Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

by **Cable810** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:07 pm

I have gone through 3 pages of the Build thread and clicked every build and noticed alot of you are running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s). I'm baffeld as to why you run them. From what I noticed in their build people run the 85s to 89s to support a Winch, MDB Bumper, Etc... I cannot gather why you run the Z71s? The springs will add more height from what I have read and been told. So If you could help me understand. Yes I have used the search function as alot of you tell us NEWBS.

by **DirtyBacon04** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:23 pm

Well a) as you said they give you another .5-1.0" ground clearance. b) once we decide we want to be self sustaining on a trail, we need to carry alot of gear. thus getting stiffer springs to compensate for the extra weight, otherwise you'd be losing ground clearance in the back.
Plus I want to describe my rig as a Trailblazer Z71...

by **navigator** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:26 pm

you only need the Z71's if you haul a lot of gear or tow a heavy trailer and don't want a little sag.
I expect for your purpose you won't need them. Some folks that have them without some gear in the rear say they ride harsh and take them off.

by **The Roadie** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:56 pm

They are also CHEAP compared to so many other ways we can get lift. About the lowest cost per inch around, especially if you can find Tahoe takeoff springs for $30 shipped like a few of us scored.

by **Rob93** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:57 pm

I like them for towing, definitely stiff though

by **HARDTRAILZ** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:14 pm

DirtyBacon04 wrote:Well a) as you said they give you another .5-1.0" ground clearance. b) once we decide we want to be self sustaining on a trail, we need to carry alot of gear. thus getting stiffer springs to compensate for the extra weight, otherwise you'd be losing ground clearance in the back.
Plus I want to describe my rig as a Trailblazer Z71...

They do not increase ground clearance everywhere. The axle stays in the same place. They may help with bigger tire clearance which will increase ground clearance.

I hated my z71s. Some people love them.

I love my 88s in the front and needed the lift and weight carrying they provide.

by **dvanbramer88** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:51 pm

When we lifted josh's truck, we had about 4-500 pounds of crap in the back. 2 wheels and tires, tools, jacks, jackstands, rear tire carrier, cooler, etc etc. It rode level and really nice. As many of you saw, we wheeled with all that crap in the back. Empty; the truck is really tall in the ass end. He and I personally like it. And it is nice being able to carry all that weight and not have a sagging, squishy suspension. Personally we both love the ride with Z71's and an empty cargo area.

by **v7guy** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 12:58 pm

I tend to haul stuff in the back. For instance the truck handles a dozen sheets of sheetrock way better with the springs than with out. I wouldn't change the Z71s now that I have em

by **Beamer** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 5:25 pm

I recently upgraded to the Z71's and yes they are stiffer, but having the peace of mind that I can carry whatever I want without the back end sagging like it used to is worth it.

by **Badgerfan1181** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:16 pm

Alright this may be the wrong place i cant spend days searching sears is running a 50% OFF all shocks and Struts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need to place an order today though do any of you happen to know what year z71 shocks fit on our vehicle, or the part number the workers here are no help to me :wallbash:

they refuse to order with out this info but i cant pass up half off

also did anyone find rancho shocks that fit the rear they are half off too!!!

YouTube Videos · by **Trail X** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:32 pm

Z71 shocks do not really fit our vehicle. Only shocks meant for LIFTED Z71s.

by **Badgerfan1181** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:36 pm

i plan on Marcs 2.5" so i need the Z71 shocks for a Tahoe with a 2.5" lift?

YouTube Videos · by **Trail X** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:39 pm

Essentially. I believe stock Z71 shocks are only about 1" longer than TB stock rear shocks.

by **Badgerfan1181** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:52 pm

Thanks for the help James, if there not what i needed ill just sell them :lol:

by **The Roadie** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 5:49 am

The BDS shocks are sized and tested to match the higher spring rate of the Z71 springs. Larger diameter cylinder, longer extension, etc. OEM-rated Tahoe/Avalanche shocks are just skinny-ass and wimpy looking.

by **hobbstisdaman** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 7:45 pm

On the rock auto website how do you tell what coil spring it is? It just says sold in pairs

by **The Roadie** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 11:29 am

hobbstisdaman wrote:On the rock auto website how do you tell what coil spring it is? It just says sold in pairs

The aftermarket springs don't seem to be rated by spring rate. Useless. I'd ask Rockauto to find out. A couple of us tried communicating with Moog long ago to find out their spring rate for the one-size-fits-all struts, and their answer was lame and the spring rate was on the soft side of middle IIRC, which is useless to us or to other enthusiasts who know what they want.

YouTube Videos · by **Trail X** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 12:31 pm

Spring rate isn't the only factor that relates to ride height though. The stock springs also have slightly different spring heights.

by **hobbstisdaman** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 12:49 pm

The Roadie wrote:
hobbstisdaman wrote:On the rock auto website how do you tell what coil spring it is? It just says sold in pairs
I'd ask Rockauto to find out. A couple of us tried communicating with Moog long ago to find out their spring rate for the one-size-fits-all struts, and their answer was lame and the spring rate was on the soft side of middle IIRC, which is useless to us or to other enthusiasts who know what they want.

I tried to, they apparently don't have an email that they check regularly. Didn't even get a response from Moog. No one likes me :cry:

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Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

Re: Reasons for running Z71 and 85(s) to 89(s)

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