Suggestions needed in Upgrading a GMC 2006 Denali XL 1500.

[Russell Diederich]

I have a 2006 Denali XL with a stabilization alarm. I believe my rear seals on shocks are leaking and the compressor may or not be working. I havent checked it yet. I am looking for ideas on upgrading suspension. I am also buying a new set of tires. For the first time in a while I have the money to do it right but I ain't rich. I also pull a 3000 lb boat.
So some questions...
1. The best tires for that vehicle?
2. Are there reasonable products that can raise/adjust the vehicle manually?
3. Any ideas combining new tires and new suspension? My goal would be normal height normal driving but higher height for minor off road hunting trips.
Any information or help would be appreciated.
Thank you for having the free ability here to share ideas

 

[Doubeleive]

tires: tons of differing opinions on here, but I prefer the goodyear eagle sport or LS2 for just plain old road driving-no snow around here
suspension: hellwig makes some heavy duty sway bars and they also make helper springs but so do a few other company's,
there is also air helper kits which are adjustable with a air compressor

 

[Chubbs]

Most folks that have a fully-operational & maintained "air ride" will tell you to spend the money and replace the shocks & air compressor with the original equipment. The testimonials are def positive. You don't exactly have to go all-out on OEM stuff; their are aftermarket manufacturers with a concentration in these pneumatic parts & priced competitively. I have also seen part numbers for rebuilt shocks & comp's out of NAPA Auto. It's highly suggested that you replace the coil springs with the orig part too if the suspension has been deflated over a period of time.

If you want to go cheap you will have to scrap everything and start over with shocks & springs anyway as the "air ride" or "smooth ride" optioned coils do not combine with standard shocks anyway. Too soft. You will also need to sort out the electronics that are still trying to run the comp' & adjust the shocks. Resistors, I think. Replace all of the suspension front & rear because everything is going to be junk at this age. Doing only the front or only the back will not help your situation due to the technology, chassis monitoring system/faults & handling characteristics of these big a$$ trucks.

edit. whats his face @Rocket Man knows all about this stuff if you want to go the OEM route. God forbid I try to help and mess it up, that dude will be all over me

I have seen a lot of people recommending Cooper tires. I have some lightly used Cooper ATs on my truck but only for about 6-months now so I can't speak to their longevity.

 

[Russell Diederich]

Most folks that have a fully-operational & maintained "air ride" will tell you to spend the money and replace the shocks & air compressor with the original equipment. The testimonials are def positive. You don't exactly have to go all-out on OEM stuff; their are aftermarket manufacturers with a concentration in these pneumatic parts & priced competitively. I have also seen part numbers for rebuilt shocks & comp's out of NAPA Auto. It's highly suggested that you replace the coil springs with the orig part too if the suspension has been deflated over a period of time.

If you want to go cheap you will have to scrap everything and start over with shocks & springs anyway as the "air ride" or "smooth ride" optioned coils do not combine with standard shocks anyway. Too soft. You will also need to sort out the electronics that are still trying to run the comp' & adjust the shocks. Resistors, I think. Replace all of the suspension front & rear because everything is going to be junk at this age. Doing only the front or only the back will not help your situation due to the technology, chassis monitoring system/faults & handling characteristics of these big a$$ trucks.

I have seen a lot of people recommending Cooper tires. I have some lightly used Cooper ATs on my truck but only for about 6-months now so I can't speak to their longevity.

Excellent info thank you----I will shop