NIVOMAT vs. 5100's on DD tow pig?
01-04-2019, 11:15 AM
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NIVOMAT vs. 5100's on DD tow pig?
Gentlemen- time for new shocks on my 2012 Tahoe. (truck is bone stock except for factory size rolling stock, cam and tune)
I am very familiar with swapping from Nivomats for lifted and lowered applications but this is my first stock ride level SUV that will stay stock ride height.
Can anyone convince me not to replace the Nivomat+coil setup for a factory ride height 5100+coil setup?
Truck typically drives less than 5 miles a day,empty, and gets some pretty big potholes each way at around 40mph. Nivomat shocks take 2 miles just to level out, and rough roads murder them.
During the summer months it tows a BBC powered mustang or a a late model 5.0 stang on an open trailer... on the same rough roads.
I am open to other shocks, but my experience with Bilstiens is hard to beat. Also- the coil options and p/n's for the 2012 2wd, when switching from Nivomats, would be helpful too.
I am very familiar with swapping from Nivomats for lifted and lowered applications but this is my first stock ride level SUV that will stay stock ride height.
Can anyone convince me not to replace the Nivomat+coil setup for a factory ride height 5100+coil setup?
Truck typically drives less than 5 miles a day,empty, and gets some pretty big potholes each way at around 40mph. Nivomat shocks take 2 miles just to level out, and rough roads murder them.
During the summer months it tows a BBC powered mustang or a a late model 5.0 stang on an open trailer... on the same rough roads.
I am open to other shocks, but my experience with Bilstiens is hard to beat. Also- the coil options and p/n's for the 2012 2wd, when switching from Nivomats, would be helpful too.
01-04-2019, 02:48 PM
#2
I have an 02 Z71 Tahoe. Same geometry, but different parts.
I used Moog Z71 replacement springs in the rear of mine because I felt like the OE ones were sagging a bit. Turns out my Moogs are sagging a bit again after ~6yrs and adding a bumper, swing out spare and extra fuel tank. I'll get you the p/n for the springs, but it'll only
be for posterity since you don't need Z71 springs
I have the 5100s all around. Front are GM specific for "0-3"" lift, I am cranked stock up there
rears are 1.5 lift pucks, with the 5100s for a Dodge pick up, same 0-3" lift. 6yrs on those too, and they are fine. Getting a little soft in the back of you wanted to know my honest opinion. I think I have about 60k on them. Towed the race car to LSFest West, about 900mi 1 way and never felt like I was out of shock, and never bobbed around.
Do have to warn you tho, I feel that the 5100s add to the harshness. Small bump compliance isn't the same as OE, and big hits can be a little jarring. I am also cranked up front and we know what that does for ride quality lol.
Overall, impressed for the price. Lots of life, lots of abuse and I don't feel they've ever let me down
I used Moog Z71 replacement springs in the rear of mine because I felt like the OE ones were sagging a bit. Turns out my Moogs are sagging a bit again after ~6yrs and adding a bumper, swing out spare and extra fuel tank. I'll get you the p/n for the springs, but it'll only
be for posterity since you don't need Z71 springs
I have the 5100s all around. Front are GM specific for "0-3"" lift, I am cranked stock up there
rears are 1.5 lift pucks, with the 5100s for a Dodge pick up, same 0-3" lift. 6yrs on those too, and they are fine. Getting a little soft in the back of you wanted to know my honest opinion. I think I have about 60k on them. Towed the race car to LSFest West, about 900mi 1 way and never felt like I was out of shock, and never bobbed around.
Do have to warn you tho, I feel that the 5100s add to the harshness. Small bump compliance isn't the same as OE, and big hits can be a little jarring. I am also cranked up front and we know what that does for ride quality lol.
Overall, impressed for the price. Lots of life, lots of abuse and I don't feel they've ever let me down
01-04-2019, 03:59 PM
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Thats +1for the Nivomats
[QUOTE=arthursc2;5454917]
I once had a Jeep jk with no sway bars on 37's that I took on 15 hour each way trips to wheel, then back, before learning to trailer my junk.
Maybe I should be looking at different valved shocks in the Bilstien line up. I want this Hoe to ride as posh as possible. No lift, no big tires. Street ride.
Of course, nontorsion keys (front coilovers) may make all thediff... sureley someone will chime in on the newer models with 5100s in rear.
[/qoute]
I have always ran 5100s unless it was coilovers... and all OE coils have about a 50k service life.I once had a Jeep jk with no sway bars on 37's that I took on 15 hour each way trips to wheel, then back, before learning to trailer my junk.
Maybe I should be looking at different valved shocks in the Bilstien line up. I want this Hoe to ride as posh as possible. No lift, no big tires. Street ride.
Of course, nontorsion keys (front coilovers) may make all thediff... sureley someone will chime in on the newer models with 5100s in rear.
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