You surely were excited when you acquired your rugged Chevy Silverado Z71. It has been with you for a couple of years and has always served your needs. Whatever the scenario may be, this time, you are in need of new shocks for one of the most sturdy mid-sized trucks on the market today.
You’ll look for an upgraded suspension that’s going to sustain the Silverado Z71’s performance in different environments and various challenging trails. Choose the best shocks for your beloved truck:
The Best Shocks for Chevy Silverado Z71
1. Bilstein 5100 Monotube Gas Shocks Set
They’re all set to be installed for your Chevy Silverado Z71 from the years 1999 up to 2006.
Who said that a Silverado with upgraded shocks that’s a decade or more needs to be discarded after several years of service? That’s not true at all!
If you feel attached to your Silverado, it just needs a little bit of care and attention by replacing its shocks with the upgraded Bilstein 5100 Monotube Gas Shocks Set.
Its monotube design comes with a 46 mm digressive piston which increases road-handling superiority both on and off the road. The beauty of the single tube body permits fast heat transfer coming from the shock oil towards the shock body. This is dissipated further to minimize shock fade.
For your purchase, you get 2 front and 2 rear shocks. It is ideal for Silverado’s from 1999 to 2006 with no suspension modifications or up to 2.5 front lift systems.
Pros:
- Customers have confessed that US manufacturing prowess and German engineering genius have combined in the Bilstein 5100 to result in steady longevity for up to 100,000 miles of use.
- Designed for 4WD vehicles
- Compliant to off-road conditions
- Limited Lifetime warranty
- Made either in Germany or the USA
Cons:
- Excludes HD models
2. Bilstein 4600 Monotube Gas Shock Set
Compatibility is best with Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2WD from the years 1999 up to 2006 models. Factory spec Chevy trucks like the Silverado 2WD are best installed with the Bilstein 4600 series because the valving is perfect for regularly driven vehicles on smooth paved roads.
The set of 4 shocks (2 front and 2 rear) that you get with the monotube gas design has been proven to give the Silverado owner the durability, longevity, and performance that is desired for replacement shocks.
Pros:
- When bought, all needed bushings, washers, reservoir clamps, nuts, and washers are included for easy and convenient DIY installation.
- Factory shock mounting bolts are reused for installation purposes
- Shock boots included with shocks purchase except in special fittings
- Limited lifetime warranty protection against premature failure and defects
- Made either in Germany or the USA
Cons:
- Mounting plates sold separately
- Shocks for regular paved roads only, not off-road
3. Rancho Quicklift Leveling Struts Pair
This rugged struts assembly from Rancho is compatible with your Chevrolet Silverado if it is either 4WD or 2WD and were made in the years from 2007 to 2015.
They are painted an elegant black and are industry award-winning suspension components. These loaded assemblies level and lift your late model Silverado, allowing it to acquire an aggressive external stance and beautiful truck aesthetics.
They can be manually tuned to suit terrain and driver preference. Each Rancho Quicklift Loaded unit is a gas charged complete modular assembly that includes an application-specific, installed coil spring and upper mounting plate to simplify installation. Engineered with the globally renowned and exclusive RS9000XL nine position adjustability. These are 9 settings of compression and dampening adjustment.
Rancho Quicklift Loaded units improve performance and provide the ability to manually tune the vehicle’s ride to suit terrain and driver preference. The installation of these struts also permits you the privilege of fitting your Silverado with larger wheel and tire packages for a more furious look.
Make your truck look handsome without paying so much for a complete suspension system or payout for labor costs for lengthy installation time.
Pros:
- Covered by a Limited lifetime warranty and 90 Day Free Ride Offer
- Simplified installation due to application-specific and ready installed coil spring and upper mounting plate
- Made in Arkansas, USA
Cons:
- Only front pair of struts and springs
- Will not fit Classic Silverado models and HD models
4. Monroe Shocks and Struts Load Adjusting 58654
Fits well as an aftermarket replacement shock absorber for your 2008 to 2016 Chevy Silverado. If your truck tows or carries loads that vary in weight, especially on the heavier side of the weight limit, Monroe 58654 is an ideal load adjusting shock absorber.
It’s a secret? It has a heavy gauge calibrated spring that aptly adjusts to the road and weight scenarios. With these shock absorbers underneath, it enables your Silverado to gain extra control when road and weight conditions get more demanding for the truck.
Up to 1,200 lbs of load can be carried by the Silverado with a Monroe 58654 underneath installed. The capacity is only limited by the existing condition of the other suspension components, the tires, and the transmission.
You’ll experience exceptional handling on the road because the fully displaced valving of these Monroe shocks automatically adjusts to extreme road conditions to make you and your passengers comfortable during the journey.
Pros:
- Its all-weather fluid has special modifiers which can ably handle extreme temperatures
- It has a PTFE banded piston which helps reduce friction against the piston rod. This minimizes premature wear
- Made in the USA
- The nitrogen gas charge helps sustain tire-to-road grip for better ride and handling. This minimizes aeration and shock fade.
- Raises the rear suspension by up to 2 inches.
Cons:
- They are only rear shock absorbers
5. Rough Country 0-4″ n3 Rear Shock Absorbers
They are perfect aftermarket shock replacements for the rear of your 2007 up to 2021 Chevy Silverados. These Rough Country pairs of rear shock absorbers deliver unbelievable ride quality and performance for every mile of your journey. It doesn’t matter if it’s rough terrain you’re tackling or well-paved city or suburban streets.
Rough Country N3 Rear Shock Absorbers give you an advanced 10 stage variable valving from a high-pressure nitrogen-charged pair that’s well adjusted to any road condition thrown at them.
