2004 1500 LT 4x4 Crew rough ride?

[mdfuller]

Gang,

First post. I bought a 2004 1500 LT Crew last night (traded a 2002 Avalanche in). I am loving the truck (I had a 1500 before the Ave). My concern is the ride seems REALLY rough compared to the Ave. Like I said, I have had trucks before and this seems really rough to me. I looked on the invoice and the truck does have the Z85 Suspension Package: Heavy Duty. The previous truck and Ave were Z71's. Is there really this much difference in the ride? Was I just spoiled by the Ave? Is this because the truck is brand new? Just curious! Thanks people in advance for all the replys!

Mike

[jeverett]

Heavy Duty's are built to hold more of a payload, so the spring rate is a bit stiffer, and there actually may be 1 more leaf than on the Z71's. All the Z's did to make it "Off Road" is change shocks, add limited-slip, and skid-plates.

[skipr]

You are correct. Z71 package is nothing more than bilstein gas shocks and a nice little aluminum skid plate.

[Ape0r]

I have the same suspension package. Truck rides like shit, even compared to my cousins '02 1-ton dually 4x4. You get used to it. The only difference between Z85 and the normal package is that you get stiffer shocks, which allow more tongue weight when towing and will give better manners to the rear end with a big load in the back. Rides like a dream with 500 pounds in the back! I'm gonna re-emphasize that the ONLY difference is shocks. If you don't like it, just get a new set of shocks. Maybe some of those sweet Rancho's that you can adjust from the cab =). At first I thought I was going to die, but now I really enjoy the rough ride! One thing to be careful of though is that the damping rate is actually too stiff; going over bumps while braking can sometimes cause ABS to start up on you. Happened to me two or three times.

Be safe out there.
- Tom