Best Way to Delete Z85 air level on 2018 Tahoe?

[Mako261B]

Newbie here...could not find an answer in engine/drivetrain so posting here.

I have a 2018 Tahoe with the Z85 rear air shocks (NOT the z95 magneride). I want to ditch the Z85 system entirely and go with Bilsteins and add my own airbags (maybe AirLift 1000?) for towing my very heavy 26' boat. Do I need to change the springs? Where do I put resistors to fool the system into thinking the air level system is still present? Do I just disconnect the air compressor and remove the ride height sensor arm? Thanks in advance.

 

[mb1500]

If the air ride isn’t keeping up are you sure you’re not over payload/tongue weight?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Generally, if you remove the air shocks, you need a stiffer spring, as the air ride relies on the air shocks to assist the springs.

 

[Mako261B]

I am definitely over the tongue weight limit for the 2018 Tahoe with my big boat. Prefer not to use a weight distributing hitch due to the surge breaks.

We've used Air Lift 1000's in my older 2004 Tahoe and they worked great. Was thinking to add those to this Z85 2018 Tahoe and in the process removing the existing air shocks. What springs would you recommend if going to simple shocks (like Bilstein 4600)? Anybody defeat the ride height sensor successfully? Xineering has a simple method for defeating the air compressor so that it passes self test.

 

[mb1500]

I would give these a shot, I would be interested to see how they would work with the factory air ride.

Might be good enough you won’t have to go through the hassle of removing and adding aftermarket bags.

https://www.truckspring.com/products/Coil-Springs-CargoMaxx-GM-Rear__351-897HD.aspx

 

[Mako261B]

Interesting. I wonder how those affect the ride while quality not towing? I'm guessing the extra inch of ride height probably makes them stiffer than stock config.