[1970cst]

Why would the Z71 ride better? Thanks

 

[mdusen1216]

A lot of people assume that a z71 suspension is tuned stiffer for off road but in reality when off road a little softer suspension tune is advantageous to prevent bouncing around on uneven surfaces giving you a more positive traction. The z71 suspension is tuned for this so on bumpy roads it is likely to have a better ride. On the twins the z71 parts are all in the front end. Rear suspensions are identical on z71 and non z71 configurations.

 

[MGS9500]

Before buying my z71 my dealer let me take a loaded LT for a weekend and the following week a Trail Boss. I drove both of them on highway and city streets.

After driving the LT first and then the z71, I dropped off the z71 and asked the dealer if I could immediately drive the LT for a few miles to get a final feel.

I had no preconceived ideas as to which one was better. I was actually told that the z71 would be the harsher ride as it was made for off road travel.

The facts are that the z71 seemed to have the slightly smoother and softer ride. I'm not certain if it was the seats, suspension or the tires. All I know is that the z71 was a more comfortable ride for long and short rides. A little softer and a less rigid feel over bumps and road problems.

I don't like a soft car. I hate cushy big cars that drive like boats. But, in my truck, I don't want to need a bite plate every time I go over a pot hole.

And, every one who drives a car or truck has a different opinion about what is the best ride.

For me, the z71 was a more comfortable daily ride. However they put the package together, there is a difference.

 

[boombots]

Before buying my z71 my dealer let me take a loaded LT for a weekend and the following week a Trail Boss. I drove both of them on highway and city streets.

After driving the LT first and then the z71, I dropped off the z71 and asked the dealer if I could immediately drive the LT for a few miles to get a final feel.

I had no preconceived ideas as to which one was better. I was actually told that the z71 would be the harsher ride as it was made for off road travel.

The facts are that the z71 seemed to have the slightly smoother and softer ride. I'm not certain if it was the seats, suspension or the tires. All I know is that the z71 was a more comfortable ride for long and short rides. A little softer and a less rigid feel over bumps and road problems.

I don't like a soft car. I hate cushy big cars that drive like boats. But, in my truck, I don't want to need a bite plate every time I go over a pot hole.

And, every one who drives a car or truck has a different opinion about what is the best ride.

For me, the z71 was a more comfortable daily ride. However they put the package together, there is a difference.

The suspension, as I've been told, for the mid sized trucks, is the same across all trim levels. The ride quality is tires and wheels size. On full size trucks the z71 gets you ranchos. Unfortunately for us it does not.

Edit: not sure how I ended up replying to this older thread when I meant to reply to a different thread...

Sent from my BLN-L24 using Tapatalk

 

[Two Door]

The suspension, as I've been told, for the mid sized trucks, is the same across all trim levels. The ride quality is tires and wheels size.

Take a look at post #56 in this thread.

 

[drake]

Hey lads, so recently replaced my upper and lower control arms and thought I'm due for a shock and spring replacement on the truck. Currently sitting with 142,000 kms. Things are a bit bouncy and rough up front and in the rear. So just ordered Bilstein 5100's all around. I'm planning on replacing my springs as well and have noticed that I can't seem to find the part number listed on Gm's parts site. I have a 2018 Chevy Colorado LT 4x4 3.6 V6 with XXG 22291650 front springs up front. Which from this previous post looks to be the same spring as on the z71 4x4? I'm a bit confused as from previous posts it was noted that LT and Z71 shared different springs. Either way can someone please help/link me the correct springs.

Hello, I am new to the forum. I am in a unique position to help answer these questions. Last month I bought a 2016 Colorado Crew Cab, LT 4x4. It has some up-options, including locking diff and tow package, fog lamps and remote start, etc etc.

A couple of days ago I went with my father and he bought a 2016 Colorado Crew Cab, Z71 4x4. Mostly optioned but not entirely. It has a couple things mine does not have, first being the Xenon head lamps, the two tone leather interior (which I didn't want), and his has climate control, hill descent control, and heated seats? I think that's it. Skid plates... different wheels.

Essentially the same trucks, made in the same place, about 6 months apart.

Today I went over and got pics to resolve this. Hopefully.

In short, the Z71 and LT share, in our configurations (crew cab 4x4), the same rear leaf springs and shocks. Part numbers are identical. Although in the near future I have an appointment to have the TSB completed on the rear of my LT, so I will get pics of the part numbers to compare before the work is done.

But the front springs and shocks ARE different. At least the part numbers listed on the tags are different.

Z71 4x4

Front driver side spring - 22291650 XXG
Front driver side shock - 23376642 / 16224121 ABFU

LT 4x4

Front driver side spring - 22291649 XXF
Front driver side shock - 23376641 / 16008141 ABFT

You can see also, the QR Code and associated serial numbers are different, so I am thinking it is different set of front shocks and springs. Maybe all that is different is the internal tuning and the springs rebound rates, because physically they look identical.

When you go on GM's parts site, and look at this configuration, you can see 4 different options for springs and shocks available. Of the 4 I don't know how to determine which is for which spec vehicle. I'm sure someone on here knows how though.

We share the same tire size 255/65 17, but have different tires. Both are Goodyear tires. The LT has "All Season", the Z71 has "All Terrain".

I can say that the Z71 rides nicer. Noticeably nicer in fact, but the seats are not nearly as nice as the LT. Beyond that the ride height is the same, etc etc. I had my front air dam removed within the first week. My dad likes the look of it, and has the side steps to level out the appears in profile, so he kept his.

Hope this helps.

 

[Hunter62]

Hey lads, so recently replaced my upper and lower control arms and thought I'm due for a shock and spring replacement on the truck. Currently sitting with 142,000 kms. Things are a bit bouncy and rough up front and in the rear. So just ordered Bilstein 5100's all around. I'm planning on replacing my springs as well and have noticed that I can't seem to find the part number listed on Gm's parts site. I have a 2018 Chevy Colorado LT 4x4 3.6 V6 with XXG 22291650 front springs up front. Which from this previous post looks to be the same spring as on the z71 4x4? I'm a bit confused as from previous posts it was noted that LT and Z71 shared different springs. Either way can someone please help/link me the correct springs.

you need to start a new thread with your questions, the person you linked to has not be on here in over 5 years

 

[gherbert]

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Last Post before Today #65 · May 31, 2018
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