Adding leafs or airbags?

zrteton

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Has anyone added leafs, timbren/airbags, etc? Beefier sway bars? How are they working out and impacting performance?

The stock tires are rated for 65psi, which is also a factor in carrying heavy loads vs the majority of other HDs taking ~80psi.

I'm contemplating a 3k lb camper (right at the payload max) for my ZR2 that's on order, and figure others have already tried aftermarket solutions to bolster this trucks capacity. Has anyone used their HD ZR2 for a slide in, and if so what camper and how do you like it?
 
I am installing a set of Super Duty 5000 Air Lift bags and a Wireless One compressor right now. I'll post up some details in a day or two on install. That set up cost about $1300. I think they are a little cheaper on Etrailer.com. They also have a couple of detailed videos on their website installing them on 24 HDs if you want to do it yourself.

I can tell you I've run that same setup in three other HDs and it makes heavy towing and payload a dream.

If your doing a cab over, it's the only way in my opinion. The rear suspension is a little light on these ZR2s, that's why they ride so good. If you don't get some support it, I thing you'll be squatting a whole lot.
 
I am installing a set of Super Duty 5000 Air Lift bags and a Wireless One compressor right now. I'll post up some details in a day or two on install. That set up cost about $1300. I think they are a little cheaper on Etrailer.com. They also have a couple of detailed videos on their website installing them on 24 HDs if you want to do it yourself.

I can tell you I've run that same setup in three other HDs and it makes heavy towing and payload a dream.

If your doing a cab over, it's the only way in my opinion. The rear suspension is a little light on these ZR2s, that's why they ride so good. If you don't get some support it, I thing you'll be squatting a whole lot.
Do you have a part number for the airbags?
 
I am installing a set of Super Duty 5000 Air Lift bags and a Wireless One compressor right now. I'll post up some details in a day or two on install. That set up cost about $1300. I think they are a little cheaper on Etrailer.com. They also have a couple of detailed videos on their website installing them on 24 HDs if you want to do it yourself.

I can tell you I've run that same setup in three other HDs and it makes heavy towing and payload a dream.

If your doing a cab over, it's the only way in my opinion. The rear suspension is a little light on these ZR2s, that's why they ride so good. If you don't get some support it, I thing you'll be squatting a whole lot.
i agree with rear suspension..a little sag with my 375lb quad.
 
Do you have a part number for the airbags?
There is a 5000 model with a jounce inside and a 7500XL too, if your going heavy. I though that jounce would kill the DSSV suspension and never had it before.
 

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There is a 5000 with a bounce inside and a 7500XL too if your going heavy. I though that jounce would kill the DSSV suspension.and never had it before.
Thanks! Would love your thoughts when you get them on!
 
I'm going the route of a cabover camper as well, and I'm planning to add an airbag to help with the load. My camper is going to be lighter than OP zrteton, likely somewhere around 2200lbs. Just a note that the total payload listed on the gasser truck is around 3300lbs, thats for both axels. The gooseneck tongue weight is listed as 2711lbs, I'm assuming thats closer to the acceptable payload for the bed.

AXE, have you gotten that install done? The Airlift website has a note on that 57341 airbag (and all the airbags that come up when you select a 2024 Silverado 2500HD) that says "WILL NOT FIT ZR2 OR AT4X MODELS". I'm curious if they actually do fit
 
I'm going the route of a cabover camper as well, and I'm planning to add an airbag to help with the load. My camper is going to be lighter than OP zrteton, likely somewhere around 2200lbs. Just a note that the total payload listed on the gasser truck is around 3300lbs, thats for both axels. The gooseneck tongue weight is listed as 2711lbs, I'm assuming thats closer to the acceptable payload for the bed.

AXE, have you gotten that install done? The Airlift website has a note on that 57341 airbag (and all the airbags that come up when you select a 2024 Silverado 2500HD) that says "WILL NOT FIT ZR2 OR AT4X MODELS". I'm curious if they actually do fit
I have another thread posted with all the install details. They fit fine and seem to work well. I haven't towed anything yet, but have ran them at a lot of different settings to function test.

Not sure why they say they won't fit. Maybe the axle base plate that is removable throws them off. That is the only thing that is different with axle and frame on the ZR2.

Maybe the Multimatic shocks aren't compatible for some reason. Maybe they just never checked a ZR2 and just didn't want to say they are compatible until they tested them.
 
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I have the system below and it was installed by my dealership which makes it covered under my warranty.
View attachment 15991View attachment 15993View attachment 15994

I haven't seen that kit before. Looking on their website, that seems like a nice setup that's not supposed to limit travel. I like the way it installs on the side of the frame and it leaves the stock bumpstops in place. What do think about it so far? Truck still ride the same unloaded? Have you done any towing since you had them put on? I think this setup is what I'm going to go with.

