Z71 Shocks?

[reddituser]

So the shocks on my 96 GMC Sierra k1500 Z71 are shot, and I'm shopping for a replacement. Most of the cheaper options say "W/o Z71 package"

Is there a difference besides stiffness? I don't tow very much and when I do it isn't very heavy stuff, can I get away with the cheaper, non z71 shocks? What I don't want is for them to affect my ride height, but I don't know if a shock would change that.

Thanks!

[Quyonmob]

HD bilstein (blue and yellow) would be the OE equivalent, as bilstein made the OE shock for most GMT400 Z71's.

Shocks don't affect ride height.

Z71's are the same height as 4x4's anyhow (please don't argue these points, the are fact, not opinion).

You can "get away" with any shock you want that fits a 96 K1500 Sierra. Shocks are a "you get what you pay for" item.

[reddituser]

Thanks! Regarding the ride height I didn't know that, I guess I just assumed lol, but I certainly believe you

[PA.REDNECK]

Any shock that fits will work, its up to you on what to buy, my 94 K1500 is a regular 4X4 and not a z71 and the people who owned it before me had replaced the shocks with heavy duty trailering shocks, now it rides the same, if not a little stiffer then the stock z71's...and no shocks will not affect ride height, they are made to fit that vehicle stock and not change it. So if you do not tow or haul much and do not off road a lot then yes the softer shocks will work fine for you, if you are real hard on your shocks(towing or 4wheeling) then I would opt for the stiffer shock.

[Quyonmob]

Any shock that fits will work, its up to you on what to buy, my 94 K1500 is a regular 4X4 and not a z71 and the people who owned it before me had replaced the shocks with heavy duty trailering shocks, now it rides the same, if not a little stiffer then the stock z71's...and no shocks will not affect ride height, they are made to fit that vehicle stock and not change it. So if you do not tow or haul much and do not off road a lot then yes the softer shocks will work fine for you, if you are real hard on your shocks(towing or 4wheeling) then I would opt for the stiffer shock.

Stiffer does not equal better for offroading or towing. The right dampening rate for the springs while resisting fade is what you are going for.

Stiffer shocks for towing are a bandaid for worn out springs.

Springs carry the load, shocks control how the springs react.