What’s more, a durable 18 mm spring-loaded piston rod and a fast cooling 54 mm shock body combine to protect you with an estimated 36 kN Tensile Strength.
They are rated to withstand up to – 50 Degrees C of weather conditions. This allows for a long life span of quality service and impressive vibration dampening from these tough Rough Country N3 Rear Shock Absorbers.These rear shocks are sold in pairs.
Pros:
- 3-year warranty
- Features natural rubber bushings
- Attractive metallic silver paint
- Chrome Hardened 18 mm piston
- No drilling required
Cons:
- Not made in the USA
- For installation, the DIY process is discouraged and a certified technician should install the lift system. Without expertise, this may affect a negative impact on the integrity and safety of the installed shocks
6. ECCPP Set of 2 Rear Shock Strut Kit
Designed to be compatible with 2005 to 2015 Chevy Silverados, this premium suspension component kit introduces the advanced TRIP material identified only with ECCPP engineering. It’s a special process of one-time molding that guarantees solid, wear-resistant, and gold resistant properties.
What’s more, ECCPP has proven itself to be a trusted company known for providing the best quality shock absorbers for various car models like the Silverado since 2007. ECCPP currently includes coverage of 90 percent of all automotive components.
Each kit consisting of 2 rear shocks has been tested extensively for strength, corrosion, and ease of installation.
ECCPP always aims to provide the highest quality at the lowest cost possible.
Pros:
- Uses CFM multi-lip piston rod oil seal that is combined with an advanced manufacturing process to result in a more stable and durable ride.
- One year warranty
Cons:
- Your purchase doesn’t include springs or mounts
Things to Consider Before Choosing Shocks for Your Chevy Silverado Z71 – Buyer’s Guide
Warranty and Other Perks
Almost all the shocks in the list have some sort of warranty. Limited lifetime warranty. 3-year warranty. 1-year warranty.
That’s almost like a requirement if you want people to trust your shock absorber products because this means you trust your creations so much that you’re willing to risk a certain period to prove that your shocks will last a long time.
And to top it all, added perks and promotions to sweeten the pot. How about a 90 days Free Ride Offer wherein you try it out free for 3 months? And when you’re satisfied, that’s only when you shell out money for the actual purchase.
Brand Name
Bilstein, Rancho, Monroe – these 3 are reputable shock absorber, strut, and suspension component brands. The others are up and coming and still trying to find their place in the sun.
Easy Installation
All the shocks on the list are all customized for Silverados of prior years which have seen wear and tire and rugged terrain pulverize their factory shocks. Now, they need replacement and you are in the market for reliable aftermarket shock replacements.
Our list makes it easy and narrows it down for you on what you think should be fitted down below on your Silverado.
This website also promotes the DIY culture so that you car enthusiasts can save on labor costs and savor the experience of self-installation of car parts. The shocks that you finally decide to purchase should be easy to install in 2 hours or less, with a minimum need for tools.
Flexibility for Different Road Conditions
The Silverado is specially designed to withstand tough road conditions. There’s no problem with paved roads, but there comes a time in your journeys when the road suddenly becomes rocky and full of potholes.
So your truck should be ready for that eventuality and still give you and your passengers a comfortable and safe ride.
Complete Components
No need for a separate purchase. It would be annoying to buy separately your suspension mount and coil springs which you also need to replace together with the shocks
Ability to Lift Your Silverado Higher
It’s like a mark of superiority on the road when your Chevy Silverado is lifted and stands a few inches higher than other mid-sized trucks, side by side. This allows you to experiment with larger wheels and tires which exudes a ferocious presence on the road.
FAQ:
When Should You Replace the Shocks on Your Silverado?
A: Your shocks should ideally be changed somewhere between 50,000 to 100,000 miles for optimal performance. If at any time there are leaking, damaged or broken shocks, they should be replaced immediately to avoid road accidents.
Should You Replace all 4 Shocks on Your Silverado at the Same Time?
A: Replace your shocks in pairs or all four. This is for even, predictive handling and control on your truck. All your tires or every pair should have been on your Silverado for the same number of miles and have expectedly worked together on the same road conditions. This makes for equal shock wear.
Can You Replace Silverado Shocks All by Yourself?
A: Replacing them yourself can be a very dangerous task for amateurs decades ago. Most shock installations then need certified mechanics to do the job. But now, you can purchase a complete quality shock assembly that has a perfect customized fit for your Silverado.
It’s either you only need new basic tools for the DIY process or you don’t need any at all. These new assemblies permit you to replace your shocks in under 2 hours.
What I Recommend (Final Words)
Don’t get me wrong, but the brand of the suspension components that I buy is important for me. Bilstein and Rancho ring a bell for me and they have my attention.
But Bilstein only makes me smile on paved roads. Their 4600 and 5100 shock models lift the Silverado higher, and all the components (the bushings, the reservoir clamps, the nuts, and more) are included with your purchase.
But the mounts, which are just as important, have to be bought separately. And we all know that it’s recommended that mounts should be replaced at the same time that you also replace your shocks.
But Bilstein pulls me back to it again when I remember that it’s German engineering and American fabrication in one and it’s made in the USA.
But Rancho can’t be outdone. It’s also made in the USA (which is a plus for me) and Rancho has always been known for suspension products that ride out flawlessly rugged terrains. And it surprises me that Rancho offers a 90 Day Free Ride Offer, as an added perk to its already fabulous Limited Lifetime Warranty.
That’s a lot of confidence in what its products can do!
And I also like the fact that my purchase already comes with an installed coil spring and upper mounting plate which are just as equally important suspension parts.
And finally, the exclusive RS9000XL nine position adjustability which is a distinctly Rancho technology is all yours to enjoy. These are 9 settings of compression and dampening adjustment for any kind of terrain.
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