 

[diezelraccoon]

Do your RPO codes include ZW7 and G65? If so, that's the Premium Smooth Ride suspension.

If no G65, then you don't have the self-leveling Nivomat shocks in the rear.

I’m having trouble finding rear shocks KYB brand. All the ones I find are saying except Z55 and non smooth ride.

 

[blackelky]

No no no no...
Not rough country, the brand... Rough Country. They are worthless.

I agree...I have them in the front and I can't wait to replace them with bilstein 6112s

 

[mountie]

Looks like mine has both. So I need premium smooth ride suspension?

View attachment 431931

The confusing subject..... " Premium Smooth Ride" / ZW7 - code.... GM made different versions. The additional RPO code, or NO additional code, determines which VERSION of the "Premium Smooth Ride" shocks and SPRINGS you have.

 

[mountie]

From what I gather..... the ZW7 / G65 ' manual self leveling" ( Nivomat) ... SHOULD be described as the "tow package" ? Since a heavier weight use, requires the leveling needs....( along with the air-assist G69 package)

CONFUSING descriptions: and the list is in front of your eyes.

 

[Fless]

I’m having trouble finding rear shocks KYB brand. All the ones I find are saying except Z55 and non smooth ride.

From the www.kyb.com/catalog:

For anything, stay away from the Excel-G shocks -- get the Gas-a-Just or better.

How long have you had this SUV, and can you tell if the PSR shocks in the rear were converted to standard shocks? That conversion can be done if the rear coil springs are done at the same time.

Rock Auto has the PSR Nivomat replacement shocks under the GM Genuine and KYB brands.

What do your current shocks look like, and do the springs still have the tags on them? Here's what the OE Nivomat shocks look like. They're quite a bit fatter (more girth) than standard shocks.