2021 SIlverado 2500HD Ride Quality & Wheel Questions

M Parr · January 17, 2021

Good evening all,

I’ve had my 2021 Silverado 2500HD High Country for about a week and I have a few questions I was hoping you smart folks could answer. The ride is really rough. I’ve owned sports-oriented Audis and BMWs in the past and I think this suspension is way worse. My S4 that I sold to buy this truck was downright plush compared to the suspension lol. I knew what I was getting into but went forward because the vehicle is a tool to be used to get some quality family time with my wife and kids. I don’t HAVE to enjoy driving it but I’d like to make it as enjoyable as I can though.

My truck has the Z71 package and the camper/snowplow package. I took one with the camper package because trucks are scarce and it was otherwise equipped exactly as I wanted it. Long story but, in order to get what I wanted, I had to have this truck shipped from Minnesota to Florida. Options were not plentiful.

1.) I did let some air out of the tires and it did help. I’m at cold pressures of 55 front and 60 rear. I’m concerned about impacting tire wear or setting my self up in an unsafe way. Am I okay? Should I reduce some more when unloaded or add some back? I’ll air back up to the pressures on the door sticker when towing.

2.) I’ve read repeatedly that people think the rancho shocks suck and generally recommend replacing with Bilstein 4600s or 5100s. I don’t plan on lifting the truck and I don’t want to compromise my tow ratings. Can anyone provide guidance on whether replacing the shocks is the correct move for me? If so, what is best for my situation.

3.) I do not like the High Country wheels and would like to replace them. Is there anything I should take into account besides load rating / index? I plan on getting wheels, keeping the existing tires, and matching the load rating as close as possible. Is my plan sound? Anything else I should consider?

4.) Anything else you guys would suggest? I’ve done some searching but I'm still left with the questions above. I’m willing to go read and educate myself if you’ll nudge me in the right direction.

Couple pics attached for funzies.

Thanks in advance for the help.

MGP

Edited January 19, 2021 by M Parr

MTU Alum · January 18, 2021

If you are not going to use a snowplow or pickup camper, I recommend changing to non snow plow prep torsion bars. It looks like you have a gas truck. A gas snow plow prep is two front spring rates higher than standard truck. The front shocks are different as well.

As far as wheels, the 20" wheels are 8.5" wide from factory. If you go wider, this will hurt ride.

#iworkforGM

M Parr · January 18, 2021

2 hours ago, MTU Alum said:

If you are not going to use a snowplow or pickup camper, I recommend changing to non snow plow prep torsion bars. It looks like you have a gas truck. A gas snow plow prep is two front spring rates higher than standard truck. The front shocks are different as well.

As far as wheels, the 20" wheels are 8.5" wide from factory. If you go wider, this will hurt ride.

#iworkforGM

Thanks for the suggestion. Any suggestions for which bars to change them out for?

gSwift · January 19, 2021

I'll jump in on the suspension question. I too have had several sports cars and sport sedans and have always focused on the ride height and ride quality of my vehicles.

My 2020 2500 AT4 with the Rancho's were so stiff they'd rattle your teeth. I ended up ordering the 3" Cognito Premier leveling kit which offers Fox Shocks with external reservoirs. I have the ability to soften or stiffen the ride to my liking, and let me tell you, it was a game changer! I would buy this same kit 100 times over.

Theres plenty of kits that offer Fox shocks or something comparable, but I specifically wanted the external reservoirs so I could fine tune my ride quality. I can't speak to Bilsteins, but I do know they make quality stuff and most people seem to be very pleased.

M Parr · January 19, 2021

1 hour ago, gSwift said:

I'll jump in on the suspension question. I too have had several sports cars and sport sedans and have always focused on the ride height and ride quality of my vehicles.

My 2020 2500 AT4 with the Rancho's were so stiff they'd rattle your teeth. I ended up ordering the 3" Cognito Premier leveling kit which offers Fox Shocks with external reservoirs. I have the ability to soften or stiffen the ride to my liking, and let me tell you, it was a game changer! I would buy this same kit 100 times over.

Theres plenty of kits that offer Fox shocks or something comparable, but I specifically wanted the external reservoirs so I could fine tune my ride quality. I can't speak to Bilsteins, but I do know they make quality stuff and most people seem to be very pleased.

Thanks for this. A little concerned about a lift as it's already a tall truck and I don't want my wife and kids to struggle getting in and out anymore than they have to. It's compelling if it helps the ride though. I'll check into it.

gSwift · January 19, 2021

26 minutes ago, M Parr said:

Thanks for this. A little concerned about a lift as it's already a tall truck and I don't want my wife and kids to struggle getting in and out anymore than they have to. It's compelling if it helps the ride though. I'll check into it.

I believe you can order just the shocks, but you could contact them to be sure. I know I saw some of the shocks listed in the description as "for 0-1" lit" and "for 1-4" lift" etc. etc.

Ray Pickle · January 19, 2021

Ridiculous analogy, h d. pickup vs. prwmium sports sesan for ride quality? Really?!

gSwift · January 19, 2021

1 hour ago, Ray Pickle said:

Ridiculous analogy, h d. pickup vs. prwmium sports sesan for ride quality? Really?!

Not as ridiculous as your spelling. Jesus! Does nobody proof read their messages before posting?

M Parr · January 19, 2021

13 hours ago, Ray Pickle said:

Ridiculous analogy, h d. pickup vs. prwmium sports sesan for ride quality? Really?!

