Our Colorado's Rancho suspension continues to impress. Its quality is top-tier. One addition was needed, though.
We've been building 4x4s to not only be trail worthy, but high-speed worthy also. To do this, quality shock absorbers are a must.
Bilstein offers their 4600 Series shocks for stock Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon pickups. They're a wise upgrade from OE. As we had a 4" Rancho suspension system on our Colorado, we went to Bilstein's "Custom Fit" line of shocks that are sold by length and valving, but require additional hardware when used in OE mounting points. Many times, the OE bushings and sleeves can be pressed out of the old shocks and reused in the Bilsteins, but we went with new parts.
We chose new Bilstein 5165 reservoir shocks for the rear. Along with the shocks, Bilstein sent bonded bushings/bar pins for the upper rear mounts and 14mm sleeves for the bottom.
Up front, the configuration of the upper shock mount made using a reservoir shock impossible, so we chose 5125 monotube shocks. The top is a stud mount - no changes needed. We pressed in new bottom bushings and 12mm sleeves. The bushings and sleeves were too wide for the Colorado's bottom mounting bracket, so they were ground down about 1/4" to fit.
Once the 5165/5125 Bilsteins were installed, we took the Colorado for a quick spin. Wow! What a difference. Compression and rebound valving is just about perfect. The Colorado no longer bounces over bumps. The ride is firm, yet controlled and comfortable. Okay -- we have to say it. The Bilsteins make the Colorado feel almost like a German sports sedan.
Watch for more in 4Wheel Drive Magazine.