Too many spring options!

17Sierra1500 · August 4, 2022

Long story short, I think I need to buy springs but don't know which ones to select. RockAuto has 27 different "GM Genuine" coil springs for a 2017 GMC Sierra with 6.2L engine.

I am wanting to match the spring rate of a 2017 GMC Sierra SLT CrewCab 4x4 6.2L. If someone has this exact truck, maybe they could post their RPO codes please? Or maybe, hopefully, someone has a better idea to get this info?

The long story (if you care to read on) is I have the 2017 GMC Sierra Denali CrewCab 4x4 6.2L with MagneRide shocks & struts. The truck has just under 60K miles and the ride quality has degraded over time. I know at least 1 shock is bad due to it leaking, no codes have been thrown on the dash. Due to the mileage and the expense of the MagneRide shocks, I am pursuing replacing them all with conventional shocks and at the same time, getting my truck level.

Several options on the market claiming great ride quality but I'm leaning towards the Bilstein 5100's that I've had on past trucks or the Eibach ProTruck kit E80-23-006-02-22 for $704 that sound great too but I'll need to buy strut mounts and deal with compressing those beasts (others have had issues). Or possibly the RoughCountry E2 loaded struts #501029 - inexpensive but not sure on ride quality + reliability or maybe even Fox 2.0's if I can find them for a good price. I would even consider the Belltech coilovers #15102 for $650 /pair if I could find someone running them with a positive review.

If/since my MagneRide coil springs aren't the same/compatible, with some kits including the Bilsteins, I'll need to buy new springs, which isn't a huge deal since they aren't too expensive - some as low as $34. I know Eibach's kit comes with springs included but it appears they have a higher spring rate for trucks with extra weight on the front of their trucks.

Of course, I'll need to deal with the MRC electronics, cheapest I've found is https://www.magdelete.com/collections/sierra-1500 and I may end up just getting the entire kit from him but don't know which springs are used with his either...

It does make some sense that there are so many different GM Genuine coil springs due to there being 3 different engines available, 3 different cab sizes and 4 different trims...

I do zero off-roading or towing and am just looking for a nice street ride with a leveled look.

I welcome input on anything I've said but I'm mainly looking for the proper conventional OEM spring that will match best with my truck.

Edited August 4, 2022 by 17Sierra1500

17Sierra1500 · August 25, 2022

For the 3 people that are reading this, I decided to take a chance and purchase & install the Rancho RS9000 rear shocks and Quick Struts to match. The truck now sits level and rides better than when I first bought it 3 years ago, even wife agrees. No regerts.

Still have the dash error for Suspension Systems needs service but there are proven options for that once it annoys me enough to spend the cash.

I purchased the RS9000 rears and Quick Struts from shocksurplus.com for a grand total of $610. Best mod to date.

Edited August 25, 2022 by 17Sierra1500

mikeyk101 · August 25, 2022

Although I don't have the magnaride like you, I too am going to replace the struts and have decided to go with the Rancho Quick Struts for the front. I did just put the Bilstein 4600 on the rear and do notice an improvement in ride quality so I might as well tackle the fronts as well. I thought about the Bilstein 5100 for front but didnt want to have to deal with swapping the springs and the Ranchos come as a complete unit, ready to install. Good to see that you like the Ranchos on the front. I have the Rough Country spacer on front to level but would like to ditch that and level with struts alone. I did find an Amazon Warehouse deal on the Ranchos and decided to take a chance. I will have them next week so we shall see...

Edited August 25, 2022 by mikeyk101

mikeyk101 · August 25, 2022

Have you played around with the adjustment knob on the Ranchos and what number are you using?

17Sierra1500 · September 28, 2022

Thanks for replying Mike! Good to know at least someone is following along = ) I started at 4 and it was too floaty. Then went to 8 and it was tad firm for my taste. Settled back at 6 and am pretty happy. On a side-note, after putting in the Ranch Quick struts, the rear was just a tad lower than the front, about 1/2" to 3/4" so I struggled with how to resolve that. I thought long and hard about replacing the factory block with a taller one vs the Deaver mini-pack vs the RoadActive Suspension (RAS) springs. Ended up going with the RAS even though it was the most expensive option at ~$475 but easiest to install and am happy with those too. They raised the rear just enough so I'm dead level plus more controlled cornering with less body roll and I think it negated what I believe was a bit of axle wrap.

Edited September 28, 2022 by 17Sierra1500

mikeyk101 · September 29, 2022

I'm still experimenting with the Rancho Quicklift numbers. I started at 6 which I thought seemed a bit stiff. Then 5, then 4, etc... I am now running 2 and mostly like the ride. I did notice the kind of floaty feeling you mentioned but its not too bad IMHO. It has a cushy almost original OEM feel like when the stock Ranchos were still new. It does have a tendency to drop hard when going over larger irregularities on pavement. It's kind of hard to describe but seems like damping at 2 is a bit diminished.

Like I mentioned, I have the Bilstein 4600 rear shocks. But I also have AirLift bags on the rear as well. The front and rear seem to be level and pretty much what I had with the Rough Country Level kit. I did try bumping up the psi in the AirLift bags form the minimum of 5psi to 10psi and that seemed to help with that floaty feeling. I may try going back up to maybe 4 or 5 with the AirLift bags at 10psi and see what effect that has.

The big test will come on my next trip pulling my toyhauler. It's a 25' and when fully loaded along with my trike, it probably comes in around 6200lbs. I'm hoping this will be a winning combination and give me some decent control when traveling.

Just one other thing, I found info from several sources that recommended setting the Quicklift knob to 1, remove it, pack it with grease, and reinstall the knob. It's supposed to help prevent corrosion in there and help keep the knob from freezing up. I did this and although a bit early to tell, it's very easy to adjust it.

pokismoki · September 29, 2022

if you do a search on the forum , Mr. Grumpy did an exhaustive research and testing on building the best suspension set up for factory trucks. give him a PM if you want more details. i think he spent about $3-4k on his truck set up

17Sierra1500 · October 13, 2022

On 9/28/2022 at 8:02 PM, mikeyk101 said:

I'm still experimenting with the Rancho Quicklift numbers. I started at 6 which I thought seemed a bit stiff. Then 5, then 4, etc... I am now running 2 and mostly like the ride. I did notice the kind of floaty feeling you mentioned but its not too bad IMHO. It has a cushy almost original OEM feel like when the stock Ranchos were still new. It does have a tendency to drop hard when going over larger irregularities on pavement. It's kind of hard to describe but seems like damping at 2 is a bit diminished.

Like I mentioned, I have the Bilstein 4600 rear shocks. But I also have AirLift bags on the rear as well. The front and rear seem to be level and pretty much what I had with the Rough Country Level kit. I did try bumping up the psi in the AirLift bags form the minimum of 5psi to 10psi and that seemed to help with that floaty feeling. I may try going back up to maybe 4 or 5 with the AirLift bags at 10psi and see what effect that has.

The big test will come on my next trip pulling my toyhauler. It's a 25' and when fully loaded along with my trike, it probably comes in around 6200lbs. I'm hoping this will be a winning combination and give me some decent control when traveling.

Just one other thing, I found info from several sources that recommended setting the Quicklift knob to 1, remove it, pack it with grease, and reinstall the knob. It's supposed to help prevent corrosion in there and help keep the knob from freezing up. I did this and although a bit early to tell, it's very easy to adjust it.

Great tip on greasing the knobs! 3 out of 4 of mine are very difficult to rotate.