Shopping for New

reidcc · July 15, 2020

Hi All-

I've lurked for a while, just decided to join. Out looking at trucks now.

I've had a 16 Colorado Ext Cab Z71 for past 3 1/2 years, and we've never really gotten along well! I bought it in Dec 2016 used, previous owner bought it end of August 2015 and traded it by May 2016 after putting 20K on it. I was having some issue with my Frontier after 10 yrs, and saw a way out of it.

This i my first Ext Cab, and I had it when I go anywhere and need to access back suicide door. My front suspension was toast at 35K, and I put on the Eibach Pro Truck kit at 38K, it made a tremendous difference, but it seems to be riding harder and harder. It is just time to part ways.

I want to drive a Ridgeline, a Titan Pro-4X, possibly a Ram Rebel, a Sierra Elevation. I've always been a Nissan fan, and the 2020 Titan is a nice improvement over the 17 through 19.

I loved the look of the Elevation model much more than the Chevy RST, and finally drove an Elevation this afternoon. It had a sticker of close to 53K as it had the 5.3, Convenience, another preferred package, and the X31 package. I was the dual cab in Black. It really looked sweet.

I was comfortable inside behind the wheel. The power of the 5.3 was great, and it was extremely quiet. I wanted to love the ride, but just couldn't though. It always felt like it was shaking, mostly in the wheel, but I did get some head toss as well. On ripples in the road, it felt like the tire was slapping back at the road uncontrollably(but damped). Is this what folks refer to as the Chevy shake? The vibrations I felt as early as 35 to 40 mph.

I think the entire package really looked sinister- and I'd love to have the truck. The vibes just scare me.

Thx-

Chris

Wiggums · July 15, 2020

1 hour ago, reidcc said:

I wanted to love the ride, but just couldn't though. It always felt like it was shaking, mostly in the wheel, but I did get some head toss as well. On ripples in the road, it felt like the tire was slapping back at the road uncontrollably(but damped). Is this what folks refer to as the Chevy shake? The vibrations I felt as early as 35 to 40 mph.

No, the Chevy shake was from the previous generation. I have the RST 5.3 with Z71 and have the same issue here, the back end has actually fishtailed without me hitting the gas or braking. It's due to the twin-tube shocks found in Z71 models of the RST and I think the same goes for the X31 of the Ellevation.

If you still want it, just change the shocks once you get it if you do a lot of four wheeling especially on ripples. We own a large ranch and that truck forces me to slow down to a ridiculous 30 mph while I can hit 55 on others while on straight and well-maintained dirt roads.

TheCloudX · July 16, 2020

6 hours ago, reidcc said:

I want to drive a Ridgeline, a Titan Pro-4X, possibly a Ram Rebel, a Sierra Elevation. I've always been a Nissan fan, and the 2020 Titan is a nice improvement over the 17 through 19.

I loved the look of the Elevation model much more than the Chevy RST, and finally drove an Elevation this afternoon.

Depending on your height, you may not be happy with the Ridgeline or Titan. Definitely drive them and give them a hard look as much as you can. I wanted to like both trucks, but the Ridgeline only has 40.9" of front legroom and it was noticeable when sitting inside as I'm 6'1" and have long legs. I also didn't like not having a center console to rest my arm on.

I really, really wanted to like the 20 Titan, but it wasn't much better coming in at 41.8" of legroom. I had an 04 Titan back in the day and loved it, but the new one I just couldn't get comfortable. I also felt to high up, having to almost lean down to get a good feel of the road. The truck itself is impressive, and honestly due to the overall sales of the truck, you could probably get the best deal on the Titan these days making it a good value overall. The engine is a beaut and sounds amazing and the new center stack and infotainment system is a welcome addition. Just wish I could get comfortable.

Another thought, you're almost looking at all off-roading packaged trucks. If this is based on need, the Ridgeline may not be the best truck for you. It's AWD system is good for what it does, but can't compete to a true packaged off-road truck. If just going light off-road, it'll do just fine and probably serve you very well.

There's other threads regarding Ram v. GM trucks, so not much to add to that. I'll just say the Ram rides very well and would most likely serve you well. But out of all the trucks, I would definitely make sure I had a good extended warranty on it.

