Suspension Help - 2017 Silverado Crew Cab Z71

[JButtress]

Looking for some advice and help on suspension for my Silverado. Its all stock for the most part, except for a leveling kit i added after i bought it that is Rancho. Haven't heard great things about Rancho since so not sure if I should look to change those.

The main issue i have right now is the read end is sagging a bit with the Decked drawer system, bed rack and roof top tent. Friends have said all I need to do is add a leaf spring. But I'd rather go above and beyond and do someone once to whole system if thats truly the best move.

Any ideas, tips, suggestions are welcomed. Thanks

 

[RoarinRow]

The leaf spring is what I did for my rig since I always have my camper shell on and gear in the back. I guess another option would be air bags. A more costly option, but I hear that when the back in unloaded, it's a better ride?

 

[Billiebob]

i added after i bought it that is Rancho. Haven't heard great things about Rancho since so not sure if I should look to change those

it is just a leveling kit, not a lift, not to worry.

AIR BAGS are the best way to level a loaded truck while keeping it level empty. I had a truck with some and I used a bicycle pump when I needed to air them up. No need for a compressor and lines and valves. Just run a line from each to the rear bumper.

 

[Z714XPLOR]

I am going with air bags on mine. I prefer it level all the time. Rear can be adjusted to suit travel weight or empty. I added a plate bumper and winch up front. I now have a nose dip even with level kit installed. Going with new coilovers and springs to get back to 2.25"to 2.5" in front. Stock Rancho suspension on Mohave road was not nice at all. Made up my mind to upgrade on that trip.

 

[JButtress]

I am going with air bags on mine. I prefer it level all the time. Rear can be adjusted to suit travel weight or empty. I added a plate bumper and winch up front. I now have a nose dip even with level kit installed. Going with new coilovers and springs to get back to 2.25"to 2.5" in front. Stock Rancho suspension on Mohave road was not nice at all. Made up my mind to upgrade on that trip.

What brand are you going with?

 

[BCMoto]

My friends sierra has air lift bags in the rear and its pretty nice when loaded

 

[JButtress]

My friends sierra has air lift bags in the rear and its pretty nice when loaded

What brand?

 

[Z714XPLOR]

What brand are you going with?

Air Lift Air Bag Suspension Kit-
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Plus Rear Leveling Kit
2017 Chevy Silverado
(1500, LTZ, short bed (approx. 5' 9"))
Part #: 89204

 

[BCMoto]

What brand?

Air Lift

 

[Z714XPLOR]

Yes Air Lift brand.

 

[Boostpowered]

The problem with rancho stuff is it usually made of polyurethane or delrin plasic if you have an aluminum or steel spacer up front then it wont be a problem unless your planning on going fast everywhere and jumping stuff but its not a zr2 or a raptor so you shouldnt be doing that if you value your truck, your rear end wouldnt be sagging had you used lift blocks or shackles in the rear to keep the forward rake of the truck. The whole reason the ass end of your truck sticks up stock is for towing so you dont sag in the rear under load, lift the rear and you wont have a problem unless your overloading the trailer.
My colorado z71 diesel with tow package has 3" spacers front and back so i left the stock rake and have no problem with 10k on a trailer the rear only drops maybe an inch( not enough to even tell lookin at it) so ditch the plastic spacers for metal and do the same size in rear as front and you should be fine. Airbags in the rear will work if you just want the rear to be lifted when towing, personally i dont like how bags in the rear only feels when not loaded with weight that and the internal bumpstops in em dont allow near as much articulation in the rear when not towing and offroad.

 

[Shakes355]

I dislike airbags, personally. Many people swear by them so it tends to come down to preference.
I chose to swap my stock 2+1 leaf packs for 2500HD 4+1 replacements. It adds an inch or so in a maintenance free package while resisting sag more effectively. Originally kept my factory block (1.5"/not a z71) but eventually moved to a 2" RC block to fine tune the height.

I opted for bilstein shocks at the same time and I couldn't be happier with the ride (loaded or unloaded).

It should also be noted that I use SumoSprings on the truck. They replace the factory bump stops like timbrens but are much more pliable. I have them spaced to engage only under medium to heavy loads so the do not affect ride quality under most normal conditions.