Put on the Bilsteins and wasn't really sure there was much of a difference? Put on the Beltech sway bars and I can take corners at speed, lol. But with the ZQ8 my ride is not exactly comfortable. Keeps the misses out though, lol. No bounce here for sure.

 

^ I'm wanting the bilstiens, but not sure if another shock will give the same qualities. And yeah, my Z71 rides pretty rough. Inflated to whatever the door says. I think it was 30psi. That was most of the reason I was wanting to get rid of the truck was because it rides like crap. -That and the nasty clunking I can't figure out. I shoulda gotten a full size.

 

IMO, if you buy a truck, do not expect it to ride like a car, and a full size regular cab, Z71 won't ride much better than what you are driving now.

 

Bilsteins on my Z71 resulted in a bit less body roll in turns and cornering and less nose dive when braking. Ride is firm but not harsh. Just what I would expect in a torsion bar front suspension truck.

 

can you provide me with a part number by chance for a stock 08 z71 torsion bar front suspension.

for some reason im having difficulties locating apart number for bilstein shocks that will work with my stock suspension on the front and rear. if anyone has the part numbers please feel free to help me out .

 

^ I think the short wheel base and a stiff off-road suspension on a light truck is a lot to blame. My F150 rode great. Wasn't quite spongy, but not stiff. It was just right. But it was also a 4200lb truck. This truck rides exactly like an ox cart. I was thinking of going to a dealership around here and talking with one of the people I know to get a test drive in a CC or Extended cab to see what the ride difference is. If there's a big difference, I may consider staying in a 355, but my VW itch has been biting me pretty hard lately.

And I'm a construction worker, so I've driven a slew of different trucks anything from F150's all the way to F650's, tri-axle dumps, Dodge 1500 and 2500 pickups, Almost any 85+ Silverado, foreign trucks overseas, Bronco's and Blazers... So I have a pretty good idea built on what a truck should feel like. But for some, these 355 trucks are exactly what they are looking for. I'm not doubting that or bashing it... I'm just questioning if this vehicle fits what I want or not. Nothing personal to anyone.

Just wondering if I want to put shocks in this and keep it or not do shocks and trade it in for the GTi or MkIV R32 I've been wanting. I'm a diverse gearhead, so the longest I've kept a vehicle has been my Camaro which I bought in 03, but looking to graduate to a Corvette.

 

Very good question, I also am looking to upgrade shocks. In talking to several shock shops bilstein shocks will be more rigid than oem so I've been looking into Monroe's but still researching. all I know is that it won't be bilsteins

 

^ Interesting point. I haven't considered that or even heard it yet. I've always been curious about the Edelbrock IAS shocks, but I've read some conflicting reviews. I'm not finding a lot for shocks on this..

 

Monroe or Rancho? Rock Auto has the Monroe's for $35/ea. I'm REALLY curious to see if this satisfies me. Willing to take the gamble now because a buddy has a jeep and we went wheeling yesterday. Drooling over a lift and Duratracks now..

 

if u are looking for some adjustable (probably more money obviously lol), rancho just released their RS9000's

RS999300 $93 each (need 2)

RS999301 $45 each (need 2)

remote Controller = $235 (can be adjusted manually)

 

^ Man... NICE truck! I'd really like to get my hands on a extended cab..

I don't need the adjustable. I'm gonna look into maybe getting the extended cab. Just a sexy look to it especially when lifted.

 

UPDATE.

I picked up a set of Gabriel Ultra's from Autozone. Figured I'd try them and seeing as the Sensatracks would take longer to get here (Don't feel like waiting) So I figured I'd try something else. They're the top of the line shock they have there and I got them for $66 out the door with my veteran's discount. I did the back two, the driver's side was blown. It would compress easily and wouldn't extend.

BIG Difference!! 0_o Makes the front end feel like crap now! Bottoms out very easily on most potholes and it really feels like the shock is not controling the spring very well at all. I'm going back today for the front two. I drive 180mi to the cape for work on sundays and back again on fri or thurs. So the Mass pike is littered with potholes and messed up roads, so this would be a PERFECT time to get a real good test of the difference!

I can barely tell the back end is an off-road suspension, but the front now with the stocker just feels horrible.

 

Sensatracs on rear and much better. As you stated. Front rides like ass but waiting to add zq8 springs when I change out the struts.

 

^ I just did the fronts and it's a little better. killed a lot of the bump steer problems. The truck handles much better now too. The shocks are a tad bouncy in the back, but I can't have the best of both worlds on this. It's not gonna happen. Off road Z71 with a great ride. The front is firm when it needs to be and soft when it needs to be. This is just my DD so I'm not looking to sink a lot of money into it. That's the car's area.. Gotta save up to fix the Eibach/Bilstien mess on that some time this year w Koni SA's and Strano springs.

 

I had installed the Rancho's and loved them, did both on and off road driving and hauling, never had an issue.

 

Another update...

I saw a 3mpg spike in fuel economy! 0_o Maybe the new shocks changed my driving habits. I would normally get 16-17 SOLID, no matter what I did. Mix of 3/4 HW and 1/4 city, 3/4 city and 1/4 HW...... Nothing.... 16-17mpg no matter what I did. This past time I went out to the cape for work was no different than any other time and I was 20.8mpg on this past half a tank of 87. 0_o I clock every singe tank of gas I run through this. Or whenever I fill up. Take the total filled and divide by the mileage. Simple stuff. I'm prolly not slowing down for the bumps anymore.

The truck drives a LOT better. Feels like it's got more power for some odd reason and actually handles a lot better.

 

Yep.. 21mpg now.. Definite MPG increase from the shocks...

 

:esquint:

 

^ I know.. That's what I said. No matter WHAT I did before I was always 16-17mpg SOLID. I think the shock change just changed my driving habits. instead of slowing down for bumps, now I just drive normal over em. No idea what changed. I clocked 21mpg combined on the last fillup (earlier today.) 180mi from CT to the Cape for work (stay there the week) and about 12mi a day total commute. Then fuel up on the way back to CT on Fridays. Took 12.33 gallons this time and 259.7 (260 rounded) miles. = ~21.03 mpg. Was 20.8 last week.

 

Anybody know what air shocks work on a stock z85 for the rear.

 

I know I'm reviving an old thread but any opinion on this:

Fits Chevrolet Colorado GMC Canyon Isuzu Full Set Shocks Struts 341374 | eBay

I was looking at replacing my front and rear and can't decide whether I should invest 3 times as much with Sachs

 

Not sure just where those shocks are made or by whom. The "brand" listed is AST, and the decal on the shocks says "Advanced Shocks Technology".

There is a company, with those initials, AST, that produces high end suspension components, including shocks, but their full name is Advanced Suspension Technology.

You usually get whatever quality you pay for.