Hello all, haven't been here long, just poking around to get some more info and updates for my new ZR2.
Been finding a lot of information about concerns about the shocks with these trucks. The shocks aren't all that special to be completely honest with you folks. They are essentially the same thing as kings, fox, icons, etc. they just use a different mecanism for changing the valving. Add your spacers if you want, they only thing that will do is remove downward travel from your suspension the ride will stay the same.
Here is a basic recipe to equate to the ZR2 in terms of performance:
1. Aftermarket upper control arms - total chaos, dirt kings, mazulla off road, blitzkrieg all either have products available or are coming out with products in the near future. Benefits are they are rebuildable, remove the stock ball joint and use a high angle grim joint, and add caster into their builds so you get a better steering response when lifter. This could also be a solution for those of you rubbing tires at 33"+. I haven't seen how these trucks are aligned yet so I can't confirm that or not. Google contact the companies to talk with and can confirm a lot of what im talking about.
2. Aftermarket coilovers and rear shocks - King, Dirt Logic, Icon, Fox, Race Runner/Sway-Away, F-o-a. These are rebuildable and allow you to valve your suspension to your needs as well as change spring rates for added loads, slow rock crawling, speedy desert shake downs, grocery getting, mixes of it all etc. it takes a little bit of effort to get it right but is light years away from bolt in bilsteins and other drop in low cost shocks
3. Progressive rate leaf springs - Deaver, national, alcan are the top three that are producing leafs. These will allow you to put lift into the rear if you desire, reduce axle wrap, and are progressive springs meaning as they compress more, they rebound and a controlled rate providing a better ride overall.
4. Lockers and gears- when you increase tire size you need to change gearing to keep your engine performing the way it needs to. 4:15 for v6 3:75-4:0 for diesel should put you in a good range with 33" tires or larger. When you get to this point save up for the lockers because you don't want to pay for the same service twice.
This is basic. Now if you look all this up and go "Gosh that's expensive"! Well yeah, it is, this is what you buy with the Z, but if you find a good deal on a base model don't lose out on it, this list here puts you on par with the ZR2 or even passes it up.
We don't have any of these parts aftermarket for the zr2, there are no long travel or mid travel kits, no lift coilovers, but it comes with it all as is so we have to make do with the tire size or add a BOdy lift or pucks. I won't recommend either but to each their own.
Hope this helps some of you out. Take care!
Been finding a lot of information about concerns about the shocks with these trucks. The shocks aren't all that special to be completely honest with you folks. They are essentially the same thing as kings, fox, icons, etc. they just use a different mecanism for changing the valving. Add your spacers if you want, they only thing that will do is remove downward travel from your suspension the ride will stay the same.
Here is a basic recipe to equate to the ZR2 in terms of performance:
1. Aftermarket upper control arms - total chaos, dirt kings, mazulla off road, blitzkrieg all either have products available or are coming out with products in the near future. Benefits are they are rebuildable, remove the stock ball joint and use a high angle grim joint, and add caster into their builds so you get a better steering response when lifter. This could also be a solution for those of you rubbing tires at 33"+. I haven't seen how these trucks are aligned yet so I can't confirm that or not. Google contact the companies to talk with and can confirm a lot of what im talking about.
2. Aftermarket coilovers and rear shocks - King, Dirt Logic, Icon, Fox, Race Runner/Sway-Away, F-o-a. These are rebuildable and allow you to valve your suspension to your needs as well as change spring rates for added loads, slow rock crawling, speedy desert shake downs, grocery getting, mixes of it all etc. it takes a little bit of effort to get it right but is light years away from bolt in bilsteins and other drop in low cost shocks
3. Progressive rate leaf springs - Deaver, national, alcan are the top three that are producing leafs. These will allow you to put lift into the rear if you desire, reduce axle wrap, and are progressive springs meaning as they compress more, they rebound and a controlled rate providing a better ride overall.
4. Lockers and gears- when you increase tire size you need to change gearing to keep your engine performing the way it needs to. 4:15 for v6 3:75-4:0 for diesel should put you in a good range with 33" tires or larger. When you get to this point save up for the lockers because you don't want to pay for the same service twice.
This is basic. Now if you look all this up and go "Gosh that's expensive"! Well yeah, it is, this is what you buy with the Z, but if you find a good deal on a base model don't lose out on it, this list here puts you on par with the ZR2 or even passes it up.
We don't have any of these parts aftermarket for the zr2, there are no long travel or mid travel kits, no lift coilovers, but it comes with it all as is so we have to make do with the tire size or add a BOdy lift or pucks. I won't recommend either but to each their own.
Hope this helps some of you out. Take care!