I really appreciate the helpful response. Thanks so much for your contribution.

Shawn T · January 19, 2021

It seems like every time the big 3 redesign their HD pickups they up the payload and tow rating and the ride really suffers big time! My last decent riding HD was my 06 Duramax. I ordered my '15 with 20" wheels and I can tell you the ride from my 06' was significantly rougher! I ended up mounting some Cooper tires, 2 sizes up and running as low air pressure as the idiot light would allow and it helped a little. My '20 has the same size tires as the Coopers on my '15 from the factory with 20" wheels, and it rides about the same. Pretty teeth rattling, everything stock. In the old days, lifting a truck meant sacrificing ride quality. Now it means greatly improving it, I agree with gSwift, Fox shocks with external, adjustable reservoirs are the way to go. I have also avoided the off road package since GM went away from Bilsteins for good reason, Ranchos suck. I guess I didn't learn my lesson because this truck has the off road package and it came with Ranchos. I only have 15k miles on the truck and both rear shocks have ruptured (replaced under warranty). My dilemma is wait the warranty period out or just replace them with Fox' and have the product warranty. Another thing I noticed is that Goodyear tires seem to ride a little stiff with comparable air pressure. Maybe that's just me though, I like a good Cooper or BFG myself.

2020-2500 · January 19, 2021

The comparison of a sports car to an HD truck is just rediculous. They are not built to have a good ride quality - if that is important to you then a 1500 would be more your style. That said, my ride quality gets a lot better when towing. After all, these trucks are built to tow! Without my camper it feels like driving an empty dump truck because that's essentially what it is.

M Parr · January 19, 2021

53 minutes ago, 2020-2500 said:

The comparison of a sports car to an HD truck is just rediculous. They are not built to have a good ride quality - if that is important to you then a 1500 would be more your style. That said, my ride quality gets a lot better when towing. After all, these trucks are built to tow! Without my camper it feels like driving an empty dump truck because that's essentially what it is.

To your point, these are built to tow. A 1500 isn't going to have 3K+ lbs of cargo and 16K+ of towing capacity. That said, I was merely asking if there were ways to make the truck more comfortable when not towing. No one is comparing sports cars directly with HD trucks. What we are saying is that we are used to stiff suspensions and this is pretty stiff. It's a measure for where the opinion comes from. I need the truck to make memories with my family. I'd rather not put up with having my spine shattered and my teeth rattled. If I can make it more comfortable, I'm going to do that.

2020-2500 · January 20, 2021

17 hours ago, M Parr said:

No one is comparing sports cars directly with HD trucks.

On 1/17/2021 at 6:33 PM, M Parr said:

The ride is really rough. I’ve owned sports-oriented Audis and BMWs in the past and I think this suspension is way worse. My S4 that I sold to buy this truck was downright plush compared to the suspension lol.

That's exactly the comparison you made. I don't understand why anyone would buy a 2500 without a real need to haul things around. They're simply not built for comfort and I can't understand spending a big sum of money for something so far from what someone wants.

M Parr · January 20, 2021

1 hour ago, 2020-2500 said:

That's exactly the comparison you made. I don't understand why anyone would buy a 2500 without a real need to haul things around. They're simply not built for comfort and I can't understand spending a big sum of money for something so far from what someone wants.

And I'll never understand why people contribute to threads in a way that isn't meant to be helpful but rather only has value in tearing people down. I can see why some people have angst about posting on forums for for advice.

It's not like I'm cross shopping sports cars and HD trucks. Call it a comparison or whatever you want. I was trying to provide context for what a stiff suspension is to me. I think if you actually read what I wrote, it's clear the vehicle is a need not a want.

I'd ask that you consider the value of your post. You could choose to be helpful but instead you've chosen to be antagonistic. It's not for you or I to decide how anyone uses their vehicle.

Lastly, I didn't join this forum or post this to get into internet pissing matches. If you want to continue to post things that aren't productive, that's your call. My choice is to ignore it and respond to helpful posts instead.

dab5577 · January 20, 2021

It seems like every time the big 3 redesign their HD pickups they up the payload and tow rating and the ride really suffers big time! My last decent riding HD was my 06 Duramax. I ordered my '15 with 20" wheels and I can tell you the ride from my 06' was significantly rougher! I ended up mounting some Cooper tires, 2 sizes up and running as low air pressure as the idiot light would allow and it helped a little. My '20 has the same size tires as the Coopers on my '15 from the factory with 20" wheels, and it rides about the same. Pretty teeth rattling, everything stock. In the old days, lifting a truck meant sacrificing ride quality. Now it means greatly improving it, I agree with gSwift, Fox shocks with external, adjustable reservoirs are the way to go. I have also avoided the off road package since GM went away from Bilsteins for good reason, Ranchos suck. I guess I didn't learn my lesson because this truck has the off road package and it came with Ranchos. I only have 15k miles on the truck and both rear shocks have ruptured (replaced under warranty). My dilemma is wait the warranty period out or just replace them with Fox' and have the product warranty. Another thing I noticed is that Goodyear tires seem to ride a little stiff with comparable air pressure. Maybe that's just me though, I like a good Cooper or BFG myself.

Do you know if the external, adjustable reservoirs require you replace the UCAs? That was the impression I got reviewing the info on the Fox website. I wouldn’t be looking to lift at all, just improve ride. Anybody have experience with using them no lift/level?

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