Have an 08 Z71 4WD that has about 74k on it. A ball joint was going out and the shocks/struts were in need of replacement soon so I decided to go ahead and get a few things knocked out.
Ordered:
Bilstein 5100 front and back struts/shocks
MOOG Tie-Rods
MOOG UCAs
Got them installed at a local shop and aligned. A lot of people ask about the Bilsteins and how they ride. The best I can say is that they do a much better job of keeping the tire more firmly on the ground over rough pavement/off-road than the original Z71 equipment did. The ride itself is not at all more jarring or anything than the original Z71 stuff and the lateral control is also improved. Overall on the crappy South Texas roads here I would say it really improves driveablity and will lessen fatigue over a long haul because I don't have to fight the truck everytime it hits a bump that causes it to yaw and roll and make the steering jump all over the place. As for firmness or "jarring" I doubt my wife would notice a difference between the two.
As for how much this can be attested to new UCAs and tie rods in combination with the Bilsteins is unknown but overall I'd recommend all of the above. I briefly considered Cognito UCAs but considering I am stock with a level kit above the strut I didn't need that much down travel... not to mention the Moogs were about $160 vice $500+ for Cognito. As for the tie-rods, research suggested the Moogs were the best so I didn't really consider anything else. Hope this helps.
Ordered:
Bilstein 5100 front and back struts/shocks
MOOG Tie-Rods
MOOG UCAs
Got them installed at a local shop and aligned. A lot of people ask about the Bilsteins and how they ride. The best I can say is that they do a much better job of keeping the tire more firmly on the ground over rough pavement/off-road than the original Z71 equipment did. The ride itself is not at all more jarring or anything than the original Z71 stuff and the lateral control is also improved. Overall on the crappy South Texas roads here I would say it really improves driveablity and will lessen fatigue over a long haul because I don't have to fight the truck everytime it hits a bump that causes it to yaw and roll and make the steering jump all over the place. As for firmness or "jarring" I doubt my wife would notice a difference between the two.
As for how much this can be attested to new UCAs and tie rods in combination with the Bilsteins is unknown but overall I'd recommend all of the above. I briefly considered Cognito UCAs but considering I am stock with a level kit above the strut I didn't need that much down travel... not to mention the Moogs were about $160 vice $500+ for Cognito. As for the tie-rods, research suggested the Moogs were the best so I didn't really consider anything else. Hope this helps.
