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Needing your help on best Shocks & Suspension for 06 GMC Sierra 2500HD (8.1 Engine)!

GMCbigblock

GMCbigblock

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Am seeking your help by sharing your valuable and proven-experience for my situation.

I read many old articles and threads posted on other off-raod sites on the best suspension combo for many cars. However, am looking for a specific and comprehensive Thread (or a solid-recommendation) for the best suspension combo for my 2006 GMC-Sierra 2500HD 4X4 (with 8.1 Engine and 6-speed maunal, if this information helps); taking into consideration of the latest field-proven products. Currently, the Truck's suspension setup and height are OEM standard.

The QUESTION is: how can I achieve an upgraded level for top-class handling of extreme sand dunes (including steep dune bashing). Such a trial, of course, is calling for a system that can well sustain and highly-perform in the 'harsh, deep and soft sand trails' of the famous great "Empty Quarter".

To better describe the trail and my application, in certain locations there will be long & wide manmade sand-stretches (for Oilfiled services); on which we drive in average about 60 miles at average speed of 65/70 MPH (and may reach speads upto 90 to 100 MPH). However, when the road ends, we have to cross those complex & super-high "multi sand dune" structure.

My options are open to either:

AA) Fix 'imporved shocks' that will MAINTAIN the Truck's at its stock-height (if a good suspension will do better than lifted ones), OR

BB) Fix 'imporved shocks' that will give a little lift BUT NOT more than a max of 3 inches (needing to maintain the center of gravity as low as possible, for safety reasons to avoid turn-over such a heavy rig while bashing thru the steep high sand-dunes that are formed around in our local area).

I will highly appreciate hearing your proven-advice; which I will count on for buying my next upgrade shocks (or system), and....
THANK you for passing by and your reading-time and consideration to help!
 
Just remember there will be many opinions on sand driving and this is just mine. Shocks, to me there are 3 choices 1st would be Fox, 2nd King, 3rd Bilstein. Any of these Brands will work great. I would recommend something with external reservoirs and maybe even bypasses. I can't speak on lifts for these newer trucks but your thinking in the right direction by not lifting it very much. Your next thing to consider will be tire choice,a good all terrain like BF Goodrich will be best in my opinion. You will will also want to have the ability to run them with minimal air pressure as well so maybe an air compressor should be in your thought process as well. Sand driving is all about momentum in a full size truck. Here is a link to what I can do with a stock suburban


http://vimeo.com/9786064
 
If you are going to retain the stock style suspension some sort of secondary suspension would be good to consider.

An airbump setup will help with the bottoming out that a stock suspension will have to deal with. These are also called jounce shocks.

Light racing makes a set up for the Sierra 1500 a call or e mail to them will let you know if they will work on your 2500
 
Thank guys for the help, I will thinks about it.

SPONSOREDBYDAD: we have a local shop selling all types of KING shocks. I have 2 front FOX shocks but were installed in the front of my Blazer when it was 6" lifted.

BTW, I liked the Burb, it moves great. What kind of setup you got in there?

BLAZINZUK: I will check with "Light racing" as couple of my duddies have Sierra 1500 and they might be interested as well, as we sand-dune together.

Also, you may wish to pass thru the link and check out an old article that I authored; which is having some offroad related info: "SURFING THE SAND OF 'SAHARA' IN THE ARABIA" at http://www.off-road.com/atv/feature/surfing-the-sand-of-sahara-in-the-arabia-11590.html?printable.

But am looking for updated info.
 
Cool. Enjoy it.

Meanwhile, I'll keep searching for more info to fill in the "shock space" with the most right and best-fit stuff.
 
I agree with the air bumps. The front would be harder to find room for under the truck, the back should be easy.

Replace the shocks with adjustable of some kind. Brand is not that big of a deal anymore. Remote reservoir would be optimum for heat dissipation. Remember that as they heat up they get softer and fade, so start with a stiff ride then back the adjustment off over time.
 
Right. I contacted LightRacing and waiting their advice. I have to be selective and careful when selecting the front shocks. Hope I determine the best field-proven brand and part number for stock to 2" lift.

BTW, nice Truck, and it remind me of my ex-truck. I guess it's 6" lifted, what system & components you got in your Jimmy, as I noticed from the link it has rear arms, nice shocks and setup?
 
Thanks for the compliment.

The suspension is all custom. Linked front and back. Sway-a-way coil over, triple by-passes and 4 inch air bumps at all for corners. Do not know how high the lift is. Sure is fun to drive.
 
GMCbigblock said:
Good to note that, well done! And, enjoy the fun.
Click to expand...

I would call Randy Ellis Design in Arizona if I were you. He does some nice IFS work and could probably help you out big time.

I would go longer arms, 2-3" lift try getting 12" plus travel out of the front end with a coilover and bypass with air bump.

Rear I would shoot for 18" or so of travel with at least one bypass per corner.

Cage etc from there to stiffen things up and your good to go.
 
Hey guys,*

Am needing your usual help here. While having some discussion with a friend on the shocks, I learnt that he has a set of used FOX Shocks that were fitted on his JEEP JK 2009, and he is now offering them for sale at about US$ 800, for the whole set of Shocks. Is there any chance that that any of those (Rear or Front) can fit my 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD, noting that I fitted a ReadyLify Leveling-Key in the front and 2" Rear-Block. The following are the shocks description and dimensions:

(Fox shocks 2" diameter with remote reservoir 2" with adjustable performance knobs:
Rear length eye to eye open 70cm closed 44cm reservoire 21.5cm.
Front eye to bolt open 73cm closed 45cm reservoir 28cm).

Since am no shock-specialist, I hope this info is clear for receiving your earliest advice, which am looking for.

Note: My long-term plan is to fix either KING, or FOX shocks, with upgraded upper control arms.

Thanks.
 
I am no shock specialist but you need to figure out the length/total movement up & down of your suspension then see if those shocks will handle those lengths. you don't want them bottoming out or pulling out on the stem when your wheels leave the ground.As for the price $800 for 4 shocks sounds like a fair price but not if they don't fit. You might look on the Fox web site and see what fox shocks will fit your truck then see if they are the same as your buddies.
 
Right!! The true dimensions will help the fitness of the shocks. I searched the Net and found at "Anyoffroadparts.com" site the following:

Fox Replacement 2001-10 Chevy/GMC HD Front & Rear 2.0 EM Shocks.

For quite some time, I was reading many different discussions posted on other Sites, which collectively drove me "co-co". I became more hesitant to go for the KING. I'd rather wait, and could go for the FOX, and this could happen in case I abort the idea to consider Bilestin's 5100 series.
 
MY personal preference is fox but that is only a personal choice. Both king and fox are big name brands as well as bilstein. they are all great shocks when they are set up correct.
 
Ok, let me go alongside your choice of FOX, which I share too. But, If you are in my shoe, and if possible, which one you'll pick for my Sierra Truck, noting my application as clarified earlier in this Thread?

Also, which one will fit the 1981 Blazer?

Reason am asking is that there are many types of FOX Shocks, and I could not determine which one fits my Trucks. My main application is purely sand then sand and nothing else.
 
A lot of this depends on your future plans. Are you lifting the truck, if so you will need to take that into account, or even if not I would go with at least a remote resv. The shocks with the bypasses have more adjustment but usually take some fab work to get to fit in a stock truck. There are people at foxracingshox.com who could help you out more than me. They do answer their e-mails.
 
Rogered that and appreciate your response-time and valuable-advice re FOX buddies. I'll touch base with them soon. Take care.
 
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