@huntermatt - Did you get anxious yet and start buying?
I don't think anyone on the TYForum is disappointed in the Fox products.
I've taken some time getting back to you - probably have gone WAY too overboard (as I tend to do), but your continued inquiries and replies to members have got me thinking these past few days.
I've gone back through this thread and your posts; went ahead and built a spreadsheet to help me get my thoughts organized. Turned that into a pdf (will attempt to add that here, somehow...)
You're in an interesting situation because you want the ride height increase, smooth ride and keep OE wheels. All decisions on a build require different approaches, and I think yours is no different. The big one for you is the wheels. Keeping your OE 18s will mean that a spacer is probably going to be needed. Why? When we go over 1 or 2" increase in ride height with these vehicles, even GM states that the UCAs will fail sooner than later. So, raising the vehicle ride height 2"+ should prompt the installation of aftermarket Upper Control Arms (UCA). In order for the wheel/tire combo to clear the new control arms, and possibly the tie rod end link, wheel spacers will probably have to be installed.
That being said, let's talk about getting you up in the air. Tahoe vs. 2500HD "step-in height" is 22" vs. 26". Your tire choice (33" approx. diameter) is going to get you about 1" increase in ride height and step-in. Where do we get the rest, coil spacer or coilovers... I'm 100% supporter of Fox shocks, their adjustability, ride quality and plug-n-play option the coilovers provide. I've run the 0-2" adjustable Fox 2.0 IFPs and am now running the same but in 4-6" adj height. You had mentioned that you are "convinced" you are going with the Fox shocks. Let me put a little bug in your ear....Rough Country Vertex 2.5s.
These are Rough Country's new addition to their preloaded strut/coilover offerings. Designed for the trucks, they fit our SUVs. Reviews that I've read have nothing but praise. Perhaps once on the spring compressor they are a bit more difficult to adjust than the Fox product, but all in all, minimal...
Since your ride requirements are varying - city and highway with family and baby to light off road duty going out with the guys -> adjustability is your friend. And the Rough Country product is a little easier on the pocket book. RC offer a couple different ride height choices in the Vertex 2.5. I'm recommending the 3.5" adj. coilovers and suggest that you cranck them down a little before install. I'm guessing they are similar to Fox and designed for the slightly heavier front end (and front load requirements) of working pickup trucks. Our SUVs seem to realize slightly more ride height increase over the advertised adjustable heights. For example, I got about 3" increase on the 2" Fox setting. Got 5" ride height set at 4.5 on my current Fox shocks. I think the Vertex 2.5 will be similar. You can contact RC Tech Support directly and they should be able to tell you how many turns/cranks will lower the ride height x.xx inches. I'm also suggesting RC's rear monotube shocks to match the front. RC does offer an adjustable rear shock, but that's kind of overkill IMO, and also more than double the price. The Vertex rear monotube is already an upgrade and 2x the price from the "regular" lifted RC rear shock.
Okay - to answer your questions from post#21:
- Rear spacers. Can you elaborate on using the different brands of rear spacers between the "quality levels" of ReadyLift vs McBay? I would think it's a no brainer if McBay is better,
I'll use it....and its 100 bucks cheaper.
IMO - the puck spacers are pretty much the same. I think the key ingredient is material used: I suggest 6061-T6 Billet Aluminum (aircraft grade). McBay Performance, the rear spacer I used, worked great for me. I live in Maine and it saw plenty of muck and salty roads. Sold them to a guy in CA and he's got them installed on his Yukon. The gold anodized they do worked really well. Honestly, better than some of the other coatings I've got riding on the Tahoe.
- Rear coils/shocks in general. Being this a Z71, I'm wondering about its stock coils/setup. Being it trim specific, and already
REAR COILS: I think your z71 trim rear coils are just fine. That's what I am running on my Tahoe with 3" BDS rear spacers. If you were wanting to really get off road, I mean, challenge some serious trails, then a lifted rear coil would be best. However, for the build requirements you have listed, your current rear coils are fine. I mean, you've got TYForum members trying to install what you already have as an upgrade...
REAR SHOCKS: If you are going to increase the ride height in the rear, then the shocks are going to have to change too. This could be done with a shock extension bracket and keep your existing shocks. But why do that when you're already putting effort into improving the ride?...Once you decide on your coil spacer, you can choose your shock. Ie: 2" spacer means a shock designed for 2" of lift.
@huntermatt - I've got pdf files attached here, hope you can open them. Otherwise, here's the basic build proposed:
SUGGESTED BUILD: | 3" Front / 1.5" Rear | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Front: | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shocks: | Coilovers (lifted adj. pair) w/ Remote Reservoirs | $ 1,299 | | | | | | |
| | Shocks: | Adjustment Wrench | 30 | | | | | | |
| | UCAs: | Aftermarket UCAs for 2-4" lift | 420 | | | | | | |
| | Other: | Differential Drop Kit | 50 | | | | | | |
| | Other: | FRONT Sway Bar End Links | 70 | | | | | | |
| | Wheels: | BORA hub centric wheel spacers (if needed) | $ 60 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Rear: | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shocks: | Monotube Nitrogen Rear Shocks for 0-3/4" lift | $ 260 | | | | | | |
| | Spacer Lift: | 1" OR 1.5" Rear Coil Spacer - McBay Performance | 68 | | | | | | |
| | Other: | REAR Sway Bar (Adjustable) End Links | 185 | | | | | | |
| | Other: | REAR Bump Stops (z71 Suburban) | 50 | | | | | | |
| | Wheels: | BORA hub centric wheel spacers (if needed) | $ 75 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | $2,567 | | | | | | |
Let me know what you think, any questions you might have, etc. etc. Would be more than happy to jump on the phone and talk about some of this stuff. Just PM me through the TYForum.
Congrats on the new family member. I think you all will enjoy the "new" z71
Safe Travels!