OEM and Aftermarket Shocks/Suspension - Info

[Barb the Yeti]

Has anyone tried the king shocks? From what I understand the 2.5 "extended" ones for 2-3" of lift should be a direct fit, but I haven't found anyone who has tried yet.

I am looking to buy a new 2500 Zr2 in the next couple of months, and I love the ride I have on my current kings much better than the dssvs when I have test driven 2500 Zr2s, honestly was my only disappointment with the truck.

 

[AXE]

Has anyone tried the king shocks? From what I understand the 2.5 "extended" ones for 2-3" of lift should be a direct fit, but I haven't found anyone who has tried yet.

I am looking to buy a new 2500 Zr2 in the next couple of months, and I love the ride I have on my current kings much better than the dssvs when I have test driven 2500 Zr2s, honestly was my only disappointment with the truck.

Dont worry, once you get your 2500HD, you'll have plenty of other things to be disappointed in. Mary Perpetual Dissapointment Barra from HR will always come through.

 

[Byrds8]

Yep like the basic QC of simply looking at it to know it's wrong....LOL

 

[Barb the Yeti]

Has anyone tried the king shocks? From what I understand the 2.5 "extended" ones for 2-3" of lift should be a direct fit, but I haven't found anyone who has tried yet.

I am looking to buy a new 2500 Zr2 in the next couple of months, and I love the ride I have on my current kings much better than the dssvs when I have test driven 2500 Zr2s, honestly was my only disappointment with the truck.

woof. I feel like thats basically every new car at this point... is there anything thats significantly better? I mean I know I'm on a chevy forum, and coming out of a chevy....

 

[AXE]

woof. I feel like thats basically every new car at this point... is there anything thats significantly better? I mean I know I'm on a chevy forum, and coming out of a chevy....

If you put in about 100-200 hours of time on your own and at the dealer, you eventually will have the small things addressed. The rest is just a grab bag......will your transmission need a new valve body, will oil leak into your coolant system, will your fuel pump control module fail.......etc. etc?

A couple years ago a lot of chicks on this forum would get mad at me for pointing out the lack of integrity and quality, now everyone agrees.

I bought 3 of these turds and they're all still going down the road. I'll tell you how it ends in 7 more years.

 

[Byrds8]

If you put in about 100-200 hours of time on your own and at the dealer, you eventually will have the small things addressed. The rest is just a grab bag......will your transmission need a new valve body, will oil leak into your coolant system, will your fuel pump control module fail.......etc. etc?

A couple years ago a lot of chicks on this forum would get mad at me for pointing out the lack of integrity and quality, now everyone agrees.

I bought 3 of these turds and they're all still going down the road. I'll tell you how it ends in 7 more years.

With trade ins lol

 

[Barb the Yeti]

If you put in about 100-200 hours of time on your own and at the dealer, you eventually will have the small things addressed. The rest is just a grab bag......will your transmission need a new valve body, will oil leak into your coolant system, will your fuel pump control module fail.......etc. etc?

A couple years ago a lot of chicks on this forum would get mad at me for pointing out the lack of integrity and quality, now everyone agrees.

I bought 3 of these turds and they're all still going down the road. I'll tell you how it ends in 7 more years.

I mean, is it bad enough to consider a dodge? The 2500 zr2 hits almost all of my list, but if it really is that bad... or are they any better....

 

[AXE]

I mean, is it bad enough to consider a dodge? The 2500 zr2 hits almost all of my list, but if it really is that bad... or are they any better....

Not really! I personally haven't had any major issues. Just lots of software, trim issues, and recalls to low through. These are the first Chevys I've owned that required much attention in 35+ years.

I run Rams for business cause my Dad likes them. They have their issues too, but probably not as serious as the GM issues of late.

I'd buy whichever one you like the best and go from there.

 

[Barb the Yeti]

Not really! I personally haven't had any major issues. Just lots of software, trim issues, and recalls to low through. These are the first Chevys I've owned that required much attention in 35+ years.

I run Rams for business cause my Dad likes them. They have their issues too, but probably not as serious as the GM issues of late.

I'd buy whichever one you like the best and go from there.

Fair enough. Hope someone knows something about the Kings either way
If not, I might volunteer to be the Guinea Pig

 

[Barb the Yeti]

So, just for everyone's information, I spoke with an Australian shop (Big dog Builds) who says they have some experience with modifying the zr2 suspension on the HD. He said:
The king 2.5s extended fronts will work, but the rears will need a 1" rear rod end extension.
The Fox 2.5 kit for leveled trucks works out of the box.

I am going to try one of these options at some point, Ill let everyone know how that goes.

 

[AXE]

So, just for everyone's information, I spoke with an Australian shop (Big dog Builds) who says they have some experience with modifying the zr2 suspension on the HD. He said:
The king 2.5s extended fronts will work, but the rears will need a 1" rear rod end extension.
The Fox 2.5 kit for leveled trucks works out of the box.

I am going to try one of these options at some point, Ill let everyone know how that goes.

I know a guy that did the Fox 2.5s on his 2500HD and he really likes it. It looks like a high quality kit too.

 

[IceySkizz]

Have you looked at any of Cognito's coilover conversion kits? Or Kibbetech stuff for upgrading suspension shocks to coilovers vs the torsion bars? I have been looking into options to smooth out the ride for more dedicated off-roading and curious on your findings.

 

[AXE]

I'm that Cognito Elka kit looks nice. I've run Elka's on my Powersports equipment.

 

[Barb the Yeti]

I'm that Cognito Elka kit looks nice. I've run Ella's on my Powersports equipment.

The dirt king shocks im running now are tuned Elkas, im a big fan so far.

 

[AXE]

The dirt king shocks im running now are tuned Elkas, im a big fan so far.

Do this have high and low speed compression/rebound dampening? I ran a set like that on a race quad with and it was a great ride, but a bit of a science project to get set up.

 

[Barb the Yeti]

Do this have high and low speed compression/rebound dampening? I ran a set like that on a race quad with and it was a great ride, but a bit of a science project to get set up.

They do, but i ended up returning the settings to stock after mess8ng with everything. They have it pretty well dialed from the factory. They also have a good guide on the adjustments posted

 

[AXE]

They do, but i ended up returning the settings to stock after mess8ng with everything. They have it pretty well dialed from the factory. They also have a good guide on the adjustments posted

They also have great customer service!

 

[mpk1996]

The dirt king shocks im running now are tuned Elkas, im a big fan so far.

I spoke with those guys last week. i think their tow runner kit is pretty good, although for the zr2 you don’t need the “kit” as the truck already has the keys on it. So just the UCA and shocks. going to try just the UCA and maybe a cognito spacer on the front. going to bring up the stock front .75-1”, so hopefully the spacer will be good.

I also spoke with deaver springs. I am building mine out as an overlanding setup, don’t really tow with it. So waiting for the build to be complete and see what the total bed weight is. Deavers will build a custom set of rear springs for the constant bed weight. Might also run a 1” drop shackle and have the spring setup to run level with the front at somewhere from stock to +1” (just depends on how the 37s go in and what i want for look). But that will get rid of the stupid rear block, be a better rear progressive spring with more articulation. The DK guys thought that would work real well with their kit. Now that being said, it will loose some of the tow capacity, but thats ok for me.