Stiffer Suspension

will4831 · 08-13-2006, 08:58 PM

Hey guys, been awhile since i posted, but i'm wondering how i can stiffen up the suspension on my '96 Sierra. It needs shocks, but my dad has a '98 K1500 Z71 and it rides a lot stiffer with its current bad shocks. I wanna go stiffer because it handles the fields and back roads on the farm here better. I think he has air shocks (?) Also i think his pick-up sits about an inch higher if that means anything. I don't want to spent too much though.

Also about how big of tires can fit under the stock suspension on a truck like this?

corey · 08-14-2006, 06:24 AM

Is your sierra a Z71 or just a 4x4? The Z71 suspension is different than a 4x4 suspension. And shocks only control the bounce. Stiffer suspsension requires stiffer springs.

will4831 · 08-14-2006, 11:46 AM

It's just a 4x4. I need shocks so i just threw that in. I had some cheap ones i put in awhile ago, but now i float all over ther place. Also, i'd like to beef up my back end for pulling. It sags pretty easy

corey · 08-15-2006, 07:43 AM

Then yeah, I'd look for new springs.

chevyguy · 08-16-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corey

Is your sierra a Z71 or just a 4x4? The Z71 suspension is different than a 4x4 suspension. And shocks only control the bounce. Stiffer suspsension requires stiffer springs.

Care to eloborate on what components are different? Just curious.

mudseeker · 08-16-2006, 06:45 PM

all i know is the z71 sticker is sposed to make it more off-road capable. didn't know a sticker could do that.

corey · 08-17-2006, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevyguy

Care to eloborate on what components are different? Just curious.

From Chevrolet.com:

Z71 Off-Road includes 46mm shock absorbers, off-road jounce bumpers and stabilizer bars, Skid Plate Package, high-capacity air cleaner and Z71 decals

I have a 1500 4x4, with the Z85 suspension, and I have 36mm shocks, no skid plates, no high-capacity air cleaner and no no "jounce bumpers" ... whatever those are. Sounds like a fancy term for improved axle bump-stops.

will4831 · 08-17-2006, 01:32 PM

I still would like some ways to stiffen up the suspension, i'm open to any ideas....

chevyguy · 08-17-2006, 06:14 PM

bigger diameter shocks and a skip plate. What a sales tactic.

I only asked because I have owned several of both and never noticed and real difference.

corey · 08-18-2006, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will4831

I still would like some ways to stiffen up the suspension, i'm open to any ideas....

I would buy some stock replacement springs (if you don't wanna pay for a lift kit) and then buy some Rancho 9000 series shocks. These are adjustable for soft or stiffness. A lot of jeepers use them to adjust for flex when off-road. Look into it.

08-13-2006, 08:58 PM	#1
will4831 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Dakota Posts: 127	Stiffer Suspension Hey guys, been awhile since i posted, but i'm wondering how i can stiffen up the suspension on my '96 Sierra. It needs shocks, but my dad has a '98 K1500 Z71 and it rides a lot stiffer with its current bad shocks. I wanna go stiffer because it handles the fields and back roads on the farm here better. I think he has air shocks (?) Also i think his pick-up sits about an inch higher if that means anything. I don't want to spent too much though. Also about how big of tires can fit under the stock suspension on a truck like this? __________________ '96 GMC 1500 Victory Red x-cab *4x4* Programmed 350 crying for a rebuild '88 IROC-Z Camaro 5.0 5speed t-tops stock...not for long '93 Escort GT 1.8 DOHC 127hp 5speed. Daily Driver/Beater

08-14-2006, 06:24 AM	#2
corey Full Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 49	Is your sierra a Z71 or just a 4x4? The Z71 suspension is different than a 4x4 suspension. And shocks only control the bounce. Stiffer suspsension requires stiffer springs. __________________ Corey 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 LS Crew-cab 4x4

08-14-2006, 11:46 AM	#3
will4831 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Dakota Posts: 127	It's just a 4x4. I need shocks so i just threw that in. I had some cheap ones i put in awhile ago, but now i float all over ther place. Also, i'd like to beef up my back end for pulling. It sags pretty easy __________________ '96 GMC 1500 Victory Red x-cab *4x4* Programmed 350 crying for a rebuild '88 IROC-Z Camaro 5.0 5speed t-tops stock...not for long '93 Escort GT 1.8 DOHC 127hp 5speed. Daily Driver/Beater

08-15-2006, 07:43 AM	#4
corey Full Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 49	Then yeah, I'd look for new springs. __________________ Corey 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 LS Crew-cab 4x4

08-16-2006, 06:45 PM	#6
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,374	all i know is the z71 sticker is sposed to make it more off-road capable. didn't know a sticker could do that. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

08-17-2006, 01:32 PM	#8
will4831 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Dakota Posts: 127	I still would like some ways to stiffen up the suspension, i'm open to any ideas.... __________________ '96 GMC 1500 Victory Red x-cab *4x4* Programmed 350 crying for a rebuild '88 IROC-Z Camaro 5.0 5speed t-tops stock...not for long '93 Escort GT 1.8 DOHC 127hp 5speed. Daily Driver/Beater

08-17-2006, 06:14 PM	#9
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,370	bigger diameter shocks and a skip plate. What a sales tactic. I only asked because I have owned several of both and never noticed and real difference. __________________ Friends dont let friends use body lifts USMC 92-96 USCG 98 to present

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