2001 Tahoe leveling - Rear Drop

[daddy]

Alright, guys. I have this "new" Tahoe but I want to drop the rear to level it out while still keeping a nice smooth ride and the ability to tow my pontoon and eventually a travel trailer.

Currently I have the ZW7 - PREMIUM RIDE SUSPENSION option which amounts to special springs and some $400/ea self-leveling shocks.

From everything I have read replacing the rear shocks with normal shocks requires a new set of springs but I'll have to have that to lower it anyway so I think I am in the clear on that part. What I am trying to figure out it what kit and what shocks to go with.

Right now my back end is 1.5 inches higher than the front but the left side is 1" lower than the right. I do have a full tank of gas though.

Any suggestions on rear lowering kits? Any suggestions on shocks? I've nver heard anything bad about Bilsteins so I am leaning that direction.

I plan to add an air ride kit as well but that'll be in another thread.

 

[Zembonez]

Why not get a set of springs from a non "self leveling" Hoe? Then go with some Bilsteins. Is there anybody making a kit for retrofitting these?

The pontoon is no big deal weight wise. I'd bet the tongue weight is less than 250. Trouble comes your way when you need to tow a heavy travel trailer. You'll need an equalizer hitch for that.

 

[daddy]

Why not get a set of springs from a non "self leveling" Hoe? Then go with some Bilsteins. Is there anybody making a kit for retrofitting these?

The pontoon is no big deal weight wise. I'd bet the tongue weight is less than 250. Trouble comes your way when you need to tow a heavy travel trailer. You'll need an equalizer hitch for that.

Bilstein has springs too to pair with their shicks on these but I don't think that'll give me any drop. Although, I am not sure I am going to find much to level it out only 1.5 inches.

Is it possible my current springs have compressed an inch or so over the last 9 years? I don't want to drop a new set of springs under there and have it raise the back on me.

 

[Zembonez]

What about something like this?

http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/61A2571A0A0A3110948.aspx

 

[Zembonez]

WAIT!

Does that have torsion bars in the front?

 

[daddy]

WAIT!

Does that have torsion bars in the front?

Yeah.

 

[Zembonez]

HMMM.

Since you are having an issue side to side of one inch, I'd crank the opposite T bar a bit to level it side to side. This would also lift the front just slightly and might just make the whole leveling thing a non issue.

Just a thought.

 

[daddy]

HMMM.

Since you are having an issue side to side of one inch, I'd crank the opposite T bar a bit to level it side to side. This would also lift the front just slightly and might just make the whole leveling thing a non issue.

Just a thought.

It's certainly a cheaper thought. I might have to give that a shot.

 

[ScottyBoy]

I did some homework. turns out I have the zw7 option on my Suburban as well. I can verify that these are NOT the self leveling shocks. There was a regular suspension, then the ZW7 Premium Ride suspension, and the the G69 Premium Autoride Suspension (self-leveling). So replacing your rear shocks and springs wont be quite as expensive as you thought!

 

[Zembonez]

That's good news