Shock conversion

**BIGREDDADDY53** · 03-09-2012, 09:59 PM

I was having my tires rotated when the guy said I should look at replacing my front shocks soon. So I calleed a freind at GM and he printed me a build sheet so I could find out what shocks I needed. Then I phoned my usual two places to get prices, Wholy ***** they wanted $500 per shock because I have the Z55 and Z71 option. Is this the only whay to go?
Thanks Eric

**BIGREDDADDY53** · 03-09-2012, 10:30 PM

I was having my tires rotated when the guy said I should look at replacing my front shocks soon. So I calleed a freind at GM and he printed me a build sheet so I could find out what shocks I needed. Then I phoned my usual two places to get prices, Wholy ***** they wanted $500 per shock because I have the Z55 and Z71 option. Is this the only whay to go?
Thanks Eric

**dedmon27** · 03-10-2012, 07:43 AM

Replaced mine with bilstiens which should be oe on your vehicle. I live down the road from the original Summit Racing so I called up there and they had them cheapest around. They beat all the parts houses prices and had them in stock.

**MrShorty** · 03-10-2012, 08:37 AM

What year? Does the Z55/Z71 combo mean that you have some kind fancy schmancy air leveling (or other specialty) shock? When I price run-of-the-mill Bilstein shocks for my '98 through O'reilly's online catalog, it comes back $US110 for each, so $500 per side sounds outrageous for run of the mill shocks. $500 might be about right if you've got some kind of newer suspension system that requires special shocks.

On edit: If the "quote" from the dealership has the Bilstein model number on it, you might take that to some of the aftermarket vendors and see what they can get that same shock for. It sometimes seems that anything you buy through the dealership gets marked up above what the aftermarket (maybe Napa) will sell the exact same thing for. Of course, you run the risk of them offering an equivalent from Rancho, Monroe, or Gabriel, or other, which means you'll have to decide how important it is to you that the shock carry Bilstein's name. It will give you a good reference point for determining if $500 per side is reasonable or not.

**BIGREDDADDY53** · 03-11-2012, 09:25 PM

I forgot to mention that I have 2003 Tahoe LT Z71 and I was told that the shocks are electronically and I live In Canada, Vancouver, B.C. so all perts that deal with OEM are through GM Canada. means that it cost more money for eveything.

**BillD64** · 03-11-2012, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by BIGREDDADDY53

I was having my tires rotated when the guy said I should look at replacing my front shocks soon. So I calleed a freind at GM and he printed me a build sheet so I could find out what shocks I needed. Then I phoned my usual two places to get prices, Wholy ***** they wanted $500 per shock because I have the Z55 and Z71 option. Is this the only whay to go?
Thanks Eric

If you have the part numbers do a search on the web to see if you can find cheaper replacements. Several years ago I had to replace the Z55 shocks on my Tahoe and found them at an online supplier for less than half the price. Currently seeing them for about $310.00

Bill

**BIGREDDADDY53** · 03-11-2012, 10:39 PM

Thanks Bill, I will

**mfleetwood** · 03-12-2012, 12:23 PM

You may want to check into some aftermarket ones such as Ranchos, Bilsteins, etc. You should be able to find that you can get a much better shock for a way better price.

**KyleZ71** · 03-12-2012, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by mfleetwood

You may want to check into some aftermarket ones such as Ranchos, Bilsteins, etc. You should be able to find that you can get a much better shock for a way better price.

I dont think he'll be able to. Z55 is the autoride suspension package. I dont think you can switch shocks and have to stay with the autoride shocks. but like BillD said, shop around.

**mfleetwood** · 03-12-2012, 02:40 PM

It does seem pretty controversial regarding the Z55 but according to the following website SDtrucksprings.com, they sell them (at least the Rancho brand). I pasted below the caption and the link. I've never shopped around for the Z55 before, so I am only going by what I see online and available.

Home » Shock Absorbers » Rancho Shock Absorbers » RS5000 Rancho Shocks » GMC RS5000 Rancho Shocks » GMC Yukon RS5000 Rancho Shocks » 2000-2006 GMC Yukon 4 Door 4wd Excl. Manual Transmission & w/ Z55 Autoride Suspension or AWD (Lifted 4" Front, 4" Rear) - Rancho RS5000 Shock (Front) 2000-2006 GMC Yukon 4 Door 4wd Excl. Manual Transmission & w/ Z55 Autoride Suspension or AWD (Lifted 4" Front, 4" Rear) - Rancho RS5000 Shock (Front)

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....7&currency=USD