[turbodiverart]

Hi All,

I have a 2017 Z71 crewcab long bed Duramax. Found out my drivers rear shock is leaking after 23K miles. I’ve done some searching on here and on “Fans” and the recommendations seem to be for lifted trucks or off-road duty. I don’t go off-road with the truck, all on-road with some short distance towing (#5500 enclosed trailer). My hitch has leveling bars and anti-sway. I’ve read that people say the Z71’s ride is harsh, I don’t find that but that could be because of the blown shock or because I’m used to driving a 1999 K2500 diesel Suburban which is extremely rough. I don’t mind spending the money for good shocks but I definitely don’t want a stiff ride. I’ve used Bilstein’s before but always on cars where I wanted a stiffer ride. I’d like a comfortable ride but I don’t want something that feels like driving on marshmallows and will float all over the road.

I see Rock Auto has KYB GR-2/Excel-G’s and Monroe OE Spectrum for daily drivers as well as Rancho RS5000X’s for heavy duty. Don’t know if anyone has opinions on any replacement shocks. If people say the stock shocks are harsh then I assume the ACDelco’s are also going to be harsh.

Thanks,
Art.

 

[mwswarrior]

I've used Rancho RS5000s, RS9000s, and Biltsteins on several trucks. Can't go wrong with any of them. I personally prefer the Bilsteins. They seems to be better material and I've never had any issues with the ride being too harsh.

 

[RollyPollieBenito]

Get Bilstein, you won’t go wrong.

 

[SFLTruck]

FWIW
swapped out the rears at 1K miles because I didn't care for the way it handled with the factory shocks. It made a nice noticeable handling difference for the positive. Did the same thing on my last truck which was a Toyota with the same results although I used Rancho RS5000 on that vehicle. On the Colorado I used RS7000.

Rancho RS7000MT Monotube Shock Absorber - P/N: RS7023

Rancho RS7000MT Monotube Shock Absorber

www.gorancho.com

 

[Dmax Dan]

Go with Bilstein 5100s. They give you the flexibility to level your front end if you so desire. They are a little stiffer than factory and much stiffer than rancho shocks, but you get better body roll/ sway control as a trade off. If you are on road more than most days, I don’t think you can get a better riding shock for overall performance.

 

[rdh7]

Same vehicle type as turbodiverart above. Discovered today (left rear leaking oil) but at 50k miles. Bilsteins enroute.

 

[turbodiverart]

Same vehicle type as turbodiverart above. Discovered today (left rear leaking oil) but at 50k miles. Bilsteins enroute.

Yeah, what is it with that left rear shock?

 

[nicebear]

Bilstein are a great option.

I went with a set of Fox 2.0 shocks and have no regrets. The oem shocks are terrible, so just about any other replacement will be leaps and bounds better.

 

[bigoilbob]

Go with Bilstein 5100s. They give you the flexibility to level your front end if you so desire. They are a little stiffer than factory and much stiffer than rancho shocks, but you get better body roll/ sway control as a trade off. If you are on road more than most days, I don’t think you can get a better riding shock for overall performance.

Dan, do you know the diff between the 5100's and the 5160's? I'm not a recreational off roader, but would like good support when going up and down on rutted gravel roads, while pulling my ~6000# (fully loaded) bed hitch travel trailer (~700# combined weight of hitch trailer hitch weight). Sometimes in 4H. The description wording is written by the Bilstein sales staff, but makes it sound like the 5160's are more manly. Both are suitable for never to be lifted Colorado's like mine.

And while only tread adjacent, any easy checks on when shock replacement times have arrived? We're at ~46K, half on a variety of roads, pulling/carrying ~5/6 of GCVW. Shocks seem ok to me, but I know that I can be dulled to gradual changes.

 

[Dmax Dan]

@bigoilbob I haven’t used the 5160’s but from my understanding, they are remote reservoir shocks designed for off-roading. The 5100s do not have a remote reservoir and are set from factory. In your situation, I would recommend standard 5100s and think about an add-a-leaf or airbags for towing. The add-a-leaf will make your unloaded ride much stiffer but you get an additional 750lbs of payload capacity, not to mention it serves as additional sway control when towing (that’s the route I went). IMHO, The addition of either AAL or bags will make a bigger difference than any set of shocks for your application. I certainly wouldn’t spend the additional money for remote reservoir shocks unless they were comparable in price.

