'99 Tahoe LS Shock ?

[Ironhorse]

Wife and I have a '99 Tahoe LS, bought it used with 67,000 on it. Been quite satisfied with it. So far have changed out the in-tank fuel pump/sender, fuel control spider and basic maintenance items as battery, plugs, wires, cap, etc. Also drained, flushed the Dex-Cool and went back with the standard green coolant at 50/50 mix. Now has 152,000, runs good but the ride doesn't seem as good. 265/75/16's, I air them to 42 lbs. on all four corners, rotate and check balance every 5,000 miles. Has Bilstein shocks on it, not sure of the number. Would these be original as came from the factory? Been looking at getting new shocks, have always used Monroe (Sensatrac) and no one locally has the Bilsteins. Are the Bilsteins that much better of a shock to warrant the differance in $$ ? Tahoe is an LS model with 5.7 & 4WD. Any thoughts, Monroe or Bilsteins ???

[Daaaanz67]

I think both are good choices. I run Bilstein on my 03 excursion diesel and love the ride compared to the stock junk.

[Special-Ed]

42lbs in your tires? thats about 10 lbs too much....

[LEEVON]

Take your tires to 34 lbs and remove the bilsteins for some monroe's or OE shocks. Sell the bilsteins if you're having ride quality issues.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by Special-Ed

42lbs in your tires? thats about 10 lbs too much....

Yeah, what he said. I would come down to around the 32-35 psi range and see how it rides. Too much and the tires act like basketballs and will create a bad ride and overwork the shocks trying to dampen the extra motion.

BTW, I run Bilstein's in everything I can.

[95 S_Trucker]

The bilsteins came on a lot of the trucks from the factory, and in my opinion, they are the best shocks you can buy.

[chevy_mike]

BTW, having a good friend who worked at Bilstein for many years, I can 100% tell you that the Bilstein's that come from the factor DO NOT have the same valving as the ones you buy aftermarket.

He did ride tuning for most of the big car companies and he would dial in a set that worked great but the manufacturers wanted stuff more "plush and comfy" so he would do what they wanted. In the end, his valving specs would get turned into the "aftermarket" versions and most always would work better.

Just something to point out.

[Ironhorse]

For the size tire (265/75/16) the 32-35 psi. seems a bit low but will give it a try. Tread wear has been good, no signs of wear at center as if aired too tight. Alingnment is good, no cupping or scuffing on outer. Will give it a try and lower the psi. down. Thanks.

[68c10airstream]

Tire pressure is dictated by vehicle weight and load. Look at the driver's door for the recommended pressure. A vw bettle may be 19 psi, and a 1 ton truck 60 psi. Why do we increase rear tire pressure when we are going to put a load in the box? The handle the increased load. I think the bilstiens came on z71 optioned trucks (off road opt).