Best bang for the buck.. Shocks for stock Tahoe?

HighSpeedPursuit · 10-25-2009, 02:36 PM

I think it is about time to replace the original stock shocks on my 01 Tahoe 4x4, 110k. Truck has the stock tires and is 90% driving around town, 10% pulling boat which is around 8000lbs. What would you recommend for this setup? Thanks

thundra · 10-25-2009, 06:10 PM

I put Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks in my Tundra when the stock Bilsteins were used up at around 70,000 miles. I had noticed that my rear end was bouncing a bit more going over expansion joints with the boat in tow. I had the new shocks put on and I've been back to perfect since. The Heavy Duty shocks were a bit firmer but now with 25,000 miles, they are spot-on.

I also put a set of Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks in my 2001 Corvette a few months ago and the ride and handling are so much improved over the worn stock shocks I had in with 42,000 miles on them , they make good stuff for everything.

Best part about it all, the shocks are roughly $70-80 each, cheap and good.

fish factory · 10-25-2009, 07:05 PM

Air Bags.

bustedflat · 10-26-2009, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thundra

I put Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks in my Tundra when the stock Bilsteins were used up at around 70,000 miles. I had noticed that my rear end was bouncing a bit more going over expansion joints with the boat in tow. I had the new shocks put on and I've been back to perfect since. The Heavy Duty shocks were a bit firmer but now with 25,000 miles, they are spot-on.

I also put a set of Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks in my 2001 Corvette a few months ago and the ride and handling are so much improved over the worn stock shocks I had in with 42,000 miles on them , they make good stuff for everything.

Best part about it all, the shocks are roughly $70-80 each, cheap and good.

Hard to go wrong with the Bilsteins, you get what you pay for with shock absorbers. I guess I am spoiled by not having to pay retail but to me cheap shocks cost $40-50.

fishinmaniac · 10-26-2009, 08:04 AM

Put bilsteins on my dodge 2500 at around 60,000; ride is much better than it was with the stock shocks, they put out a good product.

HighSpeedPursuit · 10-26-2009, 12:44 PM

If I replace the shocks will I also benfit with adding the Air Bags?

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish factory

Air Bags.

MacCTD · 10-26-2009, 12:59 PM

Bilsteins, if they make 5100s for your application go with them.

slief · 10-27-2009, 10:14 PM

Bilsteins will provide the best ride in my experience.. The air shocks would be nice for towing the boat but depending on the weight distribution of the boat on trailer that could be a waste of money. If your tongue weight doesn't drop your bumper much, you dont really need air..

Think Done Deals · 10-28-2009, 05:23 AM

Bilsteins.

High Voltage · 10-31-2009, 12:00 PM

I've got edlebrock IAS shocks on my '99 suburban and it rides better than any other on I've ever been in. They're a little pricey but IMHO the ride is worth it

Steve_250 · 10-31-2009, 01:04 PM

Gee, let me be different and say Bilstein HD. LOL!
Got 'em on my F-250.
Still firm after, I dunno', maybe 50k miles?

Hockleyneck · 10-31-2009, 07:13 PM

Bilsteins and Airbags would be great. I have a GMC 1500 Sierra and use airbags and Bilstiens.

ubettcha13 · 11-01-2009, 06:40 AM

I put the lifetime heavy duty Napa Reflex shocks on my F250 powerstroke. I have put 155k miles on them and they are still perfect.
Lifetime replacement and I plan on getting 500k out of the truck. (200k now)

eazily-amused · 11-06-2009, 11:05 PM

Airbags only will not do anything for the loss of damping in the shocks.

kerno · 11-08-2009, 10:04 PM

I've run both the Bilsteins and the Edelbrock IAS shocks. I find the Edelbrocks provide a slightly better ride than the Bilsteins. But they are so close that I would probably decide based on the price.

Afishinado · 11-09-2009, 05:31 AM

I'm at 115k on my Tahoe, watching this thread closely. It is about time for new shocks for it too.
OT, Why is it that virtually everytime I arrive in Florida for the winter, every toy breaks?

Last year complete brakes on the Tahoe, trolling motor issue on the boat, back wheel on the Harley.. This year A/C on the Tahoe, and a suspension issue up front (undetermined as of yet). A new neck bearing on the Harley. Then last night my 150 HPDI could only go 5 minutes before I had to pump the bulb up (I'll pop the hood and look at it today) Hoping to find a lose hose or something as I smelled some raw fuel when I pumped, don't think I should on a FI engine..

Edit: Hoping to find a lose hose or something as I smelled some raw fuel when I pumped, don't think I should on a FI engine.. Yep, a 16 month old fuel filter rusted and leaking

Cheap fix and 1 less item to worry about

LouC · 11-15-2009, 08:07 AM

If you want to put one shock on and not have to replace it again go with Bilsteins...the ones on my 98 Jeep have close to 75000 miles on them and are like new still in terms of damping...I had to replace the upper bushings on the rear and the dust boots on the front but the damping of the shocks is as new. I had tried the Monroe Reflex and there is no comparison...the Reflex does ride a little softer at low speeds but at high speeds the damping of the Bilstein high pressure gas monotube is superior. They are a little stiffer at low speeds than many mass market shocks but that is a function of the high pressure gas monotube design. I also have the Air Lift air bags in the rear coils for load leveling. When it's time to replace the shocks on my 07 Grand Cherokee I'm going with Bilstein again...

Afishinado · 11-17-2009, 06:10 AM

BTW... I need to replace the intermediate steering shaft on my Tahoe, looked on ebay, sure enough, they have the OEM updated versions for about 1/2 what Chevy wanted. There are also new OEM take off shocks (people that jacked up their trucks) for cheap.. My 115,000 mile old Tahoe does not need $400 worth of Bilsteins on one end... People crack me up sometimes with what they piss away money on.

thundra · 11-17-2009, 11:53 AM

Afisninado, what do you mean?, we are boaters, we piss our money away every chance we get.

Think Done Deals · 11-17-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afishinado

There are also new OEM take off shocks (people that jacked up their trucks) for cheap.. My 115,000 mile old Tahoe does not need $400 worth of Bilsteins on one end... People crack me up sometimes with what they piss away money on.

I resemble that remark! I got Bilstein's at 30K and sold my old shocks for $50.

It's all relative. Do you really want to start throwing stones? The tree huggers would be all over me and you for buying vehicles that got poor mileage!