 

[RollyPollieBenito]

The 5160 is remote reservoir for extra cooling to prevent fading when the shock cycle excessively. Unless you are running a lot of rough unpaved road, you don’t need them.

 

[bigoilbob]

The 5160 is remote reservoir for extra cooling to prevent fading when the shock cycle excessively. Unless you are running a lot of rough unpaved road, you don’t need them.

Thanks RPB. Seems like sensible advice. I'm taking it.

And thank you DD as well, for your reply. I see your point, but since I don't ride that low even when fully loaded, and have never bottomed out, I'm sticking with my stock leafing. This is our only 4 wheel vehicle and my wife drives it all over without complaint.

 

[Sawtooth]

Hey guys, on this topic, I've just installed the add-a-leaf, and 1.5" blocks in the rear, (already had 2" spacers up front), and my stock shocks (z71) are maxed out. Would like to replace them with Bilsteins, just wondering which model would be the right size. Any opinion on this? cheers

 

[SFLTruck]

I would say get under there measure and figure out the travel distance needed for your current setup against the shock mounts and let the research begin!

 

[Sawtooth]

well, that makes sense, doesn't it... will do!

 

[JDB]

Hey guys, on this topic, I've just installed the add-a-leaf, and 1.5" blocks in the rear, (already had 2" spacers up front), and my stock shocks (z71) are maxed out. Would like to replace them with Bilsteins, just wondering which model would be the right size. Any opinion on this? cheers

Try browsing the discussions here - so much good info for the Colorado. Sure there's a question about whether the kits are specific to the diesel's weight distribution (e.g. shock valving), but for general fitup / sizing topics, there shouldn't be any difference with the gasser Colorado. Search results for query: bilstein

 

[Sawtooth]

Try browsing the discussions here - so much good info for the Colorado. Sure there's a question about whether the kits are specific to the diesel's weight distribution (e.g. shock valving), but for general fitup / sizing topics, there shouldn't be any difference with the gasser Colorado. Search results for query: bilstein

Thanks for that, I have seen every post on it... a lot of variations out there, and not one with 1.5" blocks combined w add-a-leaf LOL. Not a problem, I'll figure it out (when I get a minute), just thought I'd ask if someone had done exactly what I have. Ya, the diesel vs gas weight consideration is there, but for my use there's more weight in the back to be considered than up front. (power saws, fuel, and a bunch of other tree gear) The resulting lift is just what I was after...

 

[PlopDuramax]

Installed the 5160s Saturday.
Loaded up my truck to work today and was surprised how stiff they were. Very planted just a lot less bouncy than stock.

PS I have a ladder rack a deck system full of electrical tools and consumables and bins on top

 

[JDB]

Installed the 5160s Saturday. Loaded up my truck to work today and was surprised how stiff they were. Very planted just a lot less bouncy than stock.

Hey @PlopDuramax - how are you liking those Bilstein 5160s now that you’ve been on them for a bit? Although I’ve been running Fox remote reservoirs at all four corners, the rears are underdamped for my 400 pound topper (constant weight, always installed) and the rear end is constantly bouncing on local roads and highways. I’m also at +1.5” with custom Alcan leaf springs, and the 5160s are rated for the increased travel. Anyway, Bilstein says “they’ll work” but I figured I’d check someone’s experience here regarding how the shocks are under modest added load?

For anyone wondering, I enjoy rambling down long backcountry, FS, and desert unimproved roads and the constant washboards are a great application for 5160 remote reservoirs (to avoid fading).

 

[PlopDuramax]

so I haven't really taken my truck off-road at all aside from getting to customers properties but when I get the porpoise is when there's a dip in the road causing my suspension to drop out and then compress real fast.
I'm definitely carrying at minimum 400 lb in the back of my truck at all times and I don't feel the bilsteins helped much with the porpoise. matter of fact my mechanic buddy and I were talking about possibly using hydraulic bump stops to alleviate the issue but kind of an expensive Band-Aid to test out.