Lastly, if the GM's aren't to your liking, you may want to take a look at the Tundra. It may just check all the boxes, especially if you like the Titan. It's an older truck and can definitely use some modernization, but it's a good riding truck - albeit it rides like a truck, it's dependable, and that engine is almost bullet proof these days. Their well made, but expensive.

reidcc · July 16, 2020

8 hours ago, TheCloudX said:

Depending on your height, you may not be happy with the Ridgeline or Titan. Definitely drive them and give them a hard look as much as you can. I wanted to like both trucks, but the Ridgeline only has 40.9" of front legroom and it was noticeable when sitting inside as I'm 6'1" and have long legs. I also didn't like not having a center console to rest my arm on.

I am 5'7" and 30 inch legs. My wife has a newer Pilot, and I've got all I need in that.You do ring up a good point on the armrest...I hate the little thing and would rather have the console.

8 hours ago, TheCloudX said:

I really, really wanted to like the 20 Titan, but it wasn't much better coming in at 41.8" of legroom. I had an 04 Titan back in the day and loved it, but the new one I just couldn't get comfortable. I also felt to high up, having to almost lean down to get a good feel of the road. The truck itself is impressive, and honestly due to the overall sales of the truck, you could probably get the best deal on the Titan these days making it a good value overall. The engine is a beaut and sounds amazing and the new center stack and infotainment system is a welcome addition. Just wish I could get comfortable.

Another thought, you're almost looking at all off-roading packaged trucks. If this is based on need, the Ridgeline may not be the best truck for you. It's AWD system is good for what it does, but can't compete to a true packaged off-road truck. If just going light off-road, it'll do just fine and probably serve you very well.

Believe it or not- I've never had my Colorado off road...I guess I just like the looks as long as the tires aren't crazy. The Rebel had the Duratracs, the Elevation has the mild Goodyear TrailRunner AT's, and the Pro-4X has General Grabbers.

8 hours ago, TheCloudX said:

There's other threads regarding Ram v. GM trucks, so not much to add to that. I'll just say the Ram rides very well and would most likely serve you well. But out of all the trucks, I would definitely make sure I had a good extended warranty on it.

Lastly, if the GM's aren't to your liking, you may want to take a look at the Tundra. It may just check all the boxes, especially if you like the Titan. It's an older truck and can definitely use some modernization, but it's a good riding truck - albeit it rides like a truck, it's dependable, and that engine is almost bullet proof these days. Their well made, but expensive.

Actually the Tundra's aren't that expensive as I can get the TRD SR5 for sticker of 44, where the Elevation stickered at 53. Once a deal is done though- I suspect there wouldn't be too much difference in price as the GMC would carry a bigger discount. I know the gas mileage in the Tundra is horrible, but its a truck.

I had a Frontier for 10 yrs that I bought new, and traded that for the Colorado. After the honeymoon wore off with the Colorado- I missed my Frontier a lot, as it rode better, was more comfortable. You can get newer used ones cheap, but at this point knowing the 2020's are same with new motor and tranny, and the early 2022's will be new body/interior, I don't want to go back to whats available now.

Thx

Chris

reidcc · July 16, 2020

13 hours ago, Wiggums said:

No, the Chevy shake was from the previous generation. I have the RST 5.3 with Z71 and have the same issue here, the back end has actually fishtailed without me hitting the gas or braking. It's due to the twin-tube shocks found in Z71 models of the RST and I think the same goes for the X31 of the Ellevation

If you still want it, just change the shocks once you get it if you do a lot of four wheeling especially on ripples. We own a large ranch and that truck forces me to slow down to a ridiculous 30 mph while I can hit 55 on others while on straight and well-maintained dirt roads.

The flutter I was getting on ripples was definitely front end. It felt like tire was slapping back at the road. On some expansion joints- I could see the rear shocks being an issue as it had a tendency to side step a bit in the rear.

The rest of vibes were through steering wheel, but did not change as speed went up.

Wiggums · July 16, 2020

2 hours ago, reidcc said:

The flutter I was getting on ripples was definitely front end. It felt like tire was slapping back at the road. On some expansion joints- I could see the rear shocks being an issue as it had a tendency to side step a bit in the rear.

The rest of vibes were through steering wheel, but did not change as speed went up.

Strangely, my RST is very good with the front end, it stay planted even over ripples, better than all the other 4x4's. It was new or used?

Jim E · July 16, 2020

Did you try driving a non X31 model? That would be my first thought.

Wiggums · July 16, 2020

30 minutes ago, Jim E said:

Did you try driving a non X31 model? That would be my first thought.

Non-X31 doesn't come with two-speed transfer case, nice to have when four-wheeling. Don't know how high it is on OP's list though...

Dunn · July 17, 2020

says he doesnt four wheel

get one without the twin tubes or just change them out right away.....shocks arent expensive, unless you start with king, fox, etc.....throw a good eibach set in for pretty cheap

reidcc · July 17, 2020

9 hours ago, Dunn said:

says he doesnt four wheel

get one without the twin tubes or just change them out right away.....shocks arent expensive, unless you start with king, fox, etc.....throw a good eibach set in for pretty cheap

I have the Eibach Pro Truck kit on my Colorado now, its been on for 16K miles. While I can't remember what setting the spring perches are on, the truck was a slightly nose high. It rode great when completed. Early this year I noticed a huge difference in how it rode, as its now very firm and rock hard. It does not feel planted on rougher roads and I get some head toss driving. It feels like I'm riding on concrete wheels.

I've had Bilsteins before on a Nissan Frontier and an Xterra(the 5100's), but at the stock perch height. They were fantastic. Reading here, I see that Bilsteins are now available.

I assume that to change out the front shocks, the upper control arm must separate from knuckle, and spring/shock must be taken apart like a strut correct?

Thx

Chris

jlong1984 · July 17, 2020

On 7/16/2020 at 6:56 AM, reidcc said:

Actually the Tundra's aren't that expensive as I can get the TRD SR5 for sticker of 44, where the Elevation stickered at 53. Once a deal is done though- I suspect there wouldn't be too much difference in price as the GMC would carry a bigger discount.

There's not. The domestic manufacturers like to over inflate the MSRP and offer a big discount to make you feel like you're getting a deal, while Toyota keeps the sticker where it should have been and only offers $2-$3,000 in discounts.

Dunn · July 17, 2020

5 hours ago, reidcc said:

I have the Eibach Pro Truck kit on my Colorado now, its been on for 16K miles. While I can't remember what setting the spring perches are on, the truck was a slightly nose high. It rode great when completed. Early this year I noticed a huge difference in how it rode, as its now very firm and rock hard. It does not feel planted on rougher roads and I get some head toss driving. It feels like I'm riding on concrete wheels.

I've had Bilsteins before on a Nissan Frontier and an Xterra(the 5100's), but at the stock perch height. They were fantastic. Reading here, I see that Bilsteins are now available.

I assume that to change out the front shocks, the upper control arm must separate from knuckle, and spring/shock must be taken apart like a strut correct?

Thx

Chris

yeah the higher you raise the shock rougher they can ride.....they dont recommend the highest setting, but alot of peeps had great results and like any production part sometimes there is just a bad batch.....

most say they both ride very similar though they use different valving methods....bilstein is digressive and eibach is progressive

i had bilsteins (not 5100) before and they were great and had twin tube ranchos and were horrible...

yeah you have to disassemble UCA like you said.....if using a strut with spring already installed its easier....otherwise you need a spring compressor to install new or OEM spring onto new strut.....while eibach comes with a spring (OEM spring works as well) its not installed i believe.....and eibach spring gets you about an inch of lift by itself over the OEM spring....

still either is good system for price.....otherwise you get into KING and fox and price jumps (ICON as well)

KING setup was pretty incredible though, lol

Wintersun · July 18, 2020

I am in the process of selling my Duramax and buying a 1/2 ton gas engine powered pickup. A problem I have with Chevy is the small 24 gallon fuel tank provided and the amount they gouge customers who want the Z71 package (adds $8000 to the price), the inability to separately select a locking differential or a different set of gears or even rock guards. Ford provides the most flexibility and Chevy the least and Ram falls in the middle.