87's with z71

[janesy86]

Springs from a Z71 Tahoe.

[Mooseknuckle]

Right now I have 83's I have the BDS lift with Marks 1/2 spacer are you saying that if you go with the 88's you wont need that spacer? Which if were too high you would have negative rake.

[Blackout]

The stock rear shocks will probably max out with the Z71s and a 2" lift spacer.

JD, I checked your build and see that you have tahoe shocks(edit*) . How have those worked out? I ask because I can get a pair from truck where I got the z71 springs.

If I remember right, I've searched and saw (I think it was fishsticks) that the tahoe shocks ended up pretty bouncy. I think there was a video involved. I ended up going with the BDS 5500 with the z71 springs in the rear (which seems pretty common). Feels great as far as a daily driver goes. I thought I read that JD went BDS in the rear too, somewhere? Probably wrong. Kinda drunk typing. I need to stick away from forums at 6:30 in the morning

[janesy86]

Ahh gotcha, now that you cleared that up... Yea a few of us just used the Tahoe shocks that came with the springs, but I'm pretty sure most swapped out for a better option (BDS).

Not sure on JD, I actually think he still just runs the Tahoes..

My Tahoe shocks blew a seal after 6 months or so, and when I replaced with BDS 5500's the ride was 10x better. You will be happy with your purchase.

[Trail X]

Yeah, I still have the tahoe shocks. Its not too bad for me because I always keep a few hundred pounds in the trunk that keeps it sitting a bit lower. I will however be upgrading to BDS later this month.

[The Roadie]

...I still have the tahoe shocks....

Oh, man. And here I looked up to you.

Teebes and I took out my splined disconnect yesterday for regreasing because I was in the area anyway. Grease was still there, but it was aging and would have failed in no more than 20-30K. Thought about you then, for sure. Another thread after I finish up today.

[Stoked]

Thanks everybody for your input. Currently, I have two 87s, the z71s, 2.5" front lift, 2" rear lift, and tahoe shocks in my possession. I've read through all the topics concerning lifts, ucas, springs, etc. The weekend is the install if all permits!!!!! Im also going to flip the UCAs. Probably change tires and get alignment later saturday or sunday.

Any other words of wisdom going into this?

[SteveTB03]

Bribe a buddy to help you and have fun with your lift!

[Rob93]

Thanks everybody for your input. Currently, I have two 87s, the z71s, 2.5" front lift, 2" rear lift, and tahoe shocks in my possession. I've read through all the topics concerning lifts, ucas, springs, etc. The weekend is the install if all permits!!!!! Im also going to flip the UCAs. Probably change tires and get alignment later saturday or sunday.

Any other words of wisdom going into this?

Good luck time to hit 8th street again lol

[Stoked]

Good luck time to hit 8th street again lol

I'm more than down Maybe we can get Hpimichael02 to join us.

[Jon A]

Any other words of wisdom going into this?

Yes. If you aren't using any outside the coilover spacers in front, add about .3-.4" stackup of washers on the shock shaft to increase extension travel. Verify halfshafts not binding after installation before you lower the vehicle.

Save the effort of installing the rear shocks until you have saved up for some BDS shocks. You need them. Just do it.

[fishsticks]

Any other words of wisdom going into this?

Yes. If you aren't using any outside the coilover spacers in front, add about .3-.4" stackup of washers on the shock shaft to increase extension travel. Verify halfshafts not binding after installation before you lower the vehicle.

Save the effort of installing the rear shocks until you have saved up for some BDS shocks. You need them. Just do it.

This.

I was able to add 11/16" to the shaft before I was in tripot bind.

[Stoked]

Yeah the 2.5" front lift is a combination of the inside and outside spacer. As for the shocks. Im always loaded with people and gear or pulling trailers. Supposedly,the tahoe shocks do fine under weight. If it turns out they don't serve their purpose, I'll then swap them out for the BDS.

[Stoked]

87's and z71 springs and shocks are installed!!!! The install when fairly easy. However, I didn't replace the front shock. Turns out I DO need to change it, but its going to have to wait another month or so. Also, I couldnt compress the front springs enough to fit within the stock shocks; Is this why everyone gets the bilstein HDs? However, I was able to put the shim on top of the strut. I got about 1.5 " of lift front/back.

Results: The ride quality improved 110% on and off road. Corners SOOOOO much better!!! Front shocks need to be replaced ASAP.

[The Roadie]

The Bilsteins aren't any longer or differently mounted than OEMs. What do you mean you couldn't compress the springs enough? It's a challenge sometimes to engage your spring compressors on the optimum spring coils to get max compression. Wall mounted compressors don't have that problem, as far as I know.

[Stoked]

The Bilsteins aren't any longer or differently mounted than OEMs. What do you mean you couldn't compress the springs enough? It's a challenge sometimes to engage your spring compressors on the optimum spring coils to get max compression. Wall mounted compressors don't have that problem, as far as I know.

I took the struts to a nearby shop to use their wall mounted compressor. The guy had them compressed near all the way and I still needed another 2 inches for the thread to reach the top plate.

[The Roadie]

Were the coils all touching at full compression? Did his compressor leave out more than one coil at the ends? I just can't visualize how it can leave 2" to go. So you could not have put any sort of inside-the-strut spacer because that would have made it worse?

[Stoked]

Yeah he was compressing the mid section of the spring, maybe thats why I couldnt fit the spacer. I didn't know any better since this is the first time I'm doing anything of this sort. When I install the bilsteins, I'll compress it correctly and put in the spacers.

[Trail X]

So how did you end up getting it installed?

[Stoked]

So how did you end up getting it installed?

I just installed the new springs. The suspension spacers are gonna have to wait.