I've had either firestone or airlift bags on my last 4 or 5 trucks. But getting them to work right on my 1500 zr2 was a challenge. I have a feeling it would be the same deal on the HD, especially since they specify they don't fit a HD ZR2.
 
I haven't seen that kit before. Looking on their website, that seems like a nice setup that's not supposed to limit travel. I like the way it installs on the side of the frame and it leaves the stock bumpstops in place. What do think about it so far? Truck still ride the same unloaded? Have you done any towing since you had them put on? I think this setup is what I'm going to go with.

I've had either firestone or airlift bags on my last 4 or 5 trucks. But getting them to work right on my 1500 zr2 was a challenge. I have a feeling it would be the same deal on the HD, especially since they specify they don't fit a HD ZR2.
I tow just about daily and i tow pretty heavy. I leave 5 lbs in them when not towing and it does not affect the ride at all. I absolutely love these things plus they where dealer installed so they are covered on my warranty. I previously had a 2011 2500 HD LTZ Z71 which i did not need air bags but rode like a tank this truck has an amazing ride and with the air bags towing is an entirely new level of comfort. It's like having the best of both worlds a 1500 ride quality with a 2500 tow capability.
IMG_1702.webp
 
I tow just about daily and i tow pretty heavy. I leave 5 lbs in them when not towing and it does not affect the ride at all. I absolutely love these things plus they where dealer installed so they are covered on my warranty. I previously had a 2011 2500 HD LTZ Z71 which i did not need air bags but rode like a tank this truck has an amazing ride and with the air bags towing is an entirely new level of comfort. It's like having the best of both worlds a 1500 ride quality with a 2500 tow capability.
View attachment 16015

Nice, I actually had a 2011 Duramax also, haha. I did have to have bags on it though. I believe I had firestones on it. Normally I run cradles so I can leave the bags at zero psi when I'm not towing. That way the bags don't limit up travel. I'm guessing these recommend leaving them at 5 psi also, especially if putting the truck up in the air? Good to know you don't notice them with 5psi in them.

I'll put them on myself, not to worried about the dealer covering them under warranty. I already have onboard air, so I won't need the remote controlled compressor. I actually still have my mechanical control valve and gauge I took out of my previous ZR2 before I traded it. I had planned on putting it in the HD, but I just haven't decided on bags yet. Truck has did fine with most stuff. But my toyhauler has over 1500lb of tongue weight. With WD hitch it's fine. But with out the bars on, it squats it a bunch. I've been missing my bags when towing. No way to adjust the ride quality while on the road sucks.
 
So...only for towing or can this also help smooth the ride under normal driving conditions?
 
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So...only for towing or can this also help smooth the ride under normal driving conditions?

Towing/hauling only. That's actually the trick with bags, helper springs, ect. The goal is to help with loads without effecting the ride when the truck isn't towing.
 
Towing/hauling only. That's actually the trick with bags, helper springs, ect. The goal is to help with loads without effecting the ride when the truck isn't towing.
Makes sense. Just looking for options to improve the ride quality a tad since I knew the 2500 would ride a bit harsher than the 1500. Thinking about Bilstein 4600's but not sold that it will make that much of a difference over the stock Ranchos used on what I've read on line. Open to thoughts that don't include installing DSSV shocks :ROFLMAO:
 
Makes sense. Just looking for options to improve the ride quality a tad since I knew the 2500 would ride a bit harsher than the 1500. Thinking about Bilstein 4600's but not sold that it will make that much of a difference over the stock Ranchos used on what I've read on line. Open to thoughts that don't include installing DSSV shocks :ROFLMAO:
Get the Elkas they have compression and rebound adjustability. Only way to improve ride quality is spend $$$.
 
Get the Elkas they have compression and rebound adjustability. Only way to improve ride quality is spend $$$.
Not that bad at all really...just looking for a potential improvement at a reasonable cost.
 
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Get the Elkas they have compression and rebound adjustability. Only way to improve ride quality is spend $$$.
Not showing anything available for this truck on their site.
 
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Not that bad at all really...just looking for a potential improvement at a reasonable cost.
It's either that or add 10k lbs to the rear end..... you'll think you have the best riding tow rig you've ever had!

Cognito has a nice kit. Probably $5500 installed. Not sure you can make their shocks work without lift. Cognito will know. Icon and Fox will have similar shocks too.

 
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It's either that or add 10k lbs to the rear end..... you'll think you have the best riding tow rig you've ever had!
The current ride really isn't bad at all. Would just be nice to soak up he bumps a bit better. Guess I'll just leave her be for the next 2 years. Doesn't appear that a set of 4600's will really do much either even though it's a cheap option. Loving the truck and getting used to driving it. Almost at 800 miles :D
 
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