The Z71 Silverado is an incredible truck, with great horsepower and fuel efficiency. But everything you love about your vehicle can go away if your shocks are not functioning properly. Many people make the mistake of not taking their shocks seriously, which can not just hamper the performance of the vehicle, but actually be very dangerous for driving.
In this article, we’ve compiled the best shocks in the market for your Z71 Silverado, keeping in mind that you’ll need shocks that do justice to your pickup truck and are also compatible with it.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Best Shocks for Z71 Silverado
Check out the Buyer’s Guide and FAQs section that we’ve included at the end of the article to help you make your decision!
#1- ACDelco 530-301 Professional Premium Gas-Charged Front Shock Absorber
ACDelco is one of the leading brands for shocks in the market. In fact, every time we research and put together a list of the best shocks in the market according to vehicle type, at least one shock from ACDelco makes its way onto the list. It is just that effective and high-performing.
These are some of the best front shocks in the market. They ensure a super comfortable road and if you find yourself driving a lot on rocky roads and want to put comfort first, you can be rest assured that comfort is the first thing these shocks will bring to your vehicle. The DOM pressure cylinders also seal with the latest technology for added safety and durability.
If you’re worried about performance and efficiency getting compromised for comfort — don’t be. These are adjustable shocks, meaning that you can use the Road Response Valving technology to instantly switch from a smooth road to rocky terrain and your shocks will provide your Silverado with what it needs at that given point.
Finally, the piston rod is coated in chromium, and won’t ever collect rust, working perfectly through the end of its life span.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: ACDelco
- Model: 530-301
- Weight: 4.37 pounds
- Dimensions: 19.9 x 4 x 3.2 inches
- Exterior: Chromium
Pros
- Adjustable shocks
- Very affordable
- Lifetime guarantee
- Minimal foaming
- Resistant to vibrations
Cons
- Doesn’t come with boots
#2- Monroe 911502 Shock Absorber
This affordable shock absorber is incredible at handling bumpy rides on all kinds of terrain and surfaces your Silverado comes into contact with. The Monroe Shock Absorber can do this because of its nitrocarburized fabric that is fortified around its outer body. This means that it absorbs a lot of the vibrations and evens out the ride for you while you’re driving. So even when the truck should be jostling around, you’ll feel cushioned.
The free-floating piston also deserves a special mention, and it does the job of isolating the high-pressure gas from the shock fluid. As a result, you’ll get much less oil aeration and foaming over with these shocks installed.
It is also equipped with an impressive hydraulic lock-out system that reduces suspension shock and boosts the performance of your Silverado. You’ll immediately feel the improvement in stability when you drive after installing the shocks, and fast response when changing gears.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Monroe
- Model: 911502
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Dimensions: 24.1 x 3.2 x 3.1 inches
- Exterior: Nitrocarburized
Pros
- Less oil aeration
- Affordable
- Monotube shocks
- High shock absorption
- Smoothens ride
Cons
- Sometimes causes drifting
#3- Bilstein (24-186742) 5100 Series Rear Shock Absorber
Bilstein is an extremely reputed brand when it comes to shocks. This efficient shock is the monotube shaft type and is built with high-quality materials that will last for a while.
This monotube shock is powered by a hydraulic gas chamber. This is useful because it is able to quickly dissipate the heat, while the charged gases play an important role in transferring energy.
Bonus points go to this shock for having a zinc-plated outer layer. This prevents any chances of leakages which boosts the safety factor quite a bit. This shock has something called digressive valving. This means that it responds very quickly to any changes in the road. So if you switch from the highway to rocky terrain, these shocks have got your back.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Bilstein
- Model – 24-186742
- Weight: 5.09 pounds
- Exterior: Zinc
Pros
- Charged gases ensure quick transfer of energy
- Leak-resistant exterior
- Hydraulic technology
- Adjustable bellowed boot
Cons
- Not as durable as some of the others on our list
#4- Bilstein 4600 Series Shock Absorbers
We’re including another Bilstein shock to the list because this one can’t be missed. This is a pair of rear shocks and is ideal if you’re looking to change your rear shocks. These shock absorbers are best at smoothening out your ride. If you’re not too concerned about losing out on performance as long as your body isn’t sore every time you take the Silverado out — look no further than the Bilstein 4600 Series Shock Absorbers.
They use monotube pressure gas technology to cushion the entire ride and give you a much more relaxing experience and return control back to your hands as you’re able to maneuver a much more stable vehicle.
The Bilstein 4600 Series Shock Absorbers are also remarkably easy to install, which means that you won’t have to call anyone to help you out or hire a technician. Almost everybody can install these shocks on their own. These Bilstein shocks work great on the Z71 Silverado and give instant results.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Bilstein
- Model: 24-065009
- Weight: 19.21 pounds
- Dimensions: 30 x 10 x 10 inches
Pros
- Lifetime warranty assurance
- Returns control to the driver
- Boots for increased stability
- Affordable
Cons
- No electric suspension
#5- Rancho RS55265 Pairs of Shock Absorbers
The Rancho Shock Absorbers do a great job of smoothing out your ride on a bumpy track. This twin-tube shock absorber set is widely known as one of the best shocks out there for the Z71 Chevrolet Silverado.
These shock absorbers are also adjustable. There are ten stages of application-specific valving that will allow you to fine-tune according to the type of ride and performance you want from your Silverado.
The piston rod is an impressive 16mm and is both corrosion resistant as well as rust-resistant, greatly extending the projected lifespan of an average shock.
These twin-tube shocks are also very budget-friendly, with impressive results. You can perform an entire OEM replacement without burning a hole in your pocket. All four shocks that come with this set have velocity-sensitive valving technology. Finally, you also get boots for protection with these shocks, and they’re red!
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Rancho
- Model: RS5000
- Weight: 28.0 pounds
- Dimensions: 10 x 12 x 5 inches
Pros
- Very affordable
- Comes with boots for protection
- Quick assembly
- Lifetime warranty
- Package includes all four shocks
- Vehicle specific tuning
Cons
- No monotube shocks
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions about Z71 Silverado Shocks
We understand if you’re still confused after going through the list of shocks we curated for your Z71 Silverado. It can be difficult to choose when all of the shocks seem to bring great features to the table and improve your Silverado’s performance.
However, an increased familiarity with some of the features that the shocks offer will help you discern which is the right one for you. While we argue that you could blindly throw a dart at any of the shocks on our list, some may be a better fit for you than others.
Take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions about Z71 Silverado shocks. You probably have the same questions too!
When buying shocks, do I need to replace both the front and rear ones?
The short answer is yes. This is because it’s always recommended to use the same brand and model for your front and rear shocks alike.
Using a different brand or model of shocks in the rear while makes your entire ride seem disturbed and not cohesive. It’s important to either ensure you’re purchasing the same front shocks as your rear ones (or vice versa) or simply purchase all four together if you’re planning to replace them.
Here’s why we suggest buying all four. Even if you purchase two new ones that are the same model and make as your existing shocks, you will now have two brand new and two old shocks. They will still have minute differences in their functionality (as new shocks can absorb road bumps better) and you’re setting yourself up for the eventuality of the old pair conking off on you and having to replace just those two later on.
Furthermore, shocks are not a very expensive vehicle part to replace, so we recommend just getting four new ones if you’re facing any issues with your original shocks.
Are suspensions and struts necessary if I have shocks?
Struts and shocks both contribute towards the end goal of a smoother ride with better gear shifts, but they do not do the same thing. Struts are an intrinsic part of the suspension system and are not directly connected to your shocks.
Many vehicles can either only have struts or shocks at one point of time, while others have the capacity for both to be installed. As a general rule, many people who install shocks (particularly high-quality and high-performing ones such as on our list) do not see the need to install struts as well.
Remember that it is recommended that you change your shocks once in every 12,000 miles while struts only need to be changed once in every 50,000 miles. If you still want the option to be made available to you should you decide to install struts as well in the future, make sure that you get shocks that will be compatible with both!
How do I install front shocks on my Z71 Chevrolet Silverado?
It’s not difficult to install shocks on your own on your Z71 Silverado. That’s why we specifically mention how easy or difficult the installation is in our product reviews for each shock in this article. Many people end up calling a technician or mechanic to install the shocks on their Silverado, simply because they’re afraid to touch the wrong thing or accidentally mess up some inner wiring.
There’s no need to be afraid of installing your own shocks. After following a couple of steps, you’ll be able to easily carry out the entire process of installation in under an hour.
Here’s how to go about installing shocks on your Z71 Chevrolet Silverado.
- Make sure you have your hand gloves on and you’re wearing goggles for safety measures. Even if you’ve done some basic mechanic work before, it’s always better to take precautions.
- Refer to the Z71 Silverado so you can confirm the placements of the shocks
- Block your car wheels from moving about during the installation process.
- Using the right tool, slacken the lug nuts.
- Since you’re changing your old shocks, it’s quite likely that these shocks have some rust on them. Keep some penetrating oil handy so that you can use it if you’re unable to remove the shocks due to rust.
- Jack your truck up. Make sure that you’ve done this correctly and your truck is standing on the jack.
- You might need to use more than one jack and stand. The truck should be completely lifted.
- Using tire irons, carefully remove the wheels
- Now, take a wrench and a plier. You will now use this to carefully remove the first shock.
- You might need to use a ratchet and socket for removing the bottom bolts.
- Remove the uninstalled old shock and install your fresh shock through the lower arm.
- Now toughen the shock bolt from the top and ensure that it is secure.
- Using a ratchet, install the lower part of the shock as well.
- After you tighten the bolts on top, you’re done! Simply repeat this for all other shocks as well.
Conclusion
Getting new shocks is a big part of reliving the driving experience from when your Silverado was brand new. You’ll finally have control back in your hands as you experience a buttery smooth ride that doesn’t compromise on performance!
We hope you were able to make your pick from the shocks on our list and that they’re on their way